Letters From Your Love

The sound of your laugh carried on the wind as the ship cut through the waves. Sanji glanced across the deck to see you sitting on a barrel, doubled over and clutching your stomach as Usopp told another of his exaggerated stories, his hands moving wildly around him. Whatever it was this time, you clearly found it hilarious.

Sanji found himself still thinking about your laugh as he ducked under the doorway and back into the belly of the ship. He didn’t know why, but you’d been on his mind more often now. He found it odd because it had never been an issue before. By all accounts, he’d known you for at least two years when you worked together on the Baratie. Sure, you were front of house, and he usually stayed in the kitchen (when he wasn’t fighting with Zeff, anyway), but he’d still seen you at the bar after a shift or around the ship's halls on a day off. But it was a big ship, lots of crew, so he hadn’t spoken to you much. Not to mention, you’d always been a quiet one.

That must be why, he thought to himself, pulling down a pan from above the center galley island. I just see her more.

He began working on lunch for the crew, and for a while, he was at peace again. Cooking always brought him a serenity that little else could. As he sliced carrots and chopped garlic, he slipped back into the Baratie kitchen, back onto the line.

“Behind!” Patty called as he passed by Sanji’s back. When he took his place on the other line, he leaned over, “Hey, Sanji, you hear we’ve got a new waitress?”

“Yeah?” Sanji absentmindedly responded as he pulled down different plates for the table 3 orders.

“Mhm, around your age, isn’t she?”

“Oh, yeah,” Sanji shrugged, “I dunno, she doesn’t talk much.”

“Aw, just what we need,” Patty groaned, “I’m never gonna hear her calls.”

Just then, the kitchen door swung inward, revealing a short young woman in a fresh waitress uniform. She clutched an order ticket in her hand, her eyes widening at the constant movement and raucous sounds of the kitchen before her.

“Here we go,” Patty murmured under his breath. Sanji suppressed a laugh.

“I NEED TWO PRIME RIBS MEDIUM WELL. ONE GROUPER SUB ASPARAGUS FOR SIDE OF CEVICHE.”

Then you tucked the ticket into the slider and disappeared back into the dining room. As the kitchen door swung back and forth, the kitchen jerked back into motion from it’s uncharacteristic pause.

“Hell,” Patty laughed, “Nevermind! She’s got a set of lungs on her.” Then he went back to his station.

A smile slipped onto Sanji’s face as he reached over and took the ticket from it’s place. He had to agree with Patty there. He had no idea such a loud voice could come from such a small thing…

Sanji snapped back to the present, his body still following all the steps to the recipe, almost automatically. He shook his head, trying to convince himself that he wasn't thinking about you, not really. He was just nostalgic for the Baratie, that's all.

He put his head down and focused on making a meal for the crew.

After lunch, and the cleaning and resetting of the galley, Sanji needed a smoke. He went up to the top deck at the front of the ship. He was pulling out a cigarette and his lighter when he noticed movement down below on the main deck.

In the wider, open space, you and Zoro stood face-to-face. Zoro lifted one hand and beckoned you toward him. You darted forward and swung your fist for his head. He easily batted your arm away, laughing, "You're pulling your punches."

"I don't want to actually hurt you."

Zoro smirked, "You're not gonna hurt me." He beckoned with his hands again, "Come on, try again. For real, this time."

You sighed and reset, a few steps away. Then you ran forward, your arm shooting out in a fist, this time aiming for Zoro's chest.

He grabbed your wrist, yanking it to the opposite side of your body. You felt yourself tilt as he stepped into your space, spinning you around. And before you could gasp, your back was pressed against his chest, your arms pinned by his hands.

His warm breath caressed your ear as he said, "Better." Your heart hammered in your chest, your face growing hot. Then he continued, "But your footwork is all wrong." He pulled away, leaving you distinctly aware of the absence of warmth at your back. You slowly turned back around to face him, hoping the blush was not as obvious as it felt.

"Footwork?" You managed to utter through your embarrassment. Zoro nodded, "It leaves you off balance and open to counters." He stepped up to you again, his foot nudging yours out to be shoulder-width apart. He was close to you, his chest inches away, making your heart skip a beat. You pressed your lips together and held your breath. He reached over and put his hands on your arms, beginning to reposition you.

On the upper deck, one of Sanji's hands pulled the cigarette from his mouth as he forcefully expelled a cloud of smoke through his nose. His other hand gripped the railing in front of him. He was annoyed, but he didn't know why. As he glared down at where you and Zoro were sparring, he took another draw from his cigarette and told himself it was because that swordsman was always getting on his nerves.

Sanji blew another stream of smoke out the side of his mouth, his jaw clenching and unclenching. What does he know about fighting, anyway?

Before he could even think about it, he leaned down onto the railing and opened his mouth, calling down to the two of you, "If you ever want a real lesson in footwork, you know I'm always available for you, angel!"

You turned your head and looked up at Sanji, your face scrunching up into a smile. He attempted to bask in the satisfaction of eliciting that smile, but Zoro interrupted him, snapping back, "Shouldn't you get back to washing pots, cook?"

Sanji's face dropped into a scowl. He pushed himself off the railing and walked down the steps to the main deck, finishing his cigarette and flicking it into the ocean. When he stopped in front of Zoro, he opened his mouth and blew the remaining smoke into his face. The swordsman didn't flinch, but his jaw tightened.

"You know, you're not the only one who knows how to fight," Sanji smirked.

"Sure, if you wanna call what you do fighting," Zoro crossed his arms over his chest. Sanji felt the annoyance swell up in his chest again, his blood starting to boil. He inhaled sharply and put a finger into Zoro's face, "If you wanna act so tough, mosshead, why don't we-"

"Ah, hey," you squeaked, doing your best to wedge yourself in-between the two men. One hand gently grabbed Sanji's wrist, pulling it down, while you placed the other on Zoro's chest, nudging them both back a step. "Actually, I'm feeling a little tired. Um, could we take a rain check, Zoro? Pick this up another time?"

The two men looked down at you and you tried giving them your most reassuring smile. Zoro uncrossed his arms, his face softening as he locked eyes with you, "Are you sure?"

"The lady said she was tired. Or were you not listening, idiot," Sanji needled.

Zoro sighed, "I wasn't talking to you, dumbass. I'll let you know if I want the dinner specials-"

"Oookayy," you took a step back, "On second thought… Plausible deniability!" You loosely rolled your hands over each other in the air before jerking a thumb behind you, "If I leave now, nothing that happens here is my fault, okay?" You gave them both a double thumbs up and an awkward, forced smile. Then you darted away before any real violence could break out.

The two watched you go for a second. Once Sanji was sure you were out of earshot, his head whipped back around to Zoro, "Don't think I don't see what you're doing, mosshead."

Zoro stepped away to where he'd set down his swords on a barrel before sparring with you. He replied nonchalantly, "Oh? What do you think I'm doing?"

Everything Sanji wanted to spit out — flirting, wooing, seducing — died on his tongue, filling his mouth with the taste of ash. He huffed, "Just, drop it and we won't have a problem, yeah?"

Zoro chuckled, hooking his swords to his belt again, "Last time I checked, you don't get to make that decision…" He moved into Sanji's space, holding his gaze as he smirked, "So... best of luck…"

In the morning, with the full Straw Hat crew all together again, you all returned to Coco Village to see what happened and what Arlong’s pirates left behind. The village was in an even worse state than it was before, with more of the remaining buildings turned over or burned. One small fire still burned at the bottom of a husk of a cart. Usopp grabbed a bucket of water and ran over to put it out. You did your best to help people gather up what belongings they still had and convene in the village center.

Genzo marched up to the crew with a small group of villagers behind him, Nojiko standing beside him. Genzo told Nami that Nojiko explained everything to them. That they now knew why she had left her village and worked for Arlong. He asked for her forgiveness on behalf of the village. Nami told them there was nothing to forgive, it was her home.

Then Genzo expressed the village's intentions to fight the Arlong pirates themselves. Nami tried to talk them out of it, but they were determined to retake their home or die trying. Luffy and the rest of the crew agreed. You placed a hand on Nami's shoulder and gave it a squeeze, trying to reassure her that everything would be okay.

And before you knew it, you all set off to Arlong Park.

Once you reached the gates, everyone paused. Usopp pulled out his newly made smoke bombs and passed a few to each Straw Hat.

"Okay," Usopp whispered to everyone, "They should all explode on impact, so just throw them high and far, over the walls, and this should give us some cover."

"Got it," Luffy nodded. He looked around, "Everyone ready?"

You gingerly held the bombs in your hands and nodded along with everyone else. Then, without further warning, Luffy wound up and chucked his smoke bombs over the gates. The rest of you followed suit, instantly hearing the impact of the smoke bombs and the cacophony of confused shouts from the fishmen.

Luffy kicked the doors of the Arlong Park open and the Straw Hats stepped into the smoke.

"Fishmen! Stand by to defend borders!"

Zoro's thumb flicked up on the hilt of his first sword, popping the blade up from the sheath. Sanji cracked his neck. Usopp raised his slingshot, the slightest tremble in his hands. You felt more than heard a rushing in your ears. A buzzing feeling crackled under your skin. You shook out your hands and lifted them up in front of you.

"Where's Arlong?" Luffy stared down the fishmen in front of you all. Nami quickly responded, "He's probably in the map room."

"You two go get him," you said, "We've got this."

With that, the Arlong pirates let out vicious yells and charged the Straw Hats. You, Sanji, Zoro, and Usopp split off.

A fishman came swinging at you with a fist. You ducked under his arm and threw your hand up to his face. Light exploded from your hand. He cried out, blinded, stumbling back. Your leg shot out, connecting with his knee, making a snapping sound. He crumpled, his head hitting the ground with a thunk.

You looked up to see if Nami and Luffy made it through, but pain shot through your head and you were jerked back. Another fishman had caught you by the hair. You snarled and threw your elbow straight back into his ribs. He grunted but didn't let go.

His arm wrapped around your neck. You threw your leg back to try to kick him, but felt nothing. Your feet were slipping on the wet rocks. You could feel his hot breath on your cheek and heard his satisfied chuckle.

Anger swelled in your chest, flooding your veins. The buzzing rushed back into your hands. With a feral cry, your hands shot up to grab at his face, nails unable to find purchase on his clammy skin. The buzzing intensified.

You pulled your hand back, summoning the glowing sphere to blind him, but this time, it felt different. When you released it from your hand, the glowing sphere snapped with electric energy.

Instantly, you slammed it into his face. The pirate jolted and gurgled and went limp, sliding to the ground, releasing you.

You stared down at your hands, the crackling feeling lingering in your palms. You slowly smiled to yourself. Then, you heard Sanji and Zoro arguing.

"I had that one."

"If you had him, then I wouldn't have gotten him," Sanji smirked at Zoro.

"Boys!" You shouted across the pool at them, "Focus!" You pointed at the second wave of pirates running toward them. They looked at each other and then split off, running across the stone platforms.

Several fishmen dove into the pool. Two glowing spheres of electricity gathered in your hands. The fishmen cut through the water toward you. You plunged your arms into the pool. Electricity erupted across the surface. The fishmen convulsed in the water and went still. Steam rose from the pool as the sparks fizzled out.

You pulled your hands out of the water and clapped, only a little shocked that your plan actually worked. But while you were celebrating, you didn't notice the fishman charging toward you until you heard him yell. You whirled around to see his short sword swinging down toward your head. Before you could even lift your hands to try to defend yourself, another sword clashed with the fishman's.

Zoro was there. He blocked the blade and twisted his wrist, quickly disarming the fishman. Then in one swift movement, he flipped the blade around and stabbed it into the fishman's gut.

"Looks like it's your turn to focus, new girl," he teased as he stood in front of you at the edge of the pool. Just as you were about to thank him, he grabbed your right wrist with his left hand and spun you outward, just missing another fishman's cleaver. He dispatched the next fishman, dropping your hand, and then the next. After the third, he dropped to one knee, his hand going to his chest.

Across the way, Sanji shouted at him, "You look tired!" He kicked a fishman in the chest, "Maybe you should take a break!"

"Sanji!" You scolded him, throwing an electric sphere into the chest of the next fishman who ran up to you.

Zoro just stood and stabbed the fishman behind him, growling out, "Maybe you should get back in the kitchen…"

They kept arguing, but you didn't have time to stop them. Another pirate grabbed your arm. You grunted, kicked off the nearby wall and flipped to the other side of the fishman. From behind, you crafted a glowing sphere and slammed it into the side of his face. The bright flash exploded in his eyes. He groaned and you pulled all your weight down as hard as you could, dragging him to the ground. Then you grabbed his head and bashed it against the rocks.

When you looked up again, Sanji was taking Buggy's head out of the bag he'd been carrying around. The head flew out of his hand and over to one of the park's game booths, where you saw that the rest of the clown's body was strung up. Once his head was back in place, Buggy easily escaped his bonds and hopped down to the ground outside the booth.

You stepped up beside Zoro and Sanji as Buggy gave you all two middle fingers, "Hey, so, um, I'm gonna get outta here."

"Clown…" Zoro warned, taking a step toward Buggy. The clown took a step back, "Sorry, kiddos! I'd love to make things right, but it's time for me to exit stage left…" Then he took off.

You sighed, not really surprised that he would pull something like that. Then a deep voice called back your attention, "How dare you cut down my brothers!" You spun around in time to see a very large fishman dive into the pool.

You darted forward, sparks expanding into a sphere, but just as you reached the edge of the water, the massive fishman exploded out of it. You were knocked back so hard, you went flying. Your body slammed into the stone wall, all your breath forced from your lungs.

Stunned, you couldn't move. The edges of your vision blurred, but you could see Sanji tackled by the fishman. Zoro jumped in with his sword, but the fishman blocked it with his arm, his tough skin not even taking a scratch.

Zoro was thrown across the park and landed hard. Sanji got a few kicks in, but the fishman had a drop kick of his own, sending Sanji landing next to Zoro.

The stun your body suffered finally seemed to alleviate. You heaved in a deep breath, air filling your lungs once again. You coughed, "Ow. That sucked."

"Nami is a fool to have her faith in such week compatriots," the fishman sneered. Sanji jumped up, "Don't you dare bad mouth Nami…" He stripped off his suit jacket and threw himself at the fishman.

You finally managed to pull yourself to your feet. Sanji finished off the massive pirate with a series of kicks and battle cries you'd never heard before. The fishman crashed through one of the park game booths and didn't get back up.

When you caught up with them, Zoro was begrudgingly muttering under his breath, "Yeah, you're gonna fit in just fine…" Sanji didn't seem to notice. As soon as you were close, he gently grabbed your arm, concern written all over his face as he asked, "Are you okay? You really took a hit back there." His hand found your back and you winced, but you shook your head, brushing him off, "I'll be okay, I think." You stretched your back muscles tentatively, but quickly stopped as pain shot through you. "Ah, okay, maybe it's gonna leave a bruise…" Sanji looked like he was going to say something, but then Usopp ran back into Arlong Park.

"Never fear! The Great Captain Usopp is…" He looked around at all the bodies littering the ground. "Oh, you guys did pretty good in here…"

The three of you turned to him. You threw your hands out to the side, incredulous, "Usopp! Where have you been?!"

"Um, so there was this pirate, and he was shooting alcohol like bullets, and I was running through the forest, but then I had this idea-"

Sanji interrupted Usopp's story, shouting, "Nami!" He threw up his arms for a hug. Nami blew right past him, exclaiming, "You're all okay," as she embraced Zoro and Usopp. Sanji dropped his arms to his side with a sigh. You elbowed him in the ribs and shook your head, "We just got here, idiot."

"Mm, touche," Sanji opened his arms toward you instead. You laughed and went in for his hug. But when his arms wrapped around you, you gasped, "Ow, ouch."

"Oh, right, sorry," he released you quickly.

Then a violent rumbling caught all of your attention. The ground started to shake. The huge, tiered building at the end of Arlong Park began to crack and crumble. Nami gasped, "Luffy!"

You all watched in horror as the building broke apart, collapsing in on itself. With Luffy still inside…

You shielded your eyes from the wave of dust, and as soon as it cleared, you peered intently at the wreckage, your heart clenched in your chest. You held your breath.

A fist shot out of the rubble, followed by a whole person. Luffy, jumping out of the debris and landing on top. He breathed in and then bellowed out, "Nami," his voice washing over the remains of the park, "You are our friend! We are your crew!"

With Arlong and the fishmen defeated, Nami and the rest of Coco Village were finally free. And the villagers were kind enough to host all of you for a celebration.

Sanji graciously offered to cook for everyone, and after Nojiko vouched for him, the villagers gladly accepted.

The party kicked off and you all finally got to enjoy the peaceful side of Coco Village. People chatted openly, someone played a soft melody near a crackling fire in the center of town, and children chased each other around and laughed. It was lively and joyful in Coco Village, and you were proud to have been a part of making that happen.

However, when you tried to help Sanji serve the dinner he made, he refused.

"No. No way," He took the ladle from you.

"What?"

"Take this," he shoved a plate full of food toward you, "and go sit down, yeah?"

"Why? If anyone should be serving, it should be me," you placed a hand on your hip, "Kind of trained in this sort of thing, aren't I?"

"You need to rest. You had a nasty fall today."

You scoffed, "Oh, come on, I'm fine!"

"Yeah?" Sanji's finger darted out and poked your back. You hissed and recoiled. He smirked down at you, "Totally fine?"

"Okay! Okay! I see your point!" You took the plate of food from him. "But are you sure I can't-"

"Go!" His finger kept poking at your back, sending spikes of small pains through your muscles.

"I'm going! I'm going! Sheesh, you don't have to be so mean," you whined, scurrying away. From over your shoulder as you stepped away, you could see him smiling to himself.

You looked around for a place to sit. With all of Coco Village out and about, the center square was more crowded than you'd ever seen it before. Although it was nice to see that the people didn't need to cower in their homes or flee for their lives, it did make it a bit harder to find a seat… Finally, you spotted one.

"Mind sharing your spot with me?"

Zoro looked up from where he sat on a log by the fire. He shrugged, "Sure." Then he slid over slightly so there was a bit more room on the log for you to sit.

The two of you were very close, your knees bumping against each other as you ate what Sanji made. After a bit of silence, you spoke up, "Oh, uh, thanks for saving me today." Zoro glanced at you, brow raising. You swallowed a bit of food and clarified, "Earlier? I almost got cut in half," you mimed a chopping motion with your arm. "It was a nice save."

Zoro laughed, "Right. No, no, you were doing great on your own." He gestured to your hands, "I think I caught a bit of your devil fruit in action. Pretty impressive."

You perked up, "Oh, yeah! I actually…" You waved one hand, wiggling your fingers dramatically, "Found out I could do something new."

"New? You couldn't electrocute guys before?"

You shook your head, "No, but I guess I hadn't needed to? I'm not sure…"

"Sounds like you need more practice," Zoro said, pointing at you with his fork. "We should spar sometime."

"Like, fight? Me? Fight you?" You laughed, "I'm pretty sure you'd kill me."

Zoro smiled, "I'd go easy on you, promise." You pursed your lips, pretending to think about it. Then you shrugged, "Alright. Next time we get a chance, maybe you can teach me how to fight properly."

"It's a date," he smirked and stood up. "I'm gonna get seconds."

You looked down at your food to cover your blush. You were completely at a loss for what to do about Zoro's… flirting? You weren't used to being flirted with. Except by Sanji, but that didn't count in your head. He flirted with every woman he met, so it didn't really mean anything.

You sighed to yourself, trying not to think about it, and instead finished your meal by the fire. You'll cross that bridge when you get to it. If you get to it.

When you finished your food, you got up to return your dish to the long table at the edge of the square. From there, you noticed Usopp standing under a tree, one foot propped up on a stump. He was telling the villagers gathered there about his heroic encounter in the woods, against a terrifying fishman who shot fire from his mouth.

You moved to stand at the edge of the crowd, soon joined by Zoro, who sat in front of you on another stump, then Luffy, Nami, and finally Sanji, who all stood beside you. When Usopp finished his dramatic tale, there was a stunned beat of silence from the villagers. Beside you, Luffy spoke up, raising his voice to say, "Three cheers for our fearless captain Usopp! We couldn't have done it without him!"

The villagers gathered all broke out into cheers and applause, and you clapped along with them. Usopp looked around and smiled.

But the moment was interrupted by a different voice shouting, "Form lines!"

Everyone turned around to see Marines, nearly thirty or so, marching into Coco Village, muskets in hand. You could feel the tension in the air shift, the villagers withdrawing from the celebration. They were on edge once again.

An older marine you'd never seen before came forward, commanding his subordinates to arrest you all. Surprisingly, one of the marines (a boy with pink hair) rushed forward and argued on the crew's behalf, insisting that Arlong and his pirates were to blame, not the Straw Hats.

You leaned over to Nami, whispering, "Who are they?" She nodded subtly to the older man, "Luffy's grandfather, Vice Admiral Garp," then she tilted her head slightly to the boy, "And that's Koby."

"Luffy's what?"

"Yeah, that's what I said."

The man in charge, apparently Luffy's grandfather, didn't listen, reminding the young marine of his orders. The young man stepped in front of him, refusing. Even when Luffy's grandfather told him there would be severe punishments for defying direct orders.

"I disagree with those orders," Koby said, defiantly. Another marine stepped up next to him, adding, "Me too."

Vice Admiral Garp looked dismayed and turned to the rest of the marines, raising his voice and asking if any of them would like to follow suit. They did not. However, just as you prepared yourself for another fight, Luffy stepped forward and challenged the vice admiral himself.

You stepped back, along with the rest of the Straw Hat crew, to let Luffy and his grandfather have their confrontation. Garp gave Luffy one more chance to back down, give it all up.

"That's not really my thing," Luffy responded. Then he wound up and threw a punch toward the vice admiral's head. Garp easily dodged, and in a split second, his fist shot out and hit Luffy squarely in the chest. Luffy went flying. You gasped and flinched as Luffy crashed through two different structures. How can a normal old man have a punch that strong?

Garp kept coming at Luffy, and your captain couldn't land anything on his grandfather. All the while, Garp lectured Luffy about being a pirate and the dangers it would bring him. He couldn't possibly be ready.

"But I'm never giving up on my dream," Luffy spit out from where Garp held him in the air by his red vest. "I'm going to the Grand Line. I'm going to find the One Piece. And I'm going to be King of the Pirates." Luffy let out a half-crazed, almost maniac laugh. Suddenly, Garp dropped Luffy, turned around, and ordered the marines to stand down.

You blinked in astonishment. Garp marched past all of you, commanding his men to give chase after the Arlong pirates. Then he turned back to Luffy and explained that he needed to make sure Luffy was sure about who he was and what he wanted, to be sure he was ready for everything that would come next.

"You're on your own now," Garp told him, holding him by the shoulders. The vice admiral stepped away, but Luffy called out, "No, I'm not." Garp looked back. Luffy smiled at all of you, "I have my friends." His grandfather nodded once in acknowledgement and followed his men out of Coco Village.

You let out a breath of relief, and as the marines receded into the night, the tension melted away from the village again. Now, you could all get back to celebrating.

The next morning, you helped Sanji, Usopp, and Zoro pack up the ship. Nami was saying goodbye to her home, and Luffy was… somewhere. But that was fine, as you spent much of the morning helping the crew prepare the different surprises for the two missing crew-members.

Three tangerine trees from Coco Village were graciously gifted from the groves, carefully transplanted into pots, and secured onto the aft of the ship. Then, you all helped paint the Going Merry's sail with the Straw Hat colors, a skull and crossbones with a straw hat proudly situated on the head. It took quite a bit of time, but you were sure Luffy and Nami would love both.

Sometime later in the day, a little bit after Nami, Luffy clambered back onto the ship, excitedly waving around a piece of parchment. When you all gathered down in the galley at his beckoning, Luffy proudly showed everyone his bounty poster.

"I'm famous!" Usopp exclaimed.

"What're you talking about, it's Luffy's poster, not yours," Sanji laughed. Usopp pointed at the picture on the parchment, "Not just Luffy…" You peered closer to see what Usopp meant. You snorted, "That's just the back of your head!"

Usopp shrugged with a smile, "Still…"

"30,000,000 berry, though. That's crazy high. I think it's the highest in the East Blue," you directed at Luffy. Zoro chimed in, "With that price on your head, every bounty hunter in the East Blue is gonna be coming for you."

"Not just Luffy," Nami added, "They're gonna be gunning for all of us."

A somber hush fell over the group as you all contemplated the danger you were now in. But before things could slide into too much gloom, Luffy piped up, "Then it's a good thing we're not staying in the East Blue…"

After the crew revealed the surprises to Nami and Luffy respectively, the ship cast off, leaving the Conomi Islands behind. Everyone was up on the top deck, busy finding supplies to tie down or sails to readjust or the Grand Line map to analyze. But then, while you were in the midst of climbing down from the rigging, you heard Luffy call out over the wind, "Straw Hats! All hands on deck for a cast off ceremony!"

You hopped down onto the deck and made your way over to where the group convened, around a barrel at mid-ship. You stood in between Sanji and Zoro, across from Nami. Sanji looked around at all of you, and then swung one leg up onto the barrel, heel striking down purposefully as he said, "I'm gonna find the All Blue."

Eagerly, Luffy followed suit next to him, adding, "I'm gonna be king of the pirates."

With a small smile, Zoro put his leg on the barrel next, saying, "I'm gonna be the world's greatest swordsman.

"I'm gonna draw a map of the world," Nami said confidently, adding her heel to the top of the barrel.

As you looked around at these new friends you'd made, you couldn't believe you were finally going to do it, the one thing you'd been dreaming of since you were a little girl. You put your leg up on the barrel and said, "I'm gonna find The Lost Lighthouse."

Usopp looked around a bit nervously, "And I…" He hesitated, but then he set his jaw and shouted, "am gonna become a brave warrior of the sea!" He threw his leg up on the barrel next to Nami's.

A rush of exhilaration swept through all of you. You let out a laugh, that excitement feeling contagious as Luffy said, "This is it, crew. The Grand Line." He threw his fist in the air and bellowed, "Nothing's gonna stand in our way! Yeaahhh!"

“Sorry it’s a bit small,” Zoro said as he leaned against the doorframe. You shrugged your bag off your shoulder and set it down on the bed. “It’s no problem. I was in the crew quarters with thirty people on the Baratie.” You smiled to yourself, “It’s crazy to even have my own space again...”

Zoro nodded and moved to leave, but you put a hand out to stop him. He looked back at you, one brow raised. You dropped your hand, “Uh, sorry. I just wanted to ask- I hope it’s okay that I- I mean, I guess what I’m wondering is…” You blew a strand of hair from your face and looked down at the floor, stomach tightening reflexively as you forced yourself to ask, “How do you feel about Sanji and I joining your crew? Considering you were… not really around for that…”

Zoro turned back to fully face you, standing in the doorway. One hand resting on the hilt of his sword, he said, “I could take or leave the cook…” You suppressed a smile, and he continued, “But Luffy told me all about you when I woke up. You’re a devil fruit eater.” You bit your lip and nodded slowly, confirming what he said. “Does that bother you…?”

“Not one bit. Luffy trusts you, and I trust him, so we’re good.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that…” Something about his gaze when he said it made you look away. Then he added, “Also helps that I liked you anyway.” You sneaked a glance at him, “Really? I was just a waitress…” Your fingers absentmindedly started picking at the bedframe behind you. “Sounds like you wanna be more than that,” Zoro said as he leaned against the doorframe, “That’s why you’re here, right?”

The thought made something swell in your chest, maybe excitement, maybe anticipation for what might come next. You nodded once. “Great,” Zoro turned to leave, but he stopped short, inhaling sharply, his hand going to his chest. 

You shot forward, concern washing over you. “Hey, whoa, are you sure you should be up, actually?” Your hand reached out to his shoulder, steadying him.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Zoro tried to wave you off. He straightened again, but still winced. 

“Mhm, sure,” your lips pressed into a thin line, “Maybe you should rest a bit more until we get to wherever we’re going?” Zoro just shook his head. “I’m fine,” he insisted. You sighed, your hand dropping from his shoulder to rest on your hip, “So that’s how it’s gonna be?”

“Yep,” he smirked, “Welcome to the crew.” Then he stepped out of your cabin and left you to unpack. You shook your head and turned back to your bag on your bed, heavy with everything you owned. 

You started unpacking, pulling out a few books and clothes that you’d managed to collect over the years. You found a place for everything. It wasn’t much, anyway, so it didn’t take long. Then you peeked your head out of your door and looked both ways down the hall. No one seemed to be around. You wondered where to go next. You were pretty sure you remembered how to get back to the galley, and then up to the top deck from there, but you wondered if it was worth it to explore the rest of the ship by yourself. 

You shrugged to yourself and struck out to go look around. But you didn’t get far into the ship before you heard your name being called from a room you’d just passed. You stopped and backtracked, tentatively peeking your head into the room. 

Sanji pointed, “Ah! You-” He got up from where he was sitting, “You and I need to have a talk.”

“About what?” Your brows furrowed together.

“Well, for one. About the explosions of light coming out of your hands.”

“Mmm, no, it sounds like you understand it just fine.” You put your hands behind your back, grabbing your wrist as you continued, “I ate a devil fruit. Now, glowing spheres come out of my hands. Easy.”

Sanji scoffed, “Yeah, okay, sure. Secondly, what are you doing here?” He gestured vaguely at the whole ship around you. You pursed your lips and tilted your head, “What do you mean?”

Sanji crossed his arms, “Wellll,” he drew out the word, “It kind of looks like you’re following me…” He smirked down at you. Your mouth dropped open and you laughed, “As if! Sanji, I am not following you around like some lost puppy. I told you, I was invited. By the captain. Same as you.”

“If you say so…” His smirk didn't move from his face. You threw your hands in the air and walked away, saying, “You’re not nearly that charming, you know.”

“But I am charming!”

The next morning, you went up on deck to check on how things were progressing with the clown head, whom you now knew was actually called Buggy. He was supposed to be directing you all toward Nami and Arlong’s pirates, mostly because he wanted to reconnect with his own body again, which was apparently being held captive by Arlong. So, his motives aligned with all of yours, for now. 

However, when you joined Usopp by the ship’s tiller, it didn’t seem like Buggy was being as helpful as he claimed he would be.

“But you said five degrees starboard…” Usopp argued. 

“Yeah, the other starboard, captain shitastic!”

“I thought clowns were supposed to be funny…” Usopp muttered under his breath. Apparently, Buggy still heard him, flipping his decapitated head around to shout back, “Why don’t you say it to my face!” You rolled your eyes and turned your back to Buggy. Facing Usopp, you mimed gagging, making him crack a smile. 

“Hey! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing, missy!” 

You spun back around, putting on your most innocent face, “Who, me?” You gestured to yourself by splaying both hands on your chest.

“Yeah you, you little-”

Just then, Zoro sauntered up the steps to join you all and Buggy switched gears, enthusiastically greeting him. “Morning champ!”

“I know Luffy made a deal with you to find Arlong, clown,” he picked up Buggy by his hair and swung his arm over the side railing of the ship, “but if you’re even thinking about screwing us over…”

“Hey! Hey! Zoro, buddy!” Buggy pleaded, “Honor amongst pirates, right? How about I sing a nice sea shanty to pass the time?” Zoro pulled Buggy’s head back onto the ship, but as the clown started warbling a song that began disparaging Nami, Zoro opened the closest barrel and dropped the head inside. You could just hear Buggy whining about his nose as Zoro closed the lid.

“Thank. You…” you said as Zoro passed, on his way to talk to Luffy at the front of the ship. You could see Luffy conversing with Sanji while the latter attempted to catch some fish. Meanwhile, you turned to Usopp, “So, do you think we’re heading in the right direction? Or is the clown full of it?”

“I honestly have no idea… But I guess we have no other choice, right?”

“That is true. And, I mean, if he ever wants to see his body again, he can’t be too far off,” you jerked your head toward the barrel nearby. A thump and muffled sounds told you that it wasn’t entirely soundproof.

“I miss our navigator,” Usopp sighed. You lifted your hand to block the sun from your eyes as you scanned the horizon in the distance. You didn’t disagree.

Finally, you arrived at the Conomi Islands. The five of you secured the ship on one side of the island where Coco Village was located before you made your way to the village itself. However, as you walked through, you couldn’t help but notice the burned husks of buildings and flipped over huts. The village was wrecked. Inspecting some of the burned parts of a cart as you passed, you remarked, “This doesn’t look recent…”

All of you approached what remained of the main square, where you noticed the villagers huddled together around a mustachioed man holding a wooden box. 

“We don’t have much time, and we’re short again this month,” he was telling the people gathered there.

“Are you sure we don’t have time to get some more?” One of the worried villagers questioned.

“No,” a cold voice called out. “You don’t.” Everyone turned and immediately stepped out of the way of… Nami.

Luffy took a step forward, but Zoro’s arm shot out and caught him, silently urging him to wait, and watch.

As Nami walked through the row of scared villagers, only one woman stepped out to meet her. The woman with blue hair and curling tattoos on her dark skin looked down at Nami and said, “You’ve got a lot of nerve showing your face here…” Her and Nami locked eyes, until the blue-haired woman leaned over slightly and spit at Nami’s feet. Then, with a furious glare, she turned away and left the village. You watched her go. It seemed like if anyone here knew Nami, she might be the one to ask…

Other than the woman in question herself, who had collected the money and then noticed the group of you standing off to the side. The dejected villagers dispersed as Nami angrily stalked up to Luffy. When she was close enough, she demanded, “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” Luffy calmly responded. 

“This is where I belong.”

“I don’t believe that… Nami, if you need our help-”

“No, I don’t need any of you!” Nami raised her voice, addressing all of you, “Arlong wanted the map, and I conned you into getting it for me. That’s all this ever was.” She stepped up to Luffy and looked him directly in the eye as she finished, “Now, take the rest of these clowns and sail away from here. I never want to see you again.”

With that, she spun on her heel and left. 

After an awkward pause, Usopp piped up, “Sail the hell out of here? Okay, fine by me.”

“No, there’s something else going on here…” Sanji mused.

“Agreed,” you crossed your arms.

“I think she was very clear she wants us to leave,” Zoro argued. 

“You don’t know women,” Sanji retorted, “They never say what they mean.”

“As the only woman currently here, I do have to disagree with that particular statement,” you cut in. Sanji spread his hands in front of him, “You mean to say you’ve never hidden your true feelings?”

“I never said that. But you can’t say that women never say what they mean either-”

“Don’t you get it?” Usopp interrupted, “She’s one of them. She’s a bad guy. The villagers are terrified of her.”

Luffy finally turned around then, “Not all of them… The girl with the blue hair wasn’t.” You straightened up, “We need to find her and ask her what she knows.”

After a brief exchange with the town’s only guard, Genzo, you all found yourselves trekking down a row of a tangerine grove, your feet sliding every few steps in the sandy earth. 

“I think I got more of a boat body than a long-journey-on-foot kind of body,” Usopp said, slightly out of breath. “Anybody else missing the ocean?”

“Not particularly,” you responded, while also struggling a bit to keep up. Damn those boys and their longer legs…

Usopp kept going, “You know, I could bring the boat around if we don’t want to walk all the way back…”

You were about to maybe agree with him when you all came upon the edge of the grove very suddenly. And just as suddenly, the blue-haired woman, Nojiko, came out of a little house with her shotgun pointed at all of you. She gestured with the gun, “Turn around and leave. Now.” You all stopped short and took a step back. You put up your hands placatingly, while Usopp inched his way behind Zoro. Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji seemed frustratingly unfazed by the gun being pointed at them. 

Luffy and Nojiko exchanged a few words, Luffy trying to convince her to let you all in and help you help Nami. Nojiko refused, warning you all that her sister didn’t have any friends. That prompted Sanji to speak up, “Sisters? That makes sense. Both as beautiful as each other.” He gave her one of his charming smiles. Nojiko was unfazed. From behind Sanji, you mouthed a silent apology to her. But then he offered to cook for her, which did get her attention. 

“An exchange of sorts, for your valuable time and information,” Sanji suggested. “Best cook in the East Blue,” Usopp hesitantly chimed in. “You’ve never tasted anything better in your life. Usopp’s word!” 

Nojiko narrowed her eyes at them and then glanced back at you. You nodded earnestly in agreement, hoping she believed you. Fortunately, she did. 

“Fine,” the shotgun lowered, and you all were invited inside. 

After dinner, Nojiko sat you all down and explained why Nami is the way she is. She told you all how they were both adopted by a retired Marine who took them in and settled down in Coco Village. Then the Arlong pirates came, and although Belle-Mere tried to hide them beneath the floorboards, Arlong discovered her ruse. He demanded an extra 50,000 berry for each girl, on top of the 100,000 he’d already collected for her tribute. She told him she had no more to give, so she asked Arlong if he would take the 100,000 berry as tribute for her daughters. He agreed. And then he killed her right in front of them.

Nojiko took a shuddering breath as she finished her story. You put your hand over your mouth, swallowing your horror. 

“Wait,” Usopp slowly said, “Nami is working for the pirate who killed your mother…?” Nojiko nodded. Everyone sat in silence for a moment, trying to absorb this information. Luffy stood up and silently left the hut. After a minute or two, Zoro wordlessly followed him. 

You let the captain and his first mate talk things out. Meanwhile, Usopp got to work at the table, building things. Unfortunately, Buggy’s head was back out of his bag and making obnoxious comments. It was clearly getting to Usopp, so you tried distracting him by asking, “What’re you making?”

Without looking up from what he was working on, Usopp replied, “These are smoke bombs…”

“Smoke bombs?” Buggy echoed, “Makes me think of how long it’s been since I’ve had any smoked fish…” He glanced at Sanji, “Please?”

“No,” Sanji answered shortly. 

“Aw, screw you guys!” Buggy whined, “Arlong’s gonna bite the shit out of you anyway. You know you don’t stand a chance against him and his army!” Usopp set his tools down with a shaky breath, but Buggy kept harping on. “You ain’t gonna do anything against that stupid-” Suddenly, Sanji walked over and shoved a tangerine into Buggy’s mouth, whole. He leaned down and said, “New guy shuts up the clown head.” He winked at you and went back to the counter where he’d been preparing dinner and now dessert. 

You suppressed a smile and looked away. Then you noticed someone else was missing.

“Where’s Nojiko?”

A commotion drew you outside. Luffy and Zoro climbed down from the roof of the hut, also having heard the yelling in the distance. Something felt wrong. It sounded like Nami. 

Suddenly, from off in the grove, a blur ran down one of the rows, a blur with orange hair. You looked at Luffy. His face set in determination, he said, “Everyone wait here.” Then he took off in the same direction as Nami, down the row of tangerine trees. 

You, Usopp, Sanji, and Zoro stood waiting at the end of the grove. It was quiet for a while, and you worried that Luffy might not have been able to catch up to Nami after all. But then you heard it. Luffy’s voice echoed over the trees, “Of course I will!”

He came striding down the row again not a minute later, and said, “Let’s go.”

“Right!” You all responded in harmony, joining your captain as he rounded the corner. Usopp noticed it first, “What’s that?”

“Oh gosh, oh gosh,” You muttered under your breath, shuffling forward through the door next to Nami, both of you holding one of Zoro’s legs. Luffy and Usopp were in front of you, each carrying Zoro by the arms. 

“Put him on the table!”

“Why is he so heavy?”

“Careful, careful!”

“Watch his head!”

Finally, the four of you managed to set Zoro’s unconscious body on the table in the center of the room. Everyone stared down at him, seemingly at a loss for what to do. There was a lot of blood.

Luffy started rambling, spiraling with worry. 

“He needs a doctor,” Nami insisted. Usopp chimed in, “Where do we find a doctor out here?”

“Zeff!” You blurted, “No, I mean- no, not a doctor, but- He’d know what to do! I’ll go get him!” You darted back out the door. 

“Well! You’re the captain! Go with her,” you could hear Nami shouting behind you. Then Luffy was beside you, the two of you flying down the dock to the Baratie. You led him around back to the kitchen door, where the two of you burst through, breathless and shouting. 

“Help! We need help!”

“Zoro! He got cut! He’s bleeding bad!”

“My friend is dying…”

Sanji dropped what he was doing, but Zeff cut in, “What’re you doing? I don’t see how this is our problem.” Sanji snapped back at him while raiding one of the cabinets for ingredients, “You always told me to feed anyone who’s hungry. I don’t see how this is any different.”

Zeff let out a frustrated sigh, whipping off his arpon, “Fine!” He started barking orders. He looked at you, “Get me my kitchen knives and our best bottle of scotch.” Then he pointed at Sanji, “You get me yellowtail from the cooler. The bigger the better.” He finally turned to Luffy, “Bring me to your friend.” 

Luffy nodded and took off with Zeff following not far behind. You and Sanji split off to gather what Zeff needed. Then you brought Sanji over to the ship you’d just come from. 

The two chefs quickly got to work, clearing a space and setting up the yellowtail. Zeff took a swig of the scotch and started preparing the fish. As he worked, Sanji helping and passing him what he needed, he explained to you all that fish skin is an old sailor’s trick to bind the skin of the wound together again, encouraging it to heal faster. 

In a few minutes he was done. When the crew wondered if he would be okay, Zeff told them that he was now between life and death, and they needed to give him a reason to stay in this world.

You helped them move Zoro into another room, where they laid him down on a suspended bed. Nami’s room, apparently. She stayed to look after him while the rest of you went back to the galley. When you came back, Zeff was gone, but Sanji was still there, preparing the rest of the unused yellowtail. 

You stood awkwardly off to the side, unsure of what else to do with yourself. It had been a harrowing few hours since you’d woken up this morning, and now it felt strange to just go back to your regular life. 

Meanwhile, Usopp leaned against the counter in the middle of the room, while Luffy sat at the table by the window, furiously cleaning Zoro’s remaining sword. He began rambling about what Zoro might need. More rest? Food? Water? Sanji spoke up, “You know, Zeff once told me that making tough decisions is what separates a captain from his crew, and he was one of the best pirate captains that ever sailed the seas…” 

Hearing this, Luffy excitedly asked, “Really? Zeff was a pirate captain? How did you even meet him?” He came up to the counter next to Usopp. You realized you’d never heard this story either, and you slotted yourself next to Luffy as well. Sanji continued cooking while he spun his tale of how he met Zeff nine years ago. 

Once he finished his story, he said, “You know what that’s like? Having someone give up a limb to save your life?” You, Usopp, and Luffy all stared at him from where the three of you leaned against the counter. Sanji continued, “He could’ve let me die on that rock. Instead, he acted like a captain. He made a tough call…”

“I’d eat both arms and legs to save Zoro,” Luffy muttered under his breath. You glanced at him, “Um…” Then Luffy slapped the counter with both hands, “I’m going to check on Zoro.” He disappeared deeper into the ship, leaving you and Usopp and Sanji in the galley. 

You looked at Sanji again, “All that about how you met Zeff… You’ve never mentioned it…” He threw the kitchen towel over his shoulder, “Doesn’t tend to come up…” 

“In two years?” You quirked an eyebrow at him. He shrugged and offered you a piece of the cooked yellowtail. Wordlessly, you took it and ate it, still pondering how you could have worked with someone for years and still not know that much about him. But then again, he didn’t know anything about you…

A few minutes later, Nami stormed out of her room, brushing through the galley and out of the ship without stopping. You all exchanged glances. Then Usopp piped up, “Something tells me I should check on Luffy…” He then receded down the hallway.

You stood up straighter, looking around, suddenly realizing that you were just… on someone’s ship. You had a sinking feeling that you didn’t belong.

“Nervous about something?” Sanji asked, cleaning up some of the dishes he’d been using, not really looking up. You winced, “Uhh, yeah, but when am I not…” Sanji chuckled. 

“What?”

“Nothing,” Sanji smirked, wiping down the counter, “Just good to know you’re self-aware.”

“Hey!” You picked up a discarded sprig of herbs and threw it at him. He expertly dodged it. Before you could demand to know where that comment came from, you heard Nami shouting. 

“Luffy! Luffy!”

“What’s wrong?” You asked as Nami ran in and Luffy and Usopp appeared in the galley to meet her. 

“The Arlong pirates are at the Baratie. We have to leave, now.”

“What? Why?”

“They’re looking for Luffy.”

Sanji dropped what he was doing, “If the Baratie is in danger, I need to be there.” He began moving toward the door. You nodded in agreement and followed close behind. Luffy put out a hand and said, “I’m coming with you.”

“What? No. Did you not hear me? They’re looking for you,” Nami insisted. Luffy argued that they needed to return yours, Zeff, and Sanji’s kindness by defending the Baratie. Nami tried again, her eyes glistening in the light from the window, “Luffy, we need to go. Now.” Luffy’s voice softened, “It’s gonna be okay. You stay here and protect the map. We’ll be right back.” He gave her one more smile, and then the rest of you took off for the Baratie. 

“I’m Monkey D. Luffy,” the young man addressed the dining room when you all entered the Baratie. Down below, a purple fishman was menacing one of the patrons. Luffy continued, “I heard you’re looking for me?”

“That I am…” The fishman backed away from the older man he was threatening and turned to address Luffy, “So this is the pirate I’ve heard so much about…” You followed Luffy, Usopp, and Sanji down the stairs into the dining room. They exchanged a few terse words, the tension building. Luffy questioned how Arlong found him, and to your shock, one of the other fishmen pulled a talking head out of a bag. You swallowed what you assumed would’ve been a very embarrassing squeaking sound and tried to compose yourself. But unfortunately, that didn’t last, as one of the talking head’s ears wriggled its way out of the ribbon on Luffy’s hat and flew back to rejoin the head. 

“Ew,” you muttered under your breath. Apparently, the clown head had been listening to everything on the ship, which is how Arlong knew everything. Arlong demanded both the map to the Grand Line and 50% of their future takings as tribute, which Luffy refused, saying, “If you want it, you’ll have to fight me for it.” 

Suddenly, a shot rang out. You gasped, your eyes darting to where Zeff stood, holding a still smoking pistol, pointed at Arlong’s very much uninjured back. One of the other fishmen roared and jumped up, kicking out Zeff’s peg leg. He crashed to the ground, hard. Sanji shouted in anger and lept across the dining room. Jumping off a table, Sanji’s kicks landed squarely on the fishman’s face and chest. Suddenly, you saw the other fishman get up from the table and lunge for Sanji’s back.

“Hey!” You conjured a glowing sphere in your hand and threw it across the room at the fishman’s face. It made contact, exploding into a bright flash of light. He cried out, stumbling back. Unfortunately, the other fishman Sanji was fighting took the opportunity to grab Sanji by the leg and hurl him across the room, sending him tumbling into one of the tables and knocking it over with a crash. A frightened Usopp crawled out from where the table previously hid him and darted back over to the stairs. There, you met back up with Sanji as he limped over to the bottom step. He looked up at you, “What the hell was that?!” You winced and shrugged helplessly, “Doesn’t tend to come up…”

“In two years?!”

But before you could respond, Arlong and Luffy’s fight smashed through the door of the Baratie and onto the docks. You helped Sanji up. He winced but stood on his own. Thankfully, he didn’t look too hurt. Then, you, Sanji, and Usopp rushed out after Luffy and the Arlong pirates. 

When you came out into the sun, you saw Luffy land a few punches on Arlong. But just as it seemed like he could have the upper hand, Arlong leaned down and sent a wave of seawater crashing onto him, knocking him over and sapping his strength. Arlong grabbed Luffy by his shirt and pulled him into the air. He threatened to tear out Luffy’s throat with his teeth. Just as Usopp raised his slingshot and you were forming another sphere, you all heard Nami’s voice call out over the docks, “Arlong, wait!” Everyone stopped. 

“I have the map. I got it for you, just like I said I would.” 

When you saw the sawfish tattoo on Nami’s shoulder, you exchanged a look with Usopp. You mouthed at him, “What?” He looked just as perplexed as you. 

Arlong was about to return to shredding Luffy to bits, and you stepped forward. But at the same time, Nami snapped at Arlong, “Why waste your time killing a devil fruit eater? Let the sea do it for you…” She turned and walked away. Arlong smirked. With one shove, Luffy dropped into the ocean. 

“No!” You whipped around, “Sanji! He’ll drown!” Instantly understanding, Sanji stripped off his shirt and dove off the docks. You didn’t breathe again until Sanji and Luffy’s heads broke the surface. The fishmen and Nami were long gone by the time you and Usopp were dragging them both back onto the docks. Sanji placed Luffy down and you turned him over on his side, patting his back until he coughed and spit up seawater.

The first word out of his mouth was Nami’s name. 

“She’s gone,” Usopp told him, quietly, “She’s a member of Arlong’s crew…”

“No,” Luffy murmured into the wood beneath his cheek, his voice hoarse, “She can’t be…”

He seemed completely despondent, staring off into the distance. Your heart was breaking for him, but there wasn’t anything you could do about Nami, not now… But you could help in other ways. You looked up at Usopp, “He needs to be dried off. I’ll be right back with towels. Can you get him back on your ship?” Usopp nodded, beginning to pick up Luffy. 

“Come on, man. It’s gonna be okay,” you heard Usopp telling Luffy as you rushed back to the Baratie to grab towels, sheets, tablecloths, anything dry, really.

While you were in the linen closet, grabbing towels off the shelves, you became aware of a presence. You turned your head slightly to see a dripping wet Sanji behind you, still shirtless. The towels in your arms tumbled to the floor. 

“Ah,” you squeaked, immediately bending over to gather them up again. 

“Think you can spare me one?” Sanji huffed, swiping his wet hair from his face.

“Mhm,” you tried hard not to look at his abs, his arms. You threw one of the towels squarely into his chest. Trying to find anything to take your mind off of it, you said, “Zeff is gonna kill you for dripping all over the floor.”

Sanji chuckled, “I think he can excuse it just this once, given the circumstances. The dining room is trashed anyway.”

“Right,” you looked anywhere else, “Tell Zeff that as soon as I’m done helping Luffy, I’ll be back to help with that too.”

“Yeah, sure,” Sanji began toweling his hair. You closed your eyes and darted back through the restaurant. You banged your hip into a table. 

“Ow,” your eyes snapped open. What is wrong with me? You stumbled and kept going.

Finally, you made it to the ship with the ram’s head where you’d now spent most of your day. You found Usopp standing over Luffy, who was sitting limply on the deck, leaning against a crate. He was still staring off into space. 

You handed a few of the towels to Usopp and dropped down to your knees beside Luffy. You took one of the towels and wrapped it around his shoulders. Usopp placed another over Luffy’s head. 

“Do you all have anything he could eat?” You peered up at Usopp who was scruffing up Luffy’s hair with the towel while you patted down his legs. “I’d offer something from the Baratie, but,” you scratched your head, “the kitchen is kind of closed for the foreseeable future…”

“Uh, yeah,” Usopp nodded. “I can find him something. Luffy loves food, that should help cheer him up.” You smiled at him as he retreated below decks. 

Then you went back to drying Luffy off, removing his shoes and dumping the seawater out of them. 

“You’re like me…” Your head whipped up at the sound of Luffy’s voice again. It was still hoarse, but his eyes were more clear. He was coming back, “A devil fruit user…”

You nodded, “Yeah. So I know how important it is to get you dry again.”

“I haven’t met anyone else like me before… Other than Buddy, the Clown.”

“That weird talking head?” You laughed. 

“And the rest of him, but I don’t know where that is.” 

You shook your head, smiling faintly. Then you reached up with another dry towel and dabbed at Luffy’s cheeks. “I’m glad you’re okay. Your crew is lucky to have a captain like you.”

Luffy scoffed, “I’m a horrible captain. Zoro is dying, and Nami is gone.”

“Hey, hey,” you placed a hand on his shoulder, “Listen. I might not know her as well as you, but… I think- I think Nami was trying to save your life.” Luffy looked up at you, apprehensive, eyebrows drawing together. You continued, “Back there on the docks. She stopped Arlong from killing you. Twice.”

“She told him to throw me in the ocean,” Luffy protested. You paused, “Okay, yeah, but!” You bit your lip, “I think she knew we were there. I mean, she knew your friends would save you, so maybe- maybe don’t give up on her yet…”

Luffy stared at his hands in his lap, lost in thought again. You began pulling wet towels off of him, hoping the sun would help dry the rest. Then Luffy spoke up again, “I think you should come with us. Be a part of my crew.”

“What? Why?” You stared at him, bewildered. Luffy shrugged, “I like you. And you’ve helped us a lot. I think you’d be a good crewmate.” He said it so matter of fact, you let yourself imagine it for a moment. Running off on a pirate ship, travelling the world, seeing and doing the unimaginable. Everything you’d ever dreamed of since you were a little girl…

You blinked at him, “Do- do you mean that? Really?”

Luffy finally cracked a smile, “Of course.”

“Like, now? Leave with you? I- I mean, I’d have to tell Zeff, but I think, I think it’d be fine. I mean, I’d love to-” You head was spinning. You sat back on your heels. You whispered, more to yourself than anything, “I’d love to…”

“Great!” Luffy shook a few droplets of water out of his hair and stood up. He put his hand out and you took it, letting him pull you up as well. “Meet us back on the ship when you’re ready, okay?”

You nodded and noticed Usopp coming back onto the top deck. He had a plate of food in his hands. Luffy turned to him and smiled, “Y/N is gonna join the crew!” He noticed the food, “Is that for me?” He stretched over and snagged the plate from Usopp, who still looked a little surprised by what Luffy said. 

“Uh,” Usopp blinked and processed everything, “Awesome! Okay, and yeah, that’s for you. Glad you’re feeling better.”

You realized you were grinning. You were used to the usual churning in your stomach and tightness in your chest when anxiety took hold, but this was different. It felt more like waves rushing up to meet a ship on a windy day. It felt like something was buzzing inside of your chest. Excitement? Hope?

“I’m gonna tell Zeff, and pack my things, and I’ll be right back!” You ran off the ship, yelling over your shoulder, “Don’t leave without me!”

Back inside the Baratie, everything was quiet. Most people had scattered after the fight with the Arlong pirates, but you knew if Zeff was anywhere, he’d be in the dining room, putting things right again. 

You took a deep breath, trying to psych yourself up for what you were about to say, practicing it in your head. But when you came closer to the dining room, you could hear shouting. You slowed down as you approached, instantly recognizing one of Zeff and Sanji’s arguments. 

“Look, do you want me to quit?! Is that what you want?”

“Quitting is staying here! It’s one thing to have a dream. It’s another to go after it…”

“Well, the staw hat captain offered me a place on his crew. Maybe I should take it!”

“Fine!”

“Fine!” Plates clattered.

“Fine!”

“Fine!” Something thudded loudly. 

You peeked around the wall to see Sanji storming off. Zeff’s shoulders slumped, and after a moment, he said, “Keep an eye on that idiot for me, will ya?” You stepped out into the dining room, whispering, “How- how did you-?”

Zeff turned around to look at you. He sighed, “It was only a matter of time ‘til you kids moved on…”

You darted forward, wrapping Zeff up in a big hug. He was taken aback. You felt him tense, but you just squeezed tighter, saying, “Thank you, Zeff. For everything.”

Zeff relented, quickly squeezing you in return. Then he cleared his throat and pulled away, back to his gruff self, “Now, you’d better go and get all your crap out of here. Quarters are for crew only, and you’re not on my crew anymore.”

You blinked away the tears forming in your eyes and nodded, “Yes, chef.” Zeff sat down at the table again and watched you disappear into the Baratie’s halls. Dammit, he was gonna miss those kids…

“Heard you guys need a cook,” Sanji said as he climbed up onto the Going Merry.

“Yeah!” Luffy shouted, pumping his fist in the air, “Yes, we do!” He hopped down from the rigging and clapped Sanji on the back, “Welcome aboard.”

From down below on the docks, you called up, “Room for one more?” They both looked down at you. Sanji’s brow furrowed, “Did the old man put you up to this?”

You grabbed the ladder and climbed up, snapping back, “I was invited, actually. By the captain.” You glanced at Luffy, who smiled and nodded. “Yep! Y/N is a devil fruit user, and I thought she’d be a great addition to the crew, so I asked her to come along.” They both reached down and helped pull you up the rest of the way onto the ship. You nodded your thanks and Luffy welcomed you aboard too.

When you hopped down onto the deck behind Sanji, you were surprised to see Zoro up and conscious.

“Zoro! You’re alive!”

The corner of his mouth quirked up, “I am. Did you doubt I would be?”

“I’m not gonna lie, I was a little concerned for a minute there.”

Zoro smirked and put out his hand, “Welcome to the crew. Hope this means I get a chance to make up for last night.” You tried not to blush as you took his hand and shook it, “Thanks, and- yeah, maybe… I mean, as long as you don’t challenge anymore warlords.”

“No promises.”

You laughed and Zoro tilted his head to the stairwell, “I can show you your cabin if you want to unpack.”

You set down the dishes for table 6, hardly noticing the commotion from table 8. Two men were arguing over something probably very stupid, but you glanced over to see Sanji appearing to be handling it. What is he doing out here? You didn’t have time to ponder the thought as you handed out the dishes that your table ordered. You had plenty of other things to handle at the moment anyway. A new table had just been sat in one of the booths along the wall. Once you finished with table 6, you needed to introduce yourself to the new patrons and take their drink orders. 

The party at table 6 thanked you and you smiled at them as you stepped away to let them enjoy their food. Then you started making your way to the new party at the booth, surprised to see Sanji standing there and talking to them. You approached and heard him pestering the young woman for her highly specific drink order and arrived just as she responded, “Regular water in a regular glass, thanks…”

“Right away…” Sanji smiled at her. You immediately sidled up to him, plastering a polite smile on your face as you asked him, “What’re you doing?” Sanji didn’t take his eyes off the young woman with bright orange hair as he responded, “Just making sure this lovely lady is being attended to.” 

“Ha,” you forced a laugh and turned to the patrons. Giving them your best customer service smile, you said, “I’m sorry about this, I’ll be right back…” You pressed your hands flat against Sanji’s back and pushed him down, down, down the dining room and back to the kitchen door – you maintaining an apologetic look toward the four at the table and Sanji winking obviously at the woman. 

Once you were out of ear shot, you whipped your head around to glare at Sanji, “Seriously! What’re you doing in the dining room?” 

“Zeff told me to wait tables, who am I to challenge the old bastard?” Sanji rolled his eyes, readjusting the cuffs of his suit. He was clearly upset, but obviously not at you. Something must’ve happened between him and Zeff. Again. 

“Oookayy…” You put your hands on your hips, “But it’s my table, so… what? Are we waiting on them together then?” 

“Look, I don’t wanna be out here any more than you want me to, so, just let me get their drinks. I already know the order, yeah? And you don’t?”

You huffed, loose strands of hair framing your face fluttering up in the force of air. “Okay, fine…”

Sanji spun on his heel and took off to acquire the drinks for the table. Meanwhile, you took a deep breath, re-centering yourself. Then you put your smile back on and made your way back to the table.

“Hello, folks, welcome to the Baratie! I apologize for the slight mix-up. My name is Y/N, and I’ll be… helping serve you tonight.” 

The four at the table looked at each other for a second before the young man on your left (three swords?) piped up, “Are we still getting our drinks?”

“Yes!” You gestured vaguely behind you, “Your… other server, Sanji, is going to get those now. In the meantime,” You took out the notepad you had in your apron, “I can get some appetizers started for you, if you’ve had time to look at the menu? Any questions for me?”

“The young man on the other end of the booth brightened immediately, “Yes! We’ll take one of everything, please.”

Your pen hovered for only a second before confidently jotting the order down. You tucked the notepad back in your apron and smiled at them, “Of course, sir. That’ll all start coming out in just a bit.” You stepped off to deliver the order to the kitchen, trying not to think of how they were going to pay for all of it. It wasn’t your business anyway…

You were in the middle of wiping down a table and collecting the dirty dishes when you saw Sanji passing by. You quickly waved him down, and when he approached, you asked, “Hey, can you grab the check for them?” You gestured to the center booth where the young man in the straw hat and his friends sat. 

“I thought you didn’t want me taking your tables,” Sanji grumbled, still clearly bruised to be in front of house. You shrugged, “You could always take these back to the dish pit,” you said as you hefted the now heavily-laden tray onto your shoulder. Sanji sighed and turned toward the booth. 

“That’s what I thought,” you muttered under your breath as you made your way back toward the kitchen.

You’d barely managed to drop off the dishes and pop back into the dining room with your tray when Zeff came barrelling out behind you, making a beeline for the table you were half-sort-of waiting on with Sanji. 

Uh oh, you thought as Zeff began tearing into the young man with the straw hat. Apparently, he’d dared to offer an IOU for his meal.

You noticed Sanji smirking next to you. “Did you have something to do with this,” you asked, quirking an eyebrow at him. Sanji just put his hands in his pockets, “What? I brought their check back, like you asked… not my fault if the old man blows his top.”

“Uh huh,” you sighed and the two of you stepped out of the way as Zeff dragged the boy by his overalls into the kitchen. Sanji followed after them, while you turned the other way and sheepishly walked over to the other three at the table. 

You gave them a smile that looked more like a grimace, clutching the tray in your hands, as you asked, “I hope the food was good in any case…”

“It was delicious, thank you,” the young woman assured you. You chuckled, “I’ll be sure to pass your compliments to the chef.” 

“That won’t be necessary, I don’t think…” She put her hands up. Then the other young man to your right spoke up, “Uh, is there somewhere we can, maybe, hang out? Until Luffy is… done?”

You nodded, “There’s a bar at the back of the Baratie that’s open past dinner service. Big fish mouth, you can’t miss it.”

“Will you be joining us?” The green haired man to your left asked, staring right at you. You blushed, noticing how the other two turned to stare at him with raised eyebrows. You cleared your throat, “Uh, some of the crew tends to head back there after their shift, so… maybe…” You darted a glance in his direction. He was still staring. You looked away and began moving empty dishes onto the tray, trying desperately not to fumble any of the glasses. “I’ll just get these out of your way…” Then you lifted the tray on your shoulder and rushed back toward the kitchen, trying not to let your face melt off in embarrassment. 

Once you were gone, Nami looked at Zoro and scoffed, a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, “‘Will you be joining us?’” Zoro shrugged. Usopp joined in the teasing, “Zoro’s got a girlfriend~” Zoro stood up from the table, “I’m gonna find that bar. Are you two coming or not?”

Later, after closing, you hung up your apron and cleaned up your appearance the best you could. You didn’t know why it mattered, it’s not like the swordsman asked you on a date. You were just going to the bar like more than half the crew did after dinner service every night. Nothing special.

But still, you couldn’t help feeling a little nervous as you stepped out onto the back deck of the Baratie, scanning the tables and bar for the familiar faces from dinner. You didn’t spot anyone, but one of them sure spotted you. 

“Heyyy! You were our waitress! Or, one of them? It’s me, Usopp! Remember?” The young man rushed up to you from where he was previously dancing in the center of the bar. You smiled at him, “Yeah, hi. Nice to meet you, Usopp.” He put his arm around your shoulders, “Come on, let’s get you something to drink. Woo!” 

“Oh, that’s okay-” But he didn’t hear you, he was already dragging you to the bar. Once there, he sat down on a stool. You looked at the bartender and said, “Two waters, please.” He nodded and passed you two glasses in no time. You looked at Usopp as you gave him one, “So, how did you all end up here, anyway?” 

“Oh! Great story! Lemme tell you…”

He launched into a very long and complex story about Syrup village, where he came from, and how he met the others (apparently, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami). It sounded almost unbelievable, the cat pirates and the secret poison plot to murder Kaya (“Sweet, sweet Kaya…” He sighed a lot when talking about her) and take her family’s fortune, but pirates always had crazy stories, so you didn’t think much of it. Then he came to how they’d been spotted by a Marine ship and chased at sea. He started explaining how the two ships exchanged cannon fire because he was “the best shot in the East Blue.”

“...Marines dead in the water. All thanks to the Great Captain Usopp…” He gestured to himself. You nodded along, propped up on the bar next to him. Then a voice on the other side of Usopp spoke up, “So,” the gentleman gently placed his wine glass down on the bar in front of him, “You’re the captain.” Something about his tone made you uneasy. 

The man looked very intently at Usopp, who didn’t seem to notice. He just kept rambling, “Well, technically, no. But I did distract them so that Luffy, who’s, like, the official captain, could bounce that ball back. Boom!” 

The other man stood up straighter, “I should very much like to meet this Luffy…” Before you could even find the words to express how bad of a feeling you had, Usopp was inviting the stranger along, “Sure. Heck, come meet the whole crew.” Usopp stood up, “You too, Y/N. You should say hi.” He threw his arm around your shoulders again and led you across the bar to a small table by the railing. You glanced over your shoulder to see the intense stranger following behind. Usopp approached his friends and said, “Hey, guys, look who I found. Meet my two new best friends.” Usopp took a seat next to Nami, “Y/N, and… what did you say your name was again?” 

“Which one of you is Monkey D. Luffy?” The stranger cut in. You stood in place, unsure of what you were even doing there. Nami was trying to brush off the stranger’s question with another, but she was also cut off, this time by Zoro. The green haired man slowly stood, his eyes locked on the stranger, “You’re Dracule Mihawk…” The stranger, Mihawk, apparently, glanced at Zoro, “My business is with your captain… If you know what’s good for you, you’ll hand him over.” 

Nami crossed her arms, denying any knowledge of anyone named Luffy, “Right, Zoro?” Zoro didn’t respond to her, he just addressed Mihawk. Zoro told him he’d been following his career since he was a child, and it was an honor to meet him, but unfortunately, he would soon be dead. Just as you exchanged concerned glances with Usopp and Nami, Zoro turned around and outright challenged Mihawk to a duel to the death.

You held your breath, immediately feeling completely out of place. You didn’t belong here. These people were pirates. This Dracule Mihawk was terrifying. Just being in his presence put you in a cold sweat. You were just a waitress… 

You vaguely heard Zoro explaining his dream of becoming the world’s greatest swordsman by defeating Mihawk, and Mihawk agreeing to the duel, for some reason, before walking away. 

Nami and Usopp tried to persuade Zoro against the idea, it was crazy afterall. Zoro ignored them. As he was leaving, he stopped next to you. You looked up at him, still speechless.

“Sorry we didn’t get a chance to get to know each other tonight.” Then he brushed past you and left the bar. Nami and Usopp rushed after him, shouting at him not to be stupid.

You were reminded why you don’t usually come to the bar after work… You shook your head and left soon after.

Your eyes blearily blinked open. A few brunch shift crew members were starting to get ready for the day. You dragged your hands down your face and rolled out of your hammock. Something tugged at the back of your mind. It was early. Earlier than your shift, so why were you awake…?

Then someone drew the curtain and the golden rays of dawn pierced your eyes. Others groaned, annoyed by the sudden light. A shoe was thrown.

Dawn… Oh god, the thought hit you. You shot up and ran to the port hole, looking down at the makeshift docks surrounding the floating restaurant. And right there, right on the steps of the Baratie, you could see them. Zoro and that man, Mihawk, swords clashing in the early light. You gasped. He was really doing it?!

“Not drinking tonight, sweetness?” Sanji sidled up to where you sat on a stool, your back to the bar. You shrugged, “Not ever, really.” Sanji looked confused, so you elaborated, “Nothing against it, conceptually! Just, don’t like the taste. Never have.”

“Now, that can’t be true,” Sanji protested. “There’s so many! You must like something.”

“Nothing I’ve tried.” 

“Well, we have to fix that! I’ll make you every drink there is in the world until we find one you like, how about that?” He squeezed your shoulders.

“I think that’d be a very expensive waste of alcohol,” you chuckled, tapping him on the head. 

“Nonsense, it’s not a waste if it’s for you.”

“Oh, hush! You’re not wiping out this bar just for me to take one sip of everything and hate it.”

“If it’s what must be done-”

“How about,” you interrupted, lifting your finger in his face, “how about, you can make me one, just one! Drink at every bar, until we maybe, maybe find something I like… but no promises.”

“Deal.” Sanji spun around and waved to the bartender, somehow charming his way behind the bar. He started pulling down three different bottles, glancing at you to ask, “Do you trust me?”

You pursed your lips, pretending to think about it, “Mm… Yes…”

“Then trust me to make something you’ll like.”

“Alright, fine.” You watched him toss an orange in the air and catch it in the glass.

“And if you don’t like something, promise you’ll be honest with me. I wanna make sure we find something you actually enjoy, not something you tolerate.”

“Yeah, sure.”

“I mean it. Don’t fake it for my ego, darling. If I find out you lied, I’ll be hurt.”

“I never fake it.” 

Sanji paused, his eyes flicking to your face, one eyebrow quirked up as he let out a chuckle. Your eyes widened, and you immediately looked away, realizing what you’d said. You coughed and tucked a stand of hair behind your ear as you quickly tried to correct course, “Not- I mean, I won’t lie, I’ll be honest. Promise.” You blushed and drew an ‘x’ over your heart with your finger. Sanji laughed and busied himself making you something to drink. He shook his head, trying hard not to think about what you’d said.

He flipped a few bottles and rolled them down his arms, satisfied to see you laugh and clap in amusement. Finally, he finished the drink and placed it down with a flourish in front of you. 

“It’s certainly a pretty drink,” you marveled at the glass with its curled orange peel garnish.

“A pretty drink for a pretty lady, of course.” 

You rolled your eyes like you always did at his flirtations, but he didn’t mind. He couldn’t stop if he wanted to. And he definitely didn’t want to. 

You leaned forward, gently lifted the glass to your lips, and took a sip. 

Sanji waited with bated breath. You swallowed and instantly gagged. “Oh god!” Your face scrunched up in reaction to the burning alcohol flooding your throat. “Ahh,” you coughed and cleared your throat, trying to make the bitter taste fade faster. You covered your mouth with the back of your hand and grimaced at Sanji, shrugging your shoulders. “Sorry… but no… definitely not sweet enough.”

“It’s alright, love,” He spun the glass around and picked it back up, “Next time.” In one swift movement, he tipped it back and swallowed the whole drink. 

“I don’t know how you guys drink that stuff.” You shook your head, still coughing a bit, and squeaked out, “I mean, whatever makes you happy!” You hopped off the bar stool and meandered off to check on how everyone else was doing. 

Sanji watched you go, still twisting the glass between his fingers. You were apparently wearing some kind of lip gloss. He’d tasted it when he brought the glass to his lips. Strawberry? No, raspberry. He pressed his lips together, savoring the taste as he watched you bound up to where Usopp was throwing darts. His eyes wandered up your legs, to where your short skirt hugged your hips and curved around your-

Sanji swallowed and let a long breath out through his mouth, discarding the glass on the bar along with his train of thought. 

He needed some air. 

Later in the night, the crew was stumbling out of the bar. Luffy grabbed everyone and insisted on singing loudly as you all made your way back to the ship. Usopp, also quite drunk, enthusiastically joined in. Nami shoved Luffy and Usopp off and laughed, “I’m not drunk enough for that.”

“Oh, so we should go back, then?” Luffy started turning around, Usopp spinning with him. Everyone laughed, but you did your best to redirect them back toward the ship. “No, come on, you two, that’s it for tonight!”

Luckily, Luffy and Usopp were not in any position to argue, so they just spun around again and took up their song, swaying down the road. With the rest of the crew’s help, you managed to get everyone back safely. 

Sanji found you on the top deck. Everyone else had gone to sleep, but he’d picked up that you liked to experience the night air before bed and could usually be found there. 

He stood on the stairs for a moment, lit a cigarette, and watched you watch the sea. 

A cool ocean breeze swept up your hair and made you shudder. You rubbed your hands up and down your arms. Suddenly, Sanji found himself crossing the deck and taking off his jacket. Once he reached you, he gently placed it around your shoulders, letting his hands slide down your arms as you turned and looked up at him. You smiled and thanked him as he joined you at the railing. 

The two of you stayed like that for a while longer, just looking out at the sea shining under the moonlight. Sanji kept stealing glances at you, his cigarette caught between two fingers. He wanted to say something, but he was worried he’d ruin the moment. 

Ruin the moment? Since when did he ever worry about that?

He didn’t realize he hadn’t said anything at all until you looked at him, concerned.

“Sanji…?”

He glanced at you, “Yes, love?”

“Are you okay?” You placed a hand on his arm. He hummed at the sensation, “Of course, I am. You’re here.” 

You frowned. Sanji’s chest tightened. What did he do? Why were you frowning at him?

“I don’t know,” you searched his face, “You seem… off. Did you have too much to drink? Maybe you should get to bed…”

Drink. Yeah, that must be why I’m like this, he thought. 

“Oh, come on! I’m fine,” he smiled easily and wrapped one arm around your shoulder, “But if you’re so worried about me, I’ll let you escort me to my chambers.”

You giggled at his dramatics. That was better. 

“Okay, let’s get you to bed.” 

Sanji put out his cigarette and let you guide him below deck and down the hall to his room, holding his hand around your shoulder to steady him. At one point, he may have intentionally accidentally tripped over a bench. Your hand shot out and braced against his chest, and you whispered sharply, “Please, be careful.” He smirked into your hair, letting you prop him back up on his feet. 

All too soon, you were at his door, and when you let his arm fall back to his side, he felt suddenly very cold. Reluctantly, Sanji opened his door and turned around to face you.

“Well, goodnight, Sanji.”

What if you stayed? What if he asked you to? What if he told you…

He opened his mouth to say something. 

You waited.

“...Yes?” You prompted him. 

He shut his mouth. 

“Goodnight,” was all he managed. He slowly closed his door, wondering if he was going crazy.

Then he heard a quiet knock. He opened his door again, heart jumping into his throat. 

“Sorry, sorry, I forgot to give this back,” You shrugged off his jacket and handed it to him. 

“Mm, yeah, thank you so much,” he clenched his jaw and forced a smile. “Well, goodnight!” He shut the door, leaving you a bit confused as you went back to your room. 

Meanwhile, Sanji went straight to his bed and collapsed face down. He groaned into his pillow. What did he even almost say? Why? What’d gotten into him? 

He sighed and flipped over onto his back. The rustling of his jacket against the bed cover reminded him of its existence. He pulled it up to his face to look at it, only to catch a whiff of your perfume lingering on the fabric. He brought it to his nose, drinking in the scent of you. It was still warm, reminding him of how it rested against your shoulders, caressing your warm skin in the way he desperately wanted to.

Fuck fuck fuck. Fuck!

Sanji threw his jacket across the room. Why was he jealous of a piece of clothing?!

It was another sunny day at sea, and the Straw Hat crew found themselves a rare opportunity for spare time. Everyone spread out throughout the ship, doing what they wished. 

You wandered up on the deck with your book, looking for a place to sit and read. Shading your eyes from the sun, you scanned the deck, hoping for some shade. Finally, you spotted Zoro in the only shady spot on the ship. 

“Mind if we share?” You gestured to the ground next to him as you walked up, “It’s just, there aren’t any other shaded areas up here right now, and I don’t feel like getting burned today.”

Zoro shrugged and moved over slightly, going back to his swords. Gingerly avoiding the sharp end, you sat cross-legged next to him. “Thanks,” you said as you pulled out your book and flipped to the page you had marked.

The two of you sat in comfortable silence for a while, enjoying the warm sun and blue sky. It was peaceful and quiet for once, and you let your mind drift off into your book, relaxing your body. 

Zoro felt a little thump against his shoulder. He glanced over to see that you’d slumped onto him, your eyes closed. The corner of his mouth quirked into a smile. He reached over with one arm and plucked your book from your lap, making sure to mark your page before setting it aside. Then, he gently maneuvered you into his lap, being careful to support your head. You mumbled something in your sleep but didn’t wake.

Once you were lying down and looked comfortable, Zoro went back to his work. 

He stayed like that while you slept, trying hard not to move much. Occasionally, he’d pause and look down, studying your face. When the wind pushed a lock of hair over your cheek, he reached up and brushed it back into place. He glanced around to make sure no one else was on deck. They seemed to have cleared out. Satisfied that the two of you were alone, he went back to studying you, letting his hand caress the soft skin of your cheek. Then he moved to trace your jaw.

Pretty, he thought. Does she know that?

You shifted and fluttered your eyes, slowly coming awake. Your brows drew together as you tried to remember where you were. “Zoro…?”

He tried to look nonchalant, “Yeah?”

You looked around, “Oh gosh, did I fall asleep? I’m so sorry-” You moved to get up, but Zoro’s arm moved over your chest and held you there. He didn’t look at you as he said, “No, it’s fine.”

You smiled shyly, “Are you sure?”

“Yeah,” he shrugged, “If you want.”

“Okay, well, thank you. I guess I didn’t realize how tired I was…” You reached out with your hand to where Zoro had set your book aside. “Could you hand me that, please?” He passed it back over to you, suppressing a smile at how you wriggled underneath his arm to get comfortable, opening the book over your face. 

“What’re you reading?” he asked. You pulled the book down, “Just a story I picked up at the last market we visited.”

“What’s it about?” He looked around, trying not to seem too interested. You pulled the book back in front of your face to hide your blush, “Uh, it’s a… just a silly story…”

“Silly as in funny?”

“Mmm… not exactly…”

“Then what?”

You fully let the open book flop onto your face, mumbling into the pages, “It’s a princess story, alright…?”

Zoro tilted his head and picked up the book, “What’s that even mean? It’s about a princess?” Your hands immediately went to your face, trying to hide your embarrassment. You sighed, slipping into a rambling explanation, “Yes, it’s an old fairy tale. It’s a story about a princess and being rescued by a knight and how they fall in love, and I know it’s a little silly, but when I saw it in the market, I remembered that I used to have a copy when I was little, and I had a few spare beri, so I impulse bought it, okay?!”

You peeked out at Zoro from in between your fingers. He quirked an eyebrow at you. “Hm.” Then he put the open book back down on your face. Just as you thought you might die of shame, he added, “Sounds cool.”

“Does it, really?” You sarcastically asked from behind the book. 

“Yeah. If you like it, then it is.” He said it so matter-of-fact, you pulled the book down away from your face. You stared up at him, taken aback by his sincerity. 

“Um, okay… have you ever heard the story before?”

Zoro shook his head, “Not that I know of.”

“Would you…” You blushed, “Would you want me to read it to you…?”

Zoro leaned back and stretched out his legs underneath you, “Sure.” He smiled down at you.

Cold pressure. Darkness. Pain. You couldn’t see anything, and your limbs felt heavy and slow. You kicked and pushed, but didn’t move an inch. Whatever it was, it was all around you, pressing in, swallowing you up. Something grabbed your ankle, yanked you down. You opened your mouth to scream. Briny, brackish water flooded your mouth. The more you choked, the more it pushed its way down your throat, reaching into you, pulling at your insides. Oppressive and malicious. Something wanted you dead. You couldn’t breathe, you couldn’t move. You just felt it dragging you down, down, down…

Your eyes shot open with a gasp. You thrashed around, your limbs tangled in your bed sheets, still trapped. Finally, your mind caught up. Awake. I’m awake, you thought, sitting up in your bed. It was just a dream… You looked around in the darkness, taking steady breaths, trying to convince your brain that you were breathing air and not swallowing water.

A flash of light. A loud crash. You jumped, head snapping to the sound.

Rain pelted the porthole in your room as a thunderstorm rolled through the cove where the ship was anchored. You placed your hand on your heart, trying to focus on steadying it as the ship bobbed up and down on the waves. You sighed and flopped back onto your bed, hoping the swaying would quickly send you back to sleep. 

It didn’t.

You just kept staring into the darkness, thinking about the cold ocean wrapping around you in a vice, squeezing the air from your lungs. You shook your head and blinked hard. 

Stop thinking about it.

But you couldn’t.

After tossing and turning almost as much as the waves, you finally gave up. You slipped out of your room and into the hall. As quietly as you could, you sneaked down to the galley, hoping to grab a glass of water or something to settle your nerves. 

You poked and prodded around the ship’s kitchen the best you could, but in the pitch black, you had no idea where anything was. Okay, to be honest, you didn’t know where things were in the day time either… It’s not my fault, you thought to yourself, Sanji always gets things for me. The galley is his domain. 

You decided to check the upper cabinets for a glass, but everything was out of reach. Without giving it much thought, you climbed up onto the counter and straightened on your knees. You pulled open the cabinet door and carefully dodged it, balancing precariously on the edge of the counter. You grabbed onto the cabinet shelf until you felt steady, then you reached up carefully with both hands to feel around for cups. Or a bowl, you grumbled in your head. Hell, I’d even take a slightly deeper than usual plate at this poi-

The lights in the galley snapped on, and a voice called out, “Looking for something, sweetheart?”

You bit back a scream, but your whole body jolted to make up the difference, sending you off-balance. You tipped backward, trying to catch the cabinet shelf but just missing it. But before you could crash to the floor, someone was there, “Whoa, whoa, watch yourself, darling.”

Your fall had been prevented, but now your back was pressed against Sanji’s chest, one of his arms wrapped around your waist, the other holding onto the counter. Before you could even comprehend what happened, Sanji spun you around and sat you on the countertop. 

“Now,” he braced an arm on either side of you, looking into your eyes, “what’re you doing in my kitchen in the middle of the night?”

You desperately hoped your entire face didn’t look as red as it felt. Clearing your throat, you squeaked out, “Um, water?”

Sanji smirked, “You want a glass of water? Coming right up.” He straightened and reached behind you, coming as close as he dared, never taking his eyes off of yours. 

Unable to look away, your grip tightened on the edge of the counter, until finally, he took a step back, brandishing a cup. He flipped it in his hand and caught it, before he stepped back and went to fill it with water. You let out the breath you didn’t realize you were holding. 

“Anything else I can get you? A late night snack to go with this beverage?” He was back in front of you again, handing you the glass. You took it from him, your fingers brushing for a moment. 

“Mm, I don’t think so,” you whispered and took a tiny sip, grateful that the water was cool.

“You sure? Won’t take a minute.”

Still a bit flustered from your scare earlier, or nightmares, surely, you just shrugged, finding the water in your cup very interesting. Sanji took it as a yes, breaking into a smile, “I know just the thing, but, ah,” he glanced down, “I’ll need to get a mixing bowl from under here.”

“Oh, I’ll move,” you set your glass down so you could jump off the counter, but before you could, Sanji interrupted. “No need,” he grabbed your knees and pushed your legs open. Then he ducked down and opened the drawer directly beneath you. You gaped at the top of his head but quickly shut your mouth when he popped up again. 

“Thank you,” he took the bowl and swept away, slipping into his chef persona, leaving you to snap your legs closed in hot embarrassment. Sanji was busy gathering ingredients and prepping his dish, seemingly unaware of your mental spiral. You went back to your water, gulping down half of it, now really trying to clear your mind.

After a while, Sanji piped up, “Trouble sleeping, I gather?”

You sighed and nodded, but realizing that Sanji’s back was to you as he diced something on the cutting board, you tried again. “Yeah, bad dreams,” you whispered, still trying not to wake anyone.

“Why are you whispering?” Sanji said in a mock-whisper of his own. 

“Because people are sleeping… that’s also why I didn’t use any lights,” you quietly defended yourself, gesturing down the hallway in the distance for emphasis. Sanji laughed, back to his normal voice, “Oh, love, I don’t think you have to worry about that. After the day we’ve had, I don’t think a herd of elephants could wake them.”

You pressed your lips together, not entirely buying it, before you continued whispering, “Then why are you awake?” There was an imperceptible pause of Sanji’s knife, but with his back turned to you, you never saw it. He shrugged, “I think it was the thunder that woke me.”

You glanced out the window where Sanji gestured his knife. As if on cue, a flash of lightning lit up the inside of the ship. Rolling thunder followed. 

“Now, did I hear you were having nightmares?” Sanji finished dicing and sprinkled sugar on the cutting board. Then he pushed it aside and moved the bowl in front of himself, pouring in more sugar and a generous amount of cream. He turned around with the bowl, whisking as he made his way back to where you sat on the counter. 

You sighed, staring back at your glass, now empty. You set it down next to you and finally replied, “Yeah, just…” Searching for the right words, all you could come up with was, “I’ve always been afraid of the ocean. Not the beach, not water, just the deep stuff. Which is a little crazy considering the life I’ve chosen, I guess…” You glanced at Sanji, but he just nodded to encourage you to keep talking. You continued, “But then one day I ate a devil-fruit.” Your gaze shifted to somewhere far away, “And now, even though I know how… I’ll never be able to keep myself from… from…”

Sanji whisked more aggressively, scowling, “You never should’ve been in that situation…”

“No, Sanji, please don’t hold it against him. It’s not his fault.”

“The hell it isn’t,” he stared at the bowl as he whisked harder, “Always has to be the big shot swordsman. Always has to fight first. Damn it if you’re hanging off a piece of wood, calling for him, thinking you might-”

“Sanji, your bowl,” you reached out, interrupting his furious mixing. He stopped suddenly, inspecting the bowl to ensure he hadn’t accidentally over-mixed the cream. Fortunately, he hadn’t, but it was close.

Sanji set the mixing bowl down beside you, “Sorry.” 

You shook your head, “It’s okay. I’m fine. I’m safe. For now, at least.” You forced a half-hearted laugh and looked away. Sanji lifted his hand to cup your chin, forcing you to look at him. “Hey, I’ve got you, you know that, right? Just like I did today. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

You forced a smile, “You can’t promise that.”

“Oh, but I do. I swear on my own life.”

“Sanji, stop,” you gently pushed his arm away. “No need for dramatics.”

“I’m not-”

You tipped your head toward the cutting board behind him, “What’re you making, anyway?” You needed to change the subject.

“Ah!” Sanji grabbed the bowl next to you and spun around to the cutting board. He scraped the contents of the board into the bowl and started gently folding the ingredients together. “I have made for you… a mixture of,” he stole your empty glass and scooped what he’d made into it. “Kiwi, for sleep,” then he plucked a sprig of mint from one of the potted plants by the window, “mixed with a sweetened whipped cream,” delicately placing it on top of the dish, he presented it to you, “for a very, sweet lady…”

You marvelled at the green fruit swirled in cream, intrigued, and took the cup. Out of nowhere, Sanji produced a spoon, but when you reached for it, he jerked it away. You whined, “Sanji!”

Relenting with a smile, he flipped the handle toward you, letting you take the spoon from him. Eagerly, you dipped the spoon into the cup, scooping out a portion, and tasted it. It was light and creamy, while still being fresh and not overly sweet. You hummed in satisfaction, not anticipating how much you would appreciate a midnight snack.

Sanji was cleaning up around you, putting ingredients away and cleaning dishes.

“Wait, what about you?” you pulled the spoon from your mouth, “Where’s yours?”

“No no, I made it for you, darling,” he said as he waved you off. 

“No way,” you huffed, “Sanji, I’m not going to eat this by myself.”

“The chef doesn’t eat every meal he makes.”

“But he tries them…”

Sanji glanced over his shoulder at you.

“Please?”

You didn’t realize the affect you had on him. Just one word and he felt weak in the knees. Before he knew it, he was next to you, leaning against the counter. “Alright, alright, just a taste.”

You grinned at him and held out the spoon, a dollop of the fruit and cream on it. He hesitated for just a second, his eyes flicking between you and the spoon, and then he leaned forward and took it into his mouth. When you pulled it away, he licked his lips, locking eyes with you, “Delicious.”

You let out a nervous laugh and tore your eyes away from his lips to look back at the cup in your hand. “Aren’t you glad you tried it, then?”

Sanji pushed himself off the counter, saying, “Of course, anything for you, sweet.”

You just shook your head, watching him return to the dishes. You finished the cup in comfortable silence until he was done. He took the spoon and empty glass away and placed them in the sink. Then he held his hand out to you, “Ready to get your beauty sleep? Not that you need it, yeah?”

“But you do?” You teased as you took his hand and hopped off the counter. Sanji placed his other hand to his heart, feigning hurt. But he led you out the galley and down the hall to your room nonetheless. Once you arrived at your door, you realized you were still holding Sanji’s hand. You sheepishly let go so you could grab the handle and open the door. Behind you, Sanji looked down to stare at his hand. It was like he’d been burned where you touched him, but not a searing pain, a bright warmth that he didn’t want to end. He flexed his hand to try to push away the feeling.

“Well, goodnight, then,” your voice drew his attention back to the present. He looked up at you, “Uh, yes, goodnight, and sleep well, princess.” He lifted his hand and booped you on the nose, “No more nightmares, understood?” You smiled and scrunched your nose back at him, replying, “Yes, chef,” in a half-mocking way. Sanji had to laugh to keep himself from choking. He wasn’t even going to let himself think about that.

You gave him another little wave and gently shut the door. Once you were out of sight, he let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. He walked down the hall to his own room, wondering how on earth he went in feeling so confident, and left your presence feeling like a complete fool. 

In your room, you slid under the covers again, feeling more at ease, more like yourself. You sat up in bed for a little while longer, allowing yourself to listen to the rain and rolling thunder, feeling the rocking of the ship in the waves. 

You’d have to remember to thank Sanji for his help tonight. Just being there for you, it meant more than he even knew. 

When the Going Merry pulled into the port, the Straw Hat crew marvelled at the complex maze of scaffolding and bridges and various pathways through the city. The island appeared to be made of hundreds of smaller land masses criss-crossed with rivers and stacked high with thousands of colorful buildings, all connected with wooden planks, boards, ropes, and the occasional more sturdy bridge. 

“It’s like the whole island is made of a ship’s rigging!” You exclaimed as you stared up in awe at the kaleidoscope of buildings, houses, and shacks. “I mean, look at all those ropes! It’s like they’re afraid the island will float apart without them!” Luffy jumped down next to you on the deck, smiling ear to ear in that infectious way of his, “Yeah! This place looks awesome!”

Everyone joined the two of you and helped tie up the ship before disembarking. While the boys started wandering off the ship and down the dock, you and Nami spoke with the dockmaster to shore up the administrative questions. Just a simple crew looking to stock up on supplies, nothing to see here.

The dockmaster gave you a few directions about where to find some good local spots and some interesting things to do on the island. He warned you about taking care where you step, as some of the pathways were older or more shoddily put together than others, and the currents in the rivers run deep and fast. You thanked him and headed off to catch up with the rest of the crew. Nami dolled out allowances and relayed the warnings to everyone before setting them free to explore. 

Late afternoon arrived and most of the crew met back on the ship with their spoils. Sanji bragged about the special ingredients available on the island, Nami found some adorable new clothes and shoes, Usopp purchased and shipped out a present for Kaya, and you bought a new book to read on the ship (along with a few cute outfits yourself).

“But, uh, where’s Zoro and Luffy?” Usopp asked, leaning off the side of the ship to see if he could spot them coming down the docks. 

“Knowing those two, they probably got lost,” Nami smirked. 

“Or distracted by food,” you chimed in.

“Speaking of food,” Sanji lifted a box of ingredients from the deck, “I’m going to stash my precious ingredients for the journey and start on dinner.” He started heading below deck, calling behind him, “I’ll be in the galley if you need me!”

You waved at his back and busied yourself shifting boxes and organizing things until Usopp piped up. “Should we look for them?” He nervously glanced at the horizon and the slowly setting sun, “It’s getting kind of late, you know?”

Nami groaned and collapsed on a chair on the deck, “I’ve done enough walking today. If you wanna chase those two down, go for it.”

“By myself?” Usopp grimaced. You put down a crate on top of another box and moved to join Usopp at the gangway. “I’ll come with you.” Usopp looked relieved and the two of you set off back into the island, or many little islands, looking for your friends.

How it happened, you had no idea. One moment you were out with Usopp, looking for Luffy and Zoro, and the next moment you’re running for your lives down rickety planks of wood from a rival pirate crew. 

Luffy and Usopp crashed through a makeshift wall in between two shacks, taking four of the rival pirates with them. The pathway you’d all been running down collapsed behind them. You and Zoro skidded to a stop. 

Separated. Luffy and Usopp emerged from the rubble on another pathway closer to the ground level. 

“Meet back at the ship!” You shouted down at them. Luffy gave you a thumbs up. Usopp shouted and pointed behind you, “Watch out!”

You and Zoro looked over your shoulders to see eight more pirates running up the bridge. You lifted your arm and formed a glowing yellow ball in your hand, then you threw it forward through the group of pirates. The yellow ball hit two of them and exploded into electricity, shocking them and sending them to the ground. The others behind them skidded to a halt, alarmed by the sight of their twitching comrades. 

Zoro tugged on your hand, “Nice one, but come on, let’s go!” He pushed you in front of him and the two of you took off again, down a still functioning scaffolding to your right. But as you got closer to the edge of the island, you realized that you were still two levels above the main docks. You could see the Going Merry in the distance, and just make out Luffy and Usopp’s silhouettes running down the dock, chased by even more pirates. Gosh, how many of them are there?!

You and Zoro approached the edge of the island, the rigging getting more and more sparse. No more full bridges at all, and some just long planks of wood laid across gaps in the path, with the rushing river below. 

“How do we get down?” Zoro urged you. You scanned the various paths as quickly as you could. Finally, you spotted it. “There!” You pointed to a ramp that connected one platform to another. It was just one long plank that sloped downward, but it was your only way forward. The platform it landed on had a bridge to the main dock and then it was home free. 

“Go for it! I’ll hold them off.” Zoro stopped at the edge of the board and turned around, drawing two of his swords. You turned to the ramp. It was no more than two feet across. Narrower than you would’ve liked. You looked down at the river below where it flowed into the ocean. It had to be almost 30 feet below. You gulped, but when you looked behind you the pirates were already almost on top of you and Zoro. You had to cross, now.

Taking a deep breath, trying not to think about the fall or how the board shuddered slightly with every pounding step of the approaching enemy, you took your first step onto the plank. Then another. Then another. Halfway. Then two-thirds. You were almost there. You could hear Zoro fighting behind you now. Maybe you should go back, maybe you should help-

Slam! 

One of the pirates kicked at the board, trying to cut off your escape. It lurched sideways, throwing you off balance. You screamed and threw your hand out to catch something, anything, as you tumbled off the plank. Your hand caught the side of it, just barely; your body yanked to a stop. Pain shot through your shoulder, but your death grip on the board didn’t let go. Not yet anyway. 

You struggled to pull yourself up, but you couldn’t. You couldn’t even swing your other hand up to the board.

“Zoro!” You cried out, “Zoro, please! I can’t-!”

“Hold on!” Zoro grunted, pushing one pirate off of him and slashing at another. He spared a glance to see you desperately trying to find purchase on something to help pull yourself up. A pirate’s fist collided with his stomach, drawing his attention back. If he could just, finish them off…

Your grip was slipping. On the ship, the rest of the crew fought the pirates who chased Luffy and Usopp back. They made quick work of them, overwhelming the pirates once the four Staw Hats were together on the ship. 

Sanji kicked one thug in the chest and spun around to deliver a kick to another in the head. They both went down, but when he heard you scream, his head whipped up. He saw you dangling from the wooden plank, the panic clear as day on your face and the mouth of the river below you, churning water meeting the sea. 

You felt yourself slip again, and you only managed to cry out one more time, “Zoro! Please!”

Zoro dispatched the last pirate with a slash of his sword and spun around, his arm already outstretched to grab you, but it was too late. Your hand slipped from the plank. You screamed and plummeted into the water below. 

The water was cold and the river current immediately pushed you into the ocean. You instinctually gasped for breath but got only salty water in your lungs. You panicked and thrashed, not knowing which way was up, being pulled in every direction until you broke the surface for a moment. You tried to breathe, scream for help, but a wave pushed you down again. 

This is it.

On the ship, Sanji stripped off his jacket and kicked off his shoes. He didn’t hesitate before he climbed onto the railing of the ship and dove into the water. He saw you, for just a second, break above the water. He held the location in his mind and swam out to where he knew he saw you last. He dove down and found you, floating, still. He grabbed your arms and placed them around his neck and swam to the surface. He dragged you over to the ship where the crew was shouting. “Quick! Pull them up!”

“The life preserver! Here!”

“Sanji, catch!”

They helped him lift you onto the deck and Sanji placed you down gently. It only took a second for them to realize you weren’t breathing. “She’s swallowed too much water! She can’t breathe!” Usopp grabbed his head with one hand, beginning to pace. 

Sanji wasted no time. He straddled you, placed one hand over the other on your chest, and began pumping up and down, “Come on, love. Don’t do this to me.” After a count, he leaned down to listen for your breath. Nothing. He started again. Counting, muttering under his breath, “Come on, wake up! Breathe for me!” He checked again, still nothing. Finally, he pinched your nose and opened your mouth. He took a deep breath and leaned forward to push all of it into your lungs. He pulled back and almost instantly, you coughed, water gurgling in your throat. He pulled you onto your side as he said, “there you go, love, just let it all out,” and gently patted your back as you coughed and hacked and spit out ocean water. 

“Oh thank god,” Nami exclaimed. Usopp let out the breath he didn’t know he’d been holding. Luffy slapped Sanji on the back and hugged Usopp, both of them clearly relieved. You coughed more and finally breathed air again, salt stinging your eyes. 

Zoro finally rushed onto the ship, jumping down from the railing and making his way toward you. 

“Don’t,” Sanji growled, rising to stand over you, dripping wet and furious. His white shirt clung to his chest as the setting sun turned his hair a bright gold. His chest heaved as he stared Zoro down. “Don’t you dare.”

“What?” Zoro halted. 

“Where the hell were you?!”

“Fighting six men on four square feet of wood, cook!”

“She almost died, mosshead, and she called for you, but you weren’t there!”

“I tried-!”

“Not fucking good enough!”

“Stop!” You coughed and struggled to sit up. “Please, don’t.” Your voice was hoarse from hacking up saltwater, “Don’t start a fight…” You started shivering, from the cold as the sun set or from your worst fears being realized, you weren’t sure.

The two stared each other down for a second longer before backing off. Sanji went over to his discarded jacket and placed it around your shoulders, kneeling beside you.

Nami broke the tension, back to business, “We need to anchor the ship away from the main docks, where we can see anyone coming. There’s a cove not far from here that should work. Usopp,” Nami started giving orders, “At the rudder, please.” Usopp saluted and headed to the back of the ship. “Luffy, keep an eye out for anyone following us.” Luffy put his hat back on his head and nodded, pulling himself to the front of the ship. “And, Zoro, help me cast off. You two,” she turned to you and Sanji, “head below decks and wash up. Don’t need anyone catching a cold tonight.”

You struggled to your feet, still feeling a little shaky. Sanji offered you his arm, which you gladly took. He picked up his shoes and lead you down the stairs below deck to the washroom.

After a much needed soak in a warm bath, you exited the washroom that you and Nami shared and slipped back to your room on the ship, your towel drawn tightly around you. You had just managed to get into your room when a knock came at the door. 

“Who is it?” You called, looking for some fresh clothes to put on from your trunk.

“Uh, me.” You recognized Zoro’s gruff voice through the door. 

“Just a second!” You looked around and threw on the first thing you could find, a simple pair of sleep shorts and an oversized shirt, before cracking open the door to address the swordsman.

“Yeah, hi, Zoro, what’s up?”

He didn’t look at you and fidgeted with his sword hilt (one of them, anyway). “Can we talk,” he asked, looking over his shoulder. “Uh, sure,” you opened the door wider to let him in. 

Zoro slipped into your room and waited for you to close the door. When you turned to face him, he still didn’t quite look you in the face. He stared out the porthole for a minute before taking a deep breath, bracing himself for something. Then he said, “I’m sorry… for failing you…”

You were taken aback. “What?”

He shifted his weight, and repeated, “I’m sorry for failing you. It won’t happen again.”

You furrowed your brows, “Zoro, you didn’t-”

“I did. You could’ve died, drowned, and I wasn’t fast enough.” He lowered his head, “I was trying to get to you, but I-”

You moved forward and placed your hand on Zoro’s chest. “I know.” He looked up at you, and you continued, “I know you tried your hardest, Zoro, and I don’t blame you for what happened. It wasn’t your fault.”

Zoro shook his head, “I should’ve caught you.”

“Hey, I’m okay. I’m fine.”

“But you can’t- You almost drowned.”

It was your turn to look out the porthole, remembering the crushing weight of the ocean, the saltwater filling your lungs, feeling panic set in as the current dragged you to the depths and your world went dark… You shuddered. 

Zoro placed his hand on top of where yours rested over his heart, bringing you back to the present. You looked up into his eyes and gave him a small smile, “I’m safe now. It’s okay.”

Zoro squeezed your hand, “I’m sorry…” 

“I forgive you, Zoro…”

The words finally reached him. You could see his tense shoulders relax, like a weight had been lifted. Like all he needed was your absolution.

He looked as if he was going to say something more, but a swift knock on your door preceded Sanji poking his head in.

When his eyes fell on Zoro, then his hand over yours on his chest, Sanji’s usual relaxed expression turned into a frown. He quickly recovered and looked to you, “Just checking on you, sweetheart. How’re you feeling?”

You stepped back from Zoro and he let your hand fall before you responded, “Uh, yeah, I’m feeling okay. I was just telling Zoro that I don’t blame him for what happened.” 

Sanji hummed, “How generous of you, angel.” His voice sounded light, but there was a sharpness behind it. Apparently, your pointed comment had not landed as you’d hoped. 

You glanced at Zoro, who stared coldly at Sanji as he said, “Don’t you knock.”

“I did, mosshead. You should get your ears checked.”

“You didn’t even wait before opening the door,” Zoro crossed his arms. “What if she’d been changing or something?”

Your face flushed at the thought, suddenly realizing that you were only wearing your pajamas. 

Sanji scoffed, “As if you’d be allowed the privilege to be present for that.”

You blushed harder and bit your lip. Zoro shifted uncomfortably, not looking at you, just glaring at Sanji, “That’s not what I-”

“Oookayy!” You interrupted before this line of conversation could get any worse, “I think I heard Nami calling you both, yeah? It sounded really important!” You began lightly pushing the two out of your room. “You should probably go check that everything is set for the night, thankyousomuch!” You quickly shut the door in their faces. 

“Mmm, no, thank you,” you said as you politely pushed the spoon away from your mouth. Sanji made a strangled sound, like he’d been punched in the gut, “Pardon me? What, you don’t like my cooking anymore?”

“No, it’s not that!”

“Right, that’s what I thought, so open up-”

You shook your head and dodged the spoon again, making Sanji huff and place it down on the plate between you two. “Come now, love, what’s wrong? You love being my taste tester.”

“Well, you can ask Nami today, can’t you? Or Luffy? Luffy never turns down food.”

“Sure, I could, but I don’t want to. I want you to taste my food, now, please-” He picked up the spoon again.

“I really shouldn’t-”

“Of course, you should-”

“No, Sanji, I-”

“Just try it, I know you’ll like this one, I added some very beautiful spices-”

“I can’t-!”

“Why not?”

“Because-!”

“Because, why?”

“Please stop-”

“Stop what? I’m only trying to share-”

“Stop Sanji, I’m fat enough!” The words came out in a frustrated blur, but as soon as you saw his face change, you snapped your mouth shut. Shit, why did I say that out loud, you thought. 

You quickly tried to recover, “I mean, it looks great, but I’m just not hungry-” Sanji put the spoon back down, suddenly very serious. 

“What makes you say that…?”

You winced, kicking yourself in your head. “Nothing. I mean, I didn’t mean it. I mean-”

Sanji moved to the other side of the counter, rounding the corner to come closer to where you sat on the stool. “No, you did, didn’t you? You really think that?”

“Aagghh…” You let out a frustrated breath as you turned on the stool to face him, “Please don’t start, Sanji… It’s not a big deal, it’s just-”

“It is a big deal. I think you’re using that to put yourself down, and that’s a very big deal to me.” He stood right in front of you now, only an inch away from touching your knees. You pressed them together tightly with your hands, trying to look anywhere but his face. 

“I’m not… really…” Even you could hear the lie in your voice, the tightness in your throat.

Sanji placed one hand on your shoulder, “You know I think you’re beautiful, don't you, love?”

You took a deep breath and stared so, so intently at the counter to your left. “You don’t have to say that. I’m fine, really.” 

“I think I do. Because I really mean it.”

“No, you don’t-”

“Hang on, you don’t get to decide what I mean.”

You huffed, trying to channel the bubbling tears into anger instead. “No, it’s just- Of course, you’re going to say that, everyone says that, that’s what you’re supposed to say, but you don’t mean it, it’s just something people say to make you feel better, but it doesn’t matter because… because…” You were breaking, your voice betraying you, cracking under the pressure. You cursed yourself in your head. Don’t. Don’t. Don’t cry. Don’t fucking cry. Not about this, not in front of him.

“Hey, hey,” Sanji rubbed your arm with one hand and moved the other to your cheek, ready to catch the tears he could see forming. 

You hated looking weak like this. The other Straw Hats were always so strong, even Usopp, even if he didn’t realize it. But here you were, beginning to cry, about what? Your body?

Sanji brought you to his chest, holding you close as he said, “It’s alright, I’m right here, sweetness.” He paused for a moment as he rubbed your arm before asking, “Why doesn’t it matter…?” 

You inhaled, and then, forcing the words out with your breath, you said, “It doesn’t matter because it never makes me feel any better… So… I know you’re trying to help, and I appreciate it, but…”

“But this isn’t something that can just go away, is it?”

You wanted to say something else, brush him off again, but you couldn’t open your mouth or you’d really start crying, so you just shook your head. 

Sanji sighed and held you for a bit longer. You let yourself melt into his chest for a moment, taking in the sharp scent of cigarette smoke that always lingered on his clothes. After a while, you felt your body come back to a normal-ish range. Sanji pulled back slightly to look you in the face again. “I just want you to know, that you’re one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen.” You frowned and he held up his finger in your face, “Now, that’s not a lie. And I’m not saying it to make you feel better.” 

“Yes, you a-”

“Let me finish! You know how I know that?”

“You think all women are beautiful?” You rolled your eyes.

“Yes, but ALSO,” he waggled his finger in front of your face and booped your nose, “Only a beautiful woman could get away with refusing my cooking, yeah?”

You couldn’t help but snort and cover your face. How does he do that, you thought. How can he be so charming?