One Piece Rarepair Valentine's Event

i love them so much they're my og rarepair!!

why i ship it:

ace promised to rescue yamato and he never forgot his promise to him even when he couldn't fulfill it!!

also you cannot tell me they didn't kiss that night ok. ace was like. everything to yamato like he was his first knowledge of the outside world, the first person who was kind to him and didn't die from it etc etc

also i'm weak for ppl that only meet once and then never again. the 有緣無分 of it all. (chinese proverb referring to couples fated to come together, but not destined to stay together)

and the tragedy of like. yamato holding ace's vivre card close to him. that he ran to their final parting place and he watched it burn up before his eyes. we love to see it!!!!!!

The sound of waves lapping against the Sunny-go filled the night air as Sanji's hair fluttered in the low wind. He stood on top of the crows nest, exhaling a plume of smoke as he stood watch. It was a clear and quiet night, something Sanji was thankful for. His last couple of watches had been rough, weather-wise. The nearly full moon shone brightly as the cook took another pull from his cigarette. Sanji exhaled again, turning at the sound of a door opening. He peered over the edge of the crows nest and his eyes land on the sniper, who yawned as he padded across the deck toward the garden.

The moonlight danced off Usopp's dark curls, the ringlets like small halos framing the sniper. Sanji's lips curl into a smile as he watched the sniper from above. These were moments that Sanji had come to cherish. The thing was he couldn't remember exactly when it had started.

When had his gaze begun to linger on the sniper? When had his laugh come easier at the jokes Usopp told? When had he begun to make the other man's favorites more often? When did he realize how... beautiful Usopp was? Especially in these moments.

The moments where Usopp wasn't putting on a facade or hiding behind faux confidence. Moments where the sniper could simply exist in a relaxed state. It was no secret to the crew that Usopp was insecure. But in moments where Usopp believed he was unobserved, or when he had just woken up, or sometimes when he was drunk, the sniper was completely at ease. A subtle confidence exuded from him, every motion deliberate- like fileting a fish. It was beautiful, simply stunning, and it made Sanji ache with longing.

The sniper reached the garden and kneeled beside the smallest saplings.  Very few of Usopp's plants had to be watered by moonlight multiple times a night to properly retain moisture. At least, that was the gist of what Sanji understood. Sanji watched as Usopp settled beside the sapplings, elbows on his knees and resting his head in his hands, curls covering his face from view. Sanji strode toward the rigging and made his way down to the deck. The sniper didn't shift as Sanji approached. When he was close enough to speak, Sanji called, "Oi, Usopp."

The sniper jumped, head snapping up with strained eyes before settling back down, a hand over his heart, "Jeeze, Sanji! Don't sneak up on people like that!"

Sanji raised both of his hands  in surrender, a lazy grin on his face, "Sorry, long-nose. I didn't mean to startle you. May I join you?"

Usopp tilted his head, "What are you doing up this late?"

Sanji laughs lightly, "I'm on watch tonight. Did you forget the schedule?"

"Ah, that's right, that's right." He rubs his face roughly with a sigh, "I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I'm working on a new ammunition, and I'm close to getting it to work, I know I am-"

Sanji eased onto the deck floor beside Usopp and listen to the sniper go on and on about his new ammunition idea. Sanji's eyes stay firmly on Usopp's face, watching him gesture animatedly as he detailed his plan for a new pop green. There are dark circles under the sniper's eyes, but they shine all the brighter as he speaks about his inventions.

"-and it SHOULD go off with a BANG and then SHKSHKSHKSHK!!" Usopp falls backward onto the deck, his dark eyes reflecting the galaxies above them. "It's gonna be great once I get it worked out!" Sanji remained silent, astounded by the universe in Usopp's eyes. The younger man's cheek flushed with embarrassment, "Ah, how long was I rambling? Sorry, I didn't-"

Sanji shook his head, "No, it was interesting. And I know you'll figure it out, Usopp." He wanted to keep Usopp like this, just a little longer. Let Usopp remain relaxed in that beautiful way. Just a little longer with Usopp and the stars.

"You really think so?"

Sanji nodded, " 'Course. You're clever."

Usopp's cheeks remain flushed, and he is clearly pleased. Sanji exhales another plume of smoke and puts his cigarette out before leaning back onto the deck floor beside his nakama. "How long do you have to be up tonight for the watering cycle?"

Usopp sighed, eyes closed, "Only an hour. Every fifteen minutes, I water the plants, and then I can go back to bed."

"I could water them for you. I'm up for watch anyway. Then you could get some sleep," Sanji suggested. Usopp's eyes open halfway and Sanji feels his heart fluttered, "You'd do that for me, Sanji?"

Sanji rolled his eyes, trying to calm his racing heart, "I'm not saving your life or anything, Usopp. It's just watering some plants. No big deal."

Usopp sighed and his eyes close once again, "You're the best, Sanji."

Sanji turned his head away from Usopp, despite the latter's eyes being closer. He had to be certain his own face wasn't tinged pink. When the sniper doesn't move, Sanji cleared his throat, "Oi, you're gonna fall asleep out here if you don't head to bed."

"Mm... nah... won't... jus' wan'a see th' stars... a lil longer..." Usopp opened his eyes partially, the colors of the nebula above swimming in his dark eyes. Sanji turned back to the sniper and his words catch in his throat. Women were beautiful like flowers, like a perfectly plated meal. They were beautiful like gemstones and colors. But Usopp? Usopp was beautiful like fine art. Usopp was as beautiful as a sunrise or a sunset. Usopp evoked yearning, and god how Sanji yearned. He ached with it. How could one person elicit such a response inside him? Sanji would give anything to stop time and stay like this forever. Being permitted to exist with Usopp was divinity.

"Sanji?" Murmured Usopp.

"Hm?" was all that Sanji could muster without his voice shaking.

"Tell me a story," Usopp said softly.

Sanji scoffed, "Usopp, go to bed. You're the story teller. I-"

"Tell me about the all blue."

"Usopp-"

"Please?" Usopp opened his eyes completely, and Sanji felt his stomach take flight. He sighed, "You really wanna know about the All-Blue?"

Usopp nodded. Sanji sat up and reached over Usopp to water the saplings. Once finished, he began to speak about the All-Blue. Sanji's voice filled the silence as the Sunny gently rocked them both. He spoke about the All-Blue at legnth, avoiding Usopp's gaze and choosing to look up at the stars instead.

Every 15 minutes, Sanji watered the saplings, never-ceasing his All-Blue talk. When Sanji no longer felt flustered, he glanced at Usopp and saw that the sniper had fallen asleep. His breathing was deep and even, lips slightly parted as he slumbered, one arm draped over his toned stomach.

Sanji smiled, eyes full of adoration as he reached over the sniper to water the plants one final time. He sets the watering can down, but does not draw back. Instead, he leaned over Usopp's sleeping form.

Sanji felt as though his heart would hammer out of his chest and wake the slumbering man. But the only sound was the waves lapping against the Sunny and Usopp's relaxed, even breathes. The cook leaned down without thinking, and paused close enough to feel Usopp's breath against his own lips. With one hand, Sanji cradled Usopp's face with a feather-light touch. He leans down further and places a soft kiss on the corner of the sniper's mouth. A part of him longed to plant his lips on Usopp's, but if he ever gathered his courage, he wanted to have the truest first kiss with the sniper. That meant that he would have to settle for a near kiss. Sanji's heart stops as he lingers for a moment before pulling back, murmuring, "Mon beau tireur d'élite, repose toi bien."

why i ship it: i love this ship SO much. won't lie it's probably right behind zolu just looking at my wips. umm why do i ship it. opposites attract + doomed love + the implication that their devil fruits attract them to each other (ties into previous two) + the quote above that they both say to each other!!! + ace's canonical daddy issues + hot silver fox smoker + grumpy/cheerful dynamic + pirate/marine dynamic

fic recs. i have so many. PLEASE go and read them they are so amazing despite the small fandom!!

why i ship it: honestly the clash of their personalities (law being very repressed + zoro mr. idgaf) and i love the angst potential of zoro's loyalty to luffy vs his love for law. also they're both hot and both swordsmen. the romanticism of zoro polishing kikoku for law. you know. (also zolawlu obviously)

fic recs: please go check out Augment's don't you worry 'bout my pride!!

also currently obsessed w the idea of zoro seeking law out bc of his unrequited love for luffy and law is fine w it bc zoro is hot etc and it's all just a bit of fun. until he actually starts falling in love w zoro and zoro does reciprocate... anyway i should write fic about it