Woah Requests are open!!! I was hoping to get a fic where female reader was luffy sabo and Ace's sister. She was a marine until Ace passed away and ended up joining the strawhats after the time skip. Can you make a hurt and comfort story with some romance with reader and Yamato about the loss of Ace and then reader ends up with Yamato during Wano?
Fire That Never Dies
yamato x fem!reader
a/n: I skipped the gender talk about yamato bc I didn’t want to focus on that and just gave him he/him pronouns... anyway, first time writing for him and I kinda focused more on reader so I hope I didn't go too much out of character T.T
words count: 4.6k
tags: canon and non-canon events so it has spoilers of ASL & wano arc!, he/him pronouns for yamato, hurt/comfort, ASL sister reader, former marine reader, strawhat reader
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The sea around Wano is terrifying.
Huge waves crash against the Thousand Sunny while Nami yells at everyone.
“Chopper, hold that rope tighter!”
“I AM HOLDING IT!”
“BROOK, STOP DRINKING TEA!”
“But tea calms the soul YOHOHO~”
Another massive wave slams into the ship.
Carrot screams.
Sanji immediately shields her, Nami and you from the water.
Luffy laughs like a maniac “This place is AWESOME!”
You wipe seawater from your face with a deep sigh “Remind me again why we came here.”
“Our friends are here!” Luffy says.
“To die!” Usopp cries.
“We left Usopp behind already!” you say.
“I’M STILL HERE!”
Nami points toward the waterfall ahead “Everyone focus!”
The current grows stronger.
The Sunny shakes violently and for one horrible second, you really think the ship might break apart.
“WE’RE FLYING!”
“We are NOT supposed to be flying!” Nami screams.
Complete chaos.
Just another normal day with the Strawhats though.
Voices wake you up.
“…still alive.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Should we leave her?”
“No.”
You slowly open your eyes.
Your entire body hurts.
A fire crackles nearby while rain hits the roof above you softly.
A cave.
You blink a few times before trying to sit up.
Pain immediately shoots through your shoulder.
“Don’t move yet.”
You look up sharply.
A tall figure sits near the fire with white hair and horns, watching you carefully.
Your hand instantly reaches for your weapon but only to find out it’s gone.
You narrow your eyes “Where is it?”
The person points beside you casually “I cleaned it.”
“…Why?”
“You almost drowned.”
Not exactly an answer to your question.
You stare suspiciously only to make him sigh dramatically before saying “If I wanted to kill you, you’d already be dead.”
Fair point, but still confusing and annoying.
You finally notice another person near the cave entrance.
An old man wearing an old straw hat who looks at you curiously “She woke up angry.”
“I’m always angry.”
“That’s healthy.”
“No, it isn’t.”
The horned man suddenly laughs loudly and that somehow surprises you more than the horns.
“You talk funny.” he says.
“You kidnapped me.”
“I rescued you.”
“Without permission.”
“You were unconscious.”
Unfortunately, he wins this one.
The old man snorts “She’s got you there, Yamato.”
Yamato.
Right, you didn't even ask who they are.
You slowly look around the cave again.
No sign of the crew.
Your chest tightens immediately.
They're all gone.
Yamato notices your expression instantly “You’re looking for someone?”
“My crew.”
“The people from the ship?”
You nod quickly “Did you see them?”
“No. Just you.”
Disappointment hits immediately.
You press a hand against your face tiredly.
Great.
Separated in an unknown country controlled by Kaido.
The old man quietly leaves the cave after muttering something about food.
Now only you and Yamato remain.
Rain fills the silence for a moment, then Yamato suddenly asks “You’re pirates?”
You hesitate “…Yes.”
“Beast Pirates?”
Your expression immediately twists in disgust “No.”
Yamato visibly relaxes.
Interesting.
“You hate Kaido too?”
The second the words leave your mouth, the atmosphere changes.
The fire crackles softly.
Yamato looks away toward the cave entrance “Hate isn’t a strong enough word.”
Something painful hides inside his voice and you notice immediately. You know pain when you hear it.
You slowly adjust your injured shoulder “…Then why are you here?”
Yamato smirks faintly “Long story.”
You snort softly “Everything in this country feels like a long story.”
That earns another laugh from him.
You watch him carefully while the firelight moves across his face… an exhausted face that is the same you have seen in the mirror almost everyday since that day.
Yamato suddenly notices you staring “What?”
“Nothing.”
“You were judging me.”
“I was observing.”
“That’s judging with extra steps.”
You almost smile but then your expression falls again, because suddenly you remember Ace saying those exact words years ago.
Your chest aches sharply.
Yamato notices immediately and his expression softens “Your shoulder hurts?”
“…Not my shoulder.”
He stays quiet after that, like he understands not to push, and you appreciate it more than expected.
The storm outside grows worse during the night and so, you can't sleep.
Everytime you close your eyes, you remember drowning, you remember Marineford. Fire. Ace.
You sit near the cave entrance while rain pours outside endlessly.
After a few minutes, heavy footsteps approach behind you.
Yamato drops beside you with a blanket “You’re terrible at resting.”
You take the blanket quietly “…Thanks.”
“You were shaking.”
“I’m fine.”
“Liar.”
You glance at him “You barely know me.”
“I know tired people.”
The answer comes too fast and honestly.
You look away first.
The rain keeps falling.
Then Yamato suddenly speaks again “You act like a soldier.”
Your body stiffens immediately “You noticed.”
“You looked for your weapon before even opening your eyes. You keep watching the exit. And your stance changes when you hear danger.”
You sigh quietly “Old habits.”
“You were military?”
“…Marine.”
Yamato blinks and for the first time since meeting him, he looks genuinely shocked “A Marine became a pirate?”
“Yeah...”
“What happened?”
You stay silent for too long.
Yamato notices “…Sorry. You don’t need to answer.”
But strangely… you want to.
Maybe because this stranger already feels easier to talk to than most people.
Maybe because the storm makes everything feel hidden from the real world.
Or maybe because you are tired of carrying everything alone.
You stare out at the rain “My brother died.”
Yamato goes still beside you.
“He was executed by the Marines.”
Your voice almost breaks on the last word.
You hate that.
You hate sounding weak.
“I left after that.”
Silence.
Then he quietly says “…I’m sorry.”
Simple words, but honest, even if it wasn't his fault at all.
You close your eyes briefly.
Yamato drops beside you two cups and a large bottle.
You glance at the drink “…Alcohol?”
“It's like the only thing I have here… and it helps.”
“That sounds unhealthy.”
“I learned from bad people.”
You snort softly before taking the cup anyway.
The liquid burns your throat immediately “Holy shit.”
Yamato laughs loudly “See? Better already.”
“No, now I’m in pain.”
“That means it’s working.”
You shake your head while taking another sip.
The rain keeps falling outside the cave.
It has been three days since Yamato found you on the beach.
Three days hiding together while avoiding Kaido’s men.
Three days searching villages quietly for any sign of your crew.
Nothing yet.
But, somehow… being around Yamato feels strangely easy.
He talks loudly. Laughs loudly. Eats enough for ten people.
And every time he smiles, something about it feels familiar.
You glance sideways at him.
Yamato sits with one arm resting over his knee while staring at the rain outside.
The firelight moves softly across his face.
There is loneliness there.
You noticed it quickly… maybe because you recognize it too well.
“You’re thinking too much again.” Yamato says suddenly.
You blink.
“You keep doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Making that sad face.”
You look away immediately “I don’t make a sad face.”
“You absolutely do.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Yamato leans closer dramatically “You are literally doing it right now.”
You shove his face away with one hand “You’re annoying.”
“And you’re grumpy.”
“Only around you.”
“That means you like me.”
“That means I tolerate you.”
“Progress!”
You laugh quietly before you can stop yourself.
Yamato freezes for a second.
You notice immediately and ask “…What?”
He looks oddly surprised “Nothing.”
“You’re staring.”
“You finally laughed.”
Your chest tightens strangely, like he just noticed something important.
You quickly look back toward the rain, but the silence becomes softer and comfortable after that.
Then Yamato suddenly asks “Your crew means a lot to you.”
“Yeah.”
“You trust them.”
“With my life.”
He hums quietly “That’s nice.”
You glance at him again.
The answer sounds too careful and too distant.
“You don’t trust people much?”
Yamato snorts “Living with Kaido doesn’t exactly help.”
Right.
Kaido.
You still know almost nothing about Yamato except that he hates him. But every time Kaido’s name appears, Yamato’s entire body changes and it’s tenser and sharper… angrier.
You understand that kind of anger too.
Yamato takes another drink before speaking again “You talk about your captain constantly.”
“He’s my brother.”
Yamato blinks “The rubber guy?”
You laugh softly “Yes. The rubber guy.”
“He’s insane.”
“He absolutely is.”
“And loud?”
“Very.”
“And kind of stupid?”
“The stupidest person alive.”
Yamato grins into his drink “But you trust him anyway.”
You smile without thinking this time “I’d trust Luffy with anything.”
The answer comes instantly, naturally like breathing.
Yamato watches you carefully now “You really believe he’ll change the world.”
“He will.”
“That confident?”
You snort “You don’t know Luffy yet.”
Yamato laughs quietly “Apparently not.”
You take another drink before leaning back against the cave wall “He’s going to become King of the Pirates someday.”
Yamato nearly chokes on his drink “You don’t even talk much but you say that every single day.”
“And I’ll keep saying it.”
“You sound crazy.”
“Who cares? Just listen!”
You punch his arm lightly and Yamato freezes.
Your smile slowly fades “…Yamato?”
His eyes widen slightly while staring at you, but not at your face, more at your expression. Like he is seeing someone else entirely.
Then softly he says “…You’re literally the same.”
You blink in confusion.
“What?”
Yamato laughs once under his breath, in a disbelieving way, almost emotional “There was someone else who said those exact same things.”
Your chest tightens slightly “…Really?”
“Every day.” Yamato shakes his head slowly “Over and over. ‘My little brother is gonna be King of the Pirates.’ Again and again.”
You smile faintly “Sounds right.”
“And whenever I got annoyed—” suddenly Yamato lightly punches your arm back, exactly the same way “—he did that or something similar.”
The world goes quiet for a second.
Yamato stares at you carefully now, like pieces are finally connecting inside his head.
Then quietly… “Sorry for asking this…” his voice sounds strangely unsure now “…But what was your brother’s name?”
Your throat tightens immediately. Even now, saying it hurts “…Ace.”
Silence.
Yamato’s cup slips slightly in his hand, as his eyes widen slowly.
Shock crashes across his face so hard it almost looks painful.
“No way…” he whispers.
You tense immediately “What?”
Yamato stares at you like the world just changed “Ace?”
You nod slowly “Portgas D. Ace.”
The second the full name leaves your mouth, Yamato stands up too fast, making the cup fall beside him unnoticed “You’re Ace’s sister?”
Your heart stops “…Did you know him?”
Yamato looks breathless now, completely stunned, like he cannot believe what he is hearing.
Then emotion suddenly crashes into his face all at once. Shock. Pain. Disbelief. Happiness. Grief.
“I knew him…” he says quietly.
The words hit harder than expected.
Your breathing becomes uneven instantly.
A person from Ace’s past. Someone who remembers him alive. Someone who knew his laugh. His dreams. His voice.
You stand slowly despite your shoulder hurting “You… knew Ace?”
Yamato laughs softly while rubbing at his eyes quickly “He came to Wano years ago.”
Your chest aches immediately. You never knew that.
Ace never had enough time to tell you everything.
There was never enough time for anything.
Yamato shakes his head slowly in disbelief “That idiot told me he had a sister, but never told me her… your name. Just big praises.”
You almost smile through the ache in your chest “Yeah… that sounds like Ace.”
Yamato laughs weakly at that and then silence falls again… but this silence feels different, because it's full of memories.
Yamato looks at you carefully now, and softer than before he whispers “You really do have his eyes.”
You look down at your drink before hugging your knees closer to yourself. A small smile appears on your face, a sad smile “Thank you… but we’re not blood brothers.”
Yamato tilts his head slightly.
“When we were kids,” you continue softly, “Ace, Luffy, Sabo, and I made a siblings toast and a promise.”
The memory appears so clearly in your mind and you smile weakly at the thought “We decided we’d be family forever.”
Yamato listens quietly.
“Then…” your smile slowly fades, “things happened.”
Your fingers tighten slightly around your knees “We all chose different paths… I was the only one who chose the wrong side.”
Your voice becomes smaller near the end “...the Marines.”
The word feels bitter now.
You let out a quiet laugh without humor “I bet that’s why Ace didn’t talk much about me to you.”
Yamato immediately frowns.
You keep staring at the fire.
“I guess…” you whisper, “he wasn’t proud of me.”
The silence after those words hurts, because part of you still believes them. Even now. Even after leaving the Marines.
You remember Marineford. The uniforms. The blood.
Ace dying while surrounded by the side you chose… by the hand of the side you choose.
No matter you betrayed them and tried to help your family… because you betrayed your brothers first.
Your throat burns painfully.
“That’s not true.”
You look up.
Yamato’s expression is serious now, almost angry “Ace talked about you proudly.”
Your eyes widen slightly “He… did?”
“I said he didn’t say names,” Yamato says quietly, “but he talked about his family all the time, about you as well.”
Your chest tightens.
Yamato smiles faintly at the memories “He told me his sister was terrifying with weapons.”
You snort softly through the sadness.
“And stubborn.”
You look away, staring at the void, imagining Ace in front of you.
“And he said…” Yamato pauses for a second before continuing more gently, “…that no matter where life took you, you always protected people first.”
Your breath catches.
Yamato keeps talking softly “He said you argued with your companions all the time because you hated seeing innocent people suffer.”
You stare at him silently.
“Ace told me,” Yamato says, “that even if the world called you a names… you never acted like the bad ones.”
Something painful twists inside your chest, because you remember those arguments.
You remember superiors yelling at you for questioning orders.
Remember protecting civilians instead of following commands.
Remember Ace laughing every time you complained about corruption.
“He used to say,” Yamato continues with a small smile, “‘She acts tough, but she cries over strangers.’”
You immediately cover your face “Oh my god.”
Yamato laughs loudly “It’s true?”
“He promised never to tell people that!”
“He sounded very proud while saying it.”
Your eyes sting unexpectedly.
You quickly look away before tears fully appear, but Yamato notices anyway.
“He loved you,” he says softly “a lot.”
Your throat tightens painfully.
For years, guilt has lived inside your chest like poison.
You left the Marines and joined Luffy, but part of you still believed you failed Ace, Luffy and even Sabo, long before Marineford. That maybe choosing the Marines meant choosing against your brothers.
Against your family.
Yamato suddenly moves closer, enough warmth beside you.
“Ace never sounded ashamed when he talked about you,” he says quietly “he sounded proud.”
The firelight flickers softly between both of you.
You press your face against your knees slightly “…Really?”
“Really.”
His answer comes immediately.
You want to believe him so badly.
Yamato smiles softly “He really talked about your kindness more than your strength.”
You blink slowly “That’s strange.”
“Why?”
“Ace usually made fun of my soft side.”
“He made fun of everyone.”
“…True.”
That finally makes both of you laugh quietly together.
The sadness doesn’t disappear. Ace is still gone. That pain will probably never leave completely. But sitting here beside someone who knew him too… someone who remembers him warmly… makes the grief feel lighter somehow. Shared.
And for the first time in years, talking about Ace doesn't only hurt.
Sometimes now, it also feels comforting.
Days pass and one morning, you leave early to buy food, but Yamato can't be seen out, so now you walk alone through a small town while trying not to attract attention.
Which becomes difficult very quickly, because everywhere you go, people whisper about the same thing.
You already feel a headache coming before you even see the newspaper and then you do and immediately regret waking up today.
Your eye twitches while reading the front page “ARE YOU SERIOUS?!”
People nearby stare at you nervously before quickly walking away.
You keep reading with growing horror.
Luffy caused trouble again and Zoro caused trouble too.
You buy food aggressively before storming back toward the hideout and by the time you reach it, you are completely furious.
Yamato looks up from near the fire immediately “You’re back—”
“THOSE TWO IDIOTS!”
You throw the newspaper directly at Yamato and he catches it easily “What happened?”
“Read it!”
He opens the paper while you pace angrily around the cave.
“LUFFY AND ZORO ARE MAKING TROUBLE EVERYWHERE!” you point dramatically at the article “IDIOT ONE EVEN GOT IMPRISONED!”
Yamato reads quietly for a second.
Then he laughs.
You stop pacing immediately “…Why are you laughing?”
Yamato tries and fails to hide his grin “Sorry, but this sounds exactly like the stories Ace told me.”
“That’s not comforting!”
“It kind of is.”
You stare at him in disbelief “My brother is in prison!”
“From what I heard about him from both you and Ace,” Yamato says between laughs, “I bet he’s actually having fun in there.”
You open your mouth, then close it again, because honestly? That does sound like Luffy.
Yamato folds the newspaper calmly “And I also bet your crew is already planning how to get him out.”
You sigh loudly before dropping onto a crate “…Yeah.”
Yamato walks closer before gently placing a hand on your shoulder “See? Everything’s—”
You look up at him and notice how close his face is… too close.
Both of you freeze immediately.
His hand stays on your shoulder.
Your breath catches slightly.
Yamato’s eyes flicker downward toward your lips for one dangerous second.
Your own gaze does the exact same thing before you can stop yourself.
The air suddenly feels too warm and too quiet.
Your heart beats harder against your ribs, then you flop backward onto your bedroll dramatically “Nope.”
Yamato blinks “…Nope?”
“I’m ignoring whatever that was.”
Yamato bursts into laughter “You’re weird.”
“You already knew that.”
He grins before laying down beside you, turning slightly to face you.
The firelight that brings light to the cave, dances softly between both of you.
He's too close again.
You can hear his breathing.
This is dangerous.
Yamato smiles lazily “Didn’t you talk with your crew while in town?”
You blink before nodding slowly “…Yeah.”
You had briefly seen Sanji near the market, but long enough to confirm everyone was already making plans.
Honestly, you should have expected that.
Yamato rests his head against his arm “See? Everything is good.”
You stare at him quietly for a second, then you finally relax a little.
A small smile appears on your face “…You’re right.”
Yamato smiles back immediately.
And suddenly your chest feels strangely light again.
Outside, Wano remains chaotic, but here in this small cave beside the fire, you feel strangely calm.
The night of the raid arrives faster than expected.
Suddenly everything becomes chaotic.
The sky above Onigashima burns red while thousands fight below it, and somewhere in all that madness you lose Yamato and get separated.
You fight beside your crew.
And every time you think you catch a glimpse of white hair in the crowd, someone else attacks.
The war gives no time to breathe, no time to think.
Only survive, fight and protect.
You hear stories during the battle.
Kaido’s son is fighting against him. Kaido’s son is protecting Momonosuke. Kaido’s son is helping Luffy.
You smile every single time.
When the war finally ends, Wano feels different.
The first celebration lasts all night.
Music echoes through the Flower Capital, people laugh, dance and cry. Children run through the streets without fear.
And for the first time since arriving in Wano everyone can finally relax.
But despite the celebration you keep searching the crowd for white hair and horns.
Nothing.
Hours pass.
Still nothing.
Nami eventually notices “You’re looking for someone?”
You immediately deny it “No.”
“You’ve checked the same street six times.”
“…Maybe.”
Robin smiles knowingly into her drink.
Very unhelpful.
The celebration continues late into the night.
Your chest hurts more than expected.
You tell yourself it’s stupid, because you only knew him for a short time, but somehow somewhere between grief and laughter and quiet talks in a cave, he became important to you… very important.
The next morning, you wake before everyone else.
The festival finally became quiet, only a few lanterns still glow softly in the streets.
You walk through the capital slowly while the sunrise colors the sky.
And finally you find Yamato standing near the Kozuki residence looking out toward the city quietly.
For once, he isn't loud.
Your chest immediately feels lighter, idiot.
Yamato notices you quickly and smiles “There you are.”
“You disappeared.”
“You were busy saving the country.”
“So were you.”
“Fair point.”
You walk closer slowly and for a moment, neither of you speaks, because this feels strangely difficult.
Yamato notices first and says “Come with me.”
He leads you inside quietly through the still-empty halls before opening the door to a small room.
Warm sunlight enters through the windows.
The world feels soft and safe here.
Yamato closes the door behind both of you.
Then finally turns toward you “I decided to stay.”
Your breath catches slightly “What?”
Yamato smiles softly.
“Here is where Oden started his adventure.” He looks around the room quietly “I know nothing about the world outside.”
He pauses before looking directly at you “So this is where I want to start.”
Silence.
Your chest hurts instantly and your eyes burn before you can stop them.
You quickly look away, trying hard not to cry.
Stupid.
You should be happy for him.
Yamato notices immediately and he… laughs softly.
You glare weakly through watery eyes “What’s funny?”
“You’re beautiful even like this.”
Your face heats immediately “Shut up.”
You quickly wipe your eyes before hitting his shoulder, harder than necessary.
“I thought we could start traveling together and be pirates and be with Luffy and be…” your voice breaks slightly “…together.”
Yamato’s eyes widen softly.
Then you add “You’re ruining everything, idiot!”
For one second, Yamato only stares at you.
Then he laughs again.
“You know,” he says softly, “I noticed you only call idiots the people you love the most.”
You freeze completely and your face burns instantly.
You open your mouth and then close it to look away.
Because he's right.
The silence stretches softly between both of you.
Then finally, quietly “…Yeah.”
Your voice comes out small and honest.
You stare at the floor while admitting it “I learned to love you.”
Your chest pounds painfully hard now as you feel too vulnerable and too exposed.
You cannot even look at him anymore.
Then softly, he says your name.
You finally look up and here Yamato kisses you. Gentle and careful. Soft lips against yours for only a few seconds.
But somehow it still steals all the air from your lungs.
The moment he pulls away, you grab his shirt immediately and kiss him again. Harder this time and closer.
Yamato wraps his arms around you instantly, pulling you against him tightly like he never wants to let go.
The kiss becomes warm and breathless and real.
And suddenly you understand, this is home too. Not just the Strawhats. Not just the sea.
Him.
Without breaking the hug, you whisper against his lips “I want to stay here.”
Yamato goes still for one second, then slowly smiles against your mouth.
And for the first time in years, for the both of you, the future doesn’t feel lonely anymore.
The Thousand Sunny waits near the shore, ready to leave Wano.
The crew stands on deck.
Nami sighs dramatically “She’s late.”
“She’s thinking too much again..” Sanji says immediately.
Usopp crosses his arms “What if she actually abandoned us?”
“She would never.” Chopper says quickly.
Brook hums softly “Though it would be very dramatic. YOHOHOHO.”
Luffy stays unusually quiet at the front of the ship, just watching the shore, waiting for you.
Then finally “They’re here.”
Everyone looks toward the beach.
You walk slowly across the sand beside Yamato and Momonosuke while the samurai follow behind.
Your chest feels painfully tight. The closer you get to the Sunny, the harder this becomes.
Because you already know, and judging by the expressions on your crew’s faces, they know too.
Robin smiles softly.
Franky lowers his sunglasses slightly.
Nami’s eyes become gentle immediately.
No one looks surprised, just sad… but understanding.
“Y/N!” Luffy launches himself off the ship and crashes directly into you in a tight hug.
You stumble backward instantly “LUFFY—!”
“You’re staying.”
Not a question, just a fact.
You slowly hug him back tightly “…Yeah.”
Luffy squeezes you harder and for a second, nobody speaks.
The sea moves softly around the Sunny while the people of Wano watch quietly nearby.
Then Luffy pulls back enough to look at you and smiles big and warm, like always “Okay!”
You blink “…Okay?”
“Yeah!” Luffy grins “You wanna stay here right now.”
Your throat tightens immediately “No fighting?”
“Huh?” Luffy tilts his head “Why would we fight?”
You stare at him silently, because part of you expected this to hurt more. Expected guilt. Expected disappointment.
But Luffy just looks happy that you chose something for yourself.
“You’re family,” he says simply “that doesn’t change on where you are.”
Your eyes sting immediately.
Idiot.
Beside you, Yamato watches quietly, Momonosuke too (even if he’s crying hard).
Then Luffy suddenly turns toward them and points dramatically “But you guys better not forget us!”
Momonosuke immediately yells back “AS IF I WOULD!”
Yamato laughs loudly beside you.
Momonosuke continues on his long and full crying scene, asking Luffy to not leave etc.
Luffy grins before calling for Usopp, who throws the Straw Hat flag at the shore where you’re all standing.
Luffy tosses it toward Momonosuke “Keep this safe!”
Momonosuke takes it carefully with wide eyes.
Luffy’s expression softens slightly.
Then he points toward all three of you.
“When you’re ready…” the wind catches his hair softly “There’s always a place for you on the Sunny.”
Silence.
Your chest aches painfully in the warmest way possible.
Yamato looks stunned beside you.
Momonosuke grips the flag tighter, still crying.
And you just smile.
Then slowly, you walk back toward Luffy and hug him again, this time gentler, and your brother immediately melts into the hug without hesitation, just like when you were children.
You close your eyes briefly “I’m gonna miss you.”
Luffy laughs quietly “No you won’t.”
“Yes, I will.”
“We’ll see each other again.”
Simple and certain, like it is impossible for the world to separate you forever.
Maybe with Luffy… it is impossible.
Then his voice becomes softer near your ear, meant only for you “I bet Ace is super proud of you.”
Your breath catches immediately and Luffy hugs you tighter “Be happy, Y/N.”
The tears finally come.
You pull back enough to look at him properly, and with the softest smile you have worn in years, you whisper “I’ll see you later… King of the Pirates.”
Luffy grins immediately “Obviously!”
Behind him, the crew starts yelling goodbye loudly.
You laugh softly through your tears.
Then the Sunny slowly begins moving away from shore.
You stand between Yamato and Momonosuke while the wind moves around all of you gently.
And as the Straw Hat flag waves proudly in Wano’s air, you realize that for the first time since losing Ace… you finally feel at peace.
