𝘽𝙀𝙀𝙏𝙇𝙀

You didn’t notice the figure sprinting across the field until someone shouted.

“Y—NNNNNN!!”

You froze mid-step, blinking up toward the sound. And there he was—your boyfriend, grinning so wide and waving both arms wildly as he barreled toward the chain-linked fence that wrapped around the sports court.

“LUFFY!?” Your voice cracked halfway between confusion and delight. “What are you doing here?!”

“I snuck out!” Luffy yelled, breathless but beaming. “I told Gramps I forgot somethin’ at school, but I actually came here to see ya!!”

You blinked once, then twice, then you covered your face with one hand and groaned. “You snuck out?! You’re gonna get in trouble!”

“Shishishi, worth it!” Luffy pressed his hands to the fence, grinning through the metal holes like a kid. His hair was messy from running, and some sweat was dripping down his face, but his eyes were bright and full of that spark that was fixed right on you. “I wanted to see ya!”

The heat that hit your face had nothing to do with exercise. “You—” you stammered.

Luffy just laughed, he was already leaning forward, his face nearly pressed against the fence. “C’mere!”

You tilted your head “What?”

“C’mere!” he repeated, bouncing on his heels now, the metal rattling under his hands. “Lemme kiss you!”

You stared. “You can’t even reach me through this thing, dumbass.”

“Yes I can!” Luffy said confidently, trying to push his lips through one of the holes. It looked ridiculous. His face squished against the fence, nose flattened, lips poking through but missing by a mile.

“Luf—”

“Wait, no, I got it!” he said, gripping higher. “Just—stay still!” Luffy was already trying to shove his further mouth between the diamond-shaped holes, flattening his cheeks against the metal. “I can almost reach—!”

“Luffy!” You burst out laughing, jogging closer as your teammates stared. “You’re gonna mess up your face!”

“I don’t care!” Luffy’s words came out muffled against the fence. “Just—ugh—come here!”

You sighed dramatically, but your grin gave yourself away. You took a few steps forward, standing just on the other side of the fence where Luffy’s fingers curled around the metal. Both of your eyes met through the tiny diamonds, your chest fluttered with something warm and dizzy. “You’re actually crazy for coming here, y’know..” you muttered softly.

“Yeah, but I missed ya!” Luffy shrugged. “And watchin’ ya practice is fun.”

You snorted. “You can’t even see that well from here.”

“Whaddya mean? I still can see you!”

His words were so simple that they hit you harder than they should’ve, your throat tightened for a second, but you masked it with a nervous laugh. “well, y-yeah..”

Luffy’s grin remained. He tried again to press his lips through the fence, his nose squished and his laughter bubbling out. “Kiss me!”

Your face flamed. “We literally can’t! Your big dumb mouth isn’t even fitting!”

Luffy groaned dramatically, shaking the fence a little. “Then come here!”

“You mean walk around to you?”

“Yeah!”

“You can’t wait until I’m done with practice?”

“Nope!”

You groaned, your heart was already sprinting faster than you ever could on the field. “Fine, fine—hold on.”

You turned around and waved towards your coach, muttered something about a quick break, and jogged toward the side gate. You could feel everyone’s eyes on you, but you didn’t care. When you rounded the fence, Luffy was waiting, hands jammed in his pockets now, rocking back on his heels, grinning the moment their eyes met again. “See?” Luffy said. “This ‘s better already!”

You rolled your eyes, stepping closer until they were face to face. “You’re really bad at following rules, huh?”

“But I wanted to kiss ya!” Luffy said with a pout before his grin started widening, he then leaned in before you could process it—Luffy pressing his lips against yours shamelessly.

The kiss was all sloppy and messy but you melted into the kiss anyways, your hands instinctively gripped Luffy’s shirt. “Luff—” you muffled, but then you gave up. You tipped your head up, because of course you did. Luffy’s hands slid from your shoulder and threaded into your hair. When Luffy kissed you, he didn’t just press his lips to yours and call it a day, he dove in. All hungry in the best possible way, his mouth moved against yours with a messy rhythm, the small sounds that escaped him were embarrassingly loud. 

“Mphh—” Luffy hummed into the kiss. It vibrated through your lips and sent a little shiver down your spine.

You let out a little muffled laugh that turned into a soft groan as Luffy’s thumbs brushed under your cheekbones, practically holding your face in place. Luffy’s kissing was so shameless, he nibbled lightly at your bottom lip, then hummed again—before sealing the kiss more deeply. Your fingers tightened more in Luffy’s shirt, clutching the fabric like you suddenly needed like oxygen.

Luffy’s mouth was warm, he made small, needy noises that made your knees go a little dumb. Luffy’s lips trailed from your mouth down to the corner of your jaw, leaving little kisses. “Mmmm..” Luffy murmured, a tiny pleased sound like he’d eaten exactly the kind of snack he’d wanted. “You taste like—” he murmured before making a surprised noise at how you pressed your lips against his again.

“Stop talkin’ when you kiss me..” you muttered against his mouth, you tipped your head, angling for more, and Luffy obliged with another sloppy kiss. Your hands threaded up through Luffy’s hair by instinct, fingers tangling in the soft, messy black strands. Luffy’s eyes fluttered closed, a soft groan slipping past him when your grip tightened. 

At some point, his fingers started exploring way less carefully and way more claiming-like. Luffy’s hand slid to your hip with a possessive ease that made you grin against him. You rocked forward playfully, which made Luffy grunt into your mouth. The kiss just deepened even more, though they paused because your drill whistle blew. Coaches’ call began from the far end of the field.

That’s when you snapped back and realized that you were still at your practice, so when you finally broke apart, stepping back from Luffy, the boy pouted, his face was flushed. “Awwww..” he whined. “It was gettin’ s’good!” 

You just sighed but you leaned your forehead against Luffy’s for a second, closing your eyes. “Tsk, did you really run all the way here just for some make out session..?”

“Yep!” Luffy’s tone was so casual. “Also, I wanted to tell ya, good luck with practice!”

Your heart softened instantly. “..You came all this way just to tell me that?”

“And to kiss you” Luffy reminded you, grinning. “But yeah!” Luffy then eventually stepped back and cupped his hands around his mouth, calling out toward the field. “GO Y/N!! BEAT EVERYONE!! YOU’RE THE BEST!!”

Several heads turned. And that made your entire face go red. “LUFFY!!” You hissed, completely mortified. “Shut up!!”

Luffy just laughed loudly, still shouting. “YOU’RE SO COOL!! GO GET ‘EMM!!”

You let out another sigh, but you couldn’t stop smiling as you turned around and jogged back to the court. You could feel Luffy’s gaze on you the whole way.. so warm and proud. When the whistle blew again and you took your position, you could hear the faint sound of Luffy’s happy cheers echoing from behind the fence, louder than anyone else’s voice. 

You blinked at it. Then blinked again. Then whispered to yourself. “..Lipstick?” The curiosity started eating at you. It looked so bright. So fun. You were holding it between your two fingers like it was some ancient treasure. You weren’t exactly sure whose it was, probably Nami’s, though it could’ve been Robin’s. Either way, it had rolled under the dresser somehow.

That was how you ended up sitting cross-legged in front of the mirror, head tilted. You leaned closer to the mirror. Your eyes were wide and gleaming with childlike curiosity, your lips parted slightly. “...People wear this stuff all the time” you muttered to yourself, twisting the lipstick up a little. “Doesn’t seem too hard…” you murmured. Your tongue was peeking out in concentration as you carefully applied it. You didn’t do a terrible job. A little uneven, sure, but the red popped against your soft skin, making your lips look glossy and bold. 

When you pulled back, you blinked. The reflection staring back was still you, your hair, eyes, face, the shirt you were wearing—but now with a bright pop of red across your mouth. “Oh.” You muttered.

You leaned closer. “Ohhhh..”

Then you giggled. “Kinda cute…”

You pursed your lips, then smiled, then tried to look serious, then giggled again. “Luffy’s gonna laugh at me for this!” You said under your breath, though the thought only made you snicker harder. And, as if summoned by the power of your words, a familiar, loud voice echoed down the hallway.

“Y/nnnn!!!”

The door slid open with zero hesitation. Luffy bursted in with that trademark grin, his straw hat hanging on his back. His long-sleeved cardigan fluttered from the sea breeze behind him, his yellow sash flowing lightly while his energy filled the room instantly. He came walking in. “There ya are! I was lookin’ for ya everywhere!!”

You spun around, hand halfway to wiping your mouth. “Luffy!! Wait! I—”

But Luffy didn’t wait. He never waited. Before You could stammer another word, Luffy had already swooped down and planted a loud, smacking kiss right on your lips.

“Hi!” he said brightly, pulling back, very pleased with himself while he was grinning widely.

You froze, blinking up at him with wide eyes and a scarlet face. Your cheeks flushed a reddish hue at the sudden physical affection. “...you—”

“Mm? Oh, ya taste weird!” Luffy said, smacking his lips. Then he squinted. “Kinda like flowers or candy or somethin’—wait—why’re your lips red?”

You opened your mouth to answer, but then your eyes went wide. Because right there, on Luffy’s mouth, was a perfect, bright red print. “Ah—oh no—”

Luffy looked confused. “What?”

You pointed at him. “Your lips!! You have lipstick on you!!”

“...Lipstick?” Luffy blinked. Then he turned toward the wall mirror, blinking at his reflection before his face lit up with a delighted grin. “Woahhh ‘s red!! Cool!!” He leaned in, inspecting it. “I look real fancy!”

You let out a little snort before groaning in embarrassment, realization pouring onto you. “Wait, you weren’t supposed to kiss me! It’s Nami’s! Ohh, she’s gonna kill me—” you rambled before pausing as you glanced up at your captain, Luffy continued grinning at his reflection, something flickered in your head.

A little thought. 

You looked at Luffy’s cheek, at his chin, his nose. All that blank canvas of tan skin. Your grin was spreading wide, your mind flicked to the mirror again to see your own red lips, to the lipstick in your hand, and then… to the red on Luffy’s face. You were looking at Luffy, who was now trying to see his reflection by leaning way too close to the mirror, making faces at himself. “...Hey, Luffy” you said sweetly.

Luffy turned around, already smiling. “Yeah?”

You stood up and grabbed Luffy’s face between both of your hands, palms lightly squishing his rubber cheeks and smirked. “Hold still.”

“Eh? Wha—”

Before he could finish, you leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Then his cheek, then his other cheek. “Mwah! Chu! Mwahh!”

Luffy blinked, confused for approximately half a second before bursting into laughter. “Wait—! What’re ya—” He sputtered out. You were giggling while planting little red kisses everywhere. On Luffy’s chin, his forehead, his tip of his nose, his corner of his jaw. Each kiss left a bright lipstick mark, a perfect little stamp of affection. ‘Mwah, Mwah!’

“Y/n!—ah—!”

“Hold still!” You said through your own giggles, grabbing Luffy’s face more firmly with both of your hands while peppering him with more kisses. Luffy started to laugh real hard. “Shishishi!—y/n!! That tickles!!”

“Mhmm” you hummed proudly, smooching the side of his lips as your words were muffled against his skin. “This is what you get!”

“Y/nnnn!!” Luffy laughed, squirming lightly while his large toothy grin remained on his face, you were relentless and he absolutely loved it.

You kissed his nose again, his jaw, his temple, his chin. Each kiss left a bright, perfect red mark, and you couldn’t stop laughing as Luffy’s face turned into a red-splotched masterpiece. “Shishishi, okay okay okay—!” Luffy wheezed, grabbing your wrists. grinning so wide his eyes crinkled. “Y/n, ya kissin’ me s’much!” He said.

You sat back when he grabbed your wrists, grinning as you were a bit breathless, as you looked at your captain, you immediately admired your work. Luffy looked like someone had attacked him with a stamp pad. The lipstick was smeared all over your own mouth now, but you didn’t care. 

Luffy blinked up at you, eyes shining, face completely covered in red smudges all over his forehead, cheeks, nose, jawline, even a few across his throat and neck. He looked absolutely ridiculous. “Pffft—” you snorted, clapping a hand over your mouth. “You look so funny!” You giggled out.

Luffy blinked, grinning. “Do I?”

“Yes!!” 

Luffy then tilted his head before leaning closer towards your face. “gimme another one.”

“What—?”

“Another kiss!” he said, smiling like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You missed a spot.”

Your heart nearly exploded, though as you looked at him his face was already covered in a lot of red lipstick marks, it honestly made you confused if you even did miss a spot. “where?” You murmured as you leaned closer to his face.

Luffy pointed to his cheek. “Here!”

You leaned in automatically, then realized Luffy was grinning mischievously, his eyes sparkling but you planted another kiss anyway. “Mwah.”

“...And here!” Luffy said, pointing to the other side.

“Mwah.”

“And—here!”

“I already kissed your forehead.”

“Yeah!”

You giggled helplessly and kissed his forehead again. “Mwah.”

By now, the lipstick marks were probably looking like a disaster, but neither of you cared. Luffy’s grin softened into something warmer, his hands slipping up to your waist. You leaned closer to him. “You’re gonna have to wash all that off, y’know.” you said, gesturing at the lipstick-splattered chaos of Luffy’s face.

“Why?” Luffy asked, tilting his head innocently. “I like it.”

“You look like a mess!”

“I look cool!” Luffy insisted, grinning wide. He puffed his chest proudly. Then he tilted his head, eyes twinkling with mischief. “s’my turn now!”

“Huh?” But before you could react, Luffy lunged, his arms tightening around your waist as he tackled you onto the floor. “Luffy!!” You squealed, kicking lightly as Luffy pinned you down playfully.

“Ya gave me all these red things, now ‘m gonna give ’em back!” Luffy declared, sounding way too proud of the idea.

“Wait, wait! You don’t even have—”

Too late.

Luffy started smooching you everywhere. Your cheek, your other cheek. Your nose. Your forehead. Except, of course, Luffy didn’t have lipstick on, so instead of marks, all you got was an overload of affection. “Luffy!! Hahaa—s-stop!!” You sputtered.

“Nope!” Luffy said between kisses, completely ignoring you. “Mwah! Mwahh!! Ya started it!”

You both were rolled on the floor like kids, completely tangled together in a heap of limbs. By the time they finally stopped, you were sprawled across his chest. Luffy, still grinning, poked your cheek. “Ya got some on ya now.” And that made you snort, you both stayed like that for a while.

Luffy jumped up suddenly, hat bouncing on his back. “’m gonna show everyone!!”

“Wait—!!”

But it was too late. The captain had already bolted out the door, laughing loudly as he went. “Y/n kissed me, look!!” He shouted, and he continued to shamelessly show his crewmates. “Y/n did this!” to anyone who made eye contact. Every time Luffy caught your eye from across the deck, he’d grin and blow you an exaggerated kiss. And you, no matter how hard you tried to hide it due to embarrassment, would always end up smiling and returning it back.

Much later, Luffy sat cross-legged on the bed, a dopey grin spread across his face, eyes glimmering with that playful spark that never went out. His face was already speckled with a few faded lipstick marks from earlier, but that only seemed to make him more proud.

You were sitting next to him, staring at his faded-marked face. “You really liked all that earlier, huh?” You asked.

Luffy leaned back on his hands, kicking his feet idly against the bed frame. “Yeah! I like it!”

“You like having lipstick all over you?”

“Yup.”

“Why?” You asked curiously, blinking at him.

Luffy’s grin turned cheeky, his head tilting slightly, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “’Cause it means ya kissed me lots.”

You raised a brow. “Yeah?”

Luffy just nodded, “Yup!” He was unbothered as always. He shifted and crawled forward until he was sitting right in front of you, his hat hanging down his back by its string. “Ya should do it again!” 

You blinked. “Do what again?”

Luffy tapped his own cheek with a finger. “Kiss me.”

You bit back a laugh. “Luffy..”

Luffy only hummed, pushing his cheek closer towards you. “C’monnn, gimmie more kisses!” 

So you gave in, giggling as you pressed a soft kiss to that exact spot, your lips pressing against his smooth, rubbery skin. “Mwah.” Luffy’s grin grew from that. “And here!” he said, turning his head so the other side was offered up next.

You kissed that side too. “Mwah.”

Luffy chuckled low in his throat, eyes crinkling. “Heh, feels nice.”

You rolled your eyes but couldn’t hide your smile. “You just like the attention.”

“Yeah.” Luffy admitted without a hint of shame. “’Specially from ya.”

That made your cheeks go red all over again, Luffy’s straightforwardness seriously gets you off guard each time, he doesn’t fail to make you speechless. Luffy was leaning closer with his cheeky, innocent-smug grin. “Do it again.”

“Luffy—”

He grinned wider. “Pleeease?”

You groaned, but you did, just like earlier. You pressed another quick kiss to his skin and luffy’s smile widened. “More.”

“Wh—more?!”

“Yeah!” He lifted his head up eagerly, presenting his chin. “You missed this spot.”

You laughed under your breath, luffy’s behavior was incredibly funny and so incredibly cute. “lu, c’mon..” you scoffed, he seems to want to do this all over again.

“Whatcha waitin’ for?” Luffy hummed proudly. “Kiss me.”

You leaned in again and this time, Luffy’s eyes fluttered closed, his grin stretching lazily across his face. “Mmm… yeah, like that.” he said, voice muffled through his smile. “Do more.”

You grinned at that before completely cupping Luffy’s face with both of your hands and gave him a quick string of kisses down his cheek, his nose, his chin, the corners of his mouth. “Mwah, chu—mwah—mwah!”

Luffy giggled after every single one, tilting his head this way and that, making sure you had enough room to cover every inch. “Wait, wait—!” You said, trying to keep up as Luffy moved. “Stay still!”

“Can’t! You missed here!” Luffy pointed to the top of his forehead.

“Okay—” Mwah!

“And here!”

“I just kissed your chin!” Mwah!

“And right here!”

“I just—” Mwah!

By the time you pulled back, you wiped your mouth from how a little drool leaked from your mouth from how sloppy and lazy your kisses were getting, Luffy’s face looked so pleased and smug, his eyes half lidded as he let out a little lazy laugh. “Why didja stop?” he said, before raising his hand up and lazily tapped his cheek again. “‘m not full yet.”

You blinked. “Full?”

“Yeah! Of kisses!” Luffy said with a grin so pure it could split the sun.

You couldn’t believe how Luffy was being right now, clearly loving how you smothered him with so much attention.. it made you smile, regardless of how silly you thought Luffy was being you leaned in again.

“Mwah… mwah… mwah…”

Each kiss made Luffy’s grin stretch wider, his eyes fluttering close in bliss. By the end, you had completely lost count, ten, twenty, maybe thirty little kisses later of you showering his face, and that was just fine by Luffy.

He’ll crouch before pouncing on you. You could just be walking through the Sunny and suddenly Luffy launches himself while yelling “y/nnnn!!” and you both tumble into a pile on the ground.

When you pet his ears, Luffy just melts completely, his tail thumping lazily, eyes half-lidded, little hums and “mnnn feels nice..” slipping out underneath his breath.

He gets so offended when you try to move away. “Oi! where’re ya going?! Stay!” and then drags you back in.

He’s a radiator when sleeping. You wake up sweaty but refuses to move because Luffy’s face is buried in your neck, soft snores and purring all mixed together.

Luffy still eats so ridiculously messily, he of course devours any sort of meat, especially fish. You’ll see him munching tuna like “y/n, try this one!! It’s the best!!”

Despite him still being part human, Luffy loves to chase laser pointers. You tried it once as a joke and instantly regretted it, Luffy destroyed half the room pouncing after it.

Sometimes he curls up against your chest quietly, purring while tracing little circles on your shirt. “You smell s’good..”

His tail subconsciously wraps around you whenever he feels safe or sleepy.

Luffy always finds his way into your space, if you’re sitting, Luffy’s on you. Head in your lap, tanned arms wrapped around your waist, his tail lazily curling around your leg, when you try to get up, Luffy’s ears droop and he just whines like “y/nnnn.. don’t go yet..” It’s impossible for you to resist!

Luffy naps everywhere, and somehow you always end up being his pillow. He sprawls thoughtlessly across your body and his face is tucked under your chin while he’s purring loud enough to vibrate through him. You just stroke his hair and murmurs softly. “Can’t move, Lu..” Luffy would muffle out “ya don’t gotta..“

Your voice and scent trigger Luffy’s purring instantly. He purrs more louder when you laugh or run your fingers through his hair, you always giggle softly at the sight, calling him ‘cute’ which only makes Luffy’s purr get louder.

Whenever you feel down or anxious, Luffy feels it instantly. His ears droop and he lays beside you without a word. He doesn’t try to cheer you up with jokes, he just wraps around you, purring quietly until your breathing evens out. Sometimes he whispers “You’re okay, right? ‘m here.” in that soft, rare tone he uses only with you.

Since Luffy sleeps for 5 hours straight, if it’s nighttime, he definitely has zoomies at like 2 AM. You hear thuds across the Sunny, followed by a very loud “BUG!” ..and then later Luffy proudly presents it to you.

Catboy Luffy’s favorite thing about you is your scent. He says you smell like something warm and sweet. He’ll bury his nose in your shirt or neck and just stay there, tail lazily flicking as he hums in contentment.

Luffy loves warmth, if he spots a sunbeam, he immediately flops into it, stretching like a lazy cat. You always find him half-asleep on the deck. If you sit nearby, Luffy instantly scoots over and drapes across you without hesitation. “This spot’s warmer..” he mumbles, already dozing off.

Sometimes, you lay beside him, and you both end up sleeping under the sun.

Luffy hates when clouds cover the sun. He’ll grumble and nuzzle into your chest instead. “‘s cold, you’re the sun now..”

Luffy constantly rubs his cheek or jaw against you. His scent glands are right there, and it’s instinct, he’ll rub against your forehead, cheek, neck, shoulders, everywhere.

He does it without realizing too, you could just be brushing your hair, and Luffy comes up from behind, wraps his arms around you, and rubs his face all along your shoulder with a muffled “Mine.”

His scent gets all over your clothes, so even when you change, Luffy’s like “good! ya still smell like me!”

Sometimes when you’re leaving to help Usopp or someone, Luffy will quickly grab you and rub his face against your cheek. “Okay, now ya can go!”

When your flustered, Luffy notices instantly. His ears twitch while he grins at you, leaning even closer towards you just to hear your heartbeat speed up.

You quickly figure out that if you want Luffy to calm down after chaos, all you have to do is lightly scratch the base of his ear and he’s a Instant relaxed, purring Luffy. He leans into the touch every single time, eyes half-closed and mumbling “right there, yeahhh that feels nice..”

You discover that under Luffy’s chin is another weak spot. You start scratching there one day, and Luffy’s tail starts swaying lazily side to side. He hums happily, practically purring “keep doing that, it tickles s’good!”

Sometimes if you’re that type to tease, you’ll stop mid-scratch, and Luffy immediately whines and nudges your hand back like “Hey!! Ya can’t just stop like that!!”

The second you scratch just above Luffy’s tail, Luffy loses all composure. His ears flick up while his back arches slightly, he lets out this low, purr mixed laugh sound. “Ahhh, that’s the best spot!! Do it again, y/n!!”

Normally, his ears are upright and twitching with curiosity. The instant some stranger starts flirting with you, those ears tilt back just slightly and the tip of his tail flicks. He doesn’t even mean to look intimidating.  It just happens.

Luffy doesn’t understand jealousy but feels this strong urge to pull you close and growl softly. You find it funny, so you usually calm him down by booping his nose and saying “You don’t need to growl, silly. I’m not going anywhere!” And that instantly makes Luffy beam and nuzzle against you.

Luffy hardly ever hisses, he’s not that kind of hybrid. But if the other person won’t back off? A quiet, warning hiss slips out before he even thinks about it. It isn’t loud or scary, just a sound that says “back off, they’re mine.” The moment the intruder leaves, he relaxes again like nothing happened, grin back in place.

Jealous Catboy Luffy doesn’t stay sour for long though, he can’t hold a grudge forever! Once he’s sure you’re still smiling at him, the ears perk back up, and he’s instantly back to normal.

Luffy glances over at you and blinks sleepily, completely unaware of how unfairly attractive he appears. “Hmmm?” He hums confusingly, Once he looks down his grin grows wide. “Dunno, They just showed up after I turned all funny lookin’ that one time! Guess they’re stuck now!” he says so casually while he pokes one of the marks.

You just stare, your cheeks heating up more. “Wh..?!” You stammer, completely confused on why Luffy sounds so simple, as if Luffy always had such cloud looking patterns across his body like that, you couldn’t say anything at first before your curiosity increased.

Your fingers twitch, for some reason you just ached to know how the marks feel against your fingerpads, you wanted to touch them. You needed to. “Can I—?” You asked.

Luffy tilted his head to the side, smiling wide. “Yeah!” He immediately agrees, completely unbothered by your request, infact luffy always likes it when you touch him.

So because of Luffy's agreement, you do. Your fingertips trace the swirly pattern along Luffy’s ribs, up toward his shoulder. The marks aren’t raised or rough, they’re smooth, like natural parts of his skin. But they feel warm. “Whoa…” you murmurs, eyes wide. “It looks like swirly clouds..”

Luffy just lets out some giggles, that boyish sound spilling out of him as he feels content with the way your fingers feel as they slowly trace over his skin, it’s a bit ticklish but he loves it regardless. “Shishishi, yeah! They look funny, huh?” 

“Not funny,” you say quickly, almost cutting his words out, your cheeks were pink, you were genuinely just so memorized by the way Luffy looked right now. “They’re beautiful. You’re—” you catch yourself, flustered, but it’s too late.

Luffy tilts his head again, blinking a few times at the compliment before the corners of his mouth curls into a softer grin. “Ya think so?” Luffy questions.

You nod, swallowing quite hard as you try to keep up your composure. “It suits you. You look really cool...” you compliment your captain again, you just couldn’t help it even if your brain tried to prevent you from saying the sweet words, your mouth already is saying it.

Luffy beams at that, his smile brighter than the morning sun. He doesn’t fully understand the weight of what you said, but he feels it, the warmth behind it. “Shishishi, yeah! I am cool!” Luffy says proudly.

He then wraps his arms around you suddenly, pulling you in tight against his chest, it makes you squeak, the noise a little muffled against his skin, but Luffy just hums. “stay.” he mumbles, resting his head against yours. “m‘gettin’ sleepy again..” 

you let out a sigh, smiling despite your flustered heart, resting against him. Your fingers continue to brush along those swirling marks on Luffy’s back, gently tracing the lines that make the patterns stand out, it felt so nice, and clearly Luffy was happy with the feeling of your fingertips moving across his body, he was falling asleep on you afterall.

You couldn’t help but think that he looked even more free than ever.

Luffy can be so ridiculously needy.

The look on Luffy's face is the kind you only get when he’s been ‘thinking’ about one thing for too long. His eyes has been glued to you like you’re the only meal in the world, he was way too touchy today, his hands tugging onto you, wrapping his arms around your body tightly to keep you pressed against him and now, that you both are alone together, he’s finally able to do something about it. 

His hands are placed on either side of your waist, mouth crashing down to claim you in a messy, greedy kiss. It’s all teeth and tongue. Luffy’s hands lower to desperately dig his fingers into your hips, pulling you snug against him, and the way Luffy grinds against you so desperately makes you shudder against him.

“Fuck—Luffyyy..” you moan into the kiss, fingers clawing up to grab Luffy’s shoulders. You can feel Luffy’s hardness pressing through the fabric of his blue shorts while he’s grinding against you, every thrust he makes, subtle or blatant, makes his center pulse harder against the thin cloth that’s making his boner ache so painfully.

Luffy groans in the back of his throat and starts humping harder against your thigh. He’s practically slobbering over your mouth, drool mixing with kisses along your jaw. “‘m s’hard—nghh..‘hurts s’much..” he whines against your lips. “please, c’mon.. I wanna feel ya..” he pants between greedy kisses, voice thick. “Wanna feel ya s’bad!” The need in his words makes your sex become wet, damping the front of your underwear.

Your response is a keening, half-plea, half-laugh. You thread your hands into Luffy’s hair and pull, guiding him closer, both of you sliding eachothers press of fabric even more. “Mmm—need you too, so much..” You whine, voice small and raw. Your permission and begging made Luffy’s instincts flare up further.

You both topple onto the bed in a tangle. Luffy takes a beat to laugh breathlessly, then he’s all hands again, palms sliding down your sides, fingers ripping at the waistband of your pants and impatiently tugging them down. He flips you over on the bed, urgency making him clumsy. You were on your stomach now. “Gah!—lu-“ you were surprised by how needy he acted, clearly he waited long for this.

“No more waitin’, can’t wait.” Luffy says, grinning while he fumbles behind you, yanking your pants and underwear down in one hard tug. There’s nothing polite about it, just hot need. The moment he sees your pretty pussy glistening with your arousal made his dick jump painfully in his pants, his mouth watering at the sight. he desperately grips his own waistband and tugs his own pants down. “need to be inside of ya right now!” He whines out.

Yanking his own shorts down, his hard cock sprung out and lightly slapped against his abdomen, his weeping tip oozing with sticky pre-cum, he lets out a sigh of relief once his cock was freed from the uncomfortable tightness of his pants.

Immediately he grips your hips and pulls you towards him. The leaking cockhead of his length pressing against your slick center, feeling how soaked you are.. warm and wet. He groans low at the sensation.

He pushes in. Not gentle, he’s instincts are making him so impatient that he slides all the way in till he bottoms out with a satisfied exhale. “Haaa…” one hand braced on your hip to pull you flush. “Ngh!—” Luffy groans. “Y/n.. you’re s’warm… ‘s sucking me in—” he blurts, simple as always. He lowers his head and buries his face into the back of your neck and breathes you in, drool glinting at the corner of his mouth, he then he pulls back and starts to move.

His rhythm starts fast and hard. deep thrusts that slap loud and wet against your ass, Luffy’s fingers digged in your hips hard enough to leave half-moon prints. He moans out on every stroke. “Haa—s’tightt…Mmm!—ya squeezin’ me s’good!” he pants, each word punctuated by the pound of his hips.

You’re a mess, your cheek pressed against the warm mattress as you were getting pounded by your needy captain. “A-aaha—oh god—d-don’t stop!~” you beg, voice cracking, your fingers dig into the white sheets as your back was beautifully arched for him, drool seaping from your mouth and wettening the sheets beneath you.

Every one of his thrusts hits a spot that makes his dick scrape at some raw place inside you, it was driving you crazy, luffy always fucked you so good, too good. He wraps his arms around your waist from behind, pulling you tight while he keeps rutting into your puffy pussy fast and sloppy.  

You cry out and that makes him go deeper, faster. He slams into you with reckless joy, the sound of skin on skin loud and filthy. “Ahhh—ya like this? Ya like it when I—do this, y/nn?” Luffy blabbers between moans above you, though the question is performative, he already knows the answer from the way your body trembles.

“Yes! Nngh! yes—need you.. more! Haa, p-please!!” You whimper out, your knees wobble, you were getting weak from how luffy’s cock was thrusting into your sensitive pussy, but Luffy just responds by angling your hips higher, making sure your ass was high enough so his hips can slam against them, for him to piston deeper in that tightness. 

He glances down, watching how your ass slightly jiggled from each time his hips slammed against your backside. “Shishishi..your ass ‘s movin’” he lets out a breathless giggle. “that’s s’funny y/n!” He grinned, the shameless comment he said made you make a muffled groan in embarrassment against the sheets.

Luffy’s moans grew louder as his eyes fluttered closed, panting out, “haaa..’m almost gonna—” he fucks you harder, each thrust pushing you both closer to the edge. You claw at the sheets, lips parted, you were letting out a ragged string of sounds. “Ah—Luh-ffyyy! W-Wait I—hahh—‘s too much—!!” you mewl out, feeling your head go dizzy from how good your insides were getting filled.

“‘m gonna—c-cum! I-im—“ you gasp out. A tight knot builds in your lower stomach, it was making your legs shake and grow more weak, your pussy tightening around luffy tighter till you finally reach your climax. You start cumming. Your pussy creaming around luffy’s cock, your nails digging into the mattress until your fingers weaken. Luffy doesn’t stop even when you cum, his cock still desperately pounding into your fluttering hole.

Luffy moans, the feeling of you clenching around him so tightly made him gasp, his head tipping back as his drooling tongue hangs a little out of his mouth, he can feel his own orgasm coming. “‘m s’close! can’t hold it—‘m c-cummin’! gonna—inside—nghh!” Luffy can’t think straight from how good you feel, how warm and tight you are, his cock pulses in you before he starts cumming deep inside of you.

His throbbing cock shoots out thick, hot lines of cum inside you, filling your insides up almost immediately, trickles of his creamy seed leaking out. “cummin’.. cummin’ s’muchh.. hnnghh!” his body trembles, arms wrapped tight around your stomach as if he’s trying to keep every drop inside. “Haaa…fucckkk..” 

“Y/nnn…” he pants, kissing all over your shoulder, still slowly rocking his hips, cum oozing out with every little thrust. “felt s’gooddd.. mmm..”  Luffy’s breathing comes in deep, satisfied huffs against your back before he lets out a tired laugh, the kind that fades into a sigh. You were weak beneath him, drool spilling into the sheets while your legs shook out of the intense pleasure. 

“Haah… that was fun.” he mumbles, voice already trailing into a yawn.

Before you can even roll over to look at him, Luffy just flops down beside you—completely satisfied, limbs sprawling out like a starfish. He’s grinning widely, eyes half-lidded, and his hand automatically finds your waist again, tugging you close against him.

You blink, still catching your breath, face buried partly in the sheets. You’re flushed and dazed, your hair sticking up in all directions—more than usual, somehow. You let out a quiet laugh at how fast Luffy’s mood changed from so desperately horny to all sweetly snuggly. “y-you’re already asleep?..” You muttered softly, voice rough and sleepy.

Luffy hums in response, nose bumping against your shoulder. “m’not asleep..” he insists, even as his words slur together. “Just… restin’… ya feel nice…”

That makes you smile helplessly. You shift onto your side, meeting Luffy’s chest and letting yourself be gathered up in those muscular, tanned arms of his. The warmth is overwhelming in such a good way.

Luffy’s breathing slows until it’s just the steady rhythm of someone completely at peace. His hand twitches every now and then, like he’s making sure you’re still there.

Your eyes soften. You reach up and trace the line of that 2-stitched scar underneath luffy’s left eye with your fingertip before whispering. “mmm.. s’okay, love ya s’much lu..”

Luffy doesn’t answer, but his grin lingers even in sleep.

You press the side of your face to Luffy’s chest, listening to that steady heartbeat under your ear. Your eyelids grow heavy. Within minutes, they’re both tangled up together, Luffy snoring softly, you’re half-drooling against his chest, the two of you melted into a big pile of sleepy warmth. 

So If he really likes you, you’ll never be alone again. He follows you everywhere like it’s second nature. He genuinely can’t imagine a world where you wouldn’t want him around.

He doesn’t realize he’s being overbearing. To him, “being with you” just feels right.

Because he’s so simple-minded and straightforward, Luffy doesn’t realize that his possessiveness crosses a line. He doesn’t get why people think it’s “strange” that he’s always with you, holding onto your wrist or resting his head on your shoulder. To him, that’s just affection, a normal way of showing that he likes you.

When someone else talks to you, he watches quietly at first, his grin still there but his eyes oddly focused, studying every word. He won’t always say something, but his hand will tighten subtly around you, his body language turning protective, his instincts screaming that he should be between you and whoever is near.

Luffy doesn’t understand jealousy, he doesn’t even get it until he feels it, and it genuinely hits him. He’ll scowl when someone gets too close, but won’t always understand why he’s upset. “Why are they looking at you like that?”

His version of “possession” isn’t about control, it’s about closeness. You’re his person, and that’s that.

He doesn’t always get angry immediately, instead, he grows oddly quiet, eyes tracking the person like prey. When they leave, he goes right back to his usual cheer, but you can feel the shift in his energy, that strange tension like he’s deciding whether that person deserves to even be near you again.

He’ll tell you things like “When I become king of the pirates, you’ll be there with me.” not as a request but as a promise, as if it’s already written into fate. He doesn’t understand that your dreams might be different, because in his mind, all dreams can coexist if you’re together.

You become part of his dream. He doesn’t separate “Pirate King” from “you.”

Even if you argue or tell him he’s scaring you, he won’t lash out, he’ll just look at you, confused and sad, as though the idea of you fearing him doesn’t make sense. He can’t comprehend why someone he protects so carefully would ever want to be away from him. He just doesn’t understand why. “I didn’t do anything wrong! ‘m protecting you!” He’ll say.

Luffy’s protective instincts are intense. The second he senses danger, he’s ready to fight, no hesitation. He doesn’t think before acting. If someone even raises their voice at you, he’ll deck them before realizing he may have overreacted. “You hurt them? I’ll kill you.” said with total sincerity but no malice. It’s just a fact.

He doesn’t see boundaries between “helping” and “overstepping.” If you’re upset, he’ll barge in no matter what.

Constant physical affection. Hand-holding, his arms wrapped around your waist, hugging, resting his head in your lap. If you try to pull away, he’ll grab your wrist without thinking. “Where are you going? Stay here with me!”

He loves hearing your heartbeat, it reassures him that you’re still there.

Luffy doesn’t plot or manipulate, he’s too honest for that. His yandere traits are raw emotion, not scheming. He doesn’t threaten you or guilt-trip you, he just acts.

If you say something like “..you’re smothering me.” he’ll just stare for a moment, he’ll unknowingly guilt you with the weight of his loyalty. “Huh, but you said we’d stick together, right? I promised I’d protect you, so why’re you tryna move away?” His tone is soft, almost hurt, but he means it, completely and innocently. 

If you try to leave, He’ll stretch his arm across a room just to pull you back gently, murmuring, “you forgot me..” as if you simply left something important behind. He genuinely doesn’t believe you could ever want to leave, so if you do, he assumes you’re confused or scared and that he can fix it.

He’d rather die than let you get hurt, and he means that literally.

If someone gives off a bad vibe, there’s no hesitation. His fists fly before his thoughts can even catch up, and the only thing that matters in that moment is keeping you safe. When the dust settles, he’ll look at the aftermath with wide, innocent eyes, genuinely believing he did the right thing. “They were gonna hurt you.” he says simply, voice flat but gentle, as though explaining the most obvious thing in the world.

To him, it was obvious, why wouldn’t he destroy anything that scares or harms you?

He genuinely thinks love is that simple, “you like me, I like you, so we stay together.”

The crew knows something’s… off. Zoro or Nami would try to talk sense into him, but Luffy’s just smiling the whole time, saying, “I’m just keeping them safe!”

They can’t really stop him.. because Luffy’s strength is absolute when it comes to protecting someone he loves.

He loves too much, too purely, and without understanding limits. He’s not trying to own you, he just can’t bear the thought of losing you.

Luffy is already in that needy, instinct-driven mood.

His hips are slamming into you, balls hitting against your ass, his thrusts are fast and rough. “Hnghh! s’good!” His voice is spilling out loud moans and gasps without holding back. He’s not thinking about the pace or rhythm, he’s just lost in the feeling of your pussy squeezing around him, too tight every damn time. His mouth is open, drooling against your neck, teeth grazing skin like he can’t decide whether to moan or bite.

“y/n, fuuckk.. s’tight!—“ he moans out, hands running down your body before gripping you, his fingers digging in your hips as if he’s keeping you tightly in place while his cock slides even deeper inside your wetness, as far as he can go. His leaking tip hits against the end of your cunt each time, pre-cum coating your already-wet velvety walls.

You're a mess underneath him. “L-lu!—Ah!“ your body is limp but so alive, shaking from every thrust. Your thighs quiver and your back arches helplessly, your mouth keeps falling open with these uncontrollable sounds that get louder and louder. “I—hnghh, ahhn! Luffyy!—“ Your pussy can’t stop clenching around him, and the overstimulation is so much that your whole body searches for something to cling to.

And then without thinking, it happens.

Your nails drag down Luffy’s back. Not gently. Hard. Deep red lines bloom down his skin as you scratch, desperate, grounding yourself in the only way you can. You’re crying out Luffy’s name, sobbing from the pleasure, your hands raking over Luffy’s sweaty back like if you’ll let go, you’ll drown in it.

Luffy shudders the second he feels it. His moan cuts into a sharp gasp, his whole body jerks like electricity shot through him. He’d never felt that before, never had someone mark him like that. And it drives him insane. His instincts kick in—he snarls into your neck, rutting into you harder, chest heaving, but there’s this huge grin splitting his face too.

“—Haa! y/n!! That feels good!!” he cries, voice cracked and needy, and he starts chasing it, almost angling his body so your nails keep dragging along him with every movement.

Your voice is hoarse.. breathless: “l-luffy—luffy please!~ I can’t— it’s so much—!” but your nails dig deeper anyway, your hands trembling as they tear lines down his back again and again.

Luffy is so gone that the sting just fuels him. He doesn’t slow down once, doesn’t even notice his own back burning from the scratches—it just eventually shoves him right over the edge—like his body wants it. “‘m gonna cum, gonna cum—!”  the feeling of your nails deep in his back while his cock is getting hugged so tight from your sweet pussy is just too much, it feels too good. His cock throbs deep inside you, and then he’s cumming hard.

Thick, hot spurts fill your cunt in heavy waves, way more than usual, so much it leaks out almost instantly. His moans are loud, breaking into desperate little cries.  “Ahhh ‘m cummin’—c-cummin’ s’good.. feels s’good!..haaah—!!” He moans out, eyes half lidded and glazed with pleasure.

His back is still raking against your trembling nails, every sting sparking another throb, another spurt. His hips jerk through it, rutting sloppily, chasing every last drop, still thrusting deep in you—fucking himself through his orgasm.

And you—the moment Luffy empties inside you while rutting so hard, your body shatters, a sharp aching jolt running down your spine as your cunt clenches hard around Luffy’s length, fluttering and sucking him deeper, overstimulated to hell. Your legs quake and lock around Luffy’s waist, heels digging in. You sob out, voice high and broken “hngh—! ‘m—ahhh!!”

And then you're cumming too, hard, pussy spasming. The overstimulation is unbearable, your nerves feel like they’re on fire, every thrust dragging you through wave after wave. Your scratches get even deeper into Luffy’s back, nails trembling but desperate, carving red streaks as you cry out helplessly while he continues to fuck into you.

By the time it ends, Luffy is still above you, panting, drooling on your neck with the dopiest, bliss-drunk grin. His back is a canvas of red marks and welts, but he’s giggling breathlessly, voice hoarse, “Shishishi… that was s’amazing… y/n, you scratched me sooo good… it made me cum s’hard…” he sighs happily.

Luffy’s back is covered in raw, red lines, some still stinging, some bleeding lightly, but he doesn’t care at all—he’s still just grinning like he just had the best meal of his life, “You scratched me a lot, y/n. Do it again next time, ‘kay?” While you just whined underneath him, your pussy fluttering weakly around luffy’s cock as you can’t think straight right now.

Luffy’s humming to himself after, pulling his blue shorts back on, tying his yellow sash lazily around his waist. He’s still sweaty, hair sticking out in every direction, but his grin is wide and boyish.

You’re sitting on the bed, blanket bunched around your waist, legs trembling, face still hot and flushed. You catch a glimpse of Luffy’s back as he straightens up—and your eyes widen.

The whole expanse of his tanned skin is covered in angry red scratches, some raw and welted, a few with little beads of blood. They run all the way down his back, vivid and shameless. You instantly go pale, your hands flying to your mouth. “Luffy—!!” Your voice cracks, horrified. “I–I did that?! Oh my god—I’m so sorry! Does it hurt?! I didn’t mean to—!”

Luffy glances over his shoulder, blinking. “Huh? Oh.” He cranes his neck to try and see his own back, but then just shrugs like it’s nothing.

You're scrambling, cheeks burning, trying to reach for him. “I-I scratched you so bad! You’re bleeding a little—Luffy, I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have—”

But Luffy just laughs, that carefree, belly-deep laugh, his grin stretching wide. “Shishishi! Why’re ya apologizin’? I liked it!”

You froze, speechless. Your whole face goes pink, ears hot, lips fumbling to form words. “Y-You… you liked that?!”

Luffy just tilts his head, totally serious but playful. “Yeah! It made me cum way harder. Ya should do it again next time!”

You make this tiny strangled noise, burying your red face into your hands, completely overwhelmed. You don’t know if you want to sink into the floor or kiss Luffy senseless. Your chest is pounding, and all you can manage is a muffled “l-luffy..”

Luffy just plops down next to you with that goofy grin, eventually pressing your foreheads together. “What? It’s true! You’re the best, y/n!” He giggles as he wraps an arm around your waist, nudging you to get up. “C’mon, let’s go!” He announces, that made you let out a sigh, at least he doesn’t mind the scratches you desperately made on him.

Later, when Luffy’s still wandering around shirtless, you're trailing behind him like a little stormcloud of nerves. Every time you see those deep red scratch marks across Luffy’s back, your stomach flips, especially because the crew definitely would notice.

You finally tug him into their room, cheeks pink, holding a little jar of cream Chopper gave you for cuts and scrapes. “Sit down, Luffy..” you mutter, voice all wobbly but stern. “I need to clean your back.”

Luffy blinks at you, tilting his head like a puppy. “Huh? Why?”

Your face heats. You gesture weakly at his back. “B–Because you’re covered in scratches! And they’re from me… If the others see, they’ll—they’ll ask questions!”

Luffy just grins at that, plopping down cross-legged on the bed like this is some big fun game. “So what? I’ll just tell ’em ya did it.”

“Luffy!!” You squeak, nearly dropping the cream. Your whole face is glowing red now. “Y–You can’t just say that! Do you want everyone to know?!”

Luffy blinks at you innocently, totally confused. “Why not!? I told ya I liked it!” He’s so cheerful about it, so blunt. His big smile is making you want to melt into the floor.

You let out a groan, covering your face with one hand, but you still scoop out some of the cream with trembling fingers. Carefully, gently, you smooth it over the angry lines down Luffy’s back. Your touch is tender, almost reverent, even as you stammer out “jeez.. you’re so shameless, y’know that? Aren’t you embarrassed..?”

Luffy giggles at the cold cream, wriggling but letting you work. “Embarrassed? Why? You’re mine! If ya scratch me, then ya scratch me. I don’t care if they see.”

You go silent, your throat tight, you can’t argue with that blunt honesty—it always leaves you speechless. All you can do is keep tending the scratches with careful little touches, your heart pounding like crazy. When you’re done, Luffy twists around and suddenly wraps both of his arms around your waist, hugging you tight with a cheeky grin. “Thanks, y/n! You’re always so nice to me!” 

At night, the ship is quiet, everyone else is asleep. But Luffy’s sprawled on top of you, cheek squished against your chest, drooling just a little with that blissful knocked-out smile. His arms are wrapped around you like he’s never letting go.

You’re wide awake, though. Your fingers keep ghosting over Luffy’s back where the scratches are still faintly raised and red. Every time your fingertips trail across them, your chest squeezes with guilt and warmth all at once. You pout down at the mess you left, whispering softly even though Luffy’s practically half-asleep “..You really could’ve told me to stop…”

But Luffy shifts at the touch, a sleepy hum slipping out of him. “Mmm… don’t stop...” His voice is slurred, half-asleep but honest.

You sigh, blushing furiously, eventually you duck your face into Luffy’s messy hair with a shaky little smile. Your nails drag so carefully now, just tracing the lines you left behind, softer than soft. Not hurting—just petting, retracing what you did. Your voice is a whisper, shaky but affectionate “I’d never hurt you… I was so scared that I did… but you really did like it, huh?”

Luffy giggles against your chest in his sleep “mmm.. liked it… ‘lots…” he mumbles.

And your heart melts completely at that, your chest aching with love. You keep scratching lightly, almost massaging up and down Luffy’s back until your own eyelids grow heavy. Before you drift off, you press a kiss into Luffy’s hair and whispered “…love you, lu..” after that, you finally let yourself sleep, your arms locked protectively around your beloved captain.

But he has this habit, one may say. This quirk, he always can maintain eye contact when it’s serious, especially something involving you, like one time you were trying to brush off something, hiding something that's bothering you. Luffy was smiling and being optimistic like always, but Luffy catches the tiny flicker in your eyes. So he leans forward, grips your shoulders gently, and just stares.

You try to look away—laughing it off, but Luffy keeps his gaze firm, wide, honest.

“Look at me, y/n.”

His voice is quiet, not demanding. It sorta caught you off guard, so when you finally look up, Luffy grins, eyes shining. “You’re fine, but ya don’t have to act like ya are, ‘kay? I can tell.” He says it so simply that your chest aches.  because Luffy means it, entirely. He can always sense if you’re acting just a little off, and with those big black eyes staring into yours with pure honesty, it always reassures you. 

Those eyes always like to look at you, like that one time you both were sitting together on the deck at night. You were leaning back on your palms, the stars flickering overhead, and Luffy turned his head toward you. No words—just staring.

At first, you thought he was just glancing at you till you realize he was genuinely staring at you for a good 20 seconds now, squirming a little you mumble out  “What? Do I have something on my face?” You're confused, maybe a bit embarrassed if you had some crumbs on your mouth from eating earlier.

But Luffy just tilts his head, grin softening. “Nah. I just like lookin’ at ya.”

Your cheeks flush up, ears going red instantly at the straightforward words luffy blurted out, because of you becoming flustered you try to glance away—but Luffy tilts his face back toward you, raising his hand up to poke your cheek “heyyy.. y/nnn!!” luffy pouted, as if he doesn’t like that you looked away at him. He doesn’t look away until you finally stop trying to hide and let yourself smile back.

Later, the sunlight poured across the Thousand Sunny like spilled honey. The waves shimmered gold, the ship swayed gently. You sat cross-legged near the railing, polishing the edge of one of Usopp’s latest gadgets with a rag that was already far too dirty to be useful. Your hair stuck out in uneven strands, catching the wind every time the ship rocked. There was a smudge of grease on your cheek, but you didn’t notice—or, more likely, didn’t care.

It was peaceful, until the sound of bare feet padded up behind you.

“Y~N!”

You didn’t even get the chance to turn around to look at your captain before something solid and warm hit your back. Luffy’s arms locked around your shoulders, arms wrapped around your neck as his chin landed right on top of your head, resting snugly there.

“Luffy!” You gasped before letting out a laugh, swaying forward but steadying yourself with one hand on the deck. “You’re kinda heavy..!!” You manage to stumble out.

“‘m not heavy.” Luffy then said, voice muffled into your hair, burying his nose against your head to softly inhale your home-like scent that he always loved.

You groaned but smiled anyway, adjusting a little so you can elbow him lightly in the ribs. “Y’know, captains usually let their crewmates breathe..”

“mmm.. nope!”

Luffy’s grin was wide and lazy when he unwrapped his arms from you, moving back and leaning his shoulders against yours as he tilted his head for you to see his face, His eyes sparkled the way they always did—unfiltered joy and enthusiasm mixed with the sun itself.

Your chest felt warm, but you tried to cover it up with a teasing huff. “You just like bothering me..” you jokingly mumbled. 

“Yeah!” Luffy said cheerfully. “Ya make funny faces when I do!” The captain added.

You opened your mouth to retort, but then you noticed Luffy staring. Not his usual absentminded stare, either. It was focused, unwavering. “...What?” You asked, blinking in confusion.

Luffy leaned forward until both of the tips of your noses almost touched. “You’ve got stuff on your face.”

You stared at him for a second before frowning. “Do not—”

But it was too late. Luffy rubbed at your cheek with his thumb. The grease came off easily, but Luffy didn’t move his hand away that quickly. Instead, his fingers continued to rub against your skin, as if he’s trying to get all that mess off—almost impersonating you from how you rub his mouth and cheeks to brush some lingering food off of him before as well.

His finger pads were rough from battle and adventure but against your skin, they were gentle now, eventually he moved his hand away from your face, grinning as his eyes stayed locked on you like he was watching something only he could see.

“Better.” he murmured.

You tried to laugh it off, though your voice came out a little too soft. “You didn’t have to do that, y’know. I could’ve cleaned it myself!”

“But then I wouldn’t get to do it.” Luffy said simply.

That kind of straightforward honesty was something you could never get used to. Your face flushed as you looked away from him. “Y-You’re so weird..”

“Eh? but you’re weird too!” Luffy then said before tilting his head to the side, his teeth revealed from that large grin of his. “Weird is good!”

“...yeah.” you then muttered, Luffy was technically right, you were sometimes a weirdo just like him, but you both liked that about each other—just being yourselves.

You both sat there for a while—Luffy perched right next to you, shoulder against shoulder as he was picking absentmindedly at the hem of your shirt, and you were flustered at the contact, trying to ignore the warmth pressed against your side.

It wasn’t until the rest of the crew’s voices faded into the distance—Nami and Robin below deck, Zoro snoring, Sanji yelling somewhere about ‘treating girls heavenly’ towards usopp and chopper, eventually Luffy suddenly spoke again.

“Y/n” he said, tone uncharacteristically calm.

“Mm?”

“Look at me.”

You turned his head just enough to meet his eyes. “What’s up?” You asked, curious on what he wanted.

“...No.” Luffy said, shifting so they were face-to-face. His expression was serious now. “Really look.”

You hesitated, eyebrows furrowing. But when you saw how earnest Luffy’s face was—how focused those dark eyes had become—you did as told without vocally complaining.

The world felt smaller instantly. Just the two of you, sitting cross-legged in the afternoon sun, the waves rocking beneath them. Luffy’s eyes were wide and steady, not blinking, not wandering. It wasn’t that usual playful energy.. it was something deeper. More grounding.

You increasingly felt more embarrassed, or nervous? Either or, you were blushing as you were hesitating to even keep staring at him so deeply like this, almost aching to dart your eyes somewhere elsewhere—not like you didn’t like looking at Luffy, you did so much, admiring his tanned skin, black messy hair.. the way he smiles, how his eyes were always filled with optimism and carefreeness. It was easy being lovesick towards him when he wasn’t looking at you, but when he is? It just makes you flustered to remain eye contact with him. 

Your voice went quiet. “You’re staring.”

“Yeah.” Luffy said, still not looking away. “You always look everywhere else when you talk.”

“I do not.”

“You do!” he insisted. “You look at the sky, yourself, the ground, everythin’ but their eyes. Why?” He questions simply. Calling you out.

You blinked, completely caught off guard by how blunt Luffy was being—how it seemed like he really analyzed your actions. “I dunno..” you mumbled. “Guess ’s just a habit..” 

Luffy tilted his head, still watching you. “I like your eyes. Ya shouldn’t hide ‘em.”

You felt the words hit somewhere deep in your chest, your heart quickening at the straightforward compliment you received. “You say that like I can help it.” You murmur.

“Ya can” Luffy said simply. “Just look.”

And Luffy waited.

That was what made it hard—Luffy’s patience. When Luffy wanted something, he never backed down, not even for a second. And when it came to people he cared about, he really didn’t.

So you did. You looked.

For a long, still moment, you met Luffy’s gaze and didn’t look away. The sunlight caught in Luffy’s eyes, reflecting the sea and the sky and something wild underneath—something that could never be tamed. And yet, when you looked into them, you didn’t feel lost in his eyes, you felt found, wanted. 

“See?” Luffy said, smiling again, softer now. “You’re not scared!” He then giggled.

“I wasn’t scared!” You protested automatically.

“Yeah, ya were.” Luffy laughed quietly, his grin returning. “But now you’re not. So ‘s fine.”

You couldn’t help but let out a sigh, your eyes fluttering close for a moment before letting out a little laugh underneath your breath, seriously what were you gonna do with this man of yours. “You really don’t let people off easy, huh?”

“Nope!” Luffy then said proudly.

When the sun dipped low and the sky turned a melted orange and pink, the two of you stayed by the railing. Luffy leaned back on his hands, chewing on a piece of meat Sanji had left behind, while you absently traced the edge of the wood with your fingertips.

“Hey.” Luffy said suddenly, mouth still full. “D’ya think I make ya nervous?”

You blinked. “What kind of question is that?”

“I dunno.” Luffy said with a shrug. “Ya always turn red when I look at ya.”

You groaned, pressing your palms to your face. “Luffy.”

Luffy laughed so hard he almost fell over. “See! You’re doin’ it again!” Giggling, he straightened up and leaned forward, resting his forehead gently against yours.

For once, neither of you said anything. Luffy’s eyes stayed locked on yours, dark and warm and open. The ship rocked, the sea murmured, and somewhere far off, the rest of the crew laughed and argued as always. But here, everything was still.

And you thought, maybe this was what Luffy’s kind of freedom felt like—no walls, no hiding, no lying, none of that. Just honesty and warmth in the eyes that never looked away.

Luffy’s voice broke the silence, quiet but steady. “See? Told ya, ya don’t hafta look anywhere else.”

You smiled faintly, heart thudding in that slow, gentle way that only happened around Luffy. “Yeah… guess I don’t.”

When night finally fell, they stayed like that until the stars appeared, two silhouettes sitting close on the deck, And whenever your gaze wandered toward the horizon, a hand would gently tap your cheek, bringing your eyes back. Luffy didn’t say anything then—he just smiled. And you looked right back, unflinching this time.

When he’s in his bat form, Luffy becomes this tiny, mischievous, soft little creature that adores being carried. You lift him, and Luffy wraps his tiny wings around your wrist and nuzzles your palm, licking it sometimes because he literally cannot resist your human warmth.

But the second you try to put him down, he whines like a spoiled little vampire, flapping his wings and clinging tighter around you

Bat form luffy loves climbing over your shoulders, perching on your head, flicking his wings against you and curling up in your lap like a little furball while staring up at you with his big, adoring eyes.

And of course, he always finds a way to nuzzle you, because why wouldn’t he? You’re his favorite person in the world and he’s not afraid to show it.

Luffy constantly uses his vampire powers for stupid little games like hovering in the air, disappearing into shadows, hanging down from the ceiling lamp, or flicking objects to see you jump. Every time you panic, Luffy grins, swoops in, and boops his nose or nuzzles his cheek against yours to make up for it. 

If you say something like “Did you hear that?” or “I think I heard something…” Luffy will literally grow a large bat ear (just one) on the side closest to the sound, the rest of his body completely normal. He tilts it and wiggles it until he’s satisfied, blinking innocently, once he does hear something he’ll say something like. “I hear it!” 

Anything or anyone that might hurt you? Luffy goes berserk. And I mean vampire-strength berserk, but still with that Luffy grin that somehow makes it look like a playful scuffle rather than full-on danger.

He’ll casually use his vampire speed to intercept a falling object or swoop in if you trip, leaving you totally flustered and clutching his arm like, “LUFFY?? YOU'RE SO FAST??” Which just makes Luffy laugh loudly.

He has a goofy habit of wrapping his cape around you like a little cocoon, smiling proudly while he playfully squeezes your body against his, letting you feel his warmth.

Even as a vampire, Luffy is still that endlessly curious, impulsive boy. He’ll poke your cheek, drag you along to go explore somewhere, excitedly showing you cool things, tug at your sleeves, everything with fascinated, goofy excitement.

He’s fascinated by human habits and foods, so he constantly pesters you to “teach me more about bein’ human!”

The sun doesn’t burn him or kill him, but it does make him weak and sleepy. In result of this, he doesn’t prefer going out when it’s daytime at all and instead loves to explore and drag you along with him outside during the nighttime.

He loves being near you. Even when he’s exhausted, he curls around you and wraps his arms around your waist while nuzzling into your neck, inhaling your scent that he loves. 

What about sucking your blood? Well, you never stop him, you’re far too smitten, and Luffy knows it. The moment Luffy even thinks about it, he’s all over you like a kid in a candy shop, pressing his fangs deep and greedily in that soft skin of your neck. 

Luffy gets so greedy. Once he tastes your blood, he can’t stop himself from nuzzling closer, lips brushing along your jawline, little sucks that make you shiver and whine. He murmurs little things mid-suck like “mmm.. s’good..” He’s that same Luffy who devours food like a man-starved, but now that it’s you, it’s ten times more intense.

He loves the way you react. Shuddering against him, tiny noises escaping you—it just makes Luffy more greedy. Sometimes he’ll bite down your neck, gulping down your blood before pulling back, giving you a grin with fangs glinting your blood before going right back in.. on the other side of your neck. 

Even when he’s done sucking, he can’t stop kissing you all over! lips and fangs pressed together, like he’s hungry for more. He’ll lap at the two little holes his fangs pierced onto your skin, licking any leftover blood while muttering little things like, “you’re sooo yummy!” with a gleeful, messy grin. 

Your blood is literally his second favorite “food” now. The moment you let him, he’s all over you, teeth sinking down hungrily into your neck or shoulder. He doesn’t want to hurt you, he’s too affectionate for that. But he can’t help going a little overboard instinctively because you taste so good.

Afterwards it all, he usually flops against you, licking his own lips and nuzzling you all over, sometimes he peppers your face with sloppy little kisses, murmuring, “you’re the best y/nnn!!” in that innocent luffy way. 

You will have bite marks on your neck, two or four little healing holes on each side of your neck that was from your carefree vampires’ hungry mouth and fangs.

At night, he drags you outside for little “moon adventures.” flying in bat form, swooping down, nuzzling you midair, and sometimes just landing on your chest to curl up against you, wings twitching in excitement. Every giggle or squeak you make just makes him laugh.

Super strength is… well, let’s say he loves picking you up in the most ridiculous, over-the-top ways. One second he’s carrying you bridal-style, the next he has you hung over his shoulder. He happily says out loud “shishishi, let’s go!” And walks with you like that.

Enhanced senses? Luffy knows exactly when you're flustered, sleepy, upset or stressed—he can hear it in a sigh and see it in the tiniest twitch of your expression. He uses this just to shower you more with physical affection, muttering out “you’re sad, don’t be sad!” While he rubs his cheek against yours.

Wall-crawling is probably the funniest. Luffy will randomly climb the ceiling or walls, dangling upside-down just to hover over you like a mischievous bat, staring down with a cheeky grin and fangs showing, he does it anywhere and everywhere.

Shadow manipulation and teleportation become his favorite little tricks. He’ll melt into the shadows only to pop up with a grin “I was here the whole time!” You get surprised every time but love the playfulness he provides with his abilities.

He would never hypnotize or use any mind-influencing powers on you. Why would he? He never wants to control people, or want people to obey him. He just wants to have fun, and eat with you! So never expect him to use mind powers on you.

And that’s when you heard it.

A groan. A Wet, uneven one.

You froze instantly. Your head tilted, your messy hair shifting as your eyes anxiously darted toward the sound. Another groan—low and almost.. confused. It wasn’t like the usual horde. It was slower. Singular.

You swallowed. “...Okay, easy, y/n.” you whispered to yourself. “Just one. You can handle one.” You moved forward, quiet but eager—like a animal drawn toward danger. You turned the corner of a cracked alley and

saw him.

A tall figure stood in the middle of the street, barefoot on broken glass. His skin was a mottled greenish, stitched with blue, as if his skin had molded from the heavy conditions that consumed the world, he was torn open in places to reveal pale bone. The right side of his mouth was ripped wide, stretching up into a grotesque grin, drooling faintly as his jaw hung uneven. One of his eyes was gone—no, not gone. Dangling by a string of flesh, swaying lazily as he tilted his head.

And yet.. despite his species being woken from the dead, there was something actually alive in him.

The straw hat perched crookedly on his head. The scar under his left eye open and split. He blinked—well, the eye that was still in his skull did—and then smiled. A smile too bright, too genuine for the corpse it belonged to.

“...Ah—” your breath hitched.

The zombie tilted his head, sniffing faintly, then gave a raspy little grunt. “...Hungry.” he groaned, in a voice so garbled it almost didn’t sound human.

Your fingers grabbed onto the gun’s handle in quick defense. But instead of stepping back, you realized something off, you whispered, “..You can talk?”

The zombie blinked again, almost surprised by the sound of his own voice. “...Talk?” he repeated dumbly. Then, to your utter disbelief, he pointed at himself and grinned wider. “Luffy.”

“...Luffy?”

“Luffy!”

That burst of cheer, so sudden and out of place made your heart skip. The thing in front of you shouldn’t be alive, but he wasn’t lunging. He was Just.. standing there, watching you with that half-rotted, childish enthusiasm that felt too human.

“..You’re not gonna eat me?” You asked carefully, tightening your hold on your gun handle.

Luffy blinked, confused. “Eat?” He looked down at his hands, one of them green, the other blue, both having scraped open cuts and wounds on them. The bones are a white-ish yellow, they’re exposed. He then looked back up. “No. You smell.. weird.”

You couldn’t help but scoff, still cautious. “Gee, thanks.”

Luffy tilted his head again, curious, like he was trying to figure out what “thanks.” meant. Then he stepped closer, the movement startlingly quick. You raised your gun, but Luffy stopped, only a few feet away and crouched down so his eye that’s still attached to his head were leveled with yours.

Up close, he was terrifying. His open scars pulsed faintly, his skin stitched together, one running over his cheek to his nose, to his other cheek. But his expression.. his presence seemed like it was pure kindness. “...You alone?” he asked suddenly, his tone oddly clear this time.

You blinked, startled. “Huh? Oh—uh, yeah. Yeah, just me.”

Luffy grinned. “Then we go together.”

“What?”

“Together!” he repeated, pointing between them. “You, me!”

“Wait, you can’t just—”

But it was too late. Luffy reached out with his half-rotted hand and was just about to grab onto you, the sudden action made your heart jump into your throat. Were you gonna get attacked!? Bit!? Immediately you stumbled back, moving away from Luffy’s hand and turning around to run away somewhere, he caught you off guard.

You’re so stupid!

The Zombie-boy froze, blinking with his only eye as he watched you run behind a large vehicle so that he couldn’t see you anymore, luffy could only just stare at that, his other eye swinging lightly as it’s hung from the string of his red optic nerve, he seemed confused—too confused, why did you do that? 

The sky was beginning to dim, smeared with gray clouds that never seemed to move. You were crouched behind the rusted shell of an overturned bus, peeking out at the figure standing motionless in the middle of the cracked road.

Luffy hadn’t moved in what it felt like hours.

He was standing for a while before he just sat there, knees drawn up, fingers absently poking at a little stone as if the world wasn’t rotting around him. Every few minutes, he would make a quiet sound, something like a hum, or maybe a breath that never quite finished.

You have seen hundreds of zombies since the outbreak. None of them sat still. None of them acted like that. You tightened your grip on the gun’s handle. “Okay.” you muttered under your breath. “Either he’s smart enough to lure me, or he’s just… broken.”

Luffy’s head turned, almost lazily. His single eye found yours immediately.

You froze.

That glowing iris didn’t narrow like a predator’s, it brightened, like he’d just spotted something exciting. “...y/n.” Luffy rasped suddenly, voice shredded and dry. He said it like he was tasting the sound, as if he’d been repeating it quietly to himself until he got it right.

The survivor’s pulse jumped, what did he just say, did you hear that right? “H-how do you know my name!?” You yelled, slightly paranoid.

Luffy blinked, tilting his head. “You said it. Before.”

Then blinked, realization hitting you like a punch. You said your own name earlier. Under your breath. ‘You can handle one, y/n.’ You hadn’t thought the zombie could’ve heard it, but out of paranoia you lied. “I didn’t.”

A confused silence. Then a soft, sheepish noise left Luffy’s cracked mouth. “...Heh.” He smiled again—crooked and broken yet somehow pure. “y/n.” he repeated, tone almost fond.

Your face softened before you caught yourself. “...Don’t say it like that. You’re making this weirder than it already is.” You mumbled before looking away, still crouched as you were still feeling quite anxious.

Luffy blinked, confused but unbothered, drooling faintly as he swayed where he stood. “...mmm.”

You should have ran. You knew it. But curiosity has always been your curse. Did he really listen to you, hear you that well? Let alone remember your name just from you whispering it once? You stepped out from behind the bus, gun raised but not yet ready to aim. “You.. you can remember things?” You asked.

Luffy’s broken-like jaw twitched. His voice was quieter now. “...Some things.”

The wind carried the smell of decay. Your boots crunched closer, one step at a time, until you were near enough to see the faint movement in Luffy’s chest, a slow, shallow imitation of breathing. His skin was stretched thin over his ribs. His scarred chest rose and fell once, almost experimentally.

When you were only a few feet away, Luffy’s head snapped up. The motion was fast, too fast—and you nearly stumbled back, heart racing, you cursed in your mind from being startled like that.

Luffy didn’t attack. He only stared. His nose twitched faintly, and he leaned forward, inhaling.

Your whole body tensed, heart pounding in your ears, you knuckles were practically turning white as you held onto your gun for dear life.

“..You smell good.” Luffy murmured.

That wasn’t something a zombie should really say.

You blinked, caught off guard by such a strange thing, you didn’t even understand it. “What… what does that mean?” trying to make sense of the words, is he saying that you smell good enough to eat?.

Luffy only shrugged, his mismatched hands twitching while his expression was innocent despite the bone showing through his shoulder. “ ‘Found flowers before and you kinda smell like ‘em. I like it.”

He reached out suddenly, his rotted hand hovering close towards you, but stopped mid-air when you flinched and stepped back.

For a moment, neither of you moved. The only sound was the wind through broken glass, the eerie silence of the empty city that got completely destroyed and shattered by inhuman creatures.

Then Luffy slowly lowered his hand and smiled—not just the obvious grotesque, torn-mouth grin, but something small. Soft. “You’re scared.” he said simply.

You swallowed. “Of course I am. You’re—” you gestured helplessly at the bones and torn flesh, the mismatched mangled skin on his body—“this.” “a zombie.” You then mutter beneath your breath as if it’s a curse, and it pretty much is.

Luffy blinked again, expression oddly thoughtful—as though he were processing the word. Then, almost innocently, he tilted his head. “...Zombies are bad?”

The simple question punched something in your chest, is this really happening right now? Does he not know what his own kind does? You opened your mouth, shut it again, then said flatly, “Usually, yeah. You eat people.”

Luffy frowned faintly—well, as much as his torn mouth could manage. “Eat..” He seemed to think hard for a moment, brow furrowing. Then his stomach let out a grotesque, echoing growl, which made him dart down to look at his gorey, surprisingly toned stomach, an patched of open skin dripping red down his skin.

You flinched back, instantly raising your firearm, pulse spiking. But instead of pouncing, Luffy looked down, poked his own belly, and frowned harder. “...Hungry.” he muttered pitifully. “Right, yeah, I bet you are.” you said, voice tight. “So, uh… maybe go find a deer or something. Not me, thanks.”

But Luffy didn’t move. He looked back up at you, and for just a second, just one second, there was a flicker in his one good eye. Not hunger. Just… confusion. Like he didn’t understand why you were afraid.

The look he was giving you made your grip on the gun loosened slightly. “You really.. don’t get it, huh?”

Luffy just stood there. “...Get what?”

“That you’re supposed to be trying to kill me.” The words came out sharper than you intended, your nerves starting to fray under the weird, awful calm of it all. 

Your words made Luffy tilt his head again, his straw hat casting a cracked shadow across his face. “...Don’t wanna.”

That silenced you completely, you didn’t know what you genuinely just heard, did a zombie just tell you that it didn’t want to kill you? That made you dumbfounded for a second before you choked out. “What?”

Luffy stared at you, thoughtful. “I don’t wanna hurt you.”

And something about the way he said it, flat and honest, like stating the sky was gray made your stomach twist. You didn’t believe it, not yet. But maybe, just maybe this is something, no, somebody different. Who can prove to you that miracles do happen? Even though the same species as his has killed and ruined everything that this world has to offer, you wanted to believe it. You took a small step closer, eyes darting over every movement that the zombie subtly made. “...Then prove it.”

Luffy blinked, still staring up at you with that one eye that’s full of almost human-like carefreeness and innocence rather than corruption. “How?”

“Don’t follow me.” You firmly said.

For the first time, Luffy frowned, his brow creasing like a confused child’s, his fingers dug into the ground as he leaned slightly forward. “But—”

“Just—stay!” You yelled as you stood back before shuddering a little at your own high tone, you were still scared, your voice cracked a little as your eyes looked away from him. “Please.”

The zombie just continues to stare at you, as if he’s reading you, is this what really you want? It seemed like he could read your actions, seeing how your fingers twitched—how your facial expression held hesitation, but he didn’t do anything. Luffy only slowly nodded. “Okay.”

You backed away, heart hammering. You turned the corner, forcing yourself not to look back. You didn’t see it, but behind you, Luffy stayed exactly where he was—sitting cross-legged, still as stone. Only when your footsteps faded into the distance did he whisper quietly, almost to himself.

“...Okay, y/n. I’ll stay.”

The night had been too quiet. You told yourself you were checking the area for supplies, but your chest tightened the closer you got to the same cracked street. When you reached it, the world looked exactly the same: the overturned bus, the wind sighing through broken windows, trash and mold scattered. And there, right where you left him—was Luffy.

Still there.

For a heartbeat, you thought the thing had finally gone stiff. But then you saw it, a slow, deliberate rise and fall of the chest. It wasn’t even real breathing, it was clumsy, and pretty uneven, like someone copying the memory of a motion. You crept closer, gun in hand. “You’re… still here.” You mumbled.

Luffy’s head lifted at the familiar voice. His cracked mouth stretched into that familiar, too-wide smile. “You came back.”

You hesitated. You didn’t even know what to say, you didn’t know why you came back, he’s a fucking zombie for christ sake! But for some reason, whatever reason that is—you just had to come back and see him. “I didn’t know you’d still be alive.” 

Luffy nodded proudly. almost like a kid who’d done something right. “I practiced.” He said.

You blinked. “Practiced what?”

“...Bein’ alive.” He demonstrated by taking another slow, awkward breath. The sound rattled through the empty, bloody space in his ribs, but he looked so pleased with himself that you didn’t know whether to run or not.

What kind of zombie is this? Your mind was running with questions, you were so confused. “Wh—why are you even here?” You asked finally.

Luffy’s answer was simple as he looked at you with his working eye.  “You looked sad.” He bluntly said, as if he’s trying to stay properly alive just so he can stay looking at you like this.

The words hit harder than you expected, it made your throat tighten and your heart almost stopped before you dropped your gaze, shoving a hand through your messy hair to calm yourself down.  “..You noticed that?” Your tone came out a little shaky.

“Yeah.” Luffy tilted his head. “Humans make that face when they don’t wanna leave.” This zombie was straightforward, too blunt for its own good. He’s just calling you out, saying your true feelings that you were trying so hard to ignore.

You froze, this zombie really can read through people? Maybe not too literally, but clearly he can sense such and can tell when somebody seems to be lying to oneself, it makes you let out a shaky exhale. “You’re observant for a corpse.” 

Luffy gave a gravelly little chuckle, grinning widely. “Guess so!” 

Your throat felt dry, starting to overthink about this damn zombie. He still hasn’t attacked you, matter of fact, he never did in the first place. So you rubbed your arm slowly and murmured. “You really don’t wanna hurt me?”

You met Luffy’s eyes, one living, one milky and dull, still hanging down from his optic cord gorely. “Don’t wanna. Don’t need to.” He shrugged lightly.

Silence stretched between you both, heavy and strange but no longer unbearable. Then Luffy did something unexpected, weird.. he stood up, making you step back before he lifted a small object from beside him—a battered tin cup. He held it out, offering it like treasure.

You were breathing a little hard before you blinked, looking down at his hand, you slowly, barely leaned forward to try and catch on what it was, with a frown you asked out loud. “What’s that?”

Luffy could only just grin, his own eye looking down to stare at it before looking back up at you with innocence. “Found it.” Luffy said. “For you.” 

You didn’t know what to say, he found you something? This was your first. What were you supposed to feel? you leaned forward a little to accept it slowly, looking between the tin cup and the zombie’s uneven smile. “You waited all night just to give me this?”

Luffy just shrugged, his grin still remaining as his raspy, broken voice speaks up. “You said don’t follow. Didn’t mean don’t help.”

Without thinking you let out a small smile, your finger curling around the tin cup and holding it quite tightly in your grasp. “thanks..” you murmured.

Luffy nodded, letting out an uneven, garbled laugh, happy that you made a little smile, that you came back to him instead of running away.

You kept moving. You needed batteries, gun ammo, canned food, bandages—anything that was useful that you needed to carry back to your hideout. The ruined convenience store was half-collapsed, shelves toppled over and reeking of mildew. You worked fast, shoving supplies into your pack one by one.

Then came the sound of footsteps, it was slow, dragging. It made you freeze, hand darting to your gun again. When you turned, the shape in the doorway was unmistakable, the straw hat, the too-wide grin. You recognized what that thing was.

Your hand on your gun loosened as you straightened up your body, your once-fast heart beat decreasing as you spoke up. “...You followed me.” you said flatly.

Luffy walked through the doorway, his good eye darting around the place, the other one still hanging and swinging ever so lightly as he moved his head, he spotted you, he nodded once, like that was the most normal thing in the world. “Yeah.”

“That wasn’t an invitation.” You said, seriously, it was nice and all that this zombie seemed to not do anything to you..yet, but you still kept your guard up, it wasn’t normal for some human to keep a zombie hanging around them like some pet.

Luffy blinked at your words, tilting his head to the side. “You don’t wanna get bit. I didn’t bite.” He said, drool dripping down his chin as his finger twitched.

“Yeah, congratulations.” You exhaled through your nose, feeling a bit irritated with the mangled creature you’re looking at. “That still doesn’t mean to follow the armed person with food.” You snarled.

Luffy just stared, the one good eye gleaming faintly in the dim light. “You’re loud.” he said after a moment, not unkindly, just observing, he heard you so he followed you—simple as that.

You just stared back at him, scoffing a little at such straightforward words, so what if you were being a little loud?? You’re just here to get supplies so you can get the hell out of here. “Right, the undead saying this to me.” You said back.

Another pause. Then. “Yeah!” Luffy said cheerfully, that didn’t faze him one bit—just agreeing, you weren’t wrong, he is the undead.

You rubbed a hand over your face, muttering, “fuckin’ insane.” Then, remembering why you were here, you started rummaging again, forcing your nerves down. You kept glancing over your shoulder, half expecting the zombie to suddenly lunge. But Luffy only… watched. His head turned slightly whenever you moved, following each sound, but he didn’t cross the line of broken tiles you had instinctively set between them.

After a while, your hand grabbing some canned foods and shuffled them in your bag, trying to make them all fit in there, you spoke quietly, “You understand pretty well, huh?” You murmured, seeing how the zombie didn’t cross the line of the broken tiles, keeping space between you both.

Luffy just shrugged plainly. “Guess so.”

You hesitated, thinking for a little bit before deciding to push it. You grabbed a rusty, old soda can from the floor and tossed it lightly toward Luffy’s feet. “Catch.” But Luffy didn’t move. The can clattered against the ground and rolled, stopping against his bare toes.

You frowned.  “You didn’t even try.”

Luffy blinked, looking down at it, then up again to look at you. “Didn’t know it was a game.” He said.

That threw you off enough that you barked a quick, nervous laugh, shaking your head in disbelief. “It’s not—it’s a test. I wanted to see if you’d react.”

“Oh.” Luffy bent slowly, picking up the can with those half-skeletal fingers, grasping it against his palm before setting it carefully on a nearby counter. “There. Reacted!” He said happily.

You cursed underneath your breath as you looked away, but Luffy just grinned, pleased at what he did, and about the reaction you have even though he probably didn’t understand why you did that.

You sighed and shouldered your pack as you gripped the straps, turning around to look at him. “Look, I’ve got what I need. I’m going back. You.. do whatever zombies do when they’re not, y’know, eating people.”

Luffy’s expression didn’t change, he just stared at you as if he’s processing what you just said before speaking up with that same, remaining grin. “Go with you?”

You were walking towards the exit before you hesitated at the doorway after hearing luffy’s words, it made you pause, a moment of silence between you both as rain dripped from the broken ceiling. “..Why? What’s the point?”

Luffy’s voice was quiet, rasping but certain. “Don’t like bein’ alone.” He admitted truthfully. Something in the way he said it made your chest twist. You wanted to shake it off, tell yourself it was pity, not trust. But when you stepped outside, walking to your destination, you could hear the sound of dragging footsteps following you again.

 You decided to not stop him.

By the time the sun sank behind the broken skyline, you had filled your pack and were vanishing back into the maze of alleys that led home. Every step you took, though, there was that sound again, bare feet scraping against cracked asphalt, it made you turn “...Still following me, huh?”

Luffy stopped where he was, a few meters back, the light catching the wet shine along his torn cheek. He just nodded once, straw hat tilting forward. “Yeah.”

 “Why?”

Luffy looked around as if searching for the answer in the shadows. “Don’t like it here.” he said finally. The answer made you tense up, not only did this zombie admit to not liking to be alone, but it’s talking as if it’s still a human, it’s really rubbing onto you in a way you can’t explain.

You rubbed the back of your neck. “Fine. But if you try to bite me, I swear—”

Luffy nodded, serious as a promise. “Won’t bite.”

You sighed, almost finding the promise hard to believe. You adjusted the strap of your pack. “You know what happens if someone sees you near my hideout? They’ll blow your head off.” You said firmly, but it wasn’t a full threat, it was a warning rather than an intimidating remark to scare him off.

Luffy blinked, as if he didn’t understand what your words fully met. “Then I’ll duck.” He answered back simply.

“...That’s not how bullets work.”

Luffy only grinned. One side of his mouth tugged higher than the other, the rip in his cheek widening slightly, a trickle of dark blood slid down his chin. When it hit the ground with a soft pat, you flinched.

“Gross.” You muttered under your breath, but it wasn’t disgust so much as disbelief. The zombie was leaking and still managed to look weirdly content. When you started walking again, Luffy followed without hesitation. Every few steps, you glanced over your shoulder—half expecting Luffy to turn feral, half… hoping he wouldn’t.

Then suddenly, Luffy’s eye that’s still attached to his head came loose, sliding out and swinging against his cheek, both his eyeballs hanging from the red gorey cord. It startled you so hard you almost dropped your bag. “Oh my—put that back in!!”

Luffy blinked, caught the eye with one hand, and pressed it back in place with a squelch. “Better?” He asked, it was clear he could only put one of his eyes back in place, while the other stayed dangling out.

You stared, mouth slightly open. “I—yeah. Sure. That’s better.” The absurdity almost made you laugh. Almost.

By the time you both reached the edge of the old area that served as your hideout, the street was bathed in cold blue light from the moon. The air smelled of rust and rain again. You crouched near the entrance, scanning for movement. “Stay here.” you said firmly. “If anyone spots you, we’re both dead.”

Luffy tilted his head, standing there. “Stay?”

“Yeah. Don’t move. Don’t make noise. Don’t—” you stopped mid-sentence when you noticed Luffy’s brow furrowed in confusion, as if he were trying to remember how to obey a rule he’d never heard before. “Just… sit there.” you muttered.

Luffy plopped down on the ground, cross-legged, the motion oddly childlike. “Okay!”

You disappeared inside. You didn’t light a lamp, instead, you paced, trying to calm your heartbeat. There was no way this made sense. The others would tell you to shoot on sight. That’s what you did with the dead. But you couldn’t get the image out of your head—Luffy blinking at you like a confused kid, patching his own eye back in with all the casualness of brushing off dust.

After a while, you climbed back up the stairs. Luffy was exactly where you have left him, staring up at the stars with his good eye, the other still dangling against his cheek. You hesitated at the top step, the night air cold against your face. “You really didn’t move.”

Luffy looked up at you and smiled. “You said stay.”

You blinked at those words, awkwardly rubbing the back of your neck. “...Yeah, I did.”

You crouched beside him, careful to keep some distance. Luffy’s skin smelled faintly of damp earth and iron, but there was something oddly clean about it, like rainwater washing over stone. “Why me?” You asked after a long silence. “Out of everyone you could’ve chased, why me?”

Luffy didn’t even seem to think about it, almost immediately after you said that he responded straightforwardly. “You looked at me.”

Your eyebrows furrowed, you’re confused, is that really it? Slowly glancing up at him, you murmur out. “That’s all?”

“Mhm.” Luffy’s shoulders rose and fell. “Everyone else runs.” Because of what he said, You were quiet for a long moment, eyes on the ground. Then, almost reluctantly, you responded back. “guess ‘m kinda bad at runnin’.”

Luffy made a soft sound that might’ve been a laugh, low and scratchy in his throat. You glanced sideways and caught the faintest flicker of light in Luffy’s one good eye, something warm and alive like a humans.

Honestly for the first time since the world fell apart, you didn’t really feel entirely alone. as it was about to rain, for some reason, you decided to test this zombie by letting him inside your hideout.

As you walked inside, actually inviting him in, Luffy followed behind without complaint, dragging his feet slightly, head tilting this way and that. Your hideout was nothing fancy, it was an old gas station buried in ivy, the windows boarded and patched with sheet metal. Inside, the shelves were stripped bare except for the things you have scavenged like: cans, blankets, some food, a lantern, and a few stubbornly alive plants in cracked pots.

You let out a long, shaky breath as you turned around to look at him. “..Okay.” You held a hand up, “—don’t do anything stupid.”

Luffy tilted his head, one eye lazily following the hand motion. “Stupid?”

“…Never mind.” you muttered, walking more inside. Luffy shuffled in, careful, like a child learning how doors worked. The zombie shuffled closer to the corner of the room, crouching by an empty crate. He was quiet for a few minutes—until his stomach gave a low, gurgling growl that made you flinch.

You heart quickened at the sound, stepping back till the heel of your boot hit against your cooler, with hesitation, you opened it, asking. “You eat meat, right?”

Luffy’s expression flickered between excitement and confusion. He sniffed the air, instantly his eyes lit up at the sight of raw animal cuts wrapped in plastic. a wet, dripping sound escaping his throat as his tongue lolled out and hung out of his ripped mouth, a string of saliva dripping down. “..Meat.”

“Okay then..” you unwrapped one piece, you set down your pack and grabbed a small pile of dried and cooked meat you had for emergencies. “Here.” you said, holding it out cautiously. “Don’t—don’t make it weird.”

But of course Luffy did.

Luffy’s stomach growled in a low, horrific rumble, echoing in the small hideout. “…Huuuunnngry.” he rasped. Then he lunged at the meat in your hands, almost forgetting your presence.

You stepped back almost instantly, letting the zombie grab the meat out of your hands, you watched cautiously as Luffy hungrily, messily, almost sloppily tore into the meat. Drool and blood from old wounds mingled on his chin and the floor, but his teeth moved with shocking precision. The sound of it, squelching.. chewing it all up, it made you wince and flinch, yet you couldn’t stop staring.

You grimaced. “You’re disgusting.”

“Mmf—good.” Luffy mumbled around the mouthful. He finished in seconds, licking his fingers, then glanced up sheepishly. “Got more?”

You gave him another slice—then another, watching. It was brutal, yes, but not violent. Luffy didn’t even glance at you while eating. He wasn’t hiding hunger, he was just feeding, and that strange difference made your pulse slow.

You watched Luffy eat for a few moments longer, careful to stay close enough to keep an eye on him but far enough to feel secure. Your curiosity got the better of you, and you squatted down near Luffy, just on the edge of the blanket you have made for yourself on the concrete floor.

There was a long silence, filled only by the sound of Luffy chewing, drool pooling a little on the floor beneath him. The messy, grotesque presence of him filled the basement, and you found yourself inching just a little closer, curiosity winning over fear. When the zombie finally leaned back against the wall, satisfied, he looked up with that same boyish grin, eyes cloudy but bright. “Thanks.”

“…You’re welcome,” you muttered, resting your hands on your knees as you let out a little sigh. “Guess animal meat works just fine for you.”

“Yeah. People taste wrong anyway.”

Your head shot up, eyes widening at what you just heard. “wh-what?”

Luffy frowned, trying to remember. “They scream too much. I don’t like that.” He said with honesty, then his eyes darted downwards.

You swallowed hard, completely shocked by what you just heard, you didn’t know what to say at first but eventually you did, clearing your throat you spoke up. “…Okay. Yeah. No people, then. Just animals.”

Luffy nodded in agreement. “No people.”

The words lingered in the space, echoing like a vow. For a while they sat in silence, you were cleaning your weapon. Luffy’s one good eye flicked around the room, drool slowly sliding down the corner of his ripped cheek as he blinked lazily.

“..You really live here?” Luffy rasped finally, looking around more. His voice was quiet and curious. “ ‘Lots of stuff.”

You briefly looked up from your weapon to look at him, then your own eyes glanced around the hideout, the supplies—messy boards covering open spots to keep yourself safe, some food tucked against the wall, clothes hanging, weapons set. You weren’t sure whether to be flattered or nervous. “…Yeah… been a while. Safe-ish.” You patted the edge of your makeshift bed. “Just sit here. Stay put.”

Luffy tilted his head. “Okay.” He shuffled closer, almost like a child sneaking up on a friend. You tensed as the eye attached to his head popped loose for a moment, swinging grotesquely. “Eugh! don’t—ugh!” You exclaimed, flinching back and squeezing your eyes shut. Luffy, confused at your reaction, carefully pressed it back in. You exhaled at that in relief.

Luffy grinned, mischievous but unthreatening, and leaned slightly closer, watching your every motion. “Stuff. What do you do with it?” He nodded at a pile of scavenged tools, scraps of metal, a few cans, and a makeshift radio.

You stiffened. “…Uh, survival stuff. Tools. Clothes. Food. Sometimes I fix things.”

Luffy blinked slowly, then crawled, careful, toward the table where you kept your supplies. Every movement was deliberate, slow, like he didn’t want to break anything—or hurt you. “This?” Luffy rasped, picking up a wrench. Drool fell from the corner of his mouth, glinting in the dim light. “Fix?”

“Yeah” you said cautiously, you grabbed your shotgun and placed it on your lap to wipe some dust and other stuff off of it, polishing it neatly with a small cloth. “Just, be careful.” You murmured.

Luffy nodded seriously, placing the wrench back with exaggerated care, then turned his attention to a small pile of books stacked against the wall. “Read?”

“Mhm.” you mumbled in confirmation, still cleaning off your firearm gently as you spoke up again. “Sometimes it helps pass time.”

Luffy crouched, staring down at the books. “Read,” he repeated, as if tasting the word. “Hmmm..” His good eye darted away from the pile of books, looking at other various things in the small space out of curiosity.

The silence stretched, filled with the occasional scrape of old tiles under Luffy’s uneven zombie movements and your shallow breaths. Despite yourself, you felt your chest unclench a little. Luffy wasn’t attacking. He wasn’t trying to eat you. He just existed.. in a very messy, slobbering way.

“You sleep here?” Luffy asked, gesturing at the blanket as he stared at it.

“Yeah.” you said softly.

Luffy tilted his head, then carefully lowered himself onto the edge of the blanket, still keeping enough distance not to touch you. His torn cheek pressed against the soft fabric, drool dripping faintly onto it. “Warmmm...” he hummed sweetly.

Your lips twitched. “Uh huh..” you muttered, though your eyes softened. You watched Luffy’s one eye wander to the ceiling, to the shelves, to the tools, to other supplies.

“It’s safe here?” Luffy asked suddenly.

You nodded slowly. “For now.”

There was a long pause. Then Luffy’s eye popped loose again, bouncing grotesquely and resting on the blanket alongside with his other hung eye, You stumbled back, heart racing quickly as you also dropped your firearm.  “Ah!—again!!” You yelped.

Luffy blinked, confused but careful. “Oops.” He grabbed it lightly then pushed it back in with a wet squelch, glancing at you apologetically. “There, better?”

you pressed a hand to your chest, trying to calm your quickening heart, you knew you shouldn’t get scared each time—especially since one of Luffy’s eyes are already hanging out, but the gross sound and the sudden action of that one eye popping out always gets you. You exhaled shakily. “Y-yeah..”

Luffy grinned, drool mixing with blood, and leaned more against the warmth he was laying on, sniffing the blanket instinctively. “Smells s’nice.” he murmured.

For the next hour, you watched Luffy lay on the blanket before carefully exploring the hideout once again. Luffy poked at the radio, stared at supplies, sniffed at the food cans, and touched the walls. You flinched at every squelch of drool and blood, every swing of the loose eye. By the end, Luffy sat quietly at the edge of the blanket again, one hand on his knee, watching you as if you were the most fascinating thing in the world. Your chest was tight, stomach fluttering, it made you feel kinda warm.. Somehow.

The abandoned city was quiet, but you didn’t trust it. Every broken window, every collapsed building screamed “danger,” and you had learned long ago that danger didn’t knock politely. You moved carefully, gun in hand, extra weapons strapped across your belt and thighs. Your boots clicked against broken concrete as you scanned alleyways and empty streets. Luffy followed behind you, slow, shambling, one eye occasionally dangling, a grotesque drool trail marking his path, but always staying behind, always quiet.

You were trying to scavenge supplies—food, medicine, ammo, anything that could keep you alive. You had done this hundreds of times before. You exhaled softly, adjusting your grip on the gun. “Alright, nothing out here but the usual.” You muttered under his breath, “Just grab some supplies and—”

A low growl interrupted you.

You froze. The shadows moved. From the corner of a broken building, zombies emerged, their jaws slack, eyes empty, body wounds gushing out with blood, hands outstretched. You reacted instantly, firing a couple shots. The bullets hit the zombie’s chests, some fell, but some stumbled and didn’t. Another few shots, straight to the heads. The other few shots rang out loud, the sharp reports echoing between the empty skyscrapers. More Zombies dropped, groaning wetly as you aimed and fired again, precision honed from months of surviving.

Luffy was standing behind you, watching with wide, curious eyes. “You’re fast.” he rasped, a wet noise escaping his throat. “Good.”

You grunted, reloading. “Focus. Don’t distract me.”

But fate has a cruel sense of timing.

A zombie, bigger than the others, had been hiding in the shadows of a collapsed building. Maybe it had been drawn by the sound of gunfire, maybe by… something else in the air. Before you could react, it lunged straight at you, mouth wide open and teeth aiming towards your neck.

“SHIT!” You shouted, fumbling for another round. The gun clicked empty, your heart was pounding in your ears—the zombie was getting closer, too close! The creature’s rotting fingers grazed your shoulder. You stumbled back, knife flashing in a desperate swing, but it wasn’t enough.

Luffy leapt.

It wasn’t a graceful one, it was messy and horrifying. Luffy barreled into the lunging monster, grabbing it by the shoulders and tossing it with monstrous strength. blood and pieces of decayed skin sprayed into the air, but Luffy’s focus never left you.

“Luffy!?” You shouted, heart hammering, panic twisting in his chest as you felt your hands stinging harshly from how hard you gripped your own weapon to defend yourself from the creature.

“I got you!” Luffy rasped, one eye dangling but fixed on you. “Don’t get bit!” He slammed the zombie into a wall, teeth gnashing and bones cracking, before using his other hand to push it away from your space entirely. The force sent the creature skidding across the pavement, leaving a wet, gruesome red smear. Luffy landed in a crouch, messy and dripping, one hand outstretched towards you.

You watched it all, you were completely frozen. Your chest heaving, it was difficult to breathe right from what just happened.  “Y-you—saved me…?” lowering your gun slowly. You couldn’t believe it. The zombie, the thing that could have killed you—was stopped by this stubborn zombie boy who kept clinging onto your side.

Luffy’s grin was crooked, bloodied, the side of his ripped mouth getting wider. “Of course! You're important!”

Important. The word hit you harder than any previous zombie attack you experienced. Your legs trembled as you swallowed, stepping closer, careful but drawn to the sight of the zombie-boy who just threw a monster like it weighed nothing.

You couldn’t help it. A tiny laugh escaped you. “Yeah okay, you’re alright.”

Eventually after that, they moved slowly, cautiously, through the empty streets. You kept your gun trained on shadows, extra weapons ready, while Luffy kept his strange zombie pace close by, shuffling protectively behind you, occasionally sniffing the air, watching every corner.

At one point, you glanced back to see Luffy’s eye pop free again. You flinched violently, but Luffy just calmly pressed it back in, “you’re so gross” you muttered, voice shaking with adrenaline “but, I think I like it.”

Luffy grinned, a horrifying but somehow endearing sight, tilting his head. “You like me?”

Your face flushed, cheeks turning pink as you got caught off-guard, but adrenaline still pumped in your veins. “U-uh.. yeah.. yeah, I think I do.”

In this very special moment, you just knew that even in this apocalypse, even in the chaos of rot and death, you could really trust him.

The abandoned store smelled faintly of rot and dust, but also, miraculously, of something edible. Your eyes lit up when you spotted a small pile of preserved meats tucked behind a toppled shelf. You carefully picked them up, inspecting each piece. “Jackpot.” you whispered to yourself proudly, a small grin tugging at your lips. You glanced over your shoulder. “Luffy, come here, I found something!”

The zombie-boy shuffled over, one dangling eye wobbling, drool glistening on his ripped cheek, but his grin remained the same wide, childlike expression. “Food!?” he rasped excitedly, his tongue already hanging out from his mouth.

You nodded, holding out a thick cut of meat. “Yeah. Here—this one’s for you. You, uh, you protected me back there, remember?” You murmured, unaware of the reddish blush coating your cheeks.

Luffy’s singular eye brightened up immediately, “I protected you ‘cause you’re important to me!” He admitted cheerfully, repeating those same words that he said earlier as his fingers twitched towards the delicious meat you were holding.

Your chest fluttered, and you felt a warmth spread through you that had nothing to do with the adrenaline from the intense fight, you laughed softly, brushing a messy lock of hair from your forehead. “Well, ‘m glad you did. So this is your reward. Don’t go messin’ it up, okay?” 

Luffy grabbed the meat immediately out of eagerness, gnawing on it sloppily, drool dripping down his chin, but careful not to touch you. “Mmhm! Thanks, y/n!” He muffled happily.

You both sat together in the abandoned store for a while, you were munching on some of the smaller snacks while Luffy was devouring the food in his hand like a starved man, But now, you weren’t that disgusted or grossed out anymore. 

“Hey.” nudging Luffy gently with your shoulder, “After this, we can bring some meat back to the hideout, sounds good?” You said with a grin towards the boy.

Luffy nodded, teeth still gnawing at the meat. “Mhm!”

You felt completely at ease. You had been terrified of zombies, of the apocalypse, of what the world have become—of this monstrous, drooling boy.. but here he was, sitting next to you and sloppily eating the meat you gave him, you couldn’t believe that all of this really happened, but you’re glad it did. 

The streets were quieter now, only the occasional groan of distant zombies echoing from the ruins. You carried the scavenged meat carefully, eyes darting around for danger, but your heart felt lighter after how Luffy defended you so fiercely. Luffy shuffled behind you, drool glinting from the light, one hanging eye bouncing grotesquely. But his focus wasn’t on the ruins or the shadows, it was on you. Every step, every twitch of his torn lips, his gory smile… it was all for you.

“You’re carryin’ alot” Luffy rasped, tilting his head, voice rough but cheerful. 

You smiled. “Yeah, ‘m fine though, I got it.”

Luffy’s drooly grin widened. “Good!” He padded forward, slowly, curious as ever, peeking at the meat and then at your bag, like he was studying a fascinating puzzle.

“Hey! careful,” you said with a tiny laugh, noticing Luffy pawing at a bag dangling from your shoulder. “This is all I got.”

Luffy tilted his head, sticking his slobbery tongue out lazily. “ ‘Wanna see more.”

You blinked in confusion, your footsteps slowing down as you turned to look at him. “What-?” Before you could finish, Luffy reached out, gently poking you in the cheek with a zombie-soft fingertip. You flinched reflexively, but then froze, realizing that Luffy didn’t hurt you. He’s just curious.

“Uhh..” you blinked, unsure what to do. “Okay… I guess…” you murmured, cheeks slightly flushing up at the odd physical contact.

Luffy’s grin widened, crooked and messy, as he lightly poked again. “Shishishi, Fun!”

You swallowed and let out a soft chuckle, lowering your guard. “Okay, you’re lucky you saved me earlier, or you’d be tasting gunpowder.” You teased him.

You both moved together through the quiet streets, Luffy occasionally poking, nudging, tapping, or tilting his head to study your face, still messy, still a little grotesque, but still innocent and full of that sweet optimism.

By the time they reached the hideout, your nervousness had completely softened. You let Luffy trail behind you into the hideout, still poking at his new favorite human-companion, eventually Luffy carefully explored the little space, sniffing the air, nudging cans, poking things, and just generally being Luffy.

You lowered yourself onto the edge of the blanket, which led to Luffy to plop down beside you, you let Luffy shuffle closer, the zombie’s hand brushing against your arm again. You flinched lightly at first… then let it linger.

“Alright, fine.” you muttered, a little breathless as your cheeks were heated up. “You can stay close. Just.. er, be careful.”

“Careful, okay!” Luffy chirped, sitting just close enough to nuzzle against you without being intrusive, drool still pooling faintly, blood smeared in patches. eventually Luffy lowered himself till his cheek rested against your thigh, dragging himself closer against you with a surprisingly soft motion for someone so mangled. “Mmm.. s’warm.” he rasped.

You froze, your heart hammering. The zombie boy’s blood-streaked body was pressed against you. “okay..” you whispered, and slowly, your fingers twitched, almost involuntarily, you reached up to ruffle Luffy’s messy black hair. You had to stop yourself from gasping—every strand was thick, tousled, still soft despite everything he had been through. You ran your fingers through it carefully, you were a little flustered.

Luffy’s eye fluttered closed as he melted further against you, drool glistening at the corner of his mouth. “Feels nice..” he murmured, voice rough but soft. His mangled arm lazily draped over you.

Your chest warmed, a nervous flutter spreading through you. “Y-yeah, it does.” you murmured, brushing a hand lightly over Luffy’s shoulder, careful of the torn flesh. 

For a long, quiet moment, you continued softly running your fingers through Luffy’s hair, tangling the strands around your digits, feeling the warmth that remained despite the decay. Luffy drooled, nuzzling onto your side like a cat.

“You like this?” You asked softly, your voice barely above a whisper.

“I like ya..” Luffy quietly rasped, his tongue lazily hanging out of his mouth. “Stay.”

Your heart ached in the best possible way. “Okay.. I’ll stay.” you whispered, moving slightly to accommodate the zombie boy, letting him press closer without flinching anymore.

As Luffy’s weight shifted against you, you felt the warmth of his body, the rhythm of his shallow, sloppy breaths. Carefully, you continued to ruffle and comb Luffy’s hair with your fingers, soft and gentle, curious about how even a zombie could feel so alive in your presence.

You never expected to fall in love with a zombie, but that’s the fate that happened in this gory love story.

You were crouched on the edge of the broken rooftop, squinting down at the deserted streets below. You shook your head, hair falling into your eyes as you muttered to yourself. “ ‘m literally crazy!! ’m dating a zombie!! What the hell am I doing!?” You whined.

From below, Luffy was grinning up at you, one dangling eye wobbling, his ripped cheek gleaming in the light. He had somehow dragged his way across the rubble with effortless energy, he patted his stomach happily as he looked around. “ ‘m hungry!! Let’s find a store!”

You groaned, running a hand through your messy hair, cheeks warming despite yourself. “Yeah, yeah, go ahead! Just don’t go too far, okay? That’s the one rule!”

Luffy blinked slowly, drool pooling on his tattered, ripped shirt that he wore backwards. “Mm! Always gonna be wit’ ya!”

Your lips twitched into a small, helpless smile. You muttered under your breath, shaking your head. “ ‘m so stupid!! God, how did this even happen!? I mean, yeah, he’s… adorable. And clingy. And…” you trailed off, getting lost in your thoughts as you begin to daydream about your beloved boyfriend.

You weren’t paying attention, because even though you thought luffy ran off to some abandoned store close by to get food, he was actually behind you— lunging forward suddenly and wrapping his mangled arms around your waist from behind, grinning widely despite the blood smeared on his cheek. “y/nnn!”

You yelped at the sudden hug but didn’t pull away. Instead, you tilted your head, running your hands gently through Luffy’s messy black hair. “Luffy!!” he said, cheeks heating, “jeez, did you have to scare me like that!?”

Luffy tilted his head, drooling slightly as he leaned closer, happy and completely innocent. “Shishishi! Come wit’ me!”

Your stomach fluttered, and you laughed softly, brushing some of the sticky drool from his cheek as you got up, bringing Luffy along with you. “Okay, okay, let’s go!” You said happily, content of going to some abandoned store to feast on the remaining snacks that this destroyed world has to offer.

The voice, a creepy one, cracks. At first you thought this was an absolute weirdo who called you till you really started to recognize the giggles. It was Luffy, your boyfriend! The boy couldn’t help giggling on the other side of the phone line. “Luffy! What the hell—?!” You sputtered out, you were relieved knowing it wasn’t some weird stranger calling you though.

“‘m outside your window.” You then hear. And immediately you whip your head around, heart racing—and yep. There’s Luffy, in full costume-like gear, squished against the glass with the stupidest grin while his ghost-looking mask was tilted up against the side of his head. You could only just let out a little giggle, finding your boyfriend's antics funny, he was just messing around per usual.

Through time, you’ve always been getting calls from the same number he used for ‘pranks’ all the time. At this point you even made a ringtone for it, so the very next day later while you were sprawled on the floor your phone rings, making you turn your head and lazily grab your device, swiping up to answer. “What now…”

“Hi y/n.” The voice says to you.

You could only just squint your eyes before lightly shaking your head, letting out an exaggerated sigh. “Luffy, I know it’s you.” You said plainly, knowing your boyfriend is just playing tricks with you again for god knows how many times this week.

The voice then deepens. “No it’s not.”

You snort, finding Luffy’s attempt of trying to sound like someone else incredibly funny. “You always do the voice when you’re bored.” You call him out with a grin—this was just another one of your silly moments together.

There was a pause. A moment of silence as he didn’t reply back to you, then he speaks, “I just stabbed a guy. What are you doin’?”

You could only just blink. What? That was so out of the blue, quirking an eyebrow up you didn’t know what to say at first, genuinely, what were you supposed to say? That was a weird joke. So with a roll of your eyes and letting out a soft sigh, you roll onto your back on the ground. “Just Laying on the floor..” 

“Cool.” Luffy then responded, there was then a long pause again, you were still on your back on the ground while Luffy? Well, he was in some alley way, the ghost mask tilted up on his head while one hand is holding the phone, the other holding a blood-coated knife. a few seconds later he questions you again. “D’ya still have meat in the fridge?”

You couldn’t help but giggle and nod, holding the phone close against your ear as you replied back. “heh, yeah lu’.. it’s all for you.” Luffy was hungry, as always. So hearing your boy’s usual iconic behavior made you practically forget what strange thing he said a few seconds ago, who cares now? he’s coming back home to you, and you’re happy about that.

Luffy shows up at your door with blood all over his black, slightly ripped robe and a knife in hand, you didn’t think much of the knife though, seeing it as a goofy prop and your boyfriend just being as silly as always.. but on the other hand, the red smearing over his clothing caught you off guard. “Y~N~ wanna hang out!?” Luffy asks excitedly with a large grin.

You blinked before leaning closer to him. “WHAT—the..wait why are you covered in—Luffy, is that real!?You questioned quickly, you had no idea what the hell luffy did when he was gone, you knew luffy liked doing art (which he was bad at) time to time, but he didn’t tell you he was gonna be doing some sorts of arts and crafts, and you already had supplies here.

Luffy just shrugged, pulling off his ghostface mask with his hand, revealing his tanned face, the 2-stitched scar underneath his left eye now visible. His eyes are looking at yours as he still has that wide, unfazed grin. “I dunno! Some guy was mean to ya so I made ‘em go ‘AAHHH’!” Luffy then intimated before bursting out with laughter.

You turned white.

Luffy was laughing loudly, not noticing your frozen expression before eventually opening one of his eyes to look at your silent self, he then blinked. “What? do I got somethin’ on my face?” Luffy asks as if he’s confused on why you’re staring at him like that. He raises his hand to wipe his cheek, noticing some reddish substance. “Oh! Ketchup!” He licks his finger, confirming the sauce further.

a few seconds later he pulls out ketchup packets from his pocket. “Look! I just finished some yummy food and got extra sauce for later!!”

The moment you heard him say the word ‘ketchup’ made you realize that he probably just spilled a bunch of sauce all over him—due to him being a messy eater.. so you nearly collapsed in relief, smacking him lightly on the chest which made the black-haired boy giggle, you were blushing like crazy when Luffy kissed your cheek with a sticky ketchup-stained mouth, it made sense, luffy was always hungry so of course he went to eat, but you didn’t know what he did before that.. oh well. 

Later, you couldn’t help and think about the times Luffy joked around with you, playfully scaring others, even intimating others, it was pretty impressive on how he can act so well. So when you both are lying on the bed, you were tucked against Luffy’s side, limbs tangled. The Ghostface robe is tossed lazily at the foot of the bed, and you’re playing with the edge of Luffy’s scar underneath his left eye, lightly tracing it with the pad of your finger. “Y’know..” you mumble, voice soft, “You’re like.. weirdly good at being scary sometimes. But you’re also.. the sweetest person ever.”

Luffy just grins sleepily, his arm wrapped around your waist tightening as he leans more against you, his cheek rubbing lightly against yours. “I would kill someone for ya.” He then says out of nowhere.

You choke, that was the most random, unrelated thing you’ve ever heard luffy say in your life, so with a scoff you just whine out his name. “Luffy!!” You knew he liked joking around since it was Halloween season, but jeez.

“What, did I say somethin’ wrong?” luffy blinked before staring at you, randomly, he pressed his lips against yours, giving you a lazy, messy kiss. In result your cheeks heated up, the affectionate action making you blush which made Luffy snicker. “Shishishi, You’re s’red! C’mere.. I want more kisses..” Luffy then mumbles.

You didn’t know that he was being serious though, and it seems like luffy didn’t even care if anybody found out about his killings—especially that one time when you both decided to hang out on the roughtop one night. Luffy is swinging his legs at the edge, his expression calm as he’s still grinning, he always smiles no matter what you both are doing, his eyes staring up at the dark blue sky while dark blood is dried under his fingernails.

You knew about the news, sorta, you kept hearing about a ongoing killer in town and how people are getting killed constantly, weekly, it made you shudder from time to time, especially since the killer is still on the loose. “Hey, Do you ever think about… like… what if someone you knew was a killer or something?” You asked with a hint of hesitation in your tone.

Luffy was still grinning wide, but it seemed like his grin got even larger—or, maybe it shifted ever so slightly? You couldn’t notice, it was extremely subtle. Or maybe he was just smiling normally the whole time and you’re just overthinking. “That would be cool!” Luffy then blurted out shamelessly.

You scoffed at that response. Luffy can be awfully dumb so you didn’t take his words too seriously. “Wh—luffy! This is serious!” You said before darting your eyes down to see the high view underneath you both. “Like, I dunno, what if you were a killer?” You then said out loud before letting out a snort. “You’d totally wear a dumb costume and everything!”

Luffy seemed to pause for a split second as he heard you say those words, he turned his head towards you to stare at your expression. He looks at you. Really looks. “You wouldn’t be scared?” Luffy asked, a smile still remaining, but something in the air shifted a bit—as if he really is curious to know your answer.

Your laughter bubbled down as you let out an exhale, you looked over at luffy, the way he was staring at you made you blink a few times before just letting out a sigh. “Eh.. Nah. You won’t even do anything to me.” You said confidently, as if you said the right answer to a trick question.

Luffy’s expression lights up, you may not notice but he clearly seems more optimistic, more happy.. as if he’s really relieved by your answer, so the boy scoots closer to you, snaking an arm around your waist to lean against you, he begins to sweetly rub his cheek against yours. “Shishishi, I’d Never!” Luffy says proudly.

Below you both, there’s an alley just a few steps away, in the alley, there’s a mangled dead body with multiple open slits on its body from numerous stabbing from a sharp blade, but you never notice it, but if someone does.. luffy definitely isn’t gonna do anything about it, he isn’t afraid of getting caught.

There was a high tension in the neighborhood, but you felt safe when you’re in Luffy’s presence, he always smiled no matter the circumstance—it made you feel more secure. A few days later, you were sitting down on the couch till luffy plopped down beside you, already wrapping his arms around you to cuddle you and squeeze your body against his warm one. It made you giggle, you proceeded to wrap your arms around his neck before something catched your attention.

You realized something was weird on Luffy’s face, moving your hand up to tilt Luffy’s chin gently, noticing a fresh cut just under his cheekbone.

“Did you fall again? You’re so clumsy..” you murmur softly, feeling a bit bad at how luffy has a small wound yet annoyed by how ridiculously reckless he is from time to time.

Luffy could only just blink at you before nuzzling his cheek against your palm, grinning widely. “Nope! He just fought back more than I thought he would.” Luffy says out loud without any remorse or hesitation. 

You blink. “Huh?”

Luffy just grins wider, nodding. “But then I tripped over some stupid rock!” He added while he looks up at you with his black eyes.

You stare at him, staring at him a little too long. ‘fought back more than I thought he would’ what does that even mean? Did Luffy get in a fight with someone? You knew your boyfriend could be so blunt to the point where he’ll unintentionally trigger people. Hearing this made your eyebrows furrow, feeling upset at him and wanting to question him.

As you were about to, Luffy gives you that dimpled, stupidly charming smile—you can’t be mad at him.

You couldn’t help and melt instantly from his expression. You moved your other hand up to rest it on his other cheek, both of your palms placed on either side of Luffys’ face, squishing his face cutely. “Whatever, just don’t do it again, I don’t like it when you're hurt..”

Luffy could only just let out a laugh before leaning more towards your face just so he can rest his forehead against yours, fingers curling and tightening in your shirt as he is snugly pressed on top of you. “I know!!” He says with a smile which makes you groan.

Even though Luffy’s behavior can be so reckless, you never really thought much about it, you just think that’s how luffy is and honestly, that’s why you fell in love with him. Because of him being so carefree, of him being himself, even if he can be a little weird, that includes what Luffy draws too. Like that one time you found a sketchbook Luffy left out. It’s full of scratchy little doodles of himself, smiling, in a black hood, holding… a sharp knife, with red crayon-colored scribbles all over him and on the ground as if the color is supposed to mean something.

But you just laugh, it’s October. Is he really going all out? It’s pretty funny, so when you turn over to look at Luffy you grin at him. “You’re such a nerd. Are you trying to be edgy?” You teased.

Luffy just hums, he’s laying on his back on the bed, his head hanging off the end of the mattress as he looks at you upside down. “It’s a super cool self-portrait series! You like it?” He answers cheerfully.

You looked back at the artwork that you’re holding with your fingers. “It’s so weird.. but sure, I like it?” You replied as if you were more or so questioning yourself, but your answer only just made him laugh heartily. you didn’t notice that one of the artworks is portrayed exactly like that one crime-scene photo from a real news article you almost read last week.