Kyllium

Zoro gets lost. 

There could be bright, neon flashing lights pointing in the direction he needs to go and somehow that swordsman will still veer off course and get utterly lost. It was one of the first things you had noticed about him.

Zoro and his ongoing battle with directions also trickles down to finding things. It could be right in front of his face and the man would grunt in frustration at the fact he couldn’t see it. 

You would have thought he needed glasses with the amount of times you’d had to grab his beer out of the fridge for him. A beer that had been sitting in the same spot it had been sitting in for the last week. A spot right at the very front, right at eye level. 

This man, who had been a traveling bounty hunter--nearly world-famous at this point for his near demonic onslaughts, had such a horrible sense of direction, that you often wondered how he had even made it this far.

Sheer dumb luck. 

Sheer dumb, idiotic luck that you were getting to experience first hand. 

Sheer dumb luck that was sending your back arching off the thin towel you’d thrown down on the floor of one of the secluded closets hidden within The Thousand Sunny. 

Sheer dumb luck that was turning your brain into a pleasure filled mush pile. That was making your thighs shake and toes curl. That had your finger nails digging into the hard muscles of Zoro’s shoulders as he held your legs apart no matter how weakly you fought against it. 

A sheer dumb luck he had used to find your clit nestled sweetly between your folds. 

No one, and you mean no one, had successfully been able to find it before. Not without lots and lots of direction and outright showings. No one, even the ones who could have found a needle in a hay stack, had been able to find it and yet Zoro did. Zoro who couldn’t find shit could find your clit in the most blissfully devastating way. 

Red-hot static tingled through your body and sent your core contracting mournfully around nothing. Your thighs clenched and clenched around Zoro’s head as he continued his merciless lapping and swirling of your clit. It was almost like he wasn’t going to let it go. Like, now that he had found it, he wasn’t going to risk letting it slip away. 

And you let him. Let him lick you in a maddening way until you all but sobbing out yet another orgasum. Until you were breathing his name over and over. 

A soft crunch sound fell around my ears as I walked further into the trees, a twig snapping under my shoe. Searching around for the familiar opening between the branches, I looked for the small clearing that would lead to a section of bamboo. I wanted to find Zoro, and I had a pretty good idea of where he went off to. Behind me towards the beach, I could hear Nami yelling at someone, then a loud groan from our captain. A few chuckles followed suit. I couldn’t help the smile that formed, knowing more than likely he deserved the punishment.

It was the evening before the raid on Onigashima. Tensions and expectations were high, but Luffy and the others always managed to keep a light atmosphere when everyone was together. I had been sitting around with Robin and Brook, discussing possible strategies for the upcoming battle; not that plans ever actually stuck with the crew.

As Brook spoke, my mind began to wonder towards something he had said earlier that day in Amigasa Village. He had meant for only Sanji to hear, wanting nothing more but to rile him up. But unknowingly, Brook had also put a knawing ache in my chest that I couldn’t get rid of. 

"Keep dreaming lover-boy, but Zoro's already a step ahead. Yo-ho-ho-ho!" The skeleton laughed, teasingly patting Sanji on the head. Sanji swatted at the limbs, before fully processing the words of said bones. Zoro, who was sat a couple yards away in a patch of yellowed grass, his back leaned against an old, stone well, grumbled a quick 'huh?' and peaked his eye open.

Nami and I had been exploring the old village, talking amongst ourselves about her shinobi adventures thus far. While she infiltrated The Flower Capital, I had stayed back with Chopper and our Wano friends. She laughed as I finished telling her how I about died on the spot seeing Big Mom wash ashore. But the mention of Zoro's name piqued my interest, and I turned towards the men behind us.

"He and Momo's sister have already shared a bed together, and she seemed quite fond of him yo-ho-ho!" Brook chuckled something wicked, and I watched as utter shock formed on the blond’s face. Then his firery gaze shot towards Zoro.

Wait, what? Momo’s sister? And Zoro?

"What?!" The once half-asleep man sat up with a shout. "Don't go twisting things, that is not what happened." It felt like time had stopped for a moment, my breath catching in my throat. I looked toward Zoro, only to find his gaze already waiting for mine. "We were only sleeping, nothing more."

He broke our stare and glared towards the violinist. "You keep flapping that mouth and I'll cut off your leg and hide it from you.” Sanji was quick to pounce on the green haired man next, his foot flying towards Zoro’s head. “Oh, you wanna try me shitty cook?" Despite Zoro's response, Sanji's wrath and jealousy could not be contained.

The sun was just beginning to decend upon the tree line, but there was still enough light to navigate through the thick brush. I figured there was two possiblities of where the man had gone off to, and I only hoped it wasn't the second option—lost. Surely he could find the place he'd been training in for the past couple of days...

I needed to talk to him. We hadn’t even had a chance to just have a conversation since Zou. And my god, did we need to have a talk about what happened that night in Zou. Leaving for Whole Cake Island the next day, it felt like fate was almost working against us.

I sighed and chewed the inside of my bottom lip as I walked, my thoughts completely drowning in memories. Zoro and I had danced to the tune of wanting something more than just friends for a while now. The stolen glances, late night talks, and lingering touches started not long after joining the crew in Loguetown. The attraction I had for him was pretty immediate, and living beside him each day only expanded the feelings.

A sharp, metallic slicing sound brought my attention back, and I swung my head to the left in search of it. An all too familiar sillouhette, hidden behind some bamboo, and the reflection of light against a sword had me bee lining for him.

Zoro wore only a pair of black pants and his green haramaki; his three scabbards hung at his hip, and all but one was empty. His back was turned to me, and his arms swung in a routine rythm. He wielded Kitetsu and his new one, Enma; I think that's what the tengu masked man had called it. As I got closer to him, I could hear the low pants and goans he exuded as he trained, and a large part of me didn't even want to interrupt anymore. But Zoro's observation haki wouldn't allow me to dream of such.

With a final swing, Zoro turned his head back to look at me. His face questioning at first, but he relaxed seeing that it was only me.

"Practicing?" I say, sliding between two bamboo stalks. Standing next to him now, I glance down to Enma with a small head nod. "How's it feel?"

Zoro looks down at the blade, contemplating how to explain it. "Draining." The pondering look on his face turned to a knowing smirk. "But I think it's just testing me now. The battle tomorrow will show me more." He looks back to me, his eye following my movements. I walked towards a fallen log just a few feet away and take a seat on it, looking up to him with cheeky grin. Zoro sheathes Kitetsu and steps towards me, knowing exactly what I would ask next.

"I wanna see," I say, drawing out the end for a more convicing ask. He'd give in. I was doing the one thing he's asked of me when wanting to hold his swords. I was lucky that he even allowed me to. Anyone else on the crew that asked was promptly given a glare that would send even an innocent’s soul to hell.

Except Robin. He'd say yes to her, but she'd never asked before. Luffy and Usopp had gotten a hold of them one day, stealing them from the bathroom while Zoro took his weekly shower. The end result of such an event had Sanji going surfing for Luffy, and Chopper attempting to resusitate Usopp.

"I don't know, [Y/N]. This one's different than any of my others. By draining, I meant literally."

"Oh, so you think my haki isn't good enough?" I teased, squinting my eyes at the swordsman. His face flushed slightly and he glowered at me. There was a slight smile underneath it that I just barely caught.

"You know I don't mean it like that." He followed my hand that was patting against the log. "Enma's just... a lot to take in." Zoro takes a seat beside me on the log, positioning the kitana in his lap so that it's hilt pointed my way. His shoulder and arm grazed against mine, and the familiar flutter of butterflies in my stomach had me wishing he’d scoot just a little closer.

I looked down to Enma. I had always found his swords cool to admire and they meant a lot to Zoro, so they mattered to me too. The hilt was beautifully crafted, the pattern called for the attention of others. And the blade itself was entrancing; the purple accents had me reaching my hand out to trace it without even thinking.

Zoro’s hand shot to mine and lightly gripped around it, “Never the pointy end first.” He guided my me to the hilt and kept his hand lightly hovered over mine as I brushed my fingers over the weapon. I didn’t need to do more than that to feel the power that emanated from the sword.

I peeked through the corner of my eye to Zoro, just to find him already staring. His gaze was watchful, a small, relaxed smile graced his lips as he studied my face. Remembering to breath, I spoke, “It’s crafted so elegantly, and yet I sense the weight of a hundred it carries. It’s amazing she let you have it.”

I didn’t mean to throw that in there like that. Or at least I didn’t mean to make it sound like I was trying to bring her up. I wasn’t jealous, seriously. Zoro said it wasn’t like that, and I trust him. Plus, we aren’t together anyway. Why would I be jealous?

"Yeah." His was focused back on the sword. Then, there was a tiny hitch in his breath that I just barely caught. Moving my hand away from Enma, I had a feeling there was more he wanted to say, so I waited.

With a sigh, Zoro moved Enma back to its scabbard. Then one of his arms went behind his head, lazily scratching at the back of his neck. “About what Brook said, I didn’t even know she had climbed in next to me till I woke up. Really.”

I smiled at his words, the tiny ache hidden in my chest melting away. “I know. I trust you, Zoro.” The serious look on his face relaxed. “Besides, we aren’t dating. You don’t have to confess anything to me.”

“Yeah, but still, I wanted to tell you that.”

We grew silent for a minute as I tried processing just how much of a weight his words had lifted off me. I trusted him earlier today too, but it was kind of him to reassure me. I glanced at Zoro again, my eyes trailing over the sweat beads that dripped down his front. Zoro rolled his shoulders, trying to relax his body from training, and then slid down so that he was sitting on the forest floor with his back against the fallen tree. He turned his head up towards me.

Damn,

caught!

I quickly look back to the right, pursing my lips and doing my best to look innocent.

"You're staring like one of those dog minks trying to knaw on Brook." Zoro said with a sly grin, a druken blush across his cheeks. The raging bonfire flames in the distance had been illuminating him so perfectly while he laughed; I couldn't help but stare.

"I was not staring at you, I was... watching Chopper fawn over the reindeer mink behind you!" I returned his grin with my own, exagerating my wording on 'fawn'.

Zoro chuckled, "Sure, you cheeky little..." he grumbled under his breath, then his eye went wide and he laughed again. The pun had just registered.

The sound of the party that in the distance erupted suddenly with a chorus of hoots and hollers. Then a shout of jumbled words that sounded like Luffy. Zoro and I had been slowly making our way towards a more secluded part of the village as the night wondered on.

This had become sort of a routine for the swordsman and I, starting back over two years ago. After a couple of drinks and laughs with the crew and other friends, we’d always find ourselves isolating elsewhere. Sometimes we’d just talk about whatever came to mind, other times we’re too tired to say much, but the silence is always comfortable.

I giggled, gently pressing my hand into the soft skin of Zou as we sat. “So incredible that all of this has grown on the back of an elephant… I can’t believe we’re teaming up with a country of minks that live on an elephants back, and samurai from a closed off nation that’s being ruled by the Beast Pirate himself.” I said incredulously. I’m amazed more and more each day by the world Luffy leads us through.

“Yeah,” he smiles and turns his head fully towards me. We’re both sitting on the ground with our arms leaned behind us, our hands propping us up. “Luffy sure has his ways. You should’ve seen him in Dressrosa. This new form of his is really somethin’ to see.”

“I bet,” I laugh out. “Maybe I’ll get to see him in action when we’re getting Sanji back.” The mention of Sanji had me frowning as I finished speaking, replaying my last moments with him in Bege’s body.

Zoro huffs, his gaze falling. “Damn curly-brows… It kinda sucks you’re going with them. Just when I was getting used to our night watches again.” He gave me a small, longing smile that reached his eyes. With Zoro’s sleep schedule, he was often the one on night watch duty when on the Sunny and I found myself accompaning him more so than not. Zoro would never admit it now, but I knew he enjoyed the company as much as I did.

I looked up to the sky, the glow of the stars shining through the gaps in the tree tops. “I know. But, I couldn’t be more thankful that we’re here, together, now.” A sheepish smile still graced my face, as I tried to not look at him while I spoke. As much as I had full faith in the crew, separating from Zoro and them in Dressrosa had caused a worrisome pit to form in my stomach. It was nice to be all together again; and it was nice to be by him again.

I could feel the burning stare from Zoro as he studied my features. The both of us had slowly been inching our bodies closer, unconsciously or not who knew. Ours legs bumped into each other, his right leg lazily bouncing to the rhythm of music coming from the more lively side of the party.

Trying to ease my ever growing heart rate, I reached for the bottle that sat between us and took another swig. This silent flirting game that constantly sparked between us wasn’t anything new. But since the two year split, the tension between us had grown to something that felt almost impossible to ignore. I decided to tease him back. “Who’s the one ogling now?”

Zoro scoffed, “whatever.” Then his expression grew a bit more devious, a glint of something else in his eyes. “Did you want me to stop?” It was a question that didn’t need an answer, and he knew that.

We were so close now that I could ramble on about every tiny detail of the scar that left him blind on one side, or the different shades of gray in his eye that glowed between the firelight, or the shape of his lips that were curled into a smirk.

Zoro didn’t miss my glance down to his lips, and his breathing became more deep. He matched my action and flicked his eye down to mine own mouth.

I couldn’t find it in myself to stop moving. I wanted to kiss him. After two years of him engrossed in my thoughts, two years of pining for the loyal, driven swordsman; just a bit closer.

As if he was waiting for me to move first, Zoro quickly finished the gap and our mouths met in a rushed mess. It was sloppy, drunken by the taste of sake, and tongues were already exploring. I could feel my body heating up, my hands wanting so desperately to feel more; the frustration and want of two years consumed between us.

I reach around and grab at the back of his head, my fingers pulling through his hair and he let out a small groaned exhale, finally pulling away from the kiss to breath for a second. He followed through with my next movements in suit, his eyes trailing down to my thighs as I straddled over him. Our lips met again, one of his hands began to feel up my side and the other planted on my ass with a grope. My hands cupped his face as we sloppily made out. It was fevorous and frenzied, as if time couldn’t stop for us and the deadline had come.

We pulled away, each deeply inhaling. After a few moments, Zoro spoke. “[Y/N].” The fresh air must’ve helped to clear his mind. “We have to stop. I… don’t want to stop, but I… we can’t… I don’t think, or I don’t really know if…” He trails off, not exactly able to express the feelings that swirled inside him.

I was sobering up quickly now, the moment jolting me back to reality. “I know. I agree with you, Zoro. I understand, it’s… hard to say. But I think, I get it.”

The silent words between us then was understood, but after the distance of Whole Cake Island and even more passing after Zoro got lost on Wano for a couple of days, my mind raced over our last time alone. I just needed some type of confirmation, something that might settle some peace in my head. Or maybe it was my heart that needed the relief.

Trying to ignore the blush from being caught staring, I cleared my mind and prepared to ease into the question. “We haven’t really had a chance to talk since Zou, with all of us what’s going on right now.”

His face flashed in remembrance, “Right.” He looked back forward.

“I do not regret kissing you. I really, really like you, Zoro.” I just about whined out loud, almost pathetically. But Zoro would never had taken my words in such a way, as his heart began to beat rapidly. It was something he already knew subconsciously, but to hear a confession was going to send him into shock. He gave me a nod of acknowlegment, waiting for me to continue.

“But I think for the crews sake, Luffys sake, our dreams and ambitions… we have other things that should always be our first priority. And so, we should just stay friends.” I felt a deep tremor rip through my chest. As bad as it hurts, I know we can't allow a relationship to come between our goals. Not his. “I guess, I just want to know your thoughts on it.”

He was quiet for a while, thinking over everything. With another nod of his head, he agreed. “Yeah. That’s probably for the best.”

Then a glint of mischief in his eye, “I’m glad to have tasted you, even if it’s just once.”

A tease till the day he dies, the bastard.

“You’re such an ass.”

Kaido’s defeat lifted the 20 year weight of death and torment that plagued the people of Wano. I had watched the speech Momonosuke delivered to the people, his newly aged appearance a shock to everyone inside Onigashima. Otama clung to Nami beside me, the tears flowing down her face matching the rest of the samurai that stood around us.

Then the sight of Franky running into the main hall with a yell had me looking. A body was thrown over his shoulder, and beneath the blood, bruises, and broken bones was Zoro. It was a sight that took my breath away; nightmarish thoughts coming to my head as I watched Franky run to Chopper.

The next few days that followed were filled with tears of happiness, celebration, and hope of the new future that reared for Wano. The people of the nation erupted in cheers every night. The crew and I, however, waited with apprehension and abated worries. Luffy and Zoro were still out with no signs of waking yet. Chopper and Doctor Miyagi had reassured everyone that they had done all that was within their power. The rest was up to the two men.

The sound of Chopper yelling through the hall grabbed my attention away from the conversation Yamato and I were in the middle of. His boisterous laughter of excitement matched mine as we took off from the roof top of the Shogun’s castle and headed toward the room Luffy and Zoro had been recovering in. We passed busied servants running through the halls with plates full of whatever food was on hand and gallons of sake bottles.

Bursting into the room with a large smile, my eyes first landed on Momonosuke, who stood right in front of us. Looking behind him, I see Luffy and Zoro, awake, with surprised looks on their faces. They had paused their eating and drinking to gawk at the newly 28 year old shogun. The rest of the crew surrounded the room, everyone happy to finally have our captain and swordsman awake.

The day passed by quickly, everyone enjoying the presence of the entire crew together again. With the upcoming celebration, I decided to wait to try and get Zoro alone again then. The fright his state left me with, had me thinking of breaking my own words I had told him the night before the raid.

The gentle breeze carried the smells of the festival to me, a wafting of buttered popcorn and grilled squid filling my senses. The Flower Capital was booming with citizens enjoying the freedom of such a grand celebration; mixed in the crowd were pirates from three different crews and the minks from Zou. I had been having fun with everyone, but had decided to steer myself away for some fresh air.

I made my way past a few lone standing buildings, navigating towards a more secluded spot to relish in a bit of silence. The relief of Zoro and Luffy waking up was still something that needed to settle inside me; it was the longest I could remember of either of them recovering from a battle. I found a good place to rest and sat down, my legs sprawled out before me. I closed my eyes and looked up, letting the moon's glow illuminate my face.

There was a sudden presence behind me, and I tried and failed to suppress back a smile. Although I wanted some space from the crowd, there was one person I was hoping would follow me out here. “I’m surprised you could actually find me.”

“Ha. Ha. Very funny.” He sneered, pushing through some shrubs that concealed the little grassy spot I had found. My eyes glanced over him, the moonlight shining down on his open chest. Fresh bandages wrapped around his torso, his swords swung at his hips, and I was surprised to not find a drink in either of his hands.

“Glad that haki disappeared earlier. After parties are named after for a reason.” I said, as he moved closer to me.

Zoro swung his swords to his left side then sat beside me. “Yeah, but Luffy wasn’t too worried about it.” He shrugged slightly.

I gave him a small smile in return as a comfortable quiet enveloped us. I stole another glance towards him, eyeing the white wraps that covered his body. It only reminded me of a few days prior when I had seen Hiyori attempting to try and change his bandages. The sight of her fingers flitting around his body had brought forth a burning envy. One I had not been capable of keeping to myself. So after thanking her for her kindness, I promptly told her to screw off. Of course I didn't exactly say it like that. The following days, I made sure to change the wraps myself or have someone else from the crew, if not our doctor himself.

It wasn’t the first time I had helped Zoro with wound care, and I was certain it wouldn’t be the last.

Of course this had only brought the bittersweet conclusion of Zoro and I’s last conversation to my mind again. I looked up to Zoro’s face, and watched as his attention seemed elsewhere. His face is scrunched slightly in thought, his eye looking towards the open land of Wano, but I could the look of anguish in his gaze.

“What’s on your mind?” I broke the silence.

A quick look towards me and he sighed deeply, thinking over how to respond. He was never good with talking about his emotions; Zoro is a man who has always showed himself with actions more than words. He looked towards the grass, a sullen shadow overtaking his face. He looked, almost frightened.

“For a moment, I… really thought I was gonna die.” My breathe caught in my throat as I listened. “Like it was right there, waiting for me to-“ His heart quickened as he cut himself off, taking a chance to steel his nerves. This was a side of the swordsman I had never seen before, and I had a feeling he wouldn't allow many to see him in such a state.

Trying to keep the tears at bay, I found myself scooting flush beside him. Seeing Zoro’s broken body after the battle, I cried till I physically couldn’t anymore. I had been so worried he’d leave us, the crew, me.

Both of Zoro’s hands were gripping onto his thighs, and I reached for his right one, gently laying my own over his. The tension in his body seemed to relax a little at the contact and he let out a shaky breath before continuing. “During it, I found myself thinking of my life. The stuff I’d miss with the crew, not being there when Luffy becomes king of the pirates. Never achieving my dream of being the worlds strongest swordsman. And then, I thought of you.” His gaze still lingered downward, now fixed on our hands.

Zoro turned his hand over in mine so that our fingers interlocked, and he gave mine a squeeze. “Who would keep you awake during night watches? Would what you become when the crew reaches the end?” He paused for a moment, “And damn did I wish so badly to be there with you." Zoro clenched and unclenched his jaw, taking a moment. "The regrets I felt during…” he trailed off in thought.

Zoro finally locked eyes with mine, though my eyesight had become a bit blurry now. His lips slighlty upturned warmly at the sight of me. His left hand reached around and cupped my face, wiping away the tear that fell.

Damn it, he’s the one that almost died yet I’m the one crying.

“If we only live for the future,” Zoro started, our eyes locked in an intimate gaze, “then we’ll miss the present; and I don’t want to miss being with you.” My heart was hammering in my chest now. Zoro watched my reaction, his eye searching wihtin my own, before he moved his gaze down to my lips.

I couldn't possibly wait any longer--not after he says something like that--and closed the distance between us. The kiss started slow, our lips beginnning to move in a steady rhythm. The yearning and longing from both of us was felt through unspoken words. Zoro disconnected our hands to bring his up so that both of his encompassed my face. He pressed himself forward so that our chests connected, the heat of his toouch burning through me. One of my hands had planted on his chest, entrapped between our bodies, and the other was inching its way up his neck to hold the side of his face.

We stayed locked in this slow and tender position for what felt like hours. Both of us were utterly embraced in the warmth of the other, and neither want to pull away. The need for air won in the end and I moved away, resting my forehead against his. The small pants between us was the only sound made, before Zoro pulls himself away. A cunning smirk spread across his face, and I gave him a questioning look.

“So we’re both in agreement that this is definitely going further?” It was retorhical and he knew that with the way he began positioning himself over me. His fingers fiddled with the belt around his waist, finally getting it to unclapse and he sets the swords to the side.

A knowing grin overcame my face and I gave him a nod, and a humming mhm. It was hard to contain my excitement after all this time of simply dreaming of being able to be with him this way. Zoro was just as eager, moving quickly.

My back was to the ground now and I spread my legs open just enough for him to slot his own between them. Zoro knelt over me, one of his hands placed beside my head and the other reached for my face again. His head moved down to meet my lips and we landed into an open mouth kiss, a clash of teeth and tongue. I could taste the sake that still battered on his breath.

This time we were brisk, it was more impatient and chaotic. We took turns dancing around the others mouth, the kiss sloppy and heated with a sexual tension that had built between us since Loguetown. My hands reached up and wrapped around the base of his neck, and I conjoined my fingers together so I could pull my body up against him.

The heat in my lower regions was steadily making itself known and I could feel my skin flush. And judging by the newfound hardness pressing against my lower stomach, I would say Zoro was feeling just the same way.

I grind myself up into him and he let out a small groan, answering back with a roll of his own hips. I shifted my hands so that I could run my fingers through his green hair, resting back to the ground. Zoro followed, never breaking away from my lips as he leaned his weight further onto me, all the while never stopping his grinding. The hand that had been caressing my cheek started trailing its way down my side till it found a spot on my hip and he gave a firm squeeze.

With a gentle sigh, I broke away from his lips. The small, anticipatory smile on my face matched his own, and a craving glinted in his storm, gray eye. My fingers tracked down his body, fluttering carefully around the bandages that adorned his stomach. Zoro’s gaze never left my face as I journeyed down him. I came to a stop at his haramaki and glanced back up to him, giving the green fabric a slight tug. “Off.”

Zoro wasn't always one to listen, but for me? He kicks his boots off, then slipped his pants down along with the belly band. I should’ve expected him to not be wearing underwear—this is a man that showers maybe twice a week—but my eyebrows still went up in surprise to see him at full attention.

Now fully unclothed, Zoro slots himself back over me and waits, watching as my hands greedily reach to feel him again. His skin was warm, and hardened by the vigorous workouts. I trailed back down his abs, tracing along his v-line and eventually meet his unkempt, dark green hairs. He was already leaking pre, his tip dripping, and Zoro's entire body twitched when I wrapped a hand around him.

I started off slow, experimentally circling my thumb around his tip, spreading his wetness. I fluttered my eyes back up through my eyelashes, catching his flushed gaze. His breathing grew ragged as I began moving my hand up and down him, lightly gripping and releasing, teasingly. My other hand went back up his body, and I watched his reaction when my fingertips danced across his chest towards a nipple, giving it a pinch. I tested the waters, waiting to see the blush spread up his neck as his face scrunched slightly. I continued stroking his cock, my other hand playing with his chest.

“Fuck, [Y/N].” Zoro groaned out in a huff. His free hand then darted under my shirt, fondling up my stomach before squeezing around a breast. His callaused fingers played with my nipple, pinching and pulling hurridly, before squeezing around again. Zoro tried his best to tease, but the feel of my soft hands had him losing his composure way before he’d like to.

He leaned downward slighly, one hand now grabbing onto mine to stop my movements, and the other pulled at the bottom of my shirt. “Your turn.” He smirked through the flush that enriched his face.

I bit back the smile and hurried to throw everything off, eager to feel him on me. Zoro’s focus stayed glued to me, his eye stilling on my chest as I took my top off. Then he followed my hands down to my legs, watching as I slipped my bottoms off. I decided to tease just a little, hooking my fingers around the waistband of my underwear and slowly bringing them down, rolling my hips as the fabric moved.

He let out a small snicker, glancing up to give me a knowing look as I finally kick the panties away. “Think you’re such a catch, huh?” Zoro reached down and grabbed my waist; his other hand held the side of my head, his fingers tangling into my hair. Zoro brought himself down to me so that our noses touched, the heat of his body surrounding me. “We’ll see who’s begging by the end.”

He planted a kiss on my lips before greedily making a path down from my jaw to my neck. I let out a soft moan as he left open mouthed, wet kisses before finding a sweet spot to suck on. The hand around my waist moved, his rough fingers searching for my heat. A small exhale escaped me as his finger glided across the small bundle of nerves. He stopped and pressed down on my clit once again, earning another moan.

Zoro then lightly bit my neck where he had been sucking on, while his finger circled around my sensitive spot. Letting out a whimper, I moved to grip around his arm that tangled in my locks, and my other hand went around his shoulders so that I could grab at the back of his head; reaching for the baby hairs that littered the base of his neck.

Zoro let go of his bite and licked at the wound that I knew would surely bruise. I’d have to throw some makeup on, but that was a worry for later. He gave it another light touch of his lips before moving his way down to my chest. His fingers pinched my bundle of nerves, getting a sharp inhale out of me, and then he trailed his fingers down lower. His thumb took its place on my clit as another finger began to prob at my entrance. He swiped between my lips, spreading my slick between his fingers.

He let out an appreciative hum against my chest, “So wet already?” I could practically hear the smirk in his voice.

“You’re one to talk.” I said, but it didn’t come out as strong as I had hoped. My breathing was quickening with every turn of his thumb.

He didn’t reply, attaching his mouth to a nipple just as he slipped a finger inside me. As his tongue swirled around my bud, his finger began pumping. He was slow at first, curling his finger around with every thrust.

“Oh, Zoro.” I squirmed, trying to move with his finger. He was moving so unbelievably slow and gods I wanted just a little more.

Zoro took my nipple between his teeth, giving it a last little nip before moving to the other. After a few kisses around my areola, he went back to sucking again. And as if he had read my mind, I felt him put another finger to work inside me. His pace quickened, thrusting in rhythm with his tongue swirls. I could feel his hard on grounding into thigh as he moved.

There was the inescapable knot of intense heat quickly boiling up in my lower region, but- “Oh fuck, Zoro.” I reached for his face, popping him off me. “I’m close, but,” I brought his face up to mine so our foreheads bumped together, and his hand stopped its movement. “I wanna cum wrapped around you.” I whispered against his lips.

He let out a snickered laugh, “won’t complain about that.”

Zoro brought himself back up to hover over me, one hand landing beside my head and the other grabbed at his length. His knees trapped my legs open as he positioned himself with my entrance. I watched as he pushed forward, the sting of him in me had me biting my lip. Zoro moved forward till he couldn't anymore, completely sheathing himself inside me. His breathing was ragged and I moaned as he moved.

I squeezed myself around him and Zoro proceeded to let out a load groan. “Oh, fuck. You feel so good, [Y/N].” He started to move a little more. Zoro’s first few thrusts were slow and experimental, attempting to memorize every curve and bump inside me.

He sped up then, no longer able to control his own hunger. His pace was uneven at first, but as he managed to reach my depths with each thrust he found a steady flow. I clenched around him as he thrust out, finding my own pace of meeting the roll of him hips.

Sounds of pleasure escaped us both, and neither of us suppressed our noises. If anyone happened to hear, Zoro and I wouldn’t bother with noticing. We were too caught up in each other to care if anyone saw.

I could feel my peak slowing bubbling back up, but I needed just a little more to reach that edge. I snaked a hand down between us, reaching for my clit. Zoro, who’s head had been resting against my shoulder, took notice of the movement. He brought his head up a bit to look down, then moved his own hand towards the bundle of nerves. His fingers scooted mine out of the way, taking over the pattern I’d been using on myself.

I let out a whimper, “Mmh yes, Zoro.” I’d have to do something in return, and I reached for his chest again. I twirled his nipple around with the fingers I had just used on myself, coating him in our wetness and he let out another moan.

Our foreheads met again, fluttered eyes locked as we panted out moans against each other lips. We were both close to our highs, desperate to find release together.

“Ah shit, I’m gonna cum [Y/N]. I wanna fill your insides, baby, can I?” Zoro panted out, his hips striking into me hurriedly. My legs had locked around the back of his thighs, and my pelvis knocked back into his with each thrust.

I gave him a kurt nod, and managed to say into between noises of my own. “Mmh, please Zoro. I wanna cum with you.” His fingers still played with my clit and pinched the bud, giving it a twist before returning to an infinity patterned movement.

And in the next moments our heartbeats seemed to sync together, then our breathing following suit, before an utter bliss engulfed us both. He came first with a final, deep thrust inside, burying his cock completely as he came inside me. My legs began to tremble as I reached my end too, clenching around him as a creamy white ring formed where we connected.

We stayed in that position for a while, our sweaty, hot faces hovering together as Zoro occasionally pumped some weak thrusts, still relishing in the high. I was still trying to calm my breathing when he finally collapsed on top of me, his face burrowing into the crook between my neck and shoulder. Our arms circled around each other, embracing the others presence completely.

We don’t speak for a while, the night breeze sweeping around us. Nothing but our matched breathing coming to a more steady pace could be heard; until I decided to break it with words I’d been trying to find a way to say since seeing him after the battle.

“I love you, Zoro.” It came out as a whisper.

I felt his body still beneath me, but for only a second, before he mumbled against my skin. “I love you too, [Y/N].”

"Yeah, just like that," Zoro says, his voice barely above a whisper. He places his hands on your ass, spreading them enough for him to see his thick, hard dick coming in and out of your soaked pussy.

Sex in the crow's nest was your favorite thing to do when it was either you or Zoro's turn for night watch. It was the only time you two could get intimate without having to worry about anyone giving you weird looks. Plus, the both of you enjoyed savoring the moment of it, wanting to remember the feeling like it would never come again.

"Fuck," Zoro whined when you dug your ass into his crotch, taking his dick completely. "Feels so fuckin' good. Pussy's all mine."

"You like it, baby?" You asked, looking over your shoulder and giving a teasing smile at Zoro.

"Course I do," he answered, giving you a grin when an idea popped into his head.

He moves his knees to place his feet on the floor after shifting his hands from your ass to your hips. Zoro spreads his legs as far as he can to get the perfect grip and angle to change who's in control now.

Zoro sharply thrusts his hips into you, impaling you with his large dick. The sudden move earns the loudest moan that has ever escaped from your mouth. The pleasure of it reaching your sweet spot made your body ache for the sharp thrust again. But before you could complain about Zoro stopping, he turned you around, now facing him.

"Let me make you feel good," he said as he caressed your cheek, admiring the way you looked. Naked, sweaty, and of course, on top of him. Zoro pulled you in, placing his left arm to hold your shoulder and his right arm to hold your lower back.

"You ready f'me?" he asked, his voice becoming completely obvious that he was filled with lust. You hummed in response, slightly coming out as a moan; you were getting impatient and needed to feel him thrust into you again.

Hearing your whiny response, Zoro doesn't wait any longer. Without any warning, he rapidly thrusts his hips into you. The tip of his dick constantly rubbing and hitting that sweet spot of yours makes your eyes roll back as you feel the overwhelming pleasure of it. At this point, you felt nothing but the sweet sensation of Zoro's thick, hard dick coming in and out of your pussy as it abused your upper wall over, and over, and over, never seeming like he was going to stop anytime soon.

Your hands scattered to whatever you could grip on. His shoulders, his hair, the hard floor, even his face. You couldn't get yourself to stop moaning like a mess. But how could you when Zoro's girthy dick kept coming in and out of you repeatedly as his balls slapped your ass, also managing to feel so damn good while you're both deep in pleasure.

"Fuck, oh my fucking god," you loudly moaned out. Zoro could already tell you were at your limit; he knew when you were feeling the intense pleasure of your incoming orgasm. He immediately fastens the pace, also to chase the rapture of his orgasm.

At this point, neither of you cared if the sounds of you and your boyfriend's sweaty skin clapping against each other or the sounds of your loud moaning like a little slut woke up your crewmates. You were about to reach your high, and that's all that matters to you at the moment.

"Zoro," you moaned out his name in complete pleasure. You could feel his heavy breathing against your right shoulder as he grunted at the feeling of your pussy becoming tighter to prepare for its release.

"Doing so good, baby. Just keep takin' this fucking dick."

"Zoro!" you moaned again as your orgasm hit. In that same moment, you felt Zoro's thick, hot cum fill inside you, mixing up with yours as well. The feeling of his cum mixed with yours made you feel full. Especially since his girthy, hard dick was still deep inside you.

Zoro plops himself back on the floor, already tired of placing all his strength into the last thrust. You stay lying on his chest, not minding the fact that your boyfriend will soon doze off, completely forgetting about what had just happened. But you didn't seem to mind it either, since your eyes slowly began to close, feeling heavier than usual, dozing off to sleep in the end as well.

"Yeah, just like that," Zoro says, his voice barely above a whisper. He places his hands on your ass, spreading them enough for him to see his thick, hard dick coming in and out of your soaked pussy.

Sex in the crow's nest was your favorite thing to do when it was either you or Zoro's turn for night watch. It was the only time you two could get intimate without having to worry about anyone giving you weird looks. Plus, the both of you enjoyed savoring the moment of it, wanting to remember the feeling like it would never come again.

"Fuck," Zoro whined when you dug your ass into his crotch, taking his dick completely. "Feels so fuckin' good. Pussy's all mine."

"You like it, baby?" You asked, looking over your shoulder and giving a teasing smile at Zoro.

"Course I do," he answered, giving you a grin when an idea popped into his head.

He moves his knees to place his feet on the floor after shifting his hands from your ass to your hips. Zoro spreads his legs as far as he can to get the perfect grip and angle to change who's in control now.

Zoro sharply thrusts his hips into you, impaling you with his large dick. The sudden move earns the loudest moan that has ever escaped from your mouth. The pleasure of it reaching your sweet spot made your body ache for the sharp thrust again. But before you could complain about Zoro stopping, he turned you around, now facing him.

"Let me make you feel good," he said as he caressed your cheek, admiring the way you looked. Naked, sweaty, and of course, on top of him. Zoro pulled you in, placing his left arm to hold your shoulder and his right arm to hold your lower back.

"You ready f'me?" he asked, his voice becoming completely obvious that he was filled with lust. You hummed in response, slightly coming out as a moan; you were getting impatient and needed to feel him thrust into you again.

Hearing your whiny response, Zoro doesn't wait any longer. Without any warning, he rapidly thrusts his hips into you. The tip of his dick constantly rubbing and hitting that sweet spot of yours makes your eyes roll back as you feel the overwhelming pleasure of it. At this point, you felt nothing but the sweet sensation of Zoro's thick, hard dick coming in and out of your pussy as it abused your upper wall over, and over, and over, never seeming like he was going to stop anytime soon.

Your hands scattered to whatever you could grip on. His shoulders, his hair, the hard floor, even his face. You couldn't get yourself to stop moaning like a mess. But how could you when Zoro's girthy dick kept coming in and out of you repeatedly as his balls slapped your ass, also managing to feel so damn good while you're both deep in pleasure.

"Fuck, oh my fucking god," you loudly moaned out. Zoro could already tell you were at your limit; he knew when you were feeling the intense pleasure of your incoming orgasm. He immediately fastens the pace, also to chase the rapture of his orgasm.

At this point, neither of you cared if the sounds of you and your boyfriend's sweaty skin clapping against each other or the sounds of your loud moaning like a little slut woke up your crewmates. You were about to reach your high, and that's all that matters to you at the moment.

"Zoro," you moaned out his name in complete pleasure. You could feel his heavy breathing against your right shoulder as he grunted at the feeling of your pussy becoming tighter to prepare for its release.

"Doing so good, baby. Just keep takin' this fucking dick."

"Zoro!" you moaned again as your orgasm hit. In that same moment, you felt Zoro's thick, hot cum fill inside you, mixing up with yours as well. The feeling of his cum mixed with yours made you feel full. Especially since his girthy, hard dick was still deep inside you.

Zoro plops himself back on the floor, already tired of placing all his strength into the last thrust. You stay lying on his chest, not minding the fact that your boyfriend will soon doze off, completely forgetting about what had just happened. But you didn't seem to mind it either, since your eyes slowly began to close, feeling heavier than usual, dozing off to sleep in the end as well.

With a sigh, your head tips back letting the warm water shower down your body. Hands scrubbing, a soft floral scent washes away the scent of sex- the evidence of the earth shattering love you just made swirling down the drain, your heart going along with it.

Coming back into your body, clean and separated from the man who gave you exactly what you asked for- you’re no longer certain you should have asked for it. You thought it would be better than the soulless prostitution you’d had before- and it was. It was wonderfully, perfectly, indescribably better. There’s no shameful sickness settling heavy in your stomach, but there’s an all too familiar pang through your chest.

Stepping out of the shower, you pat dry and stare at your own naked reflection, tracing every curve your match had mapped. He was incredible. Just as sublime as the Madam had promised. True to her word, he’d been an ‘exceedingly perfect match’. Perhaps, even, too perfect.

How agonizing to share something so spectacular and existing in the after knowing you’ll never share it again. The way he touched you, the way he had held. You imagine his heart must have been aching for something he couldn’t have- just as yours often did.

Shaking your head, you try not to let your mind wander places it oughtn’t. Allowing it for the brief moment he embraced you in his arms had been enough- had been more than you were entitled to…

But, your mind is already casting his formless body into a more familiar shape…

Slapping your hands over your face, you groan, then force yourself to focus. Arranged upon the counter are various cosmetics- some you’re familiar with and some you’re not. One though, had been left with a very specific purpose. Squinting, you read the tiny letters printed on the tag attached to it before unscrewing the lid and gathering a dollop on your fingers. It’s cool to the touch and smells like nothing- but you tilt your head and admire the little violet bloom your match had left at the base of your neck.

Though, you feel almost sad to do so- to let the physical reminder of him and the moment you shared together go- you smear it over his mark. Near instantly, it begins to fade. And, if the instructions are to be believed, within the hour will vanish completely.

But, that’s fitting, you think. It was all best left behind, lest it drive you restlessly mad. Besides, you didn’t want to go back to the crew with such obvious evidence imprinted on your skin. It was embarrassing enough that Nami knows, you’d cast yourself overboard if the rest of your friends figured it out as well.

Dressing back into the clothes you arrived in, you slip out the door and back into the real world.

A little bell chimes above you as you enter the quiet cafe, warm herbal scents meeting you with the companionable comfort of freshly baked goods. Nami is tucked back in the corner, looking up from her stacked papers as you approach. Slowly, her grin stretches across her face and she plops her chin into her hand.

Rolling your eyes, you fall into the seat across from her, “don’t even start,” you warn, face warming.

“I didn’t say anything,” she says, openly staring at you. Before you can retort, a waitress comes by and places a teacup in front of you, delicate wisps of steam rising from the rim. No sooner than you give your thanks and she’s out of earshot does the question come, “so how was it?”

“Nami!” you chastise with a hushed voice.

“Oh, come on, I’m dying to know,” she presses.

Stalling, you take a sip of your tea, eyes bashfully gazing anywhere but her pointed inquiry. “It…” you blush, voice barely a whisper, “it was really good.”

“Really good? That’s it? That’s all you got?” She crosses her arms with a disapproving lift to her brow.

You can’t hide the smile that tugs at the corners of your lips or the deep rose that blooms across your cheeks, “it was… really, really, good,” you admit. “He was…” the words fall apart in your mouth and your hand presses over your eyes to hide from the embarrassment that creeps down your neck.

“The man you couldn’t see or hear?” she clarifies skeptically.

“Yes,” you affirm. “But it was like…” you glance around to make sure no one could possibly overhear this conversation, “it was like we were totally in sync and the way he-” quickly, you fill your mouth with tea before it says more than it should.

“Well, I don’t get it,” she admits, “but I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”

With a sigh, you stare into your tea, “I did…”

Nami frowns, sensing something else, “but?”

Shrugging, your thumbs brush across the rim, “I just… I dunno,” you shake your head. “I guess…” you sigh, completely failing to articulate the emotions that linger. “I did enjoy myself,” you say again.

“For how expensive it was, I’d burn the place down if you didn’t,” she takes a sip of her drink, completely serious.

“Well, actually… about that…” your hand rubs at the back of your neck, “I didn’t pay.”

With a mischievous grin, she sets her cup down with a clink! “Atta girl, do you need to hide on the ship tonight?”

“What,” you blink, “-no! I didn’t skip out,” you quickly explain. “He paid for it- all of it.”

Nami sits back with a surprised purse of her lips, “really?”

“Yes,” you tell her. “Not just the…” you wave your hand, “but, everything else too- my tab from the spa, he closed it all out.”

An approving look slides across her face, fingers rubbing at her chin, “well, well, guess it was really, really, good for him too,” she teases and you blush, hoping that’s true. “Will you see him again?” she asks, “they asked Chopper to do a lecture on microbes or whatever at the hospital tomorrow so we’re not leaving until after.”

“No, Nami,” you shake your head, “I’ll never see him again. I’ll never even know who he was.”

Frowning, she asks, “do you want to?”

“It wouldn’t matter if I did. The service is strictly anonymous, they won’t tell you even if you ask. It was part of the agreement they made me sign,” you explain.

For a moment, she quiets, chewing on her lip and glancing around the room before leaning in, “I could get it for you.”

“What?”

“They keep records,” her voice hushes, “I could go in tonight and find his.”

“Nami!” your eyes widen, voice rising. “No!”

“Oh, come on, aren’t you curious?” she insists.

“Well… sure, but-”

“So I’ll find out-”

“No,” you say more firmly, hands bracing against the table, “no, I don’t want that.”

“Alright, alright,” she raises her hands in surrender. “I hear you.”

Letting out a long sigh, “thanks for offering, though.”

“Eh,” she shrugs, “bet they got all kinds of expensive stuff in that fancy house.” Playfully, you kick her under the table and she snorts, rolling her eyes. “You hungry?”

“Starving, actually,” you admit.

Nami wiggles her brows, “worked up an appetite?”

“Stop it,” you groan, flicking a crumb in her direction.

“Well, since you’re richer than you expected to be this morning, wanna go to one of the fancy places? Your treat,” she adds with a wink.

“Honestly,” you sigh, “I kinda just wanna go home. Do you think Sanji’s back from the market?”

“Should be. He said he was probably gonna stay on board tonight, doing inventory or something.”

“Alright,” you nod, “I’m going to go back to the ship, then.”

“Are you coming out tonight?”

“Not sure yet,” you tell her standing. Though, you doubt you’ll be feeling up for it, you’re certain she’ll come try to drag you out regardless.

“Want me to walk with you?” Nami offers.

“Nah, I’m good. I’ll see you later.”

“Okay,” she smiles, “see you later, hun.” Nami’s eyes trail after you as you leave the cafe, noting the dip to your shoulders and the distant look in your eyes as you slip out the door.

Landing on the deck of the Sunny, some of the tension in your body eases. When you open the door and hear someone rummaging in the kitchen, it melts away completely. Rounding the counter, you find the source stacking crates in the pantry, sleeves rolled up “Sanji,” you call out and he immediately turns towards you.

“Ma chérie~!” he opens his hands as if in awe of your arrival, leaving the crates behind to come lean against the counter next to you.

“Did you have a good time at the market?” your eyes shine up at him and Sanji blushes a little, glancing away.

“Yeah,” he says, “yeah. I just, uh-” he clears his throat. “I had them deliver the boxes, so I was just putting everything away.”

Peering around his towering frame, you see what all he has left, “let me help you,” you offer.

“You don’t need to do that,” he smiles wide at you, “just let me take care of it.”

“I want to help,” you insist, eager for a task to draw your attention away from things you don’t want it lingering on. “Besides,” you frown, pressing your hand to his forehead and his eyes fall closed, “you’re burning up, you need a break.”

Gently, he removes your hand, placing a kiss upon it, “don’t worry, Princess. I’m almost finished,” your hand tingles where his lips touch. His thumb smoothing as he frowns a little, “but what are you doing here? I thought you were spending the day with Nami?”

“I was,” you blush, despite the fact that it’s technically not a lie. “I just needed to rest a bit.”

His expressions falls to concern, “are you alright? What happened?” eyes searching for any sign of something amiss.

“I’m fine,” you insist, smiling, “just a bit tired. And I was hoping to find you here.”

“You were?” he leans in closer, blue eyes bright.

“Well, I was just wondering if…”

“Yes?” he hangs on every word.

A little pang of guilt shoots through, “it’s okay if not, I know we’re all supposed to be taking a break.”

“Ma chérie,” he tucks a strand of hair behind your ear, “you can ask me for anything.”

“I was hoping you’d make me something.”

“Something to eat? Are you hungry, love?” You nod and he smiles, chuckling a little as be brings your hands to his chest and bends to eye level, “of course I will. There’s no greater joy in my life than cooking for you.” Sanji places another quick kiss to your hands before stepping back into the pantry. “In fact,” he says pointedly, head tilting at one of the crates, “there’s something I’m dying to test out. So,” he grins back at you, “whaddya say? Wanna be my assistant?”

With a big smile that lights his heart on fire you give him an eager yes.

Laughter rings through the kitchen, alight with pure delight as Sanji puts on a whole spectacle. Not only does he cook for you, but he gives you a show- flipping knives, dancing flames, and cracking jokes with an easygoing smile. When he flips the pan behind his back, you clap- both of you having fun indulging the showmanship he didn’t often get to show off.

“Okay, next one,” he says and you straighten in your seat at the counter. “Close your eyes,” you do, instantly. “Open your mouth,” your sweet lips part and he tips forward. A light rose dusts across your cheeks as you feel him come close and slip the spoon past your lips. “Alright,” he says, pulling away, “what’s that one?”

Lashes fluttering open, you mull the spice around in your mouth before swallowing. “Hmm,” biting your lip, you scrunch up your face and answer, “coriander?”

Sanji claps and points at you approvingly, “three for three!” Hand falling to your chest, your shoulders shimmy with victory. “You’re getting good at this, ma chérie.”

“Thank you, Chef,” you smile, taking a sip of the drink Sanji made for you. “I have a good teacher.” Beaming proudly, you tip the little chef’s hat he’d placed on your head.

Sanji’s heart flips and he turns towards the stove to hide the expression on his face. Stirring the sauce, he listens to the sweet little hums of your voice as you sample more of the appetizers he made for you to have while he finishes the main course.

He loves this. These perfect, easy, playful moments the two of you spend together. There is nothing in the world Sanji would trade them for. And nothing in the world he would risk them for- not even his own selfish desires that simmer below the surface, occasionally threatening to boil over.

When the mischevious giggle you try so desperately to surpress finds him, he grins, “Oh, mon cœur~” he lilts, “you’re not doing something naughty, are you?”

Caught, you still, “no, Chef!” you lie, hand slowly grabbing at a piece of food you weren’t yet supposed to eat.

Quickly, Sanji whirls and catches your wrist. “Tsk, tsk, tsk,” he tuts at you, disapprovingly, head cocked and brow lifted- something warm spreading low as he looks down at you. “Wanna try again, darling?”

“Sorry, Chef,” you relent, teeth lightly sinking into your lip. “I just couldn’t help myself.”

“Is that so?” Sanji leans across the counter, not releasing you from his grasp. Rather, his hand slides up, fingers covering yours where they pinch the stolen little bite. “Well, maybe I’ll let it slide,” he brings it to your lips, “just this once.” Opening your mouth, he presses your fingers inside- his own dragging lightly across your lips in a way that draws a quiet little sound from them. Mouth closing, your lips wrap around the tips of both your fingers and Sanji bites back a groan at the feel of it. For a moment, your eyes lock and heat rises between you- before Sanji pulls his hand away and you take your bite with a bashful look towards the counter.

Without looking up at him, you take another sip of your drink- willing it to cool you down. Still reeling more than you realized from your earlier encounter today. “So, how was it?” he asks and you nearly choke, face flaring.

“What?” you blink, putting your glass down.

Sanji tilts his head at you, “well, I need my assistant’s opinion,” he shrugs, giving you a charming smile that eases you back into the moment.

“Hmm,” you tap your chin thoughtfully like there could ever possibly be another answer other than, “it’s delicious!”

Laughing, Sanji shakes his head, “you say that about everything I give you.”

“Well, if you give me something less tasty then perhaps my answer will change,” you reason.

“Ah, no,” he points. “Not happening. Only the best for my girl,” he winks at you and your heart jumps in your chest. Though, you know it’s only his usual flirting, after everything you did today, you can’t help but feel particularly warm inside. “Speaking of,” he continues, “it’s almost ready.”

“Shall I set the table, Chef?”

“Actually, I have another idea,” he says and you lean forward, eager to hear it. “Seeing as we have the ship all to ourselves this evening, I’m thinking…” he reaches under the counter and pulls up a fancy looking bottle of wine. “Dinner under the stars? You, me, and this bottle of wine, hm?”

The smile that blooms across your face and the light that shines in your eyes is enough to nearly make him collapse. There’s a part of him, that says it’s not right the way he wants to charm you after just having shared his body with some stranger only hours ago.

Almost as loud as the voice that told him to stop imagining you as he did it- calling your name when he was deep inside her, knowing it would never be heard. But, it doesn’t change the way everything inside him sings for you. Doesn’t change the fact that his mind superimposed your image upon the shadow and his body- his heart- still reacts as if it were so.

“Oh, wined and dined by the Chef, himself? Such excellent service,” you tease, heart soaring.

“Well, mademoiselle,” Sanji touches your chin affectionately, holding you there so you can’t turn away, “I do aim to please,” and he can watch as the pretty blush blooms across your cheeks. He’s always adored the way you respond to his flirtations. Playful- bashful, even- never completely shutting him down. It’s hard to recall exactly when they began turning into something a little bit more for him- when exactly he began living for every reaction you ever gave him.

“I’ll get the table set up,” you offer when he pulls away.

“Nope,” he denies quickly, “you go relax. Give me 20 minutes, I’ll have it all ready.”

“But-”

Finger up, he silences you, “part of the service, ma chérie,” he winks.

“But I thought I was your assistant,” you pout and Sanji’s eyes are drawn to the curve of your lip.

“You are,” he assures. “However, you are officially,” he removes your hat, “off the clock.”

Leaning forward, Sanji’s heart stops when your voice calls up to him sweetly, “you can always work me overtime.” Heat rushes across his face and down into lower places hidden behind the counter. Though, he knows you don’t mean it the way his mind immediately takes it- pretty little eyes looking up surprised at his flustered reaction.

Your lips part again, but Sanji clears his throat before you can ruin him further, “Chef’s orders, Princess.”

“But, you just said I’m off the clock- so technically I don’t have to listen to the Chef,” you challenge.

“You do if you want dessert~” he lilts.

Gasping, you give him a playfully indignant look before sliding off your seat and he watches as you disappear into the hall- deeper into the ship. With a groan, his hand slides down his face before he taps into his speed and quickly sets about arranging everything perfectly for what he has to remind his heart is not a date.

Quickly, you pull your day clothes off- deciding instead to slip into something a bit more elegant to lean into the night. A simple, long dress of silk drapes down your silhouette, dripping blue of the night. When Sanji knocks on your door, your heart dances to see he’d the same idea- dressed sharply and handsome.

“Your escort has arrived, mademoiselle,” he grins at you.

“An escort?” you giggle, stepping out into the hall.

“Part of the service,” he winks. “May I?” Sanji places a flower from the garden in your hair before offering his arm and leading you to the upper deck.

There the two of you laugh and talk through the sunset, sharing your meal and drinking the wine- indulging in each other’s company long after both are gone and the stars blanket the sky.

In the quiet hours of the deep night, long after Sanji walked you back to your room, he finds himself, once more, in the kitchen. Everything’s been cleaned up, but he was still far too wired for sleep. Instead, he keeps the lights low, doing some additional prep for the coming week.

The work soothes him, grounds him- even as his head and his heart threaten to blissfully fly away after sharing such a perfect evening with you. The joy it brings him can’t be contained, flowing out in a melodious song of his first language. Rising and falling, lilting and musical- the song only interrupted by the creaking of the outer door and a shadow slowly stepping inside.

Looking up from his work, Sanji beams, “Nami-Swan~! You’re back from-”

The midday sun shines through the bay windows of the ornate office, and a well dressed woman relaxes in her chair on the other side of her wooden desk. “You know,” her smooth voice calls, “I do have other options, if you’d prefer. For first timers or the more…” she casts a look towards your fidgeting hands, “nervous, patrons. I have darlings who specialize in that sort of thing.”

“No,” you shake your head, quickly refuting her her, “I don’t need that- I’m not nervous.” An obvious lie, betrayed by the quickened tumble of your words from a slightly shaky voice. “I just… I’ve never done something like this before.”

“I suppose not,” she peers over at you above her half moon glasses, “I don’t believe there is any other establishment offering the kind of service that we do. But, it’s been quite popular. I am very certain I can give you a good match.”

On an island deep in the Grand Line, you find yourself in a place you never imagined.

A brothel.

A famous brothel, apparently. At least according to the drunken conversations you overheard at the bar the crew was wiling away the hours in last night. Sitting here now, in this grand estate, you’re certain the rumors are true.

Typically, you’ve never been one for such establishments. You had tried, a few times. When that lonely ache was so agonizing you found yourself desperate for company and release. But, while it felt nice in the moment, you always tended to feel worse in the hours after. Far lonelier than you’d been before and heart wrenching knowing that none of it was truly real. Honeyed words turning sour in your stomach as you realize that no one actually loved you or wanted you the way they were paid to tell you they did. So you stopped trying.

Yet, the ache never goes away, rising and chipping away at your heart so dreadfully you’d start to think, once again, that the few minutes of fantasy might be worth it. But, you’d always pulled yourself back from that ledge before you stumbled off it.

This brothel, however, offers something different. Something that maybe your heart can stand to seek comfort in- just this once. “Is it the sensory deprivation?” the Madam asks, rooting for the core of your hesitation, “is that what concerns you?”

“Um, not really,” you fidget. “My friend knows where I am and what I’m doing.” Despite how embarrassing it was, you weren’t willing to take the risk of no one knowing where you are, so you told Nami. Regardless of the seemingly spotless reputation- which you only learned of last night- it’s still a sex house on an unknown island. Nami promised to keep your vivre card close and your secret closer- and to come find you if you weren’t back by the given time.

“Well, sweetheart,” she soothes, “this is a house of desires. There are many other ways I can fulfill yours.”

“No,” you insist, “this is what I want. I want to do this.”

“Then I shall not deny you,” with a saccharine smile, her fingers trail across the file opened before her. Pages of forms you filled out this morning that asked all sorts of personal questions that teetered on the edge of mortifying. But, you wanted this to work, so you answered them all diligently and honestly. “In fact,” she says, “you don’t need to wait any longer.”

Hands pressing together and pulse picking up, you look at her wide eyed, “really?”

Adjusting her glasses, she looks towards the man at the door, “is 33 still on the premises?”

The guard turns into the communicator at his hear for a moment before confirming, “yes, Madam.”

“Excellent. Get him prepped,” she orders before giving you a wink, “tell him we have a match.”

“That soon?” Based on what you’d heard regarding how many people register daily, and what the representative told you this morning when they explained the service, you expected a much longer wait.

“The stars shine in your favor. I’ve another participate ready to go and you are an exceedingly perfect match.”

“Really…?” nervously, you wonder how true that is.

“Darling, I’ve been doing this a long time,” she assures you. “No one leaves unsatisfied. It is a very good match.”

Nodding, you take a steadying breath, preparing yourself to meet your match. In a sense, anyway. The two of you will be given a dose of minor sensory deprivation that prevents sight and speech. Touch and sound otherwise would be unimpeded.

At first, you weren’t sure what to think of it. It’s certainly unorthodox- and a bit scary, even. But, the more you thought about it, the more you came around to the idea. Your match wasn’t a worker- they weren’t someone being paid to provide you with company. They were someone who wanted the same thing you did. In that sense, it was at least more genuine and real. But, the lack of sight and speech would give your heart a buffer against any memories of regret. It removes the reservation and leaves nothing but pleasure. At least- yearning for comfort- you hope that it will.

“Come now,” the Madam rises, smoothing her skirt and you follow her through the sprawling halls of the tastefully decorated manor. Lavish and decadent, the whole place is pleasurable to the senses- a grand fitting monument to indulgence. Nothing at all like the brothels that often lined the bar streets of the islands you’ve visited before.

Under your slippered feet, the carpets are as plush as the complimentary robe draped around your body. After filling out your paperwork, you’d spent a few hours in the one site spa, body still feeling relaxed and renewed- though anxiously eager for what comes next.

In a small room, the Madam stops- door closing behind. A well dressed butler steps up and presents a polished silver tray with a crystal glass atop it. “Now,” she stresses, “do you remember how to stop the encounter, should you choose?” Bringing your hands together, you clap twice to demonstrate the signal. “Good,” she nods. “The room will be monitored and a guard will intervene should anything go awry- not that I have any expectation that it will,” she adds pointedly, “it’s more to put your mind at ease than anything.”

“You mean…” your hands pull your robe tighter across your frame, “people will be watching?”

“Only one,” she holds up a singular finger. “A trusted member of my staff will be monitoring the participants. You won’t even know he’s there, he’ll be watching through a special mirror from an adjoining room.”

“Okay…” you suppose it does make sense. And it is reassuring to know they actually take your safety seriously, though the prospect is rather embarrassing. You try not to think about it.

“When you hear the chime,” a sweet bell rings through the room, “you have five minutes before you’ll be escorted away. Once in a private room, you’ll be given the reversal potion to return your senses, as well as your clothes and personal effects you arrived with. You'll be able to clean up and light refreshments will be provided before you’re sent on your way.”

“And the guy, will he…?”

“He will be in a different room. Exiting through a different area of the estate. You will not meet.”

“He’ll never see me?”

“And you will never see him,” she confirms. “Are you ready?”

Without further thought or time to talk yourself out of it, you take the glass and tip it to your lips. It tingles on your tongue, but you don’t feel any different. Opening your mouth, you make to ask how long it takes the effects to kick in- but no sound escapes and quickly the room dims into darkness.

An arm wraps around yours, guiding you into your room- only the sound of your hammering heart beats in your ears. With every step, heat rises as your body flushes, being led to your partner. Silently, you pray the Madam is right and that he’s as good a match as she says.

The edge of the bed hits against your knees and you stop, the worker taking your hand and bringing it out- pressing it into one much larger and warmer than your own. His fingers wrap around yours with a soundless breathy sigh. The worker pulls away and you hear them cross the room and close the door, leaving you alone with a stranger wrapped in darkness and draped in desire.

For a long moment, the two of you stay still, hands pressed together- just feeling one another’s presence. Slowly, long fingers begin delicately tracing your own- their tips gracing featherlight in exploration. Trailing softly down your palm, up the sensitive skin of your wrist, and rising up your arm where his big hand rubs up under the sleeve of your robe.

Before he goes any further, his fingers wrap around yours and he brings them up to his lips, laying a kiss upon your hand before placing it to the warm expanse of his chest- allowing you to touch him first. He’s solid, well defined and so, so, warm- nearly feverish. Adding another hand, you roam shamelessly over his body and feel his heart flutter as your hands drag across his chest.

Feeling emboldened by the way he presses into your touch, you pull his robe apart and drop your hands down his stomach- blushing at the feel of his strong body. Tracing the divots of his rolling muscles, your mind can’t help but imagine what he must look like. Lower on his hips, you find the smooth tips of the arrows that dip down into something that heats the pool between your legs. But, just before you reach it, you grab his hand and bring it to your own chest.

Eagerly, he accepts the invitation, hand pressing between the swell of your breasts. Both hands come to cascade over the mounds, cupping the heavy curves in his hands just to feel their weight. Gently, he rubs and kneads at each breast with expert touch, grinding your nipples into the cup of his palm. While his movements steadily grow hungrier, his hands slightly tremble and you think that he’s perhaps holding back.

But, you don’t want him to hold back. You want his unbridled desire and passion unleashed upon you, liberating your own.

To encourage him, you arch into his touch, hands pressing him harder against you, forcing a rougher grab at your needy body. Immediately, he understands what you’re asking and he gives it to you. Ravenously, his hands drag across your shape, so big that together they cover so much of the expanse of your core, making you feel so wrapped up in his rapacious strokes.

When he reaches the knot of your robe, he doesn’t timidly seek your permission. Rather, he fists the fabric over your waist and rips it open, dropping it to the floor and leaving you bare before him. Though he doesn’t hear your gasp, he certainly feels it with such a tight grip on your body. It spurs him on and he feels you out, rubbing down every inch he can reach to memorize the map of your figure.

Heat rises along with the desire, the lack of sight only heightening the sensation of touch. And you want him touching more, want to feel more of him- pressed up against you. Reaching, you put your own hands back onto his body, tugging eagerly at his robe and he lets you push it off him. Naked and bare, your hands race over each other as the temperature rises between you.

Rolling your body into his, the blackened world whirls suddenly and your heart jumps as you fall back onto the bed, legs draped over the edge. Kneeling down between them, he throws them over his shoulders and wraps his arms around your thighs. Rapidly your breaths come and your knees press together, but he holds you open and dives between them.

With no hesitation, no build up, no teasing- he falls face first into your cunt, tongue swiping long from core to clit. Though you can’t hear him, you can feel the long groan that rumbles from his mouth and vibrates through his tongue, the sensation pooling more heat that he eagerly laps up. You’re grateful then for the darkness to hide the embarrassment you know must show on your face by how flushed you feel.

He dines on you like a man who’s been starving for it. It’s entirely for his own pleasure the way he eats at you. Mouth messy, tongue writhing as it pushes in and out, sucking up the slick that gathers and latching onto your clit to make more. Back arching, your fingers tangle in his hair and you surrender yourself to the pleasure. Allowing yourself to indulge in it, allowing this stranger to give it to you and allowing him to take whatever he needs from your body. Because that’s what you need- what you’ve so craved all this time. Someone who desperately needs you as much as you need them.

Fingers dip into you and your whole body jolts, legs tightening around his head before falling back onto the soft bed. Mouth suckling at your clit, his long fingers rock into you, touching places you can never reach on your own. Pads of his fingers dragging across something sensitive, knuckles bumping against your cunt. When he curls into you, tears pool at your eyes and your hands tangle tighter in his soft hair.

He doesn’t relent. Curling, pushing, thrusting, sucking- tongue swirling over the swollen bud between his lips. Though you can’t hear the sound of your own voice, you know it’s breaking in your mouth, throat vibrating with the silent cries he draws out of you. You can, however, hear the wet sound slicking between your legs as he brings you to the brink, growing wetter as your body coils tight. When the vibration of his soundless voice rolls against your clit, you cum and he stays the course, steering you through the pleasure.

When you start twitching beneath him, he pushes you back onto the bed fully in one strong motion and crawls atop you. Warm breath ghosting your neck, you arch back, opening your legs, letting him settle fully between them. Arms wrapping around his neck, you hold on as he starts humping against you, dragging his hard cock over your dripping cunt. Quiet whimpers and hushed whines stutter in your chest, pressed against his as you hold him close.

Cunt clenching with every thrust, his cockhead rubs over your aching clit. Overcome with the need to feel him, you reach down and take him in your hand and he nearly collapses. Pumping his cock, you feel the length- long and hard and slightly curved. He’s so wet and sticky, you almost think he’s already cum, but then you feel the slick pour from his tip and pool in your hands. Using it to glide the drag of your hand, you feel some drip down onto your open cunt. He’s so hot. His body like a furnace that continues to rise, his cock piping and arousal salivatingly scorching.

Tightening your grip, you pump him faster- unable to pull your hand away. He trembles above you, hips humping into your grasp. When you reach down and start working his cockhead with your other hand his whole body convulses and he cums near instantly, drenching you with his release. Pooling in your hand and spurting over your stomach, thick ribbons dripping hot as candle wax onto your cunt.

This was what you’d been missing. The feeling of someone coming undone upon you. Though, there’s a pang in your chest thinking it’s over. Now that he’s cum, you expect to hear the sound of his hands clapping above you to end the session.

But, he doesn’t.

Instead he kisses at your neck, licking at your pulse- lingering when he feels the jolt of your body to signal he’s discovered something sweetly sensitive. Eyes fluttering as he sucks at it, your cum coated body rolls up against his, desire flaring again between your legs.

His still hard cock presses against your entrance and your eyes heat with the promise of more. Locking your legs around his waist, you completely open yourself for him and he pushes in. One long, slow, agonizingly wonderful push that has you arching off the bed, legs tightening and fingers digging against his back. Slid home, your breathes mingle in a long sigh- signaling how much you both needed this.

He waits until he feels your hips rolling up against him to start fucking you. Slow, at first, but rapidly rising, both of you long past restraint. Just two people chasing a shared need. As much as you can, you encourage him to fuck you harder- to have what he needs, to use your body and drive the pleasure into you as he takes it. And he does. Hips losing rhythm to a more primal thrust, mouth still sucking and licking at the spot that has you pleading.

Hand reaching between your bodies, you try to rub at your clit, but he continues fucking you so hard you can’t keep steady enough. Sensing what you’re trying to do, the stranger pulls back, sitting up between your legs. Big hands grip at your hips and before you can blink, you’re flipped so quickly onto your stomach it knocks the wind from you.

Thrill pools low in your body, cunt squeezing around his cock as he pulls your hips up with one arm and use his other hand to force the deep arch of your back. Fingers curling into the sheets, you’re desperate for purchase as he starts fucking into you from behind, hitting deeper than anything you’ve ever felt before.

Delicious tears stream down your cheeks and electricity shocks up your spine as his curved cock drives precise pleasure to that delicate spot behind your clit. When you settle into your position, body slacking for his taking, his hand drags down your spine and coils around your hip to find your clit.

Taking it between his knuckles, he rolls pleasure into you, hand vibrating with preternatural speed. Immediately, your cunt begins to clench and you’re forced over the edge- pushed by a sensation you’ve never felt before. But, he doesn’t stop. Doesn’t ease up. Doesn’t slow. If anything, the grip around his dick spurs him harder and he adjusts the angle of his thrusts so his cockhead fucks directly into your sweet spot.

Drool pools from your lips and even in the blackness of your vision, there are stars as he fucks you from the inside out- pressure building and swelling. As much as you can, you fuck back against him, the rawness in your throat proof of the way you’re crying and begging for him. Whatever he’s doing, you don’t want him to stop.

And he doesn’t.

He takes you to a place where there’s nothing but you and him and the pleasure he gives and the pleasure he takes. He fucks you wild and desperate like he knows he’ll never fuck you again, but he’s determined to leave his mark on you. To ruin you for any other man who will never come close to giving you what he’s giving you right now.

The levee breaks and you along with it, giving him exactly what he wants as your body gushes over his fingers and you cum harder than you ever have in your life. Still, he doesn’t stop. Even as you flood his hand, he milks your clit for every last drop of squirt he can coax. Even as he cums hot and deep in your cunt, his hips still thrust, fucking it inside you.

The pleasure is all consuming and you don’t have the strength to do anything but lay there and take it, body collapsing in his grasp. His strong arms keep a hold of you, propping you up until he’s finished and it draws the pleasure out how erotic it is to be his doll.

When he slows, he lets you down easy, draping himself across your back and trailing kisses across your shoulders. Wrapping you in his arms and holding you steady, he slowly pulls out- the mix cum pouring thick and hot from between your legs, soaking your thighs and the bed below.

Panting, you try to catch your breath- but it steals away when he touches you in a way you don’t expect. Gently, he settles into the bed and pulls you into his arms and your heart near bursts. Softly, his fingers pet through your hair and his lips press against the crown of your head.

He holds you the way you’ve so longed to be held- with the tenderness of a true lover. As if what you just shared was real and intimate and you have all the time in the world to live in this moment together.

Yet, you know you don't. Desperately, you try to keep the cracks from breaking through your heart to live in the fantasy a little longer. By the way he holds you, you wonder if he’s doing the same.

Tucked in embrace, your nuzzle into the crook of his neck and place a soft kiss there and his lips linger on your forehead in kind. Heartbeats pass and begin to harmonize as your breathes even out and sync together. As you settle, you let yourself enjoy the after- the softness- the gentleness.

Pressing closer to him, the darkness allows you to believe it. Believe that he’s yours, believe that this belongs to you. Believe that he’s someone who genuinely cares for you, cherishes you- loves you, even.

Breathing deep, beneath the sweat and sex, your deprived senses fill in the gaps for your imagination. And the faint scent of sea and smoke settles deep in your chest.

Eyes closing to the blackness, one image comes to mind. One man.

And here, in the dark, in this moment that will never exist beyond this room- you let yourself see it. Let yourself imagine it. Let yourself imagine him here tangled with you-

The bell chimes and the dream comes to close.

You attentively watched Sanji move about the galley as he naturally did every single day. Handing out plates, making sure everyone had their portion for dinner, before even sitting down himself to eat. He settled across from you on the table, and your gaze didn’t drift as his eye met yours. He smiled warmly, knowingly.

Ever since you had been intimate together, Sanji had been softer with you. He had always been nice and attentive, but it was like he had appeased a certain need in him. By all means, he was still overdramatic, professing his adoration for Nami, Robin and you. You figured there was a certain difference only you noticed because it was directed towards you. A slightly bigger portion of food in your plate, a hand on the small of your back when you descended the ship, whispers of ‘are you okay?’ during battles that he wouldn’t let anyone else know. 

It wasn’t like you would complain about it; it was nice to be taken care of in such a subtle way by someone who seemed to scatter his affection so freely. It was like having a secret language that only you two spoke. 

You returned the smile immediately. 

Sanji had satisfied your need for intimacy, but he was also filling other needs when it came to feeling wanted, something that extended outside of the bed (even if technically you two hadn’t shared a bed). 

You didn’t want to fuck him so often, somehow that felt like a crossing a fine line that you had created in your mind; but ever since that last time, the urge had steadily grow into something almost all consuming, and you couldn’t wait for the next island for it happen. You needed it now, tonight. 

The only way to get some kind of privacy on the Sunny was waiting until midnight. Sanji usually stayed up late, only God knew why. There had been times you wandered in the galley, unable to sleep, only to find him there smoking and drinking tea, and you only smiled fondly as he handed you a cup for yourself. 

It wasn’t tea what you were looking for when you walked in the galley later that night, after everyone had gone to bed. Sanji was there, like you knew he’d be, smoking by the table and reading the notebook he kept for his recipes, as you padded across the wooden floor. It was like he was expecting you by the way he smiled, slowly taking you in as you stood next to the table, wearing your sleeping shirt and shorts, feet with only socks to protect them. 

“Hello, gorgeous,” He greeted you, putting out his cigarette into an ashtray. “Can’t sleep? Want me to make you something?”

It was moments like those that revealed more of the soft side of him; no loud declarations of love, no theatrics, not even hearts in his eyes. He still smiled affectionately, ready to do whatever whim you had in your mind.

He would get the hearts in his eyes when he saw you naked in a minute. 

You pouted, purposely drawing his attention to your lips when you did, and you strode across the room until you were standing right in front of him. Sanji visibly stiffened, breath hitching as he looked up at you. 

“I can’t sleep. And I do want something.” You stated, answering his questions, carefully straddling his lap. His one visible eye widened, mouth hanging open as you rested your arms on his shoulders. “I want you to make me come.”

“Now?!”

You sat back on his thighs to look him in the eye, his hands coming up to hold your hips to make sure you didn’t hop off. 

“Is there something else you have to do?” Your tone sounded admonishing, and you mentally chastised yourself for acting so demanding. Sanji didn’t seem to mind when his grip on your hips slid up your waist, tightening. 

“No, no! I was just-” He heaved a loud sigh, dropping his head forward. “Am I dreaming?”

“No.” You giggled, petting his head and sliding your fingers into his hair. 

“Okay, good.” 

With a firm tug, you brought his head back up and swiftly connected your lips in a rapturous kiss.

His lips had been on your mind since the first time you kissed him; they were surprisingly soft, a contrast to the taste of his mouth, like smoke and spices. And Sanji was eager, enthusiastic, wrapping his arms around you just in case you decided to reconsider and pull away. You savored each other, tongues intertwining as you tenderly cupped his face. 

He only pulled back to trace his lips down your jaw and neck, covering every inch of skin available for him. 

“Why did you think you were dreaming?” You asked, humming when he slid his tongue over a spot that made you shiver. You couldn’t help but giggle when he nuzzled there, his stubble creating goosebumps. 

“I didn’t even know if what we did that last time was real, it was too good to be true…” His arms around your pressed you even closer as he planted a kiss to your jaw. “I was making sure this wasn’t a dream, just in case.”

Sometimes Sanji was so cute you didn’t know what to do about it, except kiss him until you both were on the verge of death from lack of oxygen. But that would ruin the plans of fucking him that night.

“It’s not a dream.” You reassured him, trailing your nails over the back of his neck to make him feel something real. The shudder that broke through him made you smile. 

“How do you want me, my love?”

Sanji’s voice was sultry and silky when he whispered into your ear, like he was pouring your filthiest desires into you but he had only asked a simple question. You’ve never had something like that asked before, and it made heat pool into your abdomen, drenching your panties with your slick. 

“Get me on the table.” It sounded more like a question than an order, but Sanji complied without complaining. 

Firm hands slid down your thighs, holding you in place as he stood from his seat before carefully hoisting you on the table. You naturally spread your legs, accommodating your body for him to fit where he belonged, pressed up against you with fingers caressing your thighs up to the hem of your shorts. 

“You’re so beautiful,” Sanji praised you with a kiss to the corner of your mouth. “Been thinking about you for so long.”

“What kind of thoughts?” You asked with a sigh while he peppered your neck with kisses again. While still fully conscious despite the nice warmth of his body so close to yours, you mindfully moved his notebook and the ashtray to the side.

Sanji kissed under your ear before you pulled away, laying back against the table to enjoy the view of his body hovering above yours. His face was flushed (he might be on the verge of a nosebleed), hair only a little out of place from when you ran your fingers through it, eye blown wide with lust as he studied you. 

“Baby, tell me what kind of thoughts.” You said firmly, sliding your hand underneath your shirt, slowly pulling it up your body to reveal more skin. 

With a sharp intake of breath, Sanji seemed to have come down to Earth as his gaze fixed on your exposed skin. Licking his lips, his hands skimmed up your waist, joining you in your effort to uncover yourself. 

“I’ve been thinking about your body, worshiping it, giving you the attention you deserve.” It was your turn for your breath to hitch at his words, squirming when he leaned down to press open-mouthed kisses to your stomach. “I’ve been dying to taste you again. That was a flavor that I would never find anywhere else.”

The lovesick sigh that escaped from Sanji’s mouth against your belly button made you instinctively laugh. He smiled in return against your skin, completely pleased with himself. 

“Darling, I want to make you feel so good, please, please, I want to taste you on my tongue again.”

Shit. 

You wanted this to be a little quicker, knowing fully well that while a lot of the crew was asleep, not everyone was. You assumed someone (probably Zoro) was on night watch, and Usopp usually stayed up until even later than Sanji doing God knows what. It was a risk to be doing this in the galley, and whatever brain cell you had left after you touched him a few minutes ago was telling you not to drag this out.

But when you felt him kiss the skin just above the waistband of your shorts, running his warm tongue there, you realized you couldn’t say no. You didn’t want to say no to his eagerness, especially when it involved having his head between your legs. No man had ever begged to eat you out before, and Sanji was setting the bar so high if you ever were to have sex with someone else in the future. 

“Go on, then.” You replied, trying not to sound breathlessly desperate but failing. 

Sanji didn’t comment on it, only grinning roguishly before going back up to plant a brief kiss on your lips, as if he was thanking you. His gaze fell on your chest as he tenderly lifted your shirt enough to expose your tits.

He groaned when he attached his lips to one of your nipples, sucking softly while cupping your other breast. You sighed blissfully, thighs tensing on each side of him as you felt your pussy get even slicker when he ran his tongue over your sensitive skin. 

It was brief, but Sanji tried to give equal attention to both of your tits, switching to your other nipple to press a kiss before licking the underside of your breast and sliding downwards. You weren’t sure if his urgency came from the situation you were in (a quickie in the kitchen), or because he was desperate to get between your legs; either way it made your toes curl, anticipating his touch. 

With fingers that tremble with excitement, Sanji pulled down your shorts and underwear, discarding it haphazardly on the floor and leaving you completely bare, the bright light of the galley leaving nothing to his imagination. You only felt a slight of self-consciousness, but the sound that came out of his mouth, frenzied and distraught, made you quickly forget whatever worry that plagued your mind. 

“Shit.” He groaned against the skin of your thigh, dragging his lips down, closer to where you needed him most. “You’re heavenly, so tempting, I can’t…”

Whatever else he was going to say died on his throat as he fixed his gaze on your pussy, completely hypnotized.

You impatiently wiggled your hips as Sanji pressed kisses, running his tongue down your thigh until he reached the joint to your hip. With a loud gasp, you jerked up, slick dripping from your entrance the more he stared.

“Sanji.”

He shuddered when you called his name, and he pressed closer, tongue darting out to finally taste you. His hot breath washed over you first, and you quivered the moment the tip of his tongue grazed your pussy. You both moaned simultaneously, loud and needy, and it made the knot in your abdomen twist tighter; to know he was thoroughly enjoying the moment enhanced your pleasure. 

Tangling your fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his face, you watched Sanji steadily eat you out, both eyes now exposed and studying your reactions. He held tightly onto you, firm hands kneading the fat of your thighs as he buried his face in between them. He was eager and so sweet, dragging his tongue from bottom to top before pressing a kiss to your clit, making your thighs on each side of his face twitch. Your jaw hung open when he repeated the same action, licking a bold stripe across your folds, collecting every drop of your slick. 

Sanji groaned, louder than the sounds you were making, the deeper his tongue slid inside you. His nose dug into your clit, making jolts of pleasure pulse through you, ripping sharp moans from your throat. You briefly worried that you were both making too much noise, but it was a thought that left your mind as soon as it emerged. It was difficult to be concerned about anything when Sanji had his warm tongue inside you.

One of your legs fell idly to the side when he moved his hand to gently slip two fingers inside you. It made your body grow hotter when he curled them, his intense, lustful gaze fixed on you to check your reaction. It only took a few experimental touches to make you arch your back, and you tugged at his hair when Sanji pressed his digits to the most sensitive spot at the same time he suckled on your clit. 

“Fuck!” You stuttered with a gasp when he repeated the same action. “That feels so good, oh my God, you’re so good…”

He only moaned in agreement, steadily pumping his fingers, happily slurping on your clit, devouring you like a starved man. Your skin was ablaze, delight making you vibrate, the muscles of your thighs tightening around his head, they might trap him there forever. By the gleam in his eyes, he might enjoy the idea. 

The tension in your body was increasing, and as much as you loved how talented Sanji was with his mouth, this one time you’d much rather come on his cock. With unsteady fingers, you yanked at his hair, hard enough to make him moan, to pull him off you.

“Sa-Sanji, wait…”

He whimpered when he moved away, stars dancing in his eyes in a dazed stare. 

“Am I doing it wrong, my darling?”

“N-No…” You panted, enthralled by his appearance. He looked utterly helpless, high on your taste with your arousal dripping from his chin; you could have reached your orgasm there and then. “C’mere.”

Sanji crawled up, pressing his lips to yours in a messy kiss, making you moan as you tasted yourself in his mouth. You hastily reached for his pants, fondling his erection through the fabric before reaching for the belt. He gasped, hips bucking into your touch. The state you were in didn’t help you in unbuckling his belt, and ultimately his hands joined yours, pulling his pants and underwear down enough to free his cock. 

When you wrapped your fingers around it, reveling in its warmth and heaviness, Sanji groaned into the kiss, mouth hanging open when you slowly stroked him. His hips jerked again when you flicked your thumb over the slit, precum leaking from the tip instantly. 

“Put it in, please.” You begged, pressing one innocent kiss to his lips. “I want your cock, baby…”

Sanji moaned, and you were positive it was because you called him ‘baby’.

Pulling back with a shudder, he gripped your thigh, thumb caressing the skin there as you let go of his dick. He shifted closer, holding his length in his hand as he positioned himself closer to your entrance. 

You watched, amazed and breathless, as Sanji eased himself inside you, cock stretching your pussy to make it fit nicely. He made a noise as if he was being tortured, a shaky sigh escaping his lips once he was fully sheathed, thighs twitching on each side of his body due to the wonderful stretch. 

It was as if your entire body was on fire, his cock throbbing inside you making the warmth spread. Your gaze locked on his, both of his eyes visible as his hair stuck to his forehead; his body must have felt just as ablaze as yours, the glint in his pupils revealing so much. 

Sanji kept his eyes fixed on yours as he moved his hips, slow and steady. The slide was delicious, wet and hot, making you moan as you held tightly onto the edge of the table. The pace was easy, careful, and it still made you feel overwhelmed. 

But you wanted more. 

“More.” You breathed, eying him through hooded lids.

His response was a snap of his hips, bucking into yours, a yelp slipping from your lips. 

“Yes, princess.” Sanji replied, with a grin that might as well come from the devil himself. 

It knocked the wind out of you when he pulled back, cock almost all the way out, before sliding back in, hips slamming into yours. It was the perfect rhythm, with enough force that each time his cock filled you, it reached every little spot that made stars dance behind your eyes. You were rendered speechless, eyes dancing behind your lids. 

“You’re so beautiful, so perfect,” Sanji panted, a shaky groan slipping from his lips when you squeezed around him just right. “Making all those gorgeous faces, fuck…”

You’d feel your cheeks on fire if they weren’t already burning. His praises really did something to you, stomach turning as pleasure threatened to burst the more his cock hit inside you.

Sanji was smug and confident in the pleasure he was giving you, yet still entirely devoted to you, hands tenderly caressing every inch of your body. Squeezing your waist and stomach, his fingers slid up your thighs, hoisting your legs on his shoulders. There was urgency in his moves when he reached your ankles, swiftly sliding one of your socks off your foot. 

A moan wrecked through him when he kissed the heel of your foot, just as the same time he thrust particularly hard into you. You watched, starry-eyed, as he fulfilled one of his dreams he mentioned earlier. 

His cock kept fervently sliding in and out, making your pussy clench around it, closer and closer to the edge, as Sanji pressed kisses to your ankle and heel. He hummed in delight as he ran his tongue over the arch of your foot before pressing an open-mouthed kiss. You moaned, completely dazed by his adoration. 

“You’re so pretty, my love,” Sanji groaned, looking you in the eye as he kissed your sole. “I need to make you come, I wanna make you come, please, darling…”

Somehow, he pressed even closer, your legs bending over your chest. You let out a shaky moan, the shift in the angle making him grind against your clit with every thrust. You closed your eyes shut, overwhelmed by all the attention and pleasure he was giving you. 

Until you felt something warm spilling on your chest. Through a half-closed gaze, you eyed him only to see blood coming out of his nose and onto your tits and shirt. You huffed out a laugh in between whimpers; it was a surprise he hadn’t had a nosebleed sooner. 

Sanji cursed under his breath, moving slightly so he wouldn’t get any more blood on you, until you reached up to him, cradling his face with both of your hands. You brought him closer, licking some of the blood that had dripped onto his lips, and moaning into his mouth.

“Sanji, I-” You gasped when your legs started to shudder and your vision got blurrier. “I’m so- Sanji, Sanji-”

You couldn’t finish any sentence, only repeating his name like a chant, but Sanji understood instantly, groaning against your lips the more you moaned his name.

He pumped his hips once, twice, so strong you thought the table was going to break, and you couldn’t contain it anymore when ecstasy pulsed through you, your body quivering uncontrollably as you came. Your mind turned white and he kissed you firmly, sliding his tongue into your mouth, swallowing all the noises you were making. 

When your pussy tightened around his cock, Sanji made a strangled noise, hips momentarily falling out of place. He followed suit and his dick throbbed when he reached his orgasm, spilling warm cum inside you, filling you up. He rode out his peak, shallow thrusts making you whimper, too sensitive from your own release. He kept kissing you as if you were air, like he couldn’t live without you. 

Your heart melted when he caressed your face once his hips stilled, fingers pushing away all the hair that was sticking to your skin as his lips roamed yours. You hummed, pleasantly exhausted and warm, lazily returning the kiss as your legs dropped from his shoulders to the side. Your hands slid down his chest, feeling his heartbeat through the fabric of the shirt he was still wearing before running your hands up and down his back soothingly. 

Sanji only pulled away when he noticed it was getting harder for the both of you to breathe, yet he still trailed kisses down your neck in between pants. 

“That was wonderful.” You purred into his ear, feeling the sharp intake of breath it caused. “You’re always so good to me, Sanji.”

He smiled as he nuzzled your neck, placing a kiss under your ear before pulling away. 

“I aim to please, my love.”

You knew he was trying to be completely confident (and he probably felt like it) with the winning grin he was showing you, but the flushed look on his cheeks, the little hearts sparkling in his eyes and the blood that still dripped down his nose made it all too funny to be taken seriously. 

“There’s still blood on your face!” You mentioned, trying not to laugh as you reached for his face, wiping it away with your thumb.

“You don’t have to do that-” The words died on his throat when you licked the blood off your finger. “What are you doing to me?”

You giggled when he nuzzled your neck, letting out a long sigh, embracing you tightly. 

It was sticky and messy, and Sanji seemed to be concerned that you were uncomfortable after a few seconds (your back was starting to hurt, but you didn’t comment on it), so he pulled away, softening cock slipping out and making you whimper. He stared at you, enthralled by the cum slowly dripping out of your pussy, a scene you found all too endearing even when it wasn’t. 

As he tucked himself back into his underwear, you sat up and slid off the table, pulling your shirt down and noticing all the blood stains on it. 

“I’m sorry, darling.” Sanji apologized, quickly retrieving your panties and kneeling down to ease them up your legs. “I’ll get you a new one, I promise.”

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll get you anything you want.” He went on, gently sliding the sock he had discarded earlier on your foot before pressing a soft kiss to your knee. “Whatever you want, I’ll do it.”

“You’re so dramatic, honey.” You sighed, trying not to let show how much his words were affecting you. 

Sanji showed you a smile so tender it made your stomach twist. 

Twilight in the garden is lovely. Twinkling lights in the canopy and decorative torches lining the perimeter. Globes of crystal housing newly roused fireflies that cast soft dancing light through the shadows. All the white flowers that made up your bouquet begin to faintly glow under the approaching moon. Red blooms shade violet and violet blooms beckon midnight.

It’s these small beautiful details you force yourself to focus on as you sit by your husband’s right hand at the head of the garden. Close enough that you feel the heat of his body, but not so close as to touch. Sanji sits with the poise of a Prince and the posture of his reputation. So impassive and still, every move he makes causes you to flinch- subtly enough that you hope he doesn’t notice.

Though, it’s quite a small gathering compared to what this sort of ceremony would typically see, there is still a procession of the court come to give their obliged congratulations on your union. None addressed to you personally, however. Vinsmoke Judge sits center of the table- Sanji at his right hand and your father at his left- the two kings taking most of the commendations as if they’d been the ones wedded at the alter.

Politically speaking, you suppose that’s true. Your union is really nothing but a proxy for their own. Chancing a glance up at your husband, you find it difficult to tell if he feels as much a pawn as you do. When the nervous guests pay him their respects, he gives brief, curt, responses that don’t invite conversation.

Hands wringing nervously under the table, you bring them up and grab a fork just keep from rubbing raw. There’s a gorgeous spread of food before you and an untouched plate artfully arranged with a meal that- under any other circumstances- you’d have found appropriately appetizing. Fork in hand, you try to summon any desire to eat, but the sinking feeling of your inner body roils at the very idea of consumption.

Feeling heat at the back of your neck, you glance up- to see Sanji’s eyes quickly dart away from you. Movements deliberately slow he picks up his fork and takes the first bite of his own meal. Though you’re not quite fond of it- his action seems to signal permission for your own body to follow suit and some of the tension eases as you have a taste of your dinner. It’s quite good and instead of settling heavy, it smothers some of the anxiety lingering in your empty stomach. Slowly, you have one small bite after another. Though you can’t handle much before you put down the fork, your hands fold more still in your lap and you do feel slightly- marginally- better.

Until a shrill voice sounds from above and your whole body locks up. “Sister,” it lilts, “congratulations on your nuptials- what a beautiful wedding! Oh, I just teared right up.”

Throat tight, you respond without looking, “thank you, Marcella.”

“You know, I never thought I’d see the day. But, what a blushing bride you make. Such a fine match. There really is no one more deserving, sister.” She looks down on you with a sweet, practiced, smile painted on her lips. To anyone else, it’s the doting chatter of an elder sister. But, you recognize the words for what they are. You’re all too familiar with the cruel twinge of her smile and the wicked crease that hides in the corners of her eyes. “Vinsmoke is just so appropriate for you.”

“Princess Vinsmoke.” Chills crawl down your spine at your husband’s cold voice and Marcella’s expression wavers beneath his hard eyes. “When you speak to my wife, you will address her properly.”

She clings to her courteous facade, “of course, I understand, Prince Vinsmoke. I spoke with too much familiarity,” she tips her head politely, “please forgive me.”

“I will not.” Marcella pales and you forget to breathe.

Sanji stares her down and she begins to unravel before him, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend.”

“Yet, you insult my bride.” Conversation dies. Though, you can’t tell if that’s because everyone has ceased talking or your pounding heart is drowning out the sound.

“I…” she stutters with rising panic, “I only meant to congratulate my sister.”

Sanji’s voice drops deathly low, “and now you insult me.” The weight of every eye lands upon you and the air stills with the death of music and thickens with the reminder of who is sitting at this table.

Never in your life have you seen Marcella afraid. And though there is nothing resembling love between you, in this moment- you’re afraid for her. “I’m very sorry, Prince Vinsmoke,” she bows deeply, eyes downcast and voice trembling.

Heat rises off your husband, “apologize,” he commands, “to my wife.”

“Princess Vinsmoke,” she addresses quickly, bowing to you, “I apologize for insulting you," Her voice trembles, "I am so deeply sorry, Princess Vinsmoke.”

Silence stretches through every agonizing second and you look up at Sanji- to find him looking back at you. Waiting.

With a shuddering breath, your turn towards your trembling, bowing sister, “I forgive you, Marcella.”

“Thank you, Princess Vinsmoke,” her voice is laced with genuine relief, but the lingering terror keeps her folded in place.

“Leave our sight. You’re not welcome here,” Sanji dismisses her and returns to his dinner like he can’t be bothered to entertain the ordeal any longer. Taking his cue, the music slowly begins again- but the guests are still finding their breath.

Marcella rises with wide eyes and looks to your father to defend her as he always has. “Leave, Marcella.” But, not tonight. Not to these men. “You shame yourself. Take your husband home and attend him.” With silent tears and silent lips, she quickly excuses herself from the banquet.

“Children require a firm hand,” you hear Judge tell your father. “I have taught mine the value of discipline. You’d do well to teach yours the same.”

“Of course, you’re right,” he concedes. “Marcella has always been troubled, despite my guidance,” he excuses, despite the fact that Marcella has never done any wrong in his eyes- even when you’d come to him little and weeping from her torment. “That one, though,” your face heats as he gestures towards you, “is my most obedient child of all- always has been.” While you’ve always craved any scrap of praise from your father- you do not feel good about it now. “There will be no trouble with her, I assure you.”

Judge shrugs, “if there is, my son will sort it out,” he says simply. “It’s a husband’s duty to succeed where the father fails.” Without response, Sanji continues to eat his dinner as if he can’t even hear his father speak of him. Noting the vacant look in his eye, you wonder if perhaps he doesn’t.

As the moon creeps higher, so does your anxiety. Any moment now, the banquet will end and you’ll be taken away from the only home you’ve ever known, bound to the whims of a man you don’t. Sipping the water and wishing for wine, you try to subdue your nerves about what’s to come.

“Before we depart,” you jump when Sanji suddenly speaks to you, despite his quiet tone, “is there anything you wish to do?”

Taken by surprise, you find it difficult to hold his gaze as you consider the question. While it seems considerate, you won’t risk inconveniencing him, “no, my Prince.”

But, he doesn’t take his eyes off you- searching your face, “speak truthfully.” The command is soft- but unmistakable.

“I have already said my goodbyes,” you tell him. There’s only one other thing you’d care to do, but you don’t know how to ask for it here. Especially with your father so near.

“State your desire,” Sanji insists firmly, seeing the yearning for what you haven’t spoken.

Quietly, you stare down at your hands, “my father won’t allow it.”

“I will allow it,” he says and your eyes snap up to his.

“There’s… there’s somewhere I’d like to go,” you confess nervously.

Sanji simply stands, “then I will escort you,” pulling out your chair and offering his arm. Hesitantly, you accept it- gathering your dress in the other hand to keep from tripping. No one stops you as you leave- not even your father- or his.

When you’ve stepped out of the crowded garden and onto the quiet path, his voice finds you softly, “guide the way, Princess.”

On the other side of the castle grounds- just beyond the wall- you sit quietly beneath the weeping willow, watching the moon reflect off the still mirror of the lake. Granting you privacy, Sanji waits at the outer gate- so distant you can just make out his form in the torchlight. Utterly still and patient, waiting for your return. It’s a surprising kindness from the Vinsmoke Prince- perhaps a concession as a gift for his new bride. You try not to let it give you any false expectations.

Kneeling in the soft grass, your white dress glows ghostly in the moonlight. “I came to say goodbye,” you whisper to the night- the breeze whispering back. “I’ve been married to a Prince and I’m going to live with him now… I don’t think I’ll be back.” The willow rustles with a weeping hush. “But, I don’t want you to be worried about me. Because I’ll be brave- just like I promised.” The moon ripples over the water and the wind runs gentle fingers through your hair- loosening the coils.

Clouds part above and one by one, little gems are dropped onto the lake- and you hear your mother’s voice over your shoulder.

‘Be brave, Starlight.’

“I thought she might try to come here.”

Sanji waves his hands to signal his soldiers hidden in the shadows to stand down, “were you waiting for her?” He doesn’t take his eyes from your distant figure, even as the woman comes to stand at his side.

“I just wanted to see her- one last time,” she says, hands folded- shoulders back- seemingly unperturbed, even in the presence of a Vinsmoke.

“Do you want to speak to her?” Sanji offers.

“I have said all I needed to.” He feels her gaze slide to him, but he doesn’t return it. “Why did you bring her here?”

“She asked to come.”

She’s quiet for a moment, boldly staring at him. “I love that girl like my own daughter.”

At that, Sanji turns to look at her, “you care for her- you know her?”

“Every day since she was three years old.”

“Will you do something for her?” He asks.

With no hesitation she responds, “I’d do anything for her.”

Sanji nods, snapping his fingers and a soldier appears at the ready. “Take four men,” he orders, “and gather my wife’s things- take them to the villa. Be quick about it, I want everything put away before we get back. The Madam will tell you what to bring.”

“Yes, Master Sanji,” he salutes.

“Whatever you think she’ll want to keep. Anything she’d like to have,” he tells the woman.

She nods, a stern expression taking hold as she prepares herself for the job. “Yes,” she agrees, “I can do that.”

To the soldier, “you will do- and take- whatever the Madam tells you. Don’t kill any castle guards, but do not let them stop you.” Sanji commands. “If you leave anything behind,” he warns, “if my wife cries because something was forgotten, I will hold you personally responsible.”

“I understand, Master Sanji,” he confirms. “We will gather all the Princess’s things. We will leave nothing behind.”

“Let’s go then, I won’t waste time and I won’t tolerate slackers,” before Sanji can say anything else, the woman moves with purpose- dismissing herself and not bothering to bow. The guard raises his hand and signals in the air- four other men quickly falling in step behind him.

The moon has moved considerably by the time you rise. Feeling you’ve had your moment, you don’t want to keep your husband waiting any longer. He’s been patient so far, but you have no desire to test his limits. Only when you step through the curtain of the willow- back towards the castle- does his silhouette move.

Meeting you halfway, Sanji silently offers his arm once more and escorts you back through the gates. The wind follows, chilling with an early breath of winter. Wordlessly, he untangles himself and nimble fingers deftly undo the golden buttons of his jacket. Sanji drapes the velvet comfortably around your shoulders. So broad it practically feels an embrace- your face heating beneath an unfamiliar warmth of intimacy.

Despite the chill in the air and the thin white shirt he wears now, Sanji doesn’t at all seem bothered by the cold. Taking his arm once more, your hand holds your groom’s jacket closed atop your wedding gown- other hand keeping the dress from dragging too much across the ground.

The two of you simply, silently, walk the grounds. Wander through the pathways both inside and out of the gates. Any direction that drew your eye, Sanji steered towards it. Quietly, you indulge the small sights- the crack in the stone at the base of the fountain, vines crawling up the castle, loose cobbles from the weight of wagons rolling through on festive days. The small things- the neglected things- that make a place a home for those who know them. These things, you take care to commit to memory.

Slowly, the sounds of the garden find you once more. Gentle music offers a tender touch before your body tenses with the rise of voices, every step feeling heavier than the last. “Ah, there they are,” Sanji’s father, the loudest of them all. “Off getting to know your bride?” There’s a twist to his smile that mirrors in your stomach as his eyes skim Sanji's jacket still draped over your shoulders. Your husband simply stares at him until the smile tips towards displeasure. “Well, there’s plenty of time for that,” his focus falls upon you and your grip on Sanji’s arm tightens. Sturdy and unyielding, he doesn’t pull away- just lets you anchor yourself against him as your heart threatens to sink. “Take her.” You’re grateful he does, otherwise you may have collapsed right there in the grass.

Spirit sinking- splitting- from your mind, you’re lost in the fog of a dream. The world seems so unreal and you barely feel the movements of your own body as it carries you down the path towards the small dock. There is no music, no sound, no song- only the somber march your husband drags you forward on without faltering a single step. Leading you down to the water, taking his lamb to slaughter. Witnesses flocking steps behind the kings at your back.

Eyes towards the horizon, not even the moon permeates the inky black of the abyssal waters. In the distance, the silhouette of the seafaring kingdom sits colossal and waiting. A leviathan shadow risen from the depths waiting to devour you whole.

Despite your promise, you flinch from the foreboding fate, tearing your arm away and turning on shaking steps. With a voice that calls from every fearful night of adolescence, you reach towards the one person you always prayed would save you from each of them. “Father…”

Swiping your hand away, he answers you with the same voice that responded you back to bed every time. “You are no longer my daughter.”

Nothing but the young woman forced to flower through stone, now nearly to be plucked, asks the one thing the child never could, “was I ever?”

Nothing but a weed in his garden, the King looks upon you with disdain and you have your answer.

“Come, Princess.” Voice soft and hands firm, the Vinsmoke Prince pulls you away and guides you down the dock. You do not fight him as he lifts you into the boat and casts off towards the sea.

More faces appear through the shadows and a song of mourning finds you faintly on the wind as you’re sold and sailed away into the night.