#ace fluff

You sigh “I found Luffy...”

Nami pinches the bridge of her nose “Of course he has to scream…”

Usopp points ahead “Hey! Who’s that?”

Standing on the roof of a small restaurant there’s a tall man wearing an orange cowboy hat with two strange faces on it.

Freckles and a confident grin on his face.

He jumps down easily “Luffy!”

The two laugh as they crash into each other in a hug, making everyone smile automatically.

Well… everyone but you.

Because the second he lands in front of Luffy...your heart stops and you freeze.

That can't be...

He turns his head and his eyes meet yours.

Your brain suddenly throws you years into the past, in a small port town, with rain outside and a crowded tavern.

Too much drinking and too much laughing.

A handsome stranger with freckles. His smile… his voice asking “Want to get out of here?”

The next morning his jacket was on the floor and your clothes everywhere. And you remember leaving before he wakes up because staying felt too embarrassing.

He was…

‘Did he tell me his name...? No… Or maybe he did and I forgot? Oh my god… Please don’t recognise me… please.’

Ace blinks once, then his eyes become just a little wider.

‘He remembers. HE REMEMBERS.’

Luffy grabs Ace by the shoulders “Everyone! This is my big brother, Ace!”

Ace waves “Nice to meet you all.”

Everyone starts introducing themselves.

“I’m Nami.”

“Vivi!”

“Usopp!”

“Sanji.”

“Chopper!”

Luffy throws an arm around your shoulders and Zoro’s “This is Y/N and this is Zoro! They just really like bodyguarding!”

Zoro just gives him a small movement of his face while you just smile and then offer your hand, saying “I’m Y/N. Nice to meet you.”

Ace stares at you and doesn’t shake your hand.

‘Please don’t.’

Then he says “…Didn’t we meet before?”

Your soul leaves your body.

Sanji immediately steps between you “Oi.” his smile disappears “That’s a strange thing to say to a lady you’ve just met.”

Usopp quietly leans toward Nami “Is he about to say ‘We met in my dreams’?”

Nami whispers back “If he does, Sanji will kick him into another country.”

You laugh… maybe a little too loudly “Haha! No, I don’t think so!”

Ace tilts his head, still staring “Really?”

“Yep.”

“Huh…” he scratches his cheek “That’s weird.”

‘Please stop talking. Please stop remembering.’

He looks genuinely confused “You look really familiar.”

You shrug “Maybe I have one of those common faces.”

“Yeah… no.”

Luffy laughs “Y/N is easy to remember!”

“That’s not what I—” Ace stops himself.

You silently beg him with your eyes: ‘Please. Don’t.’

He notices and then his eyebrows move up slightly.

A few minutes later everyone enters the restaurant.

Ace immediately starts eating.

Actually he destroys food, just like Luffy. Plate after plate disappears.

Sanji watches with horror “He’s almost as bad as Luffy…”

“Almost?” Luffy asks.

“Don’t make me compare you two.”

Ace laughs “Sorry.”

Another mountain of food arrives.

You quietly sit between Nami and Chopper. Far, very far, from Ace.

Perfect and safe until Ace casually gets up, walks around the table and sits right across from you.

‘Why? WHY?’

He smiles politely “Mind if I sit here?”

“Actually…”

“Great.” he sits.

You blink.

He eats another piece of meat while looking at you every few seconds and you pretend to not notice, but of course you’re failing very badly.

Then, as everyone is busy fighting over dessert, he speaks quietly enough that only you hear “You’re really sure we’ve never met?”

Without looking at him, you answer, “Pretty sure.”

“Huh…” another bite “Because I have a really good memory.”

You get nervous and instead of thinking, you say, irritated “No you don’t.”

He says nothing and just keeps watching you.

You drink your water too quickly and so you cough.

Chopper immediately jumps up “Are you okay?!”

“Y-Yeah!”

Ace hands you his cup without thinking “Here.”

Your fingers touch for one second and another memory flashes through your head.

His hand holding yours, his laugh and his warm skin.

You immediately pull back “Thanks.”

Ace narrows his eyes.

Then something around your wrist catches his attention, a tiny faded scar, very small, almost impossible to notice.

His eyes suddenly become wide.

Years ago… that night you met you accidentally cut yourself while trying to open a bottle with a knife, he had laughed and then gently cleaned the wound himself.

That’s how it even started.

You almost choke again.

Ace slowly looks up, right into your eyes.

He figured it all out.

A slow grin appears on his face, not teasing but a little shocked and definitely a little amused.

He leans forward just enough that only you can hear, again “...Oh.”

You smile through pure panic “What?”

He whispers, “Now I remember.”

You whisper back immediately “No, you don’t.”

“…I definitely do.”

Your smile becomes painfully stiff “You definitely don’t. It wasn’t me.”

Ace tries very hard not to laugh, and unfortunately Luffy notices “What are you two whispering about?”

You both answer at exactly the same time “Nothing!”

Everyone at the table turns to look at you in silence.

Usopp slowly points at the two of you “…That’s suspicious.”

Ace coughs into his fist, while you suddenly become very interested in your drink.

Sanji’s eyes move from Ace to you and then back to Ace.

His eyebrow twitches “…I don’t like this.”

Ace smiles innocently “Neither do I.”

You kick him under the table, hard enough that he nearly bites his tongue, but somehow he still has the nerve to smile.

The group leaves the restaurant together.

Vivi looks around seriously before turning to everyone “We should split up for now and look around for information. We might hear something useful.”

Nami nods “Good idea.”

Luffy stretches his arms behind his head “Sounds easy enough!”

Then he suddenly turns toward Ace “Ace! Are you joining us?”

Ace’s eyes flick to you for the shortest moment, and a smile slowly appears, the kind of smile you already hate.

He simply says “Why not.”

‘Oh no.’

The groups begin forming naturally.

Nami gestures toward you “Come on. Let’s check the market.”

You take one step toward her.

“I’ll go with you.” Ace’s voice comes from right behind you.

You stop and very slowly, you turn around. You look at him like he just suggested walking through the desert barefoot and ask him “Don’t you want to spend time with your brother?”

Ace glances over.

Luffy is already dragging Zoro and Chopper toward a food stand “LOOK! MEAT!”

“I’m not carrying you if you eat too much.” Zoro grumbles.

Chopper smiles innocently.

Ace chuckles “Seems like he’s having fun with the green head and the reindeer.”

You let out a long sigh and before you can answer him, Sanji suddenly appears between the two of you and says “She’ll go with me.”

Ace raises an eyebrow “Will she?”

Before either of you can continue Usopp rushes over with tears already forming “WHAT ABOUT ME?!”

He grabs Sanji’s arm dramatically “Please don’t leave me aloneeeee!”

Sanji groans “You’re unbelievable…”

For exactly two seconds his attention is on Usopp, and that’s all Ace needs to reach over, grab your wrist, and start walking.

“Come on.”

“W-Wait, Ace!”

You stumble after him.

Behind you, Sanji finally notices “OI!”

Nami cups her hands around her mouth “Back at the Merry in one hour! Don’t be late!”

Ace waves without even turning around “Got it!”

A few minutes later the noisy streets become quieter and the crowd grows thinner.

You finally pull your arm free “You can let go now.”

Ace does immediately, and then he looks at you, his teasing smile returns “So…”

He slips his hands into his pockets “Why are you pretending not to know me?”

You freeze “I…”

Your voice comes out much weaker than you wanted “I don’t remember you.” a pause “Maybe you’re confusing me with someone else.”

Ace laughs quietly, making your cheeks warm.

“Oh, dear.” he shakes his head “I remembered you the second I saw you.”

He smiles softly “You think I’d forget that night? Forget you?”

Your face immediately burns, so, without another word, you walk past him very quickly… anything to hide your expression.

He follows “For the record…” he speaks casually, like he’s discussing the weather “it was probably the best night of my life.”

You almost trip but he continues “I remember everything about it. I remember your laugh, your body, the way you—”

“STOP.” you spin around, grab his arm, and pull him into a narrow side alley before anyone can hear.

The street is cool and shaded and, most importantly, empty.

You immediately point a finger at him “Okay, listen.”

You lower your voice “I didn’t know my captain would have been your brother!”

Ace crosses his arms, still smiling.

You throw your hands into the air “You never even told me your name! So every time Luffy talked about ‘Ace’, I had no idea it was you!”

Ace scratches the back of his neck “Didn’t you ever see my wanted poster?”

You stare at him, then narrow your eyes “Did you see mine?”

His confident smile disappears and he thinks for a second, then sighs “…Fair point.” another second passes “Who actually spends time looking at other pirates’ wanted posters?”

A tiny smile almost escapes you but instead, you shake your head “Exactly.”

You take a deep breath “Look...”

Your voice becomes quieter, more serious “No one has to know what happened years ago.”

You meet his eyes “Just forget about it.”

Without waiting for an answer, you walk away and Ace follows after some seconds “What if I don’t want to?”

You don’t answer, because your attention shifts to a little boy sitting on the ground nearby. He sniffles while rubbing his knee and a basket of fruit has fallen beside him.

You kneel immediately “Hey.” your voice becomes gentle “Are you okay?”

He nods, even though tears still fill his eyes.

You notice a small scrape on his knee, nothing serious.

You smile “You’re very brave.”

You help him stand, brush the sand off his clothes, and hand him the fruit that rolled away.

The boy smiles shyly “Thank you, miss.”

“Be careful next time.”

He nods happily before running away.

Ace hasn’t moved, he simply watches the whole thing quietly. His teasing smile is gone.

You walk past him, without even looking at him, your voice is calm and cold “Do whatever you want.” a few more steps “I just don’t want the crew to know.”

Finally, you glance back over your shoulder, your expression is firm “Can you do that? Can you just keep your mouth shut?”

For the first time since ever, Ace is at a loss of words and just nods before you keep on walking.

For the rest of the hour you don’t give Ace a single chance. Every time he opens his mouth you’re already walking away.

A merchant selling spices? You go ask for information. An old woman carrying water? You go ask things like “Sorry to bother you. Have you heard anything about the palace?”

A fisherman. A traveler. A baker. A family.

You move from one person to another without stopping and Ace simply follows, hands in his pockets, watching and waiting.

Every now and then he opens his mouth only for you to immediately interrupt.

“Thank you for your time!” you say and leave.

He sighs.

Five minutes later… he tries again “Y/N—”

You turn toward another stand “Excuse me! Can I ask you something?”

Ace rubs his forehead “…You’re doing this on purpose now.”

You smile sweetly “Doing what?”

“Ignoring me.”

“I’m helping my crew.”

“You’re hiding.”

“Working.”

“Running away.”

“Gathering information.”

“Coward.”

You stop, turn around and smile at him, obviously irritated by that and you say “Idiot.”

He laughs “That’s the first honest thing you’ve said to me today.”

You stick your tongue out before walking away again.

Half an hour later Ace has somehow become your unwanted shadow.

You ask another shopkeeper a question, Ace leans against the wall nearby.

You help an old man pick up dropped vegetables, Ace helps without even being asked. You thank the old man and Ace is already carrying the heavy basket for him.

The old man laughs “You two make a lovely couple.”

You almost drop the vegetables “WE AREN’T!”

At the same time Ace smiles “Thank you.”

You elbow him hard.

“Ow.”

“Good.”

A few streets later a little girl runs into you by accident and then she immediately hides behind her father.

You kneel “It’s okay.”

The girl peeks out and she notices the flower tucked behind your ear, a flower the old man gave you as to thank you for your help. Her eyes sparkle “Pretty…”

You smile and take the flower out “Do you want it?”

She nods excitedly and so you gently place it in her hair.

The girl beams while her father bows gratefully before walking away.

Ace watches quietly.

When you stand up you meet his eyes and he’s smiling.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“You’re staring.”

“Am I not allowed?”

“No.”

“That’s rude.”

“You’ll survive.”

He chuckles “Maybe not.”

The sun begins to lower.

You sigh “We should head back.”

Ace nods.

Then after following you in silence, Ace finally speaks and his voice is softer than before “I don’t think Luffy would care much about us.”

You stop walking immediately and, slowly you turn around, the smile is gone from your face “This is where you’re wrong.”

Your voice is calm “Because there’s no ‘us’, Ace.”

For the first time all day, his smile disappears… he actually looks offended, which surprises you, because you expected another joke.

“There was.” he says and pauses “And there is.”

Your heart skips.

He takes one slow step closer “Otherwise...” he points gently toward you “...you wouldn’t be panicking this much.”

You open your mouth but nothing comes out, so Ace continues “You really think none of them noticed?” he takes another step closer “Or that they won’t notice?”

Your brain completely stops working.

Ace folds his arms “See?”

You finally find your voice “I’m not panicking.”

He raises one eyebrow “Really?”

“Really.”

“You’ve avoided looking directly at me for almost two hours.”

“Because you’re annoying.”

“You’ve called me an idiot three times.”

“Only three?”

He laughs “Actually...” he pretends to think “Four.”

You cross your arms “You deserved all four and even more.”

“Probably.”

He smiles again, but smaller this time “Still doesn’t explain why you’re nervous.”

You point a finger at him “I’m nervous because you keep talking about something that happened years ago without us even knowing our damn names!”

“A very nice thing that happened years ago.”

“Ace!”

A woman walking past glances at you both and she smiles knowingly saying “Young love.”

You almost combust “NO!”

Ace rubs the back of his neck “...Maybe?”

You stare at him “Whose side are you on?!”

“Mine?”

“Wrong answer.” you start walking again, much faster.

Ace easily catches up “You know...”

You refuse to look at him “No.”

“I haven’t actually lied today.”

“Good for you.”

“Everything I said was true.”

You don’t answer, because a small, dangerous part of you believes that too, everything he said. That night wasn’t something you regretted and meeting him now is embarrassing and unexpected, but… you could never forget his laugh, his freckles and even how kind he had been afterward, before you ran away.

You just never expected to see him again, especially not as your captain's older brother.

You shake your head to stop overthinking everything again.

Beside you, Ace steals another glance and thinks “She’s even cuter when she’s flustered.” and that thought definitely doesn’t help him.

By the time the Going Merry comes into view the sky has already turned orange.

You both stop to look at each other.

“…They’re going to kill us.” you mutter.

“Probably, you’re late and got no information.” Ace agrees far too cheerfully.

You climb aboard.

The second your feet touch the deck—“YOU’RE LATE!” Nami’s voice echoes across the ship.

You flinch “Sorry!”

“One hour!” Nami points accusingly “I said one hour!”

Usopp crosses his arms dramatically “We thought desert bandits kidnapped you!”

Chopper nods rapidly “Or giant scorpions!”

Sanji walks over but his eyes immediately land on Ace and then on you.

His eyebrow twitches “Everything alright, my lady?”

Before you can answer Zoro speaks, without even opening his eyes “Took you two long enough.”

You blink “…What?”

Zoro lazily shrugs against the mast “Figured you two wanted privacy.”

Silence.

Your face goes warm “W-WHAT?!”

Even Nami turns toward Zoro “You noticed too?”

“It was obvious.” he replies simply.

“OBVIOUS?!” you squeak.

Usopp gasps dramatically “WAIT! WERE YOU TWO ON A DATE?!”

“NO!”

Sanji slowly cracks his knuckles “…Ace.”

Ace lifts both hands innocently “Hey, don’t look at me.”

He is honestly trying not to laugh, but he’s failing miserably.

You point at him “Don’t you dare smile.”

That only makes it worse because a laugh escapes him and soon he’s laughing so hard he has to hold his stomach.

You glare “You’re the worst.”

“I’ve been told.”

Between laughs, though, he catches your eye for a second and the teasing fades as his smile softens, almost worried, as if he’s silently asking: “Did I push too far?”

The look disappears before anyone else notices, except you… and somehow, that soft, worried glance embarrasses you even more than all of the teasing did.

The teasing slowly dies down.

Mostly because Vivi claps her hands together “Alright.”

Everyone looks at her.

“Did anyone find useful information?”

The smiles disappear and you let out a quiet sigh “No…”

For a second, nobody says anything.

Then Ace speaks “Yeah...”

Everyone looks at him and he scratches his cheek casually “She talked to almost everyone we passed but we didn’t find anything interesting.”

You know exactly why he says it… it’s his quiet way of telling the others not to misunderstand and let them know you weren't distracted by him but you were actually doing your work.

Nami nods “That’s a shame.”

Vivi sighs “At least you tried.”

The conversation moves on and then they begin talking about the next plan.

You glance toward Ace and without saying a word, you give him the smallest smile and a tiny nod as if to thank him.

He gives you a small smile back.

A little while later, Sanji ties on his apron “Dinner will take a while.”

He points his spoon toward everyone “So stay out of my kitchen.”

Luffy immediately tries to sneak closer “Can I taste—”

“NO.”

Luffy pouts dramatically, making Ace laugh “Still the same.”

The brothers sit together on the deck.

Luffy begins talking so fast that half his words don’t make sense.

Ace somehow understands every single word.

The two laugh, shove each other, and argue over food they haven’t even eaten yet.

You find yourself smiling at their cuteness… Luffy looks so happy and Ace laughs with his whole face.

Without realizing it you keep looking for a little too long.

“So…” a voice beside you makes you jump.

Nami and Vivi are both smiling.

Nami crosses her arms “He’s hot, huh?”

You nearly inhale your own saliva “WHAT?!”

You cough so hard Chopper turns around “Are you okay?!”

“Y-Yeah!”

Vivi tries very hard not to laugh and then she says innocently, “We meant his Devil Fruit.”

Nami nods “He’s fire.”

The two of them burst into laughter while your face burns and you say “You’re terrible.”

“Your face says everything.” Nami grins.

You immediately point across the deck “Look! Luffy is eating before dinner again!”

Luffy hears his name and turns around “Huh?”

Then he notices everyone looking at him “What?”

Nami smiles innocently “Y/N thinks Ace is hot.”

...

...

...

You freeze “NAMI!”

Luffy’s eyes become huge and he looks at Ace, then at you and then back at Ace, as a massive grin appears “REALLY?!”

Ace nearly drops the apple he was holding and playing with “What?”

Luffy runs over “Y/N! You like Ace?!”

You wave your hands wildly “NO!”

“Are you sure?”

“YES!”

“Because he’s pretty cool!”

“Luffy!”

“Maybe you can join the family!”

You cover his mouth immediately “STOP TALKING.”

Luffy muffles something against your hand. Ace is laughing so hard he has to look away… even Zoro snorts.

Thankfully Sanji saves you from more humiliation… dinner is finally ready.

Sanji places enormous plates on the table.

Luffy and Ace race toward the food.

“MEAT!”

“HEY! THAT ONE’S MINE!”

“YOU ALREADY HAVE THREE!”

“SO?”

The brothers begin stealing from each other’s plates making Sanji sigh “Animals…”

You quietly sit beside Vivi… unfortunately the only empty seat left across from Ace.

He smiles when he notices but you pretend to be fascinated by your soup.

Dinner is loud.

Usopp tells another exaggerated story as Chopper believes every word.

Zoro eats silently.

Sanji keeps serving Nami, Vivi and you.

Everything feels normal… until Usopp suddenly looks at Ace “So…” he points his fork “What was Luffy like as a kid?”

Ace laughs “Hungry.”

Everyone nods “Makes sense.”

Ace smiles “He’s always been like that.”

Nami tilts her head “Was he always this reckless?”

“Even worse.”

“HEY!” Luffy protests with his mouth full.

Ace begins telling stories about little Luffy, making everyone laugh, even you.

Then Nami asks “And your crew?”

Ace’s smile grows and talks proudly about the Whitebeard Pirates. About how loud they are, how everyone argues and how Whitebeard treats them like family.

You listen carefully, it’s nice hearing him talk and he looks…happy.

Then Ace starts asking questions too “So...”

He looks around the table “What’s it like traveling with Luffy?”

Usopp immediately answers “Terrifying!”

“Fun!” Chopper says.

“Expensive.” Nami sighs.

“Good.” Zoro mutters.

“Wonderful!” Sanji smiles.

Ace laughs and then his eyes move to you “What about you?”

You blink.

He's waiting for your answer.

You clear your throat “It’s…” a small smile appears “…never boring.”

Luffy grins proudly “SEE?”

Ace keeps looking at you, like that answer matters more than the others, and it makes your stomach flutter.

Later, at some point of the dinner, Usopp suddenly asks, “Does your crew have girlfriends or boyfriends?”

Ace nearly chokes on his drink “That’s... random.”

“I’m a curious romantic!”

Ace laughs “Some do.”

Then he casually asks “What about you all?”

Usopp dramatically sighs “Unfortunately… we’re all tragically single.”

“Speak for yourself.” Sanji says, placing a hand on his chest “My heart belongs to every beautiful lady.”

Nami rolls her eyes “That’s not how that works.”

Everyone laughs and Ace smiles before he asks THE question “Anyone here secretly in love?”

Silence.

Then every head slowly turns… toward you.

Your eyes widen “Why are you all looking at me?!”

Usopp shrugs “You looked at Ace for, like... five minutes earlier.”

You nearly fall off your chair “I DID NOT!”

Nami innocently hums “Maybe four.”

Vivi smiles into her drink “It was definitely more than three.”

You hide your face behind your cup “I’m changing crew.”

Luffy immediately raises his hand “You can never leave!”

Ace watches the scene with a smile and then, very casually and very innocently, he asks “So…” his eyes meet yours “None of you secretly have someone waiting for you somewhere?”

The table suddenly becomes much quieter.

You know that question wasn’t really for everyone… it was for you.

You lower your cup, your cheeks are warm again “…No.”

Ace nods once and the corner of his mouth lifts ever so slightly “Good to know.”

You kick him under the table, hard enough to make him hiss through his teeth.

No one notices as they're all too busy answering the question… everyone except Vivi and Nami.

The two women exchange one very amused look but neither of them says a word.

They don't need to.

The way you keep avoiding Ace’s eyes and the way Ace keeps finding them anyway, is becoming harder and harder for everyone to ignore.

Dinner slowly comes to an end even if Luffy is somehow still eating.

Sanji has given up asking where all the food keeps disappearing. Usopp and Chopper are arguing over which desert animal would win in a fight.

Zoro has already fallen asleep against the mast. Nami and Vivi go over maps one last time before calling it a night.

One by one everyone disappears below deck and eventually, the Going Merry becomes quiet.

Sleep doesn’t come.

You quietly go onto the deck, careful not to wake anyone.

The desert night is surprisingly cool.

You lean your arms on the railing and groan quietly at the thought of that loooong day “I don’t think I’ve ever been this embarrassed in my life.”

“Really?”

You jump so hard you nearly fall overboard but a hand catches your elbow before you lose your balance.

Ace.

He lets go immediately “Sorry.”

You press a hand against your chest “One day you’ll give me a heart attack.”

He grins “Worth it.”

“No.”

“Maybe.”

You roll your eyes and then you just sit and Ace sits beside you… not too close but not too far… enough that your shoulders almost touch.

For a while neither of you speaks but the silence isn’t awkward anymore.

Ace looks up “Nice sky.”

You nod “Much better than the desert during the day.”

“Definitely.”

He yawns and you laugh “Already sleepy?”

“Always.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“It’s a talent.”

You smile “I’m not sure sleeping counts as one.”

“It does if you’re really good at it.”

You snort “You’re impossible.”

“I’ve heard that today.”

“More than once.”

“Mostly from you.”

You smile again, without thinking.

After another comfortable silence you sigh “Everyone really liked embarrassing me today.”

Ace laughs quietly “Well…” he looks out at the sea “At least they think you just have a crush.”

You hide your face in your hands “Please don’t remind me…”

Then he continues and his voice is calm, almost thoughtful “They don’t know that you made me spend the most beautiful night of my life with you...”

You slowly lower your hands.

“…and then left me alone like that without even telling me your name.”

You blink.

“…making me search everywhere for you...”

Your breath catches.

“…only to randomly find you in my little brother’s crew.”

You stare at him as he keeps looking at the sea, like he didn’t just completely change the conversation.

You quietly ask “…You searched for me?”

Ace looks over and a small laugh escapes him. He rubs the back of his neck and then nods “Yeah.”

Your heart skips.

“I looked around the island for days.”

Your eyes grow wider “Days?”

“Mm.” he smiles sheepishly “But I never looked into pirates.” he points at you “You told me you were just a traveler.”

You immediately answer “Because I was!”

Your voice echoes a little louder than you intended so you freeze and then take a breath before you continue much more quietly “I mean…”

You look down at your hands “I never even thought about becoming a pirate before meeting Luffy.”

Ace nods slowly as a knowing smile appears “Yeah.” he laughs softly “I get it.”

You tilt your head “You do?”

“That’s how my little brother’s influence works.”

You laugh and the smile stays on both your faces for a while.

Then Ace speaks again but quieter this time “Can I ask you something?”

You nod “Sure.”

He looks at you “…You never looked for me after that night?”

You freeze.

He scratches his cheek awkwardly, then laughs once, but it sounds... nervous and then he asks “Was I so terrible?”

Your head snaps toward him “What?!”

You immediately shake your head and without even thinking the words leave your mouth before your brain can stop them “You were even too good!”

Silence.

Your eyes slowly become wider.

Ace blinks, then the corners of his mouth start lifting.

Your entire face catches fire “I…” you stand up so fast you almost trip “I should go. It’s late.”

You turn around but then a warm hand gently wraps around your wrist, not pulling hard but enough to stop you.

You look down at the hand and then at him.

Ace is trying not to laugh.

He gives your wrist the tiniest tug “Sit.”

You sigh dramatically “…Fine.”

You sit back down beside him, but this time you refuse to look at him.

After a long silence you mumble, “…That was embarrassing.”

Ace smiles “Nah. I’ve been embarrassing myself all day.” he chuckles “This was nothing.”

You finally glance at him and see he’s smiling at the stars, looking completely relaxed.

For some reason… that makes you laugh.

Ace smiles a little wider when he hears it.

The tension that had followed you around the entire day slowly disappears.

Then you feel like answering his question from earlier “About what you asked earlier…”

Ace tilts his head “Hm?”

You take a slow breath “I didn’t look for you.”

He stays quiet, waiting for you to continue.

“…But it wasn’t because you weren’t… good.”

He immediately grins “I figured after your little confession.”

You cover your face “Can we pretend I never said that?”

“Never.”

You sigh dramatically “Worth a try.”

He chuckles.

You look back at the sea “It was just…”

You struggle to find the right words “I never did anything like that before.”

Ace’s smile fades into something gentler.

You continue quietly “I’d never had a… one-night stand.”

The words feel strange to admit out loud.

“I don’t even know why I did that.” a small laugh escapes you “Maybe the drinks.”

Ace smiles “Maybe.”

You shake your head “When I woke up…” you look down at your hands “…I panicked.”

A long pause “So I left.” the memory still makes you cringe “I didn’t even stop to think.”

You laugh awkwardly “I just grabbed my things and left the island.”

Ace listens without saying a word.

“Later…” you shrug “I was way too embarrassed to go back and look for you.”

You smile weakly “Eventually… I hoped I’d just forget about it. Obviously it didn’t work.”

His eyes lift to yours and you laugh softly before you continue “It wasn’t just that night that made me think about you.”

Ace blinks.

You look out at the ocean again “It was everything. The before… when we met.”

A small smile appears “You were funny. You listened. You were kind.”

You laugh quietly “Honestly… at first I thought you were going to be a jerk.”

Ace places a hand over his chest dramatically “I’m wounded.”

You smile “You had that confident smile and that smirk.”

“I still do.”

“Exactly.”

He laughs.

You shake your head fondly “But you weren’t.”

Your voice becomes softer “You were nice before.” a pause “You were sweet during it.”

Your cheeks warm immediately and you cough it off “…And afterward too.”

Ace looks at you quietly.

You continue before you lose your courage “I don’t believe in love at first sight.”

He nods slightly.

“Never have. So I convinced myself…” you sigh “…that you only wanted it to be one fun night.”

Ace opens his mouth but you gently stop him “I know now that I was wrong.”

Finally you look directly at him “I really panicked today when I realized… that you were the Ace Luffy always talked so much about.”

Ace rubs the back of his neck “He really talks that much?”

You laugh “Constantly.”

He groans “Sounds like him.”

You smile and then your expression softens “…But…” you meet his eyes “I’m also happy we got to clear everything up.”

Ace scratches his cheek, looking oddly embarrassed, then he laughs “Wow.”

You blink “What?”

“I’ve never heard you talk this much.”

You gasp dramatically and then you lightly punch his arm.

“Ow!” he laughs anyway “Violence!”

“You deserved it.”

“Probably.” he smiles impossibly softly.

“I’m glad I found you, Y/N.” his voice is barely above a whisper “…Even after all this time.”

Your smile slowly grows and neither of you looks away.

Then Ace shifts, turns his whole body toward you and lifts one hand toward you.

A playful smile returns to his face “Why don’t we reset the game?”

You tilt your head.

He clears his throat dramatically “Hello.” he offers his hand “Nice to meet you.”

A tiny bow follows “I’m Portgas D. Ace.”

His grin grows “You’re cute.” a beat “Are you single?”

You burst into laughter and then, still smiling, you turn your body toward him too.

Your knees almost touch.

You take his hand “I’m Y/N.”

You pretend to think “…And yeah… as a friend of mine with a very long nose likes to say…”

You sigh dramatically “…I’m terrifyingly single.”

Ace laughs so hard he almost loses his balance “That’s a tragedy.”

“The greatest one.”

He doesn’t let go of your hand and neither do you.

The laughter slowly fades, and only smiles remain.

Then, very quietly, Ace asks “Do you kiss on a first date?”

You grin “Apparently… I kiss and do much worse with complete strangers.”

Ace lowers his head with a laugh “Then…”

He looks back at you “…We’re lucky we’re not strangers anymore.”

You nod “Yeah.”

The word comes out almost as a whisper.

Slowly the distance between you disappears. You meet him halfway.

Your lips brush softly against his.

The kiss is slow and gentle. The complete opposite of the first one you shared that first time, because that night had begun with curiosity, and this one begins with honesty.

When you pull away you’re still smiling and so is he.

Ace rests his forehead lightly against yours “Hi.”

You laugh quietly “Hi.”

The next morning, when everyone gathers for breakfast, you and Ace are sitting on opposite sides of the table.

You don’t look at him and he doesn’t look at you, or at least that’s what you’re both trying very hard to make everyone believe.

“Morning.” you say politely.

Ace nods once “Morning.”

Short and simple.

Luffy looks between the two of you “…You’re weird.”

“We’re always weird.” you answer a little too quickly.

“Not this weird.”

Ace calmly drinks his coffee “Maybe we didn’t sleep much.”

You nearly choke on your bread but he doesn’t even glance at you and yet yhe corner of his mouth twitches.

For the rest of the day you both become surprisingly good at acting.

When the crew is together you barely speak. If Ace asks the group a question, you let someone else answer. If you have something to say, you direct it at Luffy or Vivi instead. If your paths cross, one polite nod.

Nothing more.

But… the problem isn’t your words… it’s everything else.

Every time someone makes the group laugh your eyes automatically search for each other.

Whenever one of you disappears for a few minutes, the other somehow always ends up wandering in the same direction.

Later that afternoon you volunteer to refill the ship’s water barrels.

You lift one bucket.

“Need help?”

You don’t even turn around “No.”

Ace laughs “You answered before checking who it was.”

You sigh “Because I knew.”

He steps beside you “I’m offended.”

“Why?”

“You didn’t even sound surprised.”

You pick up another bucket “You’ve been following me for three days.”

“Has it only been three?”

You give him a flat look “Ace.”

He grins “Y/N.”

You try to walk past him but he casually reaches out and catches your hand for just a second. His thumb brushes lightly across your knuckles.

You look down at your joined hands and then back up at him. He’s smiling and you can’t help smiling back and then you just say “You’re impossible.”

“You keep saying that.”

Footsteps.

Both of you hear them at the same time and your eyes widen. Without thinking you shove him away, hard enough that he stumbles backward.

“Ow!” he whispers loudly.

“Someone’s coming!” you hiss.

Ace barely has time to recover before Chopper appears “Oh! There you are!”

You immediately lift the bucket “Just getting water.”

Ace nods seriously “I was... supervising.”

Chopper tilts his head “Why?”

Ace opens his mouth but nothing comes out.

You bite your lip to stop yourself from laughing.

The same thing keeps happening again and again and again.

You see Sanji busy, so you volunteer to help him by bringing vegetables from storage.

You kneel to pick up a basket.

Ace quietly appears behind you “Busy?”

“Very.”

He leans closer… close enough that you can feel the warmth of his shoulder.

“You haven’t smiled at me in...” he pretends to think “…almost fifteen minutes.”

You roll your eyes “What a tragedy.”

He lowers his voice “Maybe you should fix that.”

You smile despite yourself “There.”

“Much better.”

You hear Sanji calling from upstairs, asking if you’re ok.

Without hesitation you place both hands against Ace’s chest and push him away.

He stumbles into a barrel.

“…You know,” he mutters, rubbing his shoulder, “you’ve pushed me away a lot these last few days.”

“Because you keep sneaking up on me!”

“I’m starting to take it personally.”

Another day… you’re standing alone, enjoying the wind.

Ace quietly walks up beside you and neither of you says anything, just your fingers slowly brush against each other.

Then he hooks his little finger around yours, such a tiny gesture that makes your heart melt.

You glance at him and quietly hook your finger around his too.

A soft smile appears on both your faces.

Then—“Y/N!”

Usopp’s voice echoes across the deck, so you both immediately let go at the same time.

“…You know,” he says under his breath, “one day you’re going to throw me overboard.”

“Good.”

“Cruel.”

“Careful. Someone might hear us.”

By the fourth day the crew starts exchanging looks, because your acting has somehow become even stranger.

Ace treats everyone exactly the same, except you. With you, he’s almost too polite.

“Could you pass the salt, Y/N?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

A long silence follows.

Usopp slowly looks at Nami. Nami looks at Vivi. Vivi hides a smile behind her cup.

Sanji narrows his eyes. Luffy keeps eating.

Finally, Zoro opens one eye and looks at you and then at Ace before he quietly says “…You two are terrible actors.”

The entire table goes silent.

Your heart stops and Ace blinks once asking “…What do you mean?”

Zoro shrugs “Nothing.” he closes his eye again “Just saying.”

You and Ace exchange the quickest glance in history, then immediately look away again.

Neither of you notices Nami trying very hard not to smile, or Vivi quietly hiding a laugh behind her drink.

The following morning is peaceful, which usually means something is about to go wrong.

You are down in the Merry’s small storage room, quietly counting what little food is left.

“…Three bags of rice…”

You move one aside.

“A few vegetables…”

Another pile.

“…And Luffy definitely stole half of the dried meat.”

A familiar voice answers from behind you “He absolutely did.”

You don’t even have time to turn around.

Ace wraps his arms around your waist from behind, pulling you gently against him.

“Ace…”

He laughs into your hair “Finally.”

You can hear the smile in his voice.

He turns you around before you can protest and his face is much closer than you expected.

“You’ve been avoiding me all morning.”

“I’ve been working.”

“Same excuse as always.”

You open your mouth to answer but instead, he leans in.

His lips are only a breath away from yours.

You place a hand against his chest “Ace.”

He stops for exactly one second, then he tilts his head with a mischievous grin and instead presses a quick, warm kiss against the side of your neck.

You shiver “Ace!”

He rests his forehead against your shoulder with an exaggerated sigh “Damn it…”

Another sigh “I can’t take this anymore.”

Despite yourself you smile and then gently push him back but not very far, just enough to look at him and say “This is too dangerous, Ace.”

He pouts immediately. You can’t believe the feared commander of the Whitebeard Pirates is looking at you like a disappointed puppy.

Several quiet seconds pass, then his eyes brighten “I’ve got an idea.”

You already don’t like that smile “…That’s never a good sign.”

“Do you want to go on a date with me tonight?”

You blink “…What?”

“A date.”

He says it as if it’s the simplest thing in the world.

You stare at him “How? The crew is going to ask questions if we suddenly disappear together.”

Ace crosses his arms confidently while a smug grin spreads across his face “Don’t worry.”

He taps his chest “I’ve got the perfect plan.”

You narrow your eyes.

He continues “…Just let me handle it.”

You sigh “That’s somehow even more worrying.”

He laughs softly “Everything’s going to be okay.”

You sigh again “Oh. Now I’m definitely worried.”

Lunch arrives and everyone gathers around the table.

Luffy is already eating before Sanji finishes serving. Usopp is telling another impossible story.

Everything is normal… the only strange thing is Ace who’s unusually quiet.

Every few seconds he glances at you and then smiles to himself.

You kick his foot lightly under the table, he looks up and you mouth “What are you planning?”

He smiles wider and after a few more minutes Ace suddenly clears his throat “Hey, Luffy.”

Luffy doesn’t even look up “Hm?” still chewing.

Ace speaks with complete confidence “I’m taking Y/N on a date tonight, so don’t worry about her.”

...

...

...

Silence.

Somewhere at the table a fork hits the floor with a loud clink.

You freeze completely.

Luffy calmly swallows another bite of food, reaches over and steals meat from Nami’s plate as he simply says “Okay.”

He keeps eating, like nothing unusual was said.

Ace slowly turns toward you with the proudest smile you’ve ever seen on his face.

You slowly stand up and point at him “Are… you crazy?!”

Your words finally break the spell that froze the crew.

“WHAT?!” Usopp shouts.

Sanji slams both hands on the table “HOW DARE YOU!”

Then he spins toward Luffy “AND YOU!”

Luffy blinks “Hm?”

“How can you just say ‘okay’?!” Sanji clutches his chest “My dear Y/N can’t go out with...” he glares at Ace “…another man!”

Nami immediately smacks the back of his head “Sit down.”

Sanji obeys instantly “…Yes, Nami-swan.”

Nami turns back toward Ace, much calmer but also much more dangerous “…For how long has this been going on?”

Ace doesn’t hesitate “Way before she even became a pirate.”

Your head snaps toward him “Hey!”

The words leave your mouth before you can stop them “We agreed that doesn’t count!”

Ace smiles at you warmly “It counts to me.”

His voice is so casual it almost doesn’t register. 

Then he adds “That’s when I realized I wanted to see you again.”

Your mouth opens but no sound comes out and slowly you sit back down.

You stare at your plate, you take your fork and roll a piece of food around without actually eating it.

Your face is burning.

Luffy finally looks up “Oooh!” he points between the two of you “Before we became brothers?”

Ace sighs dramatically “Not that before, idiot!”

“Oh.” Luffy nods “Got it.”

Usopp suddenly shoots to his feet “WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT WAIT!”

He points wildly “YOU TWO KNEW EACH OTHER?!”

“WHEN?!”

“WHERE?!”

“HOW?!”

“WHY DIDN’T ANYONE SAY ANYTHING?!”

You immediately pretend your lunch has become the most interesting thing in the world.

Ace, meanwhile, answers every question with surprising patience.

“Years ago.”

“Different island.”

“We lost touch.”

“Found each other again here.”

Usopp gasps after every answer as if hearing the greatest adventure ever told.

The whole table erupts into questions, even Chopper joins in.

You don’t answer a single one, instead your eyes drift toward Luffy.

He’s smiling and watching Ace with the happiest expression.

Nami notices where you’re looking and she lowers her voice, quiet enough that only you can hear her “…Did you think Luffy wouldn’t approve?”

You don’t answer immediately but then the noise around the table fades into the background, and from your left Zoro speaks without even looking up from his food “He’s happy if you and his brother are happy.”

He shrugs “Isn’t that obvious?”

You look at him in surprise.

Zoro keeps eating and drinking as though he hadn’t said anything important.

A small smile appears on your face and then you let out a quiet breath “…I guess I worried for nothing.”

Across the table Ace is laughing as Usopp fires another impossible question at him.

His smile is bright and relaxed… lighter than you’ve seen it since the day you met again.

He catches your eye for just a second and smiles only a little wider, and without realizing it you smile back.

A little later, Nami casually slips an arm around yours “Come with us.”

You blink “Where?”

“Shopping.”

“What?”

Vivi smiles “For tonight.”

Before you can protest, Luffy appears beside you “Can I come too?”

Nami sighs “Why?”

He shrugs “I’m bored.”

The markets of Alubarna are crowded with fabrics, jewelry and colorful clothes.

For the next hour you become Nami and Vivi's personal doll.

“Try this one.”

“Too fancy.”

“This?”

“Too plain.”

“Turn around.”

“Not bad…”

Luffy sits on a nearby crate eating fruit and every now and then he looks up and says “That one looks nice.”

Nami blinks “…You actually have an opinion?”

“Yep.”

He points toward a simple outfit hanging nearby, it isn’t flashy, just comfortable and elegant without trying too hard.

Very... you.

You change into it and when you step out Vivi smiles first and says “There she is.”

Nami nods “Ace isn’t going to know what hit him.”

Your cheeks immediately warm.

While paying, Vivi quietly asks, “So…” she smiles “How did you two actually meet?”

You hesitate and then you tell them everything… not every little detail, but enough.

When you finish neither of them laughs and neither of them judges.

Vivi’s expression softens “…That’s actually really sweet.”

Nami nods “A little messy.” then she smiles “…But sweet.”

You laugh “Messy is one way to describe it.”

Luffy suddenly speaks up “Ace told me.”

You look at him “About what?”

“That you were scared I’d be upset.”

Your shoulders tense.

Luffy frowns, genuinely confused “Why would I be?”

You blink.

He grins “He’s my brother.” then he points at you “You’re my best friend. You’re family.” another grin “That sounds awesome.”

You feel something unclench inside your chest.

Luffy laughs “As long as he doesn’t make you cry.”

A pause and his smile becomes surprisingly serious “Otherwise I’ll punch him.”

You laugh so hard you almost cry but say “What if he’s the one crying?”

Luffy laughs harder and answers “Means he deserves it!”

This makes you laugh again.

The sun begins to set and the sky turns orange.

You return to the Merry just before dinner.

Ace is already waiting near the dock and the moment he sees you he forgets to breathe.

You stop a few steps away, suddenly feeling shy “…Hi.”

He stares for another second, then smiles “Hi.”

He scratches the back of his neck “…You look beautiful.”

Your heart immediately forgets how to function “Thank you…”

He offers his arm dramatically “May I steal you for the evening?”

You laugh and loop your arm through his “You may.”

Nami, Vivi and Luffy who were with you simply waves at the two of you. You wave back then you see Luffy is about to yell something but Nami hit him and shit him up before he can do anything.

The date is... simple.

A small restaurant tucked away from the busiest streets, with warm lanterns and good food.

Ace insists on pulling your chair out before you sit.

You raise an eyebrow “Trying to impress me?”

“Is it working?”

“…Maybe.”

He places a hand over his heart dramatically “Victory.”

You laugh.

Most of dinner is spent talking about simple things, like favorite foods, childhood stories, places you want to visit, and dreams.

Every now and then your hands brush across the table.

After dinner you walk slowly through the quiet streets, neither of you seems in a hurry for the night to end.

Ace suddenly clears his throat and a teasing smile appears “…So…”

He looks ahead “Should we get a room?”

You glance at him and he’s clearly joking, trying to make you nervous or something.

Instead… you simply nod “…Okay.”

Ace stops walking “…Wait.” he looks at you, then points at himself “…Really?”

You nod again and his confident smile completely disappears “…Are you sure?”

You smile softly “I’m sure.”

He tells you to follow him and then a few minutes later… he leads you through a different street and you notice a small inn.

“…For someone who was joking…” you smile “…you found an inn awfully fast.”

Ace immediately waves both hands “Hey! It’s not like that!”

He laughs awkwardly “I was staying here before I met you guys.”

You giggle “Mhm, sure.”

He blinks “…You’re teasing me?”

“Maybe.”

“…You’re evil.”

“I’m learning from you.”

The room is quiet and for a moment, it’s obvious neither of you knows what to do or say and by the tenth gaze you give each other, you both laugh at exactly the same time.

And like that, the awkwardness disappears.

You step closer, lift a hand to his cheek and kiss him softly.

When you pull back, you smile and say “I loved the date, you can relax.”

He lets out a nervous laugh “I’m trying.”

After he stares at you for a moment, he finally closes the distance and kisses you with softness but also with a bit more hunger than before.

As you kiss him back, the kiss deepens and then you feel his hand going down, to where your shirt ends. He grabs it and pulls it off you, slowly and gentle.

Then he breaks the kiss and looks at you again to ask “Are you sure?”

You have no strength to talk, so you just smile at him and nod.

He nods back and then he removes his own shirt.

The rest of the evening passes wrapped in quiet affection, gentle kisses, and the warmth of finally being together without fear or misunderstandings between you.

It’s totally the opposite of your first time together but it still has that much tension, maybe even more, amplified from love too, now.

Later, you fall asleep curled up in each other’s arms.

The next morning, you wake up first, and careful not to disturb him, you quietly slip into the bathroom and start the shower.

A few minutes later the bathroom door suddenly opens.

Ace appears like a mess, his breathing is uneven and his eyes are wide with panic.

You blink, then it clicks and your expression softens immediately “…Wait. You thought I left again?”

He doesn’t answer, he only gives a small, embarrassed nod, making your heart aches.

You reach for his hand “Hey.” and you smile gently “I’m here.”

He looks at you for another long second and you smile again “Come here.”

You gently tug him toward the shower and the warm water falls around both of you.

Neither of you says much, you simply stand together, close enough that your bodies constantly touch.

Ace wraps his arms around you and then you wash each other’s hair, laughing quietly when he gets soap on his nose.

He cleans you with soap and he steals little kisses from every part of the body he’s cleaning… from your forehead, your shoulder, your cheek, making you smile every single time.

Just tenderness.

When you finally leave the inn later that morning, hand in hand, neither of you knows exactly how you’ll make it work with two different crews sailing different seas, but somehow, neither of you doubts that you will.

After all, you’ve already found each other once against impossible odds.

~Ace

Ace was used to attention.

Not because he demanded it..he just…got it..Almost everywhere he went.

People would stared. Girls giggled. Guys admired.. pirates everywhere knew his name.

He would smiled, and half the island melted.

So when he first saw you, he did what he always did:

He flashed that easy grin.. Tilting his head.

Leaned against the railing like he was posing for a poster.

“Hey,” he said, voice warm and smooth. “Need any help?”

You glanced at him.

A single, polite glance.

“No thanks.”

And you walked away.

Ace blinked.

Head tilted.

“…Huh?”

Ace decided to try again the next day.

He leaned over the table where you were sorting supplies, arms crossed..his muscles doing their usual “look at me” thing.

“So,” he said, lowering his voice, “you come here often?”

You didn’t even look up.

“I live here.”

Ace froze.

“Oh..Right..Yeah. That makes sense.”

You kept working.

Ace stared at you, baffled. He is not used to this.

He tried again.

“You know… most people think I’m pretty charming.”

“do they..”

“Like… really charming.”

“Mm.”

Ace blinked again.

He couldn't help but think 'am I…broken?...Or is she broken??'

Ace decided maybe you just didn’t realize he was flirting. Ya that has to be it.

So he made it more obvious.

He brought you your favorite snacks...yes he had to first figure out what it was..

He made sure to compliment your hair.

He tried carrying heavy crates past you like they weighed nothing.

He laughed louder when you were nearby. He even took his shirt off for absolutely no reason... Not that he wore one that often anyway.

Yet..you barely glanced at him.

Ace was seriously losing his mind.

So he went to Marco.

“She’s immune,” Ace whispered dramatically. “My charm isn’t working.”

Marco didn’t even look up from his book.

“Maybe she’s busy.”

“No,” Ace insisted. “She’s ignoring me on purpose.”

Marco shrugged. “Then try something else.”

Ace frowned. “Like what?”

Marco smirked. “Oh I don't know..Try being helpful.”

The next day, you were sweeping the deck.

Ace appeared beside you with another broom.

You blinked. “What are you doing?”

“Helping,” he said, trying to sound casual.

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.” he insisted.

You shrugged and kept sweeping.

Ace swept too.

Pretty Badly...

He kept bumping into things. He kept sweeping the same spot you were sweeping.

And he kept glancing at you like a confused golden retriever.

But you didn’t tell him to leave.

And that was enough.

Like come on that's progress!

Over the next few days, Ace helped with everything you did. Or at least tried..

You washed dishes? He dried those dishes and put them away.

You organized supplies? He helped organize supplies and made it go more smoothly.

You carried crates? He carried three at once. Definitely not trying to show off.....definitely not.

And slowly… you started talking to him.Not much. Just little things...but the company was nice.

Ace lit up every time.

He would grin when you laughed. He’d blush when your hands brushed.

He even stared at you like you were the sun when he thought you weren't looking.

And you finally started noticing him.

Really noticing him....

Ace helped you finish your chore, hands brushing yours, cheeks pink, trying so hard to impress you without being obvious.

When you finished, he cleared his throat.

“So… uh… I like being around you.”

You smiled glancing at him “I know.”

He blinked. “You… do?”

“Yeah. You’re not very subtle.”

Ace’s jaw dropped.

“I- I thought you didn’t notice me at all!”

You shrugged.

“I noticed. I just wanted to see how long it would take you to say something.”

Ace stared at you mouth agape with this look of betrayed.

“You were testing me?!”

You grinned. “Maybe.”

He groaned dramatically, flopping onto a crate.

"Oh you’re evil...”

You nudged his knee. “ So do you want to take me out or not?”

Ace sat up so fast he almost fell.

“Yes! Yes I do!”

You laughed, and Ace’s heart nearly burst.

~~~

~Luffy

Luffy didn’t realize he was in love at first. He's never really care about 'dating'.

He just knew he liked being around you.

A lot.

Like… a lot a lot.

He’d plop down beside you during meals. He’d stretch his arms across the deck just to poke your shoulder.

He’d call your name first every time he saw something cool. He noticed he smiled whenever you walked into a room.

But you?

You barely reacted.

You treated him like…a normal crewmate.

Not special..not any different..not someone you were supposed to pay attention to.

And Luffy didn’t understand why that made his chest feel weird.

Luffy’s first solution was simple:

If you weren’t noticing him…he’d just get closer.

So he started:

- sitting right next to you

- leaning his whole body weight on you

- wrapping his arms around your waist when he was bored

- resting his chin on your shoulder

- following you around the ship like a lost puppy

You’d gently push him off.

“Luffy, I’m trying to work.”

“Oh. Okay.”

He’d step back.

For three seconds.

Then he’d be right behind you again.

You didn’t yell. You didn't start blushing....You didn’t even tease him.

You just… kept doing your thing.

Luffy frowned.

This wasn’t working.

Luffy thought maybe you just didn’t know how cool he was.

So he started showing off.

He lifted heavy crates with one hand. He would stretch across the entire deck.

He fought a giant fish and dragged it onboard...He balanced on the railing with one foot.

He did flips.. and tricks...He did everything short of setting himself on fire.

You glanced over once.

“Be careful.”

Then went back to your task.

Luffy deflated like a balloon...

Luffy’s last idea was foolproof.

Food..

Food fixes everything..So he started bringing you snacks.

“Here! Sanji made this! It’s good!”

You took it politely..said thank you..ate it.

And then?

You went right back to what you were doing.

Luffy stared at you, confused, holding an empty plate..like this wasn't what he thought was gonna happen.

“…Why isn’t she looking at me?” he whispered to himself.

One afternoon, you were tying down rope on the deck when Luffy plopped down beside you, legs crossed..staring at you intensely.

You didn’t look up.

So he leaned closer.

Still nothing.

He leaned closer.

Still nothing.

He leaned so close his nose almost touched your cheek.

You finally sighed. “Luffy… what are you doing?”

He blurted it out without thinking:

“Why don’t you look at me the way I look at you?”

You froze.

Luffy’s eyes were big, honest, confused, a little sad.

“I like you,” he said simply. “A lot. But you don’t… you don’t look at me.”

You blinked. “Luffy… I didn’t think you liked me like that.”

He tilted his head. “Why not?”

“Because you act like that with everyone.”

Luffy frowned. “No I don’t.”

“You hug everyone.”

“Yeah, but I hug you more.”

“You cling to everyone.”

“Not like I cling to you.”

"You don't normally share food tho...”

“mhm and I give you the best bites.”

You stared at him.

He stared back.

Then he said, very softly:

“I want you to notice me.”

Your heart did something stupid.

“…Luffy,” you said gently, “I do notice you.”

He blinked.

“Really?”

You nodded.

He broke into the biggest, brightest, sunniest grin you’d ever seen.

“Then- then-does that mean you like me too?”

You smiled.

“Yeah. I do.”

Luffy practically launched himself at you, wrapping you in a tight, warm hug.

“GOOD!” he said, burying his face in your shoulder. “Because I wanna be with you all the time!”

You laughed, hugging him back.

“I kinda figured.”

Luffy pulled back just enough to beam at you.

“Then we’re dating now!”

You blinked. “Just like that?”

“Yep!”

He grabbed your hand, lacing your fingers together.

And this time?

You squeezed back.

The first time, he almost asks you out

Pops has the crew gathered on deck as you sail towards the next island, a winter island this time. You can almost see it in the distance, leaning over Ace’s shoulder to get a better view, as your father talks about the plan. Your division’s commander leans back against you, causing you to almost fall as he laughs. 

Marco leans over and whispers something to Ace, keeping his laugh going for another minute. God I could listen to that laugh forever. He bumps into you before leaning his head towards your ear, ready to pass Marco’s joke along. 

You’re both laughing as he leans away and it takes a second to catch yourself staring at his lips before you quickly look up to his eyes. 

As Pops finishes going over the plan, the group begins to disperse. Ace asks you about something related to your next task but you’re not listening, eyes back onto his lips as they move. Quickly faking something you hope makes sense as a response, you move your eyes up to his. “Yes, with the supplies we get on this next island, I should be done with my project within a week.” 

Hoping your response was in line with what he asked, you forgot what you even said when you catch his eyes on your lips. He’s much more shameless being caught in the act as he slowly looks back up to your eyes, taking in every detail of your face on his way up. 

“Thatch was actually telling me about this cute cafe on this island. Said it’s a pretty good date spot…” The panic rises in your chest from the confidence in his eyes. 

“Oh haha we should send you out to go get some food from the cafe, since you’ll be the only one who doesn’t need a coat.” He gives you a lop-sided smile and furrows his eyebrows as you gently punch his shoulder. 

Thanks for the date spot, Thatch, but I guess today is not the day.  

The second time, he’d go anywhere with you  

The crew is gathered around the table in the kitchen, enjoying the dinner Thatch made. Everyone’s laughing, having lots of side conversation, when Deuce suddenly grabs everyone’s attention. 

“Okay okay, if we weren’t all in Pops’ crew, what would everyone be doing?” Multiple people respond at once, everyone excitingly talking to their crewmates closest to them. Both you and Ace listen as one of the pirates sitting near you two tells you about his childhood dreams. 

When it’s your turn to answer, you talk about the love you had for one of your hobbies as a child. About how your family helped nurture it, how Pops ensured you had everything you needed to pursue the hobby and follow your dreams. About how he caught you and gave you a home on his crew and a purpose when your dreams failed. 

The entire time you’re talking, Ace’s heart aches for the younger you. He watches the wonder in your eyes as you speak, and can’t help the hearts forming in his eyes. Most of the table has turned to you as you spoke. Being the captain’s daughter, no one has ever wondered how you came to be a Whitebeard Pirate, but few had known you as a child. 

Once you’re done with your dreams, the table collectively turns towards Ace, waiting for his response. “If I wasn’t with this crew, I’d be wherever you are.” The hearts in his eyes are more prevalent and the crew nods their support, Deuce and Marco both subtly nodding at Ace. 

The same panic you’ve experienced before comes back as you respond. “Oh of course! Anywhere with the crew is the ideal plan! I had only meant if the crew was never formed!” There’s a chorus of groans as you watch Ace’s smile tighten with hidden pain. 

Thanks for the opening, Deuce, but I guess today is not the day. 

The third time, he’s caught on to your father’s plans  

Ace’s face immediately drops the seriousness as you both walk out of Pops’ office. His face lights up as he turns towards you and cracks the first joke. Mimicking your father’s voice, he says, “Listen up, you two. No more funny business. We have serious plans on this next island.” 

The laugh that escapes your mouth makes Ace’s smile grow twice as large as you add to his joke. “You’re my second division commander, Ace, you have to lead us to victory here.” 

The glowing smile on your face grows Ace’s confidence as he tries to advance your father’s hidden agenda. “And you, (y/n), you have to fall for him, I set you up, now fall into the trap.” Ace hopes it works this time. There’s no one around and nothing you need to do. Just fall for me please, like I’ve fallen for you.

The familiar panic rises as you try to keep the light joking mood, oblivious to the fact that Ace is serious. “Oh, and make sure Marco knows to fall into the trap I set for him. Wouldn’t him and Thatch be cute?” The smile on your face stays, enjoying the teasing you and Ace get up to. 

Looking ahead, you don’t notice Ace’s smile falter as he wishes you knew he wasn’t joking. 

Thanks for the wingman support, Pops, but I guess today is not the day. 

The fourth time, his gift isn’t appreciated  

The island the crew is docked on today is a peaceful one, for once. Pops sends you and Ace out to pick up some supplies for the ships. That’s how you find yourself window shopping in an area away from the shops you should be at. 

Ace points out things in almost every stall, most of them funny, some things he thinks you’d like. You’re pointing things out, too, mostly things you genuinely like or that you know Ace would find funny. 

As you walk past a jewerly stall, a specific piece catches your eye and you linger on it a bit longer. You don’t say a word about it but Ace catches the look in your eye, the way you hold it like it means more than it should. He knows you want it but you won’t even point it out to him. 

You’re headed towards the next stall when Ace pulls out some berry Jozu gave him for this very reason. He hands it to the stall keeper as he grabs the piece you were eyeing. Catching back up to you, he grabs your arm and spins you back towards him.  

“I saw you looking at this, so I got it for you.” As you hold out your hand, Ace very carefully places it in and looks up at the adoration in your eyes. The panic rises again and you stump out that adoration for the man standing in front of you. 

Letting out a laugh, you try to lighten the mood again after seeing the love in his eyes. “Oh geez, now I have to go get you that elephant head statue!” The smile doesn’t quite reach your eyes this time as you can’t believe he got you something so beautiful. But you don’t let it show as you bump into him and head to the next stall. 

Thanks for the money, Jozu, but I guess today is not the day. 

The fifth time, Marco helps and fails  

Working through your normal day to day tasks on the ship, you’re currently taking inventory of one of the pantries. “(Y/N)!!” A glass jar of rice drops out of your hands, spilling everywhere right before you run out of the pantry to see why Marco is yelling across the ship for you. 

The second you run into the medbay, he just smirks as he pulls the door shut, locking it. You rub your eyes and groan, looking over to see Ace leaning against the wall. His usual smile absent as he begins to talk to you. 

“Hey (y/n), I’m sorry Marco trapped you but I wanted to ta-” Your ragged breath and folded over body stops Ace, and he moves closer to you. 

“Geez, the pranks are getting out of hand. Joking on deck is one thing, but to trap both of us?” Ace is at your side, your face in his hands and he’s desperately trying to stop your hyperventilating. Oh no no no. Note to self, she’s scared of being trapped. 

His hands move your face up, your eyes now on him as you start to giggle through the tears. “You’re going to step the medbay on fire, Ace.” He then realizes that the fear of you being scared set his flames loose and he starts to calm them as he eases at the sound of your laughter. 

Caring more about you being okay, Ace decides his serious conversation can wait. 

Thanks for the emergency fakeout and use of the medbay, Marco, but I guess today is not the day. 

The sixth time, you can’t stop him  

Ace arrives in his office with two coffees. The confusion reads on his face as he spins around a few times, wondering why you aren’t waiting for him like you always are. Your normal chair near his desk sits empty and the room doesn’t even have your normal smell yet. 

The coffees are set on his desk as he heads out to find you. The confusion morphs into worry as he finds Marco and asks where you are. “I haven’t seen her yet today. Maybe Pops has her on a job.” 

The worry escalates as Ace finds Thatch and receives a similar answer. “She didn’t get breakfast but she never eats breakfast so I figured she was with you. She might be in bed, ask her while she’s stuck there if she’s not feeling well.” 

Getting similar answers from every crew member he sees on the way to your cabin, Ace’s worry progressively worsens. No one has answers but everyone is urging him to ask you out while you’re most likely stuck in bed, not able to run from him. Today should not be the day if she’s sick. It can’t be the day. 

Ace throws your door open, completely out of breath. “There you are. Are you sick? What do you need?” He closes the door as he moves closer to your bed, where you’re laying tucked under multiple blankets with a cool washcloth on your forehead. 

The smile that shows on your face is smaller and kinder than Ace is used to. “Geez, you couldn’t stand to be apart for even a day?” While your words are teasing, Ace thinks you sound genuinely happy to have him here and that’s all he needs to hear. 

“No. I can’t stand to ever be apart from you. You make me feel like there’s a reason I was born. I love you, (y/n).” The smile on your face grows as Ace is checking your temperature and pulling his waterbottle out of his pocket to hand to you. “Pops may have set a trap for you, but I fell the day he put you in my division.” 

His hand on your forehead is heating up from the nerves surfacing, but you hold his hand there, happy to have the heat, especially if it’s from him. “I love you, Ace. Think Pops will let you stay here today? I think I need your heat to feel better.” 

Ace babbles about how he doesn’t care what Pops thinks, he knows he’d agree that you need to be better. Losing his boots and hat, Ace climbs on top of your bed. “Where would the heat help?” You don’t answer, you just roll yourself over so your body is draped over his. His body freezes as your weight lands, and he fights the flames that threaten to appear. 

As carefully as he can, trying desperately not to light you on fire, he places his hands on your back and starts rubbing one slowly along your spine. Your breath starts to even out after a few minutes and Ace relaxes as you doze off for a bit. I guess today is the day. 

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

You wake a few hours later, body on top of Ace’s as he snores under you. You’re feeling better and you push yourself up to hover slightly above Ace. Running a gentle figer across the details of his face, he stirs slightly. His hand finds your shoulder as you trace the outline of his lips, curling into a smile while you’re tracing. Your lips find his nose just before he opens his eyes. 

Maybe during that first mission with Sabo—when he pulled you out of a collapsing tunnel with smoke in his lungs and soot in his hair. Or maybe it was the way he looked at you during meetings, when everyone else spoke over each other and his eyes quietly sought yours like they were the only steady thing in the room.

Regardless, you’d never told him.

Instead, you wrote letters. Quiet, aching, folded-up things in the corners of notebooks and between pages of Revolutionary Army maps. Pages filled with things you could never say aloud. Sometimes it was just a sentence. Sometimes full confessions. But you never gave them to him. You didn’t need to. Writing them was enough.

Tonight, the base was quiet. Outside, a soft breeze shifted through the trees, and the only sound in your room was the scratch of your pen.

You were curled up at your desk, writing again. Candlelight flickered beside you. You didn’t hear the knock. You didn’t notice the door creak open.

“Y/N?”

You jolted. “Koala—!”

She froze in the doorway. Her eyes dropped to the open page on your desk before you could hide it.

“Wait. What is that?”

“Nothing.” You slammed the notebook shut, your voice too sharp.

Koala blinked. Then her eyes narrowed.

“…That’s your handwriting.”

“So?”

She stepped in, shutting the door behind her. “So that was definitely Sabo’s name.”

You groaned. “Koala—please.”

She raised a brow. “Is that a letter to him?”

You turned away. “It’s not for him. I mean—it is, but—I wasn’t gonna give it to him.”

A beat of silence passed.

“…You’ve written more than one, haven’t you.”

You didn’t answer.

She came closer, her voice gentler now. “Y/N.”

Your shoulders dropped.

“It’s just… easier to write it than say it,” you whispered.

Koala sat on the edge of your bed. “You really like him, don’t you?”

You let out a breathy laugh. “Yeah. I do.”

Your voice cracked a little when you said it. You didn’t even mean to. You covered your mouth, eyes burning suddenly with tears you hadn’t expected.

You hated this—how hard it was to hold it all in sometimes.

“I like him so much it hurts,” you confessed. “And he doesn’t even know.”

Another voice answered:

“Yes. I do.”

⸻

Your head whipped toward the door.

Sabo stood there, hand still on the knob. He looked as if he’d frozen in place. Behind him, the hall was dark—he’d come alone. No footsteps, no warning. Just his silhouette framed in low light.

You stared. “Sabo—?”

He stepped in slowly. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I came to return Koala’s map notes. I wasn’t—” He cut off, brow furrowed, and looked at you. “You really meant it?”

Your throat felt tight. “I—I didn’t know you were listening.”

“I was,” he said softly. “Every word.”

You turned to Koala, but she was already slipping out the door with a sheepish shrug. “Sorry!” she mouthed before vanishing.

Now it was just the two of you.

“I didn’t plan to say that,” you said, voice trembling. “I just… It’s been a long time. I’ve been trying to keep it in.”

Sabo’s steps were slow. Careful.

“How long?”

You couldn’t meet his eyes. “Since Baltigo.”

“That long?”

You nodded.

He moved closer. You felt him pause just beside you.

“…Why didn’t you tell me?”

You hesitated. “Because we’re in the middle of a war, Sabo. And you’re important. And brave. And reckless. And always getting yourself into danger—”

“That’s not a reason not to tell me.”

You looked at him then.

His eyes were soft. No teasing, no judgment. Just that same steady, thoughtful Sabo you’d always known—only now closer than he’d ever felt before.

“I was scared it would ruin everything,” you said quietly.

He gave a small, almost broken laugh. “I’ve been scared of that too.”

You blinked. “What?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve liked you for a long time, Y/N.”

You stared, stunned.

He gave a small, sheepish shrug. “I never wrote letters or anything, but… if I had, I probably would’ve filled a hundred pages by now.”

Your breath caught. “You really mean that?”

He looked away, ears turning red. “Yeah. Every word.”

A laugh broke from your lips—half disbelief, half relief. “You idiot.”

He looked back at you with a faint smirk. “Says the one who actually wrote letters.”

You let out a shaky laugh.

And suddenly it felt all real.

——

A few days later, Sabo knocked on your door. When you opened it, he was holding something out.

Your notebook.

“The one with the letters,” he said with a grin.

Your eyes widened. “Where did you—?!”

“I didn’t read them,” he promised. “I swear. But… if you want me to, I will.”

You stared.

Then you reached out—and flipped to the last page. Your handwriting was still there. The ink fresh. The one you’d been writing the night he overheard.

You tore it out, folded it neatly, and handed it to him.

He blinked. “Just this one?”

“For now.”

He looked at it like it was something precious. “Can I read it in front of you?”

You nodded.

He opened it slowly.

You watched his eyes move across the page—watched the flicker of a smile, the subtle shift of his expression. By the time he finished, he was quiet.

Then, carefully, he looked at you.

“Do you want a letter too?”

You blinked. “You’d write one?”

He leaned in, closer than ever before. “I’d write one every day.”

And when he kissed you, it felt like the answer to every unsent word you’d ever written.

——

Ace

It was a quiet afternoon on the Moby Dick. The sun hung lazily above the sea, casting golden warmth over the deck. Laughter echoed faintly from the other side of the ship, but Ace wasn’t with the others. He sat alone near the back, arms crossed over his knees, a troubled expression clouding his usually bright face.

He’d overheard a few new crewmates whispering—again.

“Roger’s son, huh? No wonder he’s so reckless.”

“I still don’t get why Whitebeard lets him wear the mark.”

Their voices replayed in his head, sharp as knives. No matter how far he came, how hard he fought, those words always lingered. Was he just his father’s shadow? Was he even supposed to exist?

You found yourself talking to Marco later as you leaned against the rail, eyes watching the horizon.

“You think Ace is okay?” you asked softly.

Marco raised a brow. “You’ve been watching him all day.”

You hesitated, then sighed. “He always looks like he’s trying to prove something. Like he doesn’t believe he’s enough. I just wish he’d let himself feel… loved.”

“You’re in love with him, huh?” Marco said with a smirk.

You didn’t even deny it.

“Yes. I love him.” Your voice dropped. You hadn’t noticed Ace was nearby—standing still behind the corner, frozen as the words sank in.

——

Ace kept tossing fire between his fingers like nothing happened, but his heartbeat wouldn’t slow down. She loves me? The words played over and over in his head.

He approached casually, as if he hadn’t just overheard something that shook him to his core.

“What are you two whispering about?” he asked, flopping down beside you, a teasing grin on his face.

You jumped a little. “Ace! Uh—nothing really. Just… talking.”

Marco snorted and walked off, giving you two space.

Ace tilted his head, pretending to look bored. “Sounded like something deep.”

You hesitated, then offered him a gentle look. “I just… worry about you sometimes.”

His smile faltered slightly. “You don’t have to.”

“But I do,” you insisted. “You’re always trying to be the strongest, the most reliable… You don’t need to carry it all alone.”

He didn’t answer right away. His eyes dropped to his hands.

“Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve been born at all,” he said quietly, voice barely audible over the waves.

Your heart clenched. “Ace…”

“I hear the things people say. About my father. About me. It never really stops.”

You touched his arm gently. “You’re not your father.”

He glanced up at you, eyes guarded.

“You’re you, Ace. I care about you because of who you are—not because of your name, and definitely not in spite of it.”

⸻

Ace couldn’t sleep that night. He paced the deck in the dark, wrestling with your words. He’d heard so many lies in his life. So many people who wanted something because of the blood in his veins—or wanted nothing to do with him because of it.

But your voice was different.

He found you in the galley, wrapping up a late-night snack. You turned, surprised.

“Ace? You okay?”

He looked… unsure. And for someone like Ace, that was rare.

“I heard what you said to Marco earlier,” he admitted, leaning against the doorway.

You froze, eyes wide. “You… you did?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled, but it was hollow. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop. Just… kinda happened.”

You shifted awkwardly. “Well… I meant it.”

He looked at you like he was seeing you for the first time.

“I’m not my father, Y/N. But sometimes I think people only ever see him when they look at me. Like I’m just waiting to become him.”

You walked up to him, eyes soft.

“You’re not him. You never will be.”

Ace stared at you, caught in the sincerity of your gaze.

“I love you,” you said, voice steady. “Not because you’re Gol D. Roger’s son. Not because you’re Whitebeard’s commander. But because you’re Ace. And that’s enough.”

Ace stared at you, his eyes flickering with something raw and real. Then he leaned down and pressed his forehead to yours.

“I love you, Y/N,” he breathed. “Not just because you see me… but because when you do, I finally feel like I deserve to be here.”

Your heart swelled as you wrapped your arms around him.

“You do, Ace. You always have.”

And for once, he let himself believe it.

——

Law

The Polar Tang was unusually quiet that evening, save for the hum of the ocean against the hull. You sat in the galley with Shachi and Penguin, half-listening to them banter while organizing mission notes. A familiar name drifted into the conversation.

“I’m just saying,” Shachi smirked, “if Captain has a secret admirer, it’s gotta be someone on board. Who else could handle that grump 24/7?”

“Yeah, right. Can you imagine anyone confessing to Law?” Penguin snorted.

Your hand froze over the page, heart thudding. You gave a weak chuckle, trying to stay casual.

“…I think he’s different than people think,” you said quietly.

The two fell silent, glancing at each other before looking back at you. “Different how?” Shachi asked.

You stared down at your notes, unsure why you were still speaking. “He’s cold sometimes, yeah, but there’s a reason. He’s… carrying a lot. But underneath that, he’s kind. Steady. I admire him. I love him, actually.”

You didn’t notice the door slightly ajar—or the shadow that had paused just outside. Law, on his way to the infirmary, heard every word. He didn’t move. Just stood there, stunned, your voice echoing quietly in his chest like a scalpel carving into old scar tissue.

——

Later that night, you found yourself sitting near the back of the ship, watching the stars shimmer through the porthole. You didn’t expect company—until his footsteps neared.

“Working late?” Law asked, standing behind you.

You turned, startled. “Oh. Hey. Yeah. Just… couldn’t sleep.”

He didn’t sit. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and added, “Neither could I.”

You nodded slowly. There was something unusual in his gaze—measured, intense. Like he was holding back words with every breath.

“I heard you,” he said bluntly. “In the galley.”

Your heart stopped. “What?”

He didn’t look away. “You said you loved me.”

The silence stretched long between you. Your breath caught in your throat.

“I didn’t mean for you to—”

“You meant it though,” Law interrupted. “Didn’t you?”

“…Yeah,” you whispered. “I did.”

He stepped forward. Just one step, but it felt like a line being crossed. His voice softened. “Why?”

You blinked. “What do you mean?”

“Why me?” His tone was flat, but his eyes betrayed the storm behind them. “Why would anyone… love me?”

You swallowed hard. “You’re strong. Not just in power—emotionally. You always show up. You carry so much but never drop any of it. And you… you protect people. You saved me more than once, Law. You care, even when you act like you don’t.”

He looked away sharply.

“You don’t have to earn it,” you added quietly. “Love doesn’t work like that.”

His breath hitched.

Law didn’t answer for a long time. Then, quietly:

“You sound like him.”

You blinked. “Who?”

He sat down at last, elbows on his knees, eyes far away. “Corazon. He told me once, I didn’t need a reason to be loved. That someone could love me just because.”

“…He was right.”

Law’s hand twitched. “I hated hearing it back then. Thought it was a lie. After he died… I convinced myself I wasn’t meant for that kind of thing. Not after what I did to survive.”

You looked at him—truly looked. His jaw was tense, but his shoulders were slumped like someone carrying too many ghosts.

“Sengoku told me, after everything… that Corazon loved me like family. And I kept asking myself why. Why me? Why would he care so much? I’ve been so bad to him. Even now, I still don’t know.”

Law leaned back against the wall, head tilted up toward the ceiling.

“You know,” he said, “I used to think if I kept everything locked up, it wouldn’t hurt. That if no one knew what I felt, no one could use it against me.”

“That’s a lonely way to live,” you whispered.

“It was.” His voice was quieter now. “Until you.”

You inhaled sharply, heart catching in your throat.

“I’ve been watching you too, Y/N. I always noticed when you sat closer during meals. Or brought coffee when I was holed up for hours. You always knew when to say something—and when not to.”

He looked over at you now, eyes unreadable but softer than you’d ever seen.

“You’re not a secret I want to keep locked away anymore.”

The words hit you like a wave. “Law…”

He stood slowly, stepped in front of you, and reached out—hesitating just for a breath—before his fingers gently cupped your face.

“I’m not good at this,” he said. “But I want to try. With you.”

Your eyes stung with tears you hadn’t realized were forming. “You’re already doing just fine.”

His lips brushed against yours, tentative at first, then fuller, deeper. You melted into him, and he kissed you like someone who finally let the gates fall. When he pulled away, he stayed close, forehead resting against yours.

“No more secrets,” he whispered.

——

Zoro

The fight had been brutal. Zoro, despite his immense strength and endurance, had taken a hit he couldn’t recover from quickly. Blood stained his clothes, and the crew had rushed to stabilize him, quickly patching him up as best they could on the ship.

You were a wreck. Despite being part of the crew for so long, despite the battles, seeing him hurt like this… it was too much for you to handle. You were pacing back and forth near the medical room, your heart in your throat as your mind raced with worst-case scenarios. Nami and Robin stood nearby, trying to comfort you, but nothing could settle the growing panic inside.

“I—I can’t do this,” you muttered, wiping away the fresh tears that had formed. “What if—what if he doesn’t make it?”

Robin placed a gentle hand on your shoulder, her voice soothing, but there was an undercurrent of concern there too. “Zoro’s strong. He’s not going anywhere.”

But you couldn’t stop. You couldn’t stop worrying, couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Your chest ached at the thought of him not making it through this.

Nami’s voice, usually so steady, was now quieter, though there was still a reassuring edge. “You need to calm down. He’s tough. Zoro will pull through.”

But no matter how much they tried to comfort you, the fear was too overwhelming. You couldn’t stop thinking about the worst outcome—what it would be like to lose him. How he was always so strong, always so dependable, and yet, this time, you weren’t sure it would be enough.

“Please,” you whispered through your sobs, barely audible but full of pain. “Please don’t leave me, Zoro. I love you… I love you so much. I can’t lose you.”

You didn’t realize how loudly you’d said it. You were too caught up in the panic, in the fear of losing him, that the words just spilled out without thinking.

In the shadows of the hallway, hidden from your view, Zoro had heard everything. He had been leaning against the doorframe, trying to muster the strength to stand up on his own after the injury, when your words reached him. At first, he wasn’t sure if he’d heard you correctly. But when you repeated it, in that broken, desperate tone, he felt the weight of your confession hit him like a freight train.

He stood there, frozen for a long moment, a strange mix of emotions swirling within him. His heart thudded in his chest, and for a moment, everything felt overwhelming—more so than the injury itself.

——

Zoro had managed to make his way to the deck quietly, not wanting to disturb you. He needed a moment to process what he’d heard. But it wasn’t just the words that had shaken him—it was how much they revealed. How deeply you cared, how much you were hurting, how afraid you were for him.

He’d always known you cared for him. You had always been there for him, quietly supporting him, and he’d grown fond of your presence more than he ever intended. But hearing it like this, in a moment of vulnerability, brought something to the surface that he had spent so long suppressing.

The wound on his side throbbed painfully, but it wasn’t the physical pain that weighed him down. It was your words. The quiet admission that you loved him. Zoro leaned against the railing, trying to clear his head, but the ache in his chest wasn’t going away.

Meanwhile, you had secluded yourself in your room. The crew had calmed down enough to leave you some space, but you couldn’t stop thinking about Zoro. You kept replaying the words over and over in your head, cursing yourself for letting them slip. You didn’t want to burden him.

But what if he didn’t feel the same? The uncertainty gnawed at you, and you hugged your knees to your chest, your face buried in your arms.

——

It wasn’t long before there was a knock at your door. You didn’t want to face anyone, but the soft voice that called your name made you hesitate.

“Y/N? It’s me. Can I come in?”

Your heart jumped in your chest. You didn’t have to ask who it was. You stood and opened the door to find Zoro standing there, looking tired but determined. His clothes were stained with blood, and his usual carefree posture was slightly off, but there was something in his eyes that made you freeze.

“You shouldn’t be up yet,” you said, voice cracking. “You’re injured. You need rest.”

Zoro smirked, but there was no usual arrogance in it—just a tired, soft kind of affection. “I’m fine. I’m not the type to stay in bed when I’m still breathing.”

You opened your mouth to protest, but Zoro cut you off before you could speak.

“Listen,” he began, his voice uncharacteristically gentle, “you don’t need to apologize for what you said earlier.”

Your breath caught in your throat. “Zoro, I didn’t—”

“Don’t deny it.” Zoro took a step closer, his hand reaching out and gently lifting your chin so that your eyes met. “I heard you.”

You swallowed, heart racing. His gaze was intense, but it wasn’t cold. It wasn’t distant. It was something more—something you hadn’t dared to hope for. “I didn’t mean to… I didn’t want to make you feel awkward.”

Zoro’s fingers brushed lightly against your skin, his touch warm and reassuring. “You don’t have to apologize. I just—” he hesitated, his usual tough exterior faltering for just a moment, “I need to say it too.”

You blinked, your heart thumping painfully in your chest. “Say what?”

Zoro’s eyes softened, his usual guarded nature slipping just slightly. “I’ve known for a while now. I’ve just been too stubborn to admit it to myself. But I care about you too. I think… I think I love you.”

The words hung in the air between you, and for a moment, neither of you moved. You were both standing there, both finally facing what had always been there but had remained unsaid.

“I—I love you too, Zoro,” you whispered, your voice thick with emotion. “I was just too scared to say it.”

Zoro’s lips tugged into a faint, almost shy smile. Then, without another word, he closed the distance between you and kissed you softly, his hand still gently holding your face. The kiss was slow, tender, filled with everything that had been left unspoken for so long.

When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against yours, his breath shaky. “I’m not going anywhere. Not if you’ll have me.”

And at that moment, everything fell into place.

——