#admin: laboon

It also makes you happier and live life fuller. You take risks, you do the things you’re scared to do and make sure you have fun doing it in the hopes that your joy is strong enough to feed through to your soulmate.

(It is.)

(And he’s eternally grateful for you because of it.)

But of course, life has its downwards spirals and eternal loss of hope.

So when one hits you especially hard, leaving you unable to find happiness in the things you’d always loved, Katakuri takes it upon himself to make you feel something other than despondence.

He talks to his family, goes on trips with Brûlée. Anything to lighten the dark, creeping feeling in his chest.

It’s unnatural.

You’re light and love and enjoyment bubbling beneath his sternum, the reason he has for smiling and letting his pulse race.

But this.

It scares him.

How can someone he’d depended on for elation be so downtrodden?

It works, eventually.

You feel something stir under the gloom of your own sorrow, small and hopeful. You cling onto it as much as you can, the tiniest of smiles gracing your lips. And in that moment, you’re thankful.

And thus starts a cycle of lifting each other up, determination to have a good time settling in when the deep ache of unpleasant feelings so much as pokes around your chest.

The market is the first place you visit. Your eyes trail the stalls, taking in the colourful people and the things they’re selling. You have a hand on Zoro’s arm, tugging every once in a while to ensure he doesn’t wander off. Nothing catches your interest, and Zoro doesn’t seem keen to head into any places either, so you both decide to rest at a nearby restaurant. 

The waiter has only just walked away after taking your orders when you spot a small group of uniformed men being seated close by.

Zoro locks onto them at the same time, and he’s latching onto one of his swords, ready to leap and fight them.

“Wait, wait!” you hiss, leaning over the table to grab his arm.

“They’re Marines,” he protests, matching the volume of your voice. But he settles back onto the chair.

“We’ll just—maybe they haven’t seen us yet,” you try.

He looks doubtful but stays where he is.

Lunch remains peaceful, quiet chatter and laughs emanating from your table as the food diminishes.

You’re not sure when it happens, but everything goes wrong; the Marines have recognised you both, and Zoro has taken it upon himself to fight the whole lot of them.

You shouldn’t be surprised at the turn of events but it still astonishes you just how quickly things can escalate.

With a tray, you block a plate of food that comes flying towards you in the scuffle. A waitress cowering behind a table captures your attention and you hurry over to her.

“Hey,” you chirp. “What’s your name?”

She flinches, surprise etched onto her features when she registers your presence. “I—ah—Penni,” she stammers.

“Great, Penni.” You smile to soothe her nerves and lean in. “Is there another way out? Like a back door no one knows about?”

She tells you about an exit that’s usually reserved for receiving shipments, and you thank her. You also leave a hefty bag of beli for the damage caused (and to keep quiet about where you will have escaped through).

When there’s a reprieve in the attacks, you pull Zoro away from the restaurant-turned-battlefield and leave.

“I almost got them all,” he grumbles.

You stifle your laugh at his near pout, looping your hand around his arm instead. “I know. But we’re meant to be keeping a low profile.”

You both manage to leave the restaurant, but going back the way you came from isn’t an option with the number of Marines swarming the area. You scan the place, finding a forest that you could hide in, or a beach you can pass through in order to get back to your ship. When you ask Zoro for his opinion, he doesn’t answer.

“Zoro?” You squeeze his arm and he looks at you with flickering eyes. “You okay?”

His lips move to make a sound, but he doesn’t act upon it. Instead, he nods and grunts an affirmation.

You don’t believe him, but you drop the matter and focus on evading the Marines. “Let’s go through the forest.”

With a hand on his arm, you guide him towards the trees, making sure to look back every now and again to keep watch of where your pursuers are.

It’s not long until you both realise you don’t know where you’re heading.

“I can’t believe you got us lost,” Zoro says.

With narrowed eyes, you poke him in the side. “I don’t see you helping.”

He catches your hand before you can prod him again. “Don’t; you know I’m ticklish.”

You nudge him with your shoulder and grin widely. “That’s the point, handsome.”

Zoro lets your fingers drop and establishes a small berth with a few steps. It’s not at all obvious, but you’ve known him long enough to pick up on his minute actions.

You let him wander as you try to piece his behaviour together; he’s been weird ever since you left the restaurant. He isn’t still upset over the fact that he didn’t get to fight the Marines, is he? You turn to question him but realise he’s further out than you thought. “Hey!”

He turns and you jerk your head to the side.

“We need to go this way.”

As he makes his way back, you fiddle with the sleeve of your jacket and glimpse the word on your wrist. With a start, you blink and pull back the fabric to stare at it more. And no matter how many times you run your eyes over the word, it’s unmistakable.

‘Love.’

His nearing footsteps bring you out of your shocked stupor and you bring your arms down to your side.

“So, where are we going?” He stops a considerable distance from you.

You only stare at him as you try to make up your mind. You could leave it alone and never speak of it. But you’ve never broached the subject of love before, despite knowing the fact that you’re soulmates and you’ve been intimate with each other.

But, there’s also the fact that he’s been quite aloof today.

Decisions are hard—too difficult to make on your own, so you leave the choice to Zoro. “One or two.”

“What?”

“Just choose; one or two,” you clear up. You’ll address the topic if he picks two.

“Uh—Two.”

Shit. “Okay.” You exhale and pace the ground before you face him again. “Okay. Can we talk for a moment?” You almost wish that he declines the invitation.

And it seems he wants to as well, but he elects against it. “Yeah. About what?”

“What’s going on with you?” At how harsh your question sounds, you shake your head. “You’ve been acting really weird. Like, ever since lunch. You’ve been… distant and I don’t know why.”

He tightens his jaw as he works out what to say. “It’s because of you.”

“What?”

His eyes flicker between your eyes and he exhales before he turns his arm to display the scrawl on his flesh; ‘love.’

Confusion settles on your features and you look up at him.

He doesn’t meet your gaze. “I didn’t—you know I’m not good with this.”

“You’ve been acting weird because I’m in love with you?”

He blushes and you suppress the light laughter that bubbles in your chest. This is the emotionally handicapped man you’ve chosen to love. You smile and lift your cuff and show him your soulmark. “You love me too.”

Zoro’s eyes turn on anything but you and the evidence of his affections on your wrist. “Yeah—I—So what?”

You can’t stop the giggle fast enough and it only serves to turn his face redder. “You’re such a dork.”

“Am not.”

“I’m actually relieved,” you admit with a sigh. “I thought something happened to us. You kept distancing yourself and I thought you didn’t—”

“No.” It’s harsh and cuts through your unfinished sentence. He’s in front of you, hands encasing your own. “Never.”

You study his eyes, throat closing at how sure his voice is. Your stomach pulls into itself, churning with nerves at his proximity and the implication of your future with him. You take in his face; his eyelashes, the curve of his nose, the rise of his lips, the dip of his chin and how stunning he is.

“I love you.”

Zoro captures your whispered words with his lips and presses it onto yours.

It’s not your first kiss with him.

But it’s a tentative first with love spilling into the slow movements and delicate caresses that ends with a quiet breath and a haze that fills your head and settles in your chest. You stay in each other’s space, souls content.

“We should go back to Sunny.” His voice is low, still entranced in the feeling of being in love with you.

“Yeah.” You pull back from him but he stills you with a soft grasp on your wrist.

“Don’t let anyone see that,” he murmurs.

“Your feelings are safe with me.”

He scoffs. “That’s not what I meant.”

You slip your wrist from his grip and intertwine your fingers with his. “I could just get you angry instead.”

“You’re impossible.” His lips curve into a grin

“Yeah, but you love it.”

When you arrive at your house, you find your housemate’s boyfriend leaving. You wave to him, but he only scowls. 

Confused, you enter your shared house. 

“I told you to leave!”

You wince at the yell. “Not Jak!” you call back, slipping your shoes off. You place the papers on the counter, filling the kettle with tap water. “Everything okay?”

There’s silence from their bedroom, save for a few sniffles. “Y/N?”

You place the kettle on its base and flick the switch.

Footsteps patter into the kitchen and you turn around. You’re about to greet them but they rush you, hugging you as they bury their head into your shoulder. 

You return the embrace, hands on their back. “What’s wrong?”

They take a breath and pull away, eyes red. “The bastard cheated on me!”

Your eyes narrow. You really should’ve punched him instead of waving at him. “I thought he was your soulmate?”

They glare at the name on their arm, teeth gritted. “Apparently not.” The words come out laced with bitterness and they squeeze the skin between their fingers. “Stupid soulmates.”

“Hey, stop.” You pull their hand away before their skin becomes redder. “You want some tea?”

“Yes, please,” they sigh. “Do you think I should get a tattoo?”

You chuckle at the idea, taking down cups. “I think you’d look great with one.”

The tea serves to calm you both down—your nerves stilling and their anger slowing.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” they gasp, sitting upright. 

You’re taken aback at the sudden change in tempo. “What do you mean?”

“I must be freaking you out with my ‘soulmates are stupid’ rant,” they say, eyeing the letters on your skin. “You haven’t even met yours yet.”

Shaking your head, you smile. “It’s fine.”

And it really is; listening to them vent was distracting you from your own anxieties.

“What are you doing home so early anyway?”

You shrug, stretching your arms out on the table. “I got the week off.”

Their eyes widen, practically leaping off the chair. “Oh my God!” they rush into their room and come out with two slips of paper. “Do you wanna go on a cruise with me?”

You’re frozen in disbelief. “What?”

“I was meant to go with Jak but… y’know.” They shake their head before they can get riled up again and hand you a ticket. “So, I’ve got a spare.”

You take the paper and read through the information. “This is in three days, Ash.”

“But you’re finally free!” they beg. “And we both need the break.”

You’re almost scared again—what if on your trip you miss meeting your soulmate? But your boss’ words come back to you and you find yourself nodding. “Okay, I’ll go.”

Ash grins, practically vibrating as they hug you. “We should pack.”

You retreat to your room and pull out a suitcase, loading your clothes into it. You’re excited—you’ve never been on a ship before, so you’re looking forward to the experience.

And if you’re out there when you meet your soulmate, there’s no way they’re some boring civilian.

You glance at the ‘sa’ on your arm with a grin. This might be the best decision you’ve ever made. 

It’s not.

It most definitely is not. 

Departing from the shore was fine, though delayed. Everyone grumbled and complained, but the staff told everyone they could get their first drink free.

Then, while on the seas, the ship just stops.

“Is this normal?” you ask Ash.

They shrug and you realise neither of you have been on a cruise before. 

Ash opens the door, head peeking out as they try to wave down a staff member. “Excuse me.”

A firm voice outside says something and Ash closes the door.

“What’s wrong?” your voice is tight with panic because your friend doesn’t look calm.

“I’m not sure,” Ash murmurs. “He just told me to go back inside.”

You purse your lips, trying to look outside the window. The angle makes it too difficult to see anything. “So we just stay here?” Your finger runs over the mark on your arm. The fifth letter is starting to form, and you’re not sure what letter it’s trying to make. 

“Well, we have to,” Ash answers. “It’s probably just something small.”

And then the ship starts to shake. The ground vibrates and the walls quiver, windows and mirrors rumbling.

Something shatters in the room next door.

You grab hold of the dresser, finding stability in the heavy furniture. 

The tremors stop. 

“You okay?”

Ash nods. They clamber back to the door where there seems to be voices emanating from outside; it’s more than just staff now. “I think everyone else left their rooms.”

“We should go too.”

You and Ash join the crowd outside, walking the hallway to find someone who might know more than you.

The people around you are all confused, asking each other what’s going on, but no one seems to have a definitive answer. The general consensus, however, is pointing towards pirates.

“That’s not good,” Ash whispers to you.

“Are they robbing us?”

Ash shrugs, pulling you to a stop. “Maybe we should hide out down here.”

Footsteps rush overheard, silencing the chatter in the hall. Everyone holds their breath as their eyes follow the noise. 

The ceiling caves, wood splintering as a person tumbles down. 

Screams pierce the air. 

People shuffle away from the debris. 

“Sanji!” A yell from above calls out

The mass under the wood groans. “I’m okay!”

Your breath stills at the voice and a shiver runs down your spine; it sounds familiar, but new at the same time.

Ash hisses your name and you look back to find that you’re paces away from where you were standing. “What are you doing?” they keep their voice low.

You raise your arm.

Ash mouths the name printed on your skin and their eyes flicker to your face. “Jesus Christ, Y/N.”

Amongst the quiet, Ash’s exclamation carries across the hall.

Wood clatters to the ground as the man sits up. “Wait, who said that?”

You turn, unsure how to proceed. Do you walk up to him? Stay back here?

What if he’s dangerous?

“Don’t,” Ash murmurs behind you.

The man stands up and scans the crowd.

His eyes lock onto you and your breathing stutters. “It’s you,” he utters out.

You swallow the lump in your throat. 

The ceiling gives way again.

Ash pulls you back as people start to yell. 

The crowd dwindles, people retreating to their rooms, but you’re frozen in place and Ash isn’t going to leave you. 

The blond looks down at the second pile and pulls out another man with wild hair and long nose. “Hey, Usopp, you okay?”

He raises a shaky arm and shoots his companion a thumbs-up. “Everything hurts.”

“You’ll be fine.” Sanji places him back on the ground and stares at you again. “Are you Y/N?”

You somehow manage to nod. 

He approaches you, long strides taking him up to you in a matter of seconds. 

Ash steps in front of you, eyes narrowed. 

You’re almost glad for their interference—you don’t know how safe this man is.

Sanji stops. “I just want to see your mark,” he says.

Ash turns their head, waiting for your decision.

You grip the back of their shirt. “It’s okay, Ash.”

They move off to the side but keep their eyes on Sanji as he comes closer.

He takes your arm in his hand, fingers gentle and light.

You suppress the stutter in your breath at the feel of him touching you. 

He brushes his name with a finger, sending shivers down your arm. 

When you look up at him, he smiles. And it’s so beyond breathtaking that you don’t know how to respond. 

Something crashes on the floor above and you both glance up.

“I’ll be back.” He squeezes your arm and jumps through the hole he had entered through. 

The other man joins him soon after.

Ash migrates back to you, touching your arm to pull you out of a trance. “You okay?”

“Uh—yeah.” You nod.

“You’re drooling,” they snicker.

You send them a playful glare. “Shut up.”

Ash leans against the wall, legs stretching out in front of them. “So, we just wait for him to come back?”

The ceiling shakes as something hits the floor above, causing you both to pause.

“Yeah,” you answer, after whatever happened settles. “I think so.”

“But, like, isn’t he a pirate?” Ash gestures vaguely through the ceiling.

You purse your lips, hand coming to rest where Sanji had touched you. “I know, but…” you shrug, “it just—he seems…” You flail your arms as you try to come up with a word. “Safe?”

They study you for an uncomfortably long time, which they conclude with a sigh of defeat. “Okay.” Ash straightens from their slouched position. “What are you going to do?”

“I…” You shrug. “What do you mean?”

“When he comes back,” Ash clarifies. “What are you going to do? Quit your job and sail with him? Come back home and wait for him?”

The question stumps and scares you at the same time. “I don’t know,” you whisper. 

Ash’s demeanour softens at your uncertainty. “Maybe just have a chat with him,” they suggest. “See how he is, and if life on the sea is what you want.”

You nod slowly. “Sounds logical.”

“And if he isn’t what you’re looking for…” Ash’s shoulders lift. “No harm done.”

“You sure are smart,” you chuckle. 

Ash scoffs, shaking their head. “Nah,” they disagree. “Just experienced.”

Footsteps click down the stairs and you look up to see dress shoes descending.

You release a shaky exhale, crossing your arms to hide your nerves.

NSFW

dominant af

likes to be in control and hear you beg

also likes the feel of your thighs wrapped around his waist, and when you thread your fingers through his hair

when he starts to lose control, he buries his face in your shoulder and sometimes bites your skin

if he’s feeling hot-tempered, expect angry sex

round one will be rough and hard

round two will always be softer and more loving to make up for it

and round three (if you can handle it) will be all about you and making you feel good

note that these rounds are based on his climaxes, not yours

he won’t do it often, but sometimes, he’ll give up control to you and let you make the decisions

he is so into bondage