#goldenguns!reader

“They’re still rare; it’s just that most high ranked officers in Baroque Works happen to be devil fruit users. It’s difficult to get to that level without some sort of powers,” Vivi said.

“That makes sense, though I defeated two agents, and I don’t have a devil fruit,” Sanji said, not even pausing in his act of dicing carrots.

“You also killed a dinosaur,” you added.

Sanji threw you a smile. “That’s right, love.”

“Hey, I helped fight those Baroque agents too; I literally broke you free from that weirdo’s wax trap,” Usopp reminded you.

“Yes, yes, and I will be eternally grateful to you, my dearest friend,” you said, giving him a dramatic half bow.

“I am also grateful, though I will admit I wouldn’t be too disappointed to have a statue of my goddess, provided, of course, she was outside of that statue,” Sanji said, presenting you and Usopp with a plate.

“I would hope so,” you said, taking one of the carrots and dipping it in the creamy yet fresh tasting pale green sauce.

“Y/N, you’re a goddess?” Chopper asked, hopping up to sit between you and Usopp.

You smiled and shook your head. “No, no, Sanji is just being sweet.”

“Oh, because you’re married, right? Luffy said you two are married! I’ve never been on a ship with a married couple before. Or, well, I’ve never been on a ship before, of course, but still, how exciting!” Chopper said.

Vivi’s head whipped towards you. “You’re married?”

You closed your eyes in a grimace right as Usopp started laughing. “I’m going to kill Luffy.”

“Someone say my name?” Luffy asked, appearing in the kitchen with Nami’s nearly ruined coat in his hands. “Oh Y/N, here’s Nami’s coat. I thought maybe you could try and fix it?”

You sighed and held your hand out for it. “I’ll give it a shot.”

“Okay, thanks, I don’t want Nami to only have that witch’s coat.” He turned to leave, but Sanji caught him on his way out.

“Luffy, Chopper just told us that you told him y/n and I are married.”

Luffy turned on his heel with a wide smile. “Well yeah, I read one of y/n’s novels to learn more about how people get married, and you got down on your knees in front of her in Drum Castle; that’s a proposal! And then you kissed and said you loved each other, plus I’m pretty sure you’ve had sex, which is the consummation part I read about, so this time I’m sure you guys are married.”

Vivi covered her smile with her hand. “Luffy, that’s—”

“I was on my knees because I was injured,” Sanji scrambled to explain.

You threw Nami’s coat back at Luffy. “Luffy! Just because you’re the captain doesn’t mean you can through my stuff!”

Luffy frowned, draping Nami’s coat over his arm. “But I just wanted to make sure I knew when you guys actually got married.”

“This will never, never get old,” Usopp said, wiping his eyes free of mirthful tears.

“How many times has this happened?” Vivi asked.

“This is the second time, but I hope it never ends,” Usopp told her, grinning at you and wriggling his eyebrows. “Or maybe they’ll finally give in and let Luffy marry them.”

You pushed Usopp’s face away from you and holstered your pistols. “Shut up, I need some air.”

“Hot chocolate?” Sanji asked, coming up beside you and handing you a steaming mug.

“Thanks,” you said, blowing on the drink, your fur trimmed hood pulled up around your face. You hated the cold; you were a hot weather person, always had been. You hoped the chill from Drum Island would dissipate soon; you were sick of being all bundled up.

“Of course, darling, had to bring you something to soothe that fiery temper of yours before you went back in and bit Luffy’s head off,” Sanji said as he leaned against the railing.

You rolled your eyes fondly and sipped your drink, watching the Merry cut through the waves, chunks of ice bobbing off in the distance. “He’s lucky I’m conserving my energy; the winter sun does not do me or my guns any favors.”

Sanji hummed in acknowledgment, gazing out at the horizon.

“You should probably find a better hiding place for your books,” he said after a few beats of silence.

“Don’t remind me,” you groaned. “I swear I thought I found the perfect hiding spot, but I guess there’s nowhere on this ship to hide things from Luffy.”

“Where did you hide it?” He asked.

“In my underwear drawer.”

Sanji’s brows shot up. “I must admit I didn’t take Luffy for someone who rifled through women’s intimates.”

“I hid some expensive chocolate hidden in there as well; I think he smelled it.”

He chuckled. “That makes more sense.”

You took another sip of your drink. “I think we need to take Luffy to a wedding so he can actually see how it works; that way he won’t be so confused all the time.”

“We’d have to find one, maybe at the next island?”

You nodded. “Better sooner rather than later.”

Sanji made as if he was going to leave but then stopped, his words hesitant. “Is it really that bad? The idea of being married to me?”

You forced yourself to look at him, and your grip tightened on your mug as you gave him a smile. “No, no, not at all. I just don’t want Luffy to be the one who decides if or when we’re married. I mean, look at the way he decorates his side of the men’s cabin; he’d be a terrible wedding planner.”

Sanji returned your smile. “He does have quite an eccentric taste.”

You sipped your hot chocolate again, and Sanji bid you goodbye, leaving you out on the deck alone. You let out a long, slow breath. Marriage, you’d almost been married twice before, to the same disgusting old man. Sanji and the rest of the crew had helped you escape, had helped you find your freedom. It wasn’t that you didn’t want to get married; you did. To someone you loved, who loved you, someone you chose, when the time was right.

You glanced over at the door leading below deck. It wasn’t right now, not yet, but maybe soon, maybe Sanji. Your face warmed, and your heart stuttered at the idea of marrying him. Yes, you’d like that; you’d like that very much.

Sanji turns towards you, but Zoro holds up a hand. “You hear that?”

“What? The sound of me winning the bet? Yeah.” Then he smiles at you. “I’m going to make you a T-Rex tartare y/n; you’re going to love it.”

But Zoro isn’t listening, and you see him move with purpose back into the forest as Sanji kneels down to inspect his prize. You feel like you should probably follow Zoro, but he didn’t even respond when you mentioned that maybe you’re the one who killed the dinosaur, so screw him.

You watch Sanji for a while, waiting for him to answer your question. When he doesn't, you move over to him and lean against the dead dinosaur’s flank. “So what, you guys just don’t think I’m capable of taking down a T-Rex?”

Sanji wipes the sweat from his brow with his arm, a smidge of blood on his cheek, and looks up at you confused. “What?”

“I asked if you guys don’t think I’m capable of taking down a T-Rex. Why did you both assume one of you two killed it when I was also here shooting it? Maybe I killed it.”

Sanji smiles. “I have no doubt you’re more than capable, y/n darling, but you weren’t in on the bet, so the winner has to be me or Zoro, and it’s me, as you saw.”

“You two and your stupid bets,” you grumble, adjusting the bandana keeping your hair out of your face.

“Well, this stupid bet is going to let us eat like kings,” Sanji says. “Better than in Whisky Peak, before they tried to kill us, of course.”

You press your lips together into a tight line and turn away, returning to the spot you were standing in before. Whiskey Peak, it was nice until they tried to kill all of you, and then of course there was the dirt everywhere, the Baroque Works agents, the fact that you didn’t get to try any of the pie from the bakery because Luffy ate basically all of them and then got ambushed by Vivi, the freaking dirt that got everywhere, the gross booger bombs—

“Y/N, do you know where Zoro went?” Sanji’s voice breaks through.

You look around, annoyed. You were having a perfectly good time remembering all the awful things that have happened since you crossed the Grand Line in blissful silence. “What am I, his babysitter or something?”

Sanji gives you an odd look. “You feeling alright, love?”

You blow out a sharp breath and roll your shoulders back to release some tension. “It’s hot, muggy, there’s bugs everywhere, I keep tripping on roots, I’m sweating, we’re being hunted by insane assassins, you don’t think I’m strong enough to kill a T-Rex and now Zoro has wandered off to who knows where. So yeah, I’m feeling perfectly alright.”

“How about you just have a rest, yeah? I’ll go find Zoro, and then we’ll take this meat back to the ship. You can stay there until the others come back if you want.” Sanji takes a handkerchief from his pocket, pours a bit of water from his flask onto it, and gently wipes the sweat from your face and neck. It feels nice, and normally this kind of thing from Sanji would make you melt, but for some reason it just makes you more annoyed.

You push his hand away. “I’m not a child, Sanji.”

He holds his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t say you were. I just think maybe the heat is getting to you.”

You scoff. “I’m the Lady of the Golden Guns; my weapon of choice is literal sunlight. They burn everyone but me; heat doesn’t get to me.”

“Alright, alright, you’re right; forgive me, oh radiant goddess of the sun. I never should have questioned you,” he says, giving you a crooked, charming smile.

“Just go find Zoro,” you tell him, stomping over to the dinosaur and sitting on what’s solid and left of its head.

Sanji heads off, and you wait, and wait, and wait, stewing in your own thoughts.

They think you’re weak; he thinks you’re a child; he wants to get rid of you; they don’t respect you or your power.

You tap your foot impatiently on the ground, scanning the tree line. What is taking so long?

I bet he wouldn’t keep those twins from the bar waiting this long. The thought floats into your head unbidden, and you can’t get it out. It spirals, swirls around in your head until it’s all you can think of: how he smiled at every woman he served a drink to. How he called one of those redheaded agents, the finest view this side of the Grand Line, and made her a drink with a tiny ship made of a fruit peel.

Your leg starts to bounce, and you feel the anger rising, bubbling beneath your skin. They wanted him to go upstairs with them to bring a friend. He didn’t turn it down quickly enough; he should’ve laughed in their faces, should’ve stopped playing bartender and returned to your side immediately. What kind of bullshit was that? Finest view this side of the Grand Line? What did that make you? What happened to “You're the All Blue incarnate y/n; there’s nothing and no one more beautiful than you, y/n.” What a fucking liar.

With a huff, you stand, intent on finding Sanji and demanding answers when the devil himself reappears. “Y/N sweetheart, you will not believe what Zoro is doing.”

“What was he doing that delayed you for so long?” You ask, voice sharp as a whip.

“He’s just cutting pomegranates apart with his sword and laughing like an idiot; I think he’s finally cracked.”

Pomegranates? You loved pomegranates; you’ve been craving them for ages now. “Did you bring me any?”

He clicks his tongue apologetically. “I didn’t, sorry love, but I can go get some once I get this meat to the Merry.”

The words are out of your mouth before you can stop them, coated in venom. “Bet you wouldn’t have forgotten to grab some for those redheaded whores back in Whiskey Peak.”

Sanji’s eyebrows shoot up. “Beg pardon?”

A bitter laugh escapes you. “Bet you wouldn’t have forgotten to grab some for the finest view this side of the Grand Line.”

“Y/N, I was just being friendly; you know it didn’t mean anything.”

You’re going to kill him; you’re going to cut him apart with his precious knives and bury his body parts on separate islands.

“Friendly? Friendly?” You pull one of your pistols and level it at his chest. “Yeah, you were real fucking friendly when she offered you a foursome.”

Sanji puts his hands up, a cheeky smile spreading across his lips. “Oh, is this some kind of roleplay you’re wanting to try out? I do adore your sense of adventure, gorgeous, but Zoro is not too far away, so we’ll have to be quick.”

He thinks you’re stupid; he’s trying to make a fool out of you.

Fire fills your veins, your anger boiling over into red hot rage. “Are you stupid? Why would I want to sleep with you in this awful jungle? Why would I want to sleep with you at all when you’re a liar!”

His smile fades. “This isn’t a game then?”

You undo the safety on your pistol. “No, it’s not a game. You said I was the All Blue incarnate, but then you flirted with those twins, and you didn’t get me a pomegranate, and you think I’m weak and stupid, and you care more about your stupid bet with Zoro—”

He kisses you, both hands cradling your face, his lips soft against yours. For a brief moment you start to lower your pistol, leaning into his touch, but then the anger snaps back in and you shake your head, pushing him away from you. “No, no, you’re trying to trick me—”

Sanji’s a blur of movement, his leg coming up and knocking your right-handed pistol, Sunna out of your hand before you can blink and taking you to the dirt, Sol remaining secured at your left hip. Sunna goes flying, heading towards the ground at a startling speed.

You scream both in rage and terror, fighting against his hold, your elbow colliding with his nose. He jerks back, swearing loudly in pain.

You dart across the clearing and dive for Sunna, catching it just before it hits the ground. Then flip over onto your back and level Sunna at Sanji, firing a barrage of shots, following him as he ducks and runs from the bolts.

Sanji ducks behind what’s left of the T-Rex, the ground and surrounding trees smoking where your bolts made impact. You should’ve hit him; you don’t know why you didn’t. You're usually a better shot than this.

You push yourself off the ground and pull out Sol, making your way slowly and silently to the T-Rex, peering over the side to see Sanji’s gone. You swear under your breath and whip around, pistols at the ready. “Come out, come out, wherever you are, sweet Sanji.”

There’s rustling to your left, and you turn just in time to duck under his leg. You fire a shot, but it goes wide as you stumble back, another kick coming your way.

“I don’t want to hurt you, y/n; just put the guns down,” he begs.

You take another shot right as he spins around, and it glances off the edge of his shoe. “You should’ve thought about that before you kicked one out of my hand.”

He kicks up sand, spraying you with it, and you cough, your arm going up to shield your eyes as you frantically try to blink it away.

You’re firing blind, trying to hear his footsteps, but he’s too fast. You holster Sol and rub your eyes with your free hand, Sunna pulsing in your hand, giving you just enough warning, and—you lunge forward, knocking Sanji to the ground, straddling him, Sunna pointed directly between his eyes. “Any last words?”

“I have a last request, actually,” he says, and he’s strangely calm, which only makes you angrier.

Your brows furrow, then you feel his hand on your calf, and the anger drains from you. You blink slowly as if coming out of a dream.

“That better, Princess?”

You look down at him; his nose is busted and bleeding, he’s covered in sand and scratches, the smell of smoke and burnt leather fills the air. “Sanji? What…oh my goodness, I-I’m so sorry.” You holster Sunna and get off him before helping him up. “I don’t know what came over me.”

He holds up two fingers covered in what looks like red paint. “It might have something to do with this, but I don’t know how or why.”

Shame fills you, and you bite your lip. “I'm sorry; I can’t believe I said and did all that; I almost killed you.”

He smiles and frees your bottom lip with his thumb. “You didn’t think I’d go down that easy, do you?”

Tears prick the backs of your eyes, and your bottom lip begins to tremble as you try to wipe the blood from his face.

Sanji pulls you into a hug, resting his chin atop your head. “It's okay, y/n; in fact, I consider it an honor to bleed for you.”

You return his hug, wrapping your arm tightly around him, unable to understand how you could try to kill him. He’s Sanji, your Sanji; you love him. Then you jerk back. “Zoro! You said he was acting weird; what if something happened to him too? We have to go find him.”

Sanji cradles your face in his hands, his ocean eyes fixed on you, his voice soft and soothing. “We’ll go find Mosshead, but first, I’m sorry about the bar, and the twins, and the pomegranate, and for making you feel as though I didn’t think you’re strong enough to take down a T-Rex. I know you are; there’s no one I’d rather fight a dinosaur with than you.”

A small tearstained laugh makes its way past your lips. “Thank you, there’s no one I’d rather fight a dinosaur with either.”

He kisses your forehead, then your temples, and you can feel him smiling against your skin.

“What?” You ask, unable to keep from smiling too.

“You must really like me, huh?”

You tilt your head up to look at him. “What do you mean?”

His hands settle on your hips. “I mean that I’ve seen you take down pirates that ran much faster than I do, and you never miss a point blank shot, but you kept missing me.”

“I guess there’s something in me that can’t kill you, even in some weird jungle-induced rage state.”

He rests his forehead against yours. “I’m flattered.”

You laugh and push at his chest. “You should be; now let’s go find Zoro.”

She sighs and rests her arm on the back of your chair. “I thought we agreed you weren’t going to lie to me about your feelings for Sanji anymore?”

You stab at the strawberry slice in your drink. “Fine, fine, I’m…a bit jealous, I guess.”

Sanji’s laugh rings through the saloon as he presents a drink with an orange peel cut into a tiny ship on a skewer to her. “I call this the finest view in the Grand Line.”

Finest view in the Grand Line? Finest in the Grand Line? Finest???? How dare he, how dare he? What happened to “you’re the All Blue incarnate, y/n, there’s nothing and no one more beautiful than you, y/n.” What a liar.

You pick your empty glass up and chuck it at him. He ducks instinctively, the glass shattering a few inches left of his head.

“Shit, sorry Sanji, it just slipped out of my hand,” you call, giving him an embarrassed smile. It’s fake; Nami knows it, but Sanji is too busy entertaining that he doesn’t notice; he just smiles right back and returns to flirting.

“Give me your drink,” you say, reaching for Nami’s half-empty glass.

Nami slaps her hand over yours. “Whoa, okay, psycho, let’s not give our cook brain damage just because he’s flirting with other girls.”

“If I wanted to hit him, I would’ve, you know I have good aim,” you grumble.

She sighs and takes a long drink from her glass. “That’s not the point, y/n. Why don’t you just go up there and tell him it bothers you?”

You know she’s right, and really you don’t have an actual leg to stand on. Yeah, you and Sanji have both made your shared feelings pretty clear, but neither of you have said you want anything more, have said that you want to be exclusive. This feels so stupid considering how everyone on the Merry has caught you two making out more than once.

You rest your chin in your hand, an uncomfortable mix of jealousy and sorrow churning in your gut as you watch Sanji juggle mixers and slide drinks down the bar to waiting patrons.

Why don’t you just say something, y/n? You’re the Lady of the Golden Guns; you have a huge bounty; you’re known as a great beauty; men have literally dueled for your hand. You know he likes you; that tiny ship should’ve been yours! You’re acting like a total coward—well previously you were; now you’re acting like a crazy person.

You tap your fingers against the aged wood tabletop, a bout of insecurity creeping in, when Sanji winks at a redhaired woman who leans against the bar. “That would be very mature, but unfortunately I don’t feel like being mature right now. Right now, I want to nurse my wounded pride and throw another glass at Sanji’s stupid, handsome face.”

Nami rolls her eyes fondly and moves her drink out of your reach. “Well, you can’t throw mine; it’s a nice glass, I think I might take it with me.”

You give her a thumbs down. The alcohol might be getting to you a little bit.

“I’m going to see if I can go up on that giant cactus mountain, and try to sketch the whole island. I’ll catch up with you later.” She raises a brow. “Unless you want to come with and spare yourself the sight of the guy you’ve been head over heels with flirting with someone else?”

You grab a drink off a nearby table, wiping the rim clean with your thumb. It’s basically full, so you’re not worried. “I’m actually a glutton for punishment, so I’ll stay. Plus, I gotta make sure Usopp doesn’t get rolled in pool.”

Nami pats your shoulder. “Alright, but maybe this is your last drink, okay? We need to stay sharp.”

You tilt your head towards Zoro, who is deep in his drink and leaning against the wall, his eyes half lidded. “Tell that to him.”

She snorts. “I will, don’t worry.”

Then she’s gone, and you’re staring into the random drink you swiped from the other table, trying to drown out the sound of Sanji’s everything. You’ve never been this far from home before; granted, none of your crew has, but sailing up a mountain with a broken rudder, being swallowed by a whale, assassins, and now this? It’s a lot, and you’re starting to feel it get to you, homesickness creeping in, old insecurities making their way to the surface. You run your thumb over the grip of the pistol on your right hip, the gold warming under your touch. At least you still have your guns; that hasn’t changed.

Maybe Nami is right; maybe you should try to catch up with her. Sanji’s a free man; he can do what he wants, and yeah, it fucking hurts to watch, but—

Another redheaded woman approaches the bar, the first one’s twin by the looks of it. She takes the same flirtatious posture, and you can’t take it anymore; you snap, your new glass goes flying, and this time when Sanji looks at you, all you do is fold your arms over your chest and glare at him.

Then a beer is set down in front of you. “You throwing stuff at Sanji for fun or because you’re pissed?” Zoro asks, pulling the chair next to yours out and sliding into it with a grace you’ve come to expect from him, even while drinking.

You reach for the beer, but he grabs it before you can. “That’s not for you,” Nami told me you’re cut off.”

You groan and lean back in your chair, a pout on your lips. “Come on, don't be such a buzzkill.”

He just sips his beer, waiting for an answer.

“Fine, I’m pissed; I don’t like seeing him—” You wave your hand vaguely in Sanji and the twins’ direction.

Zoro raises a brow. “You know that’s his main thing, being a perv.”

You smack his arm. “He’s not a perv; he’s a flirt.”

“Same difference.”

You let your head fall back and drag out the syllables of his name, getting a small chuckle out of him.

“You should’ve taken Luffy’s offer to marry you two; then you’d have an excuse to go bust up whatever is going on over there.” He shrugs.

You put on your best I’m just a girl, Zoro; please fix my problems with violence face and rest your head on his shoulder. “Just kill me; I can’t stand the humiliation anymore.”

You can feel Zoro shift in his seat, then he chugs the rest of his beer and hands you the bottle. “Third time's the charm?”

“They keep the best stuff upstairs; do you want to have a taste? Bring a friend.”

Sanji barely registers what the woman in front of him says, his eyes darting over to you and Zoro. Why is your head on his shoulder? Why are you talking to Zoro and not him? He’s been pulling out all the stops, trying to catch your eye with his flashy bartending tricks, hoping to lure you over, but you’ve remained firmly seated, totally ignorant to the admiring eyes on you—and not just his eyes! He’s caught more than one saloon patron staring at you.

He ducks the third projectile hurled his way by you, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. You do care; you are watching. He holds a finger up to the girls at the bar but has no intention of returning or taking up their offer before making his way over to you. He tries to ignore Zoro, whose shoulder your head is back to resting on, and gives you a winning smile. “What’s the matter, love? You seem to be using my head as target practice.”

“And you seem to be ready to jump under the skirt of any woman who smiles at you,” you say, voice dripping with saccharine sweetness.

You’re pissed; he knows that false sweetness in your angelic sounding voice all too well. He's seen you use it time and time again, though usually it’s not directed towards him.

Zoro snickers behind the lip of another beer bottle he pulled out from somewhere, and Sanji glares at him before returning his attention to you. “Now, now, have you known me to do that since we met?”

You purse your lips, then shake your head.

“I mean, you could’ve been doing it when y/n wasn’t looking,” Zoro adds unhelpfully.

“He has a point,” you say.

Sanji takes a moment to calm himself, then gives Zoro a tight smile. “Mosshead, would you give me and y/n a minute?”

Zoro kicks his feet up on the table. “I think y/n and I are actually having a pretty good time on our own.”

He feels a muscle in his jaw twitch. “Y/N sweetheart?”

You make a show of thinking it over, your head still on Zoro’s shoulder. “Zoro, give us a minute, please.”

“Getting stuffy in here anyways.” Zoro grabs his beer and makes his way out of the saloon.

Sanji slides into his now empty seat, resting his elbow on the table and leaning on it, blocking the twins waiting at the bar for him from your view. “You’re upset with me.”

“You’ve never made me a tiny ship.”

“I can make you one, a better one; I’ll make you enough for an armada.”

“I don’t want one now; I want something different,” you say, petulance seeping into your tone.

He smiles and leans closer, settling his free hand on your knee, swiping his thumb back and forth soothingly. “I can make whatever you want; your wish is my command, you know that.”

You won’t look at him, but you soften a bit. “I don’t appreciate being left to sit alone.”

He takes your hand in his own and brings it to his lips. “I’m sorry, love; I couldn’t help but show off a little; it was all for you, though.”

You look at him now, and even though he sees you every day, he’s still blown away by your beauty and the radiance of your smile. “Really?”

He nods and tangles your fingers together. “I’ve been trying to come up with a drink for you, one that encompasses the very essence of my goddess, but none of them have been good enough.”

You bite your lip, and he knows you’re trying to hide the way your smile turns a bit vindicated. “So, you’ve been giving the rejects and subpar drinks to others?”

“Only the finest of my creations should pass your lips.”

You lean closer to him, one hand now on his chest. “That’s so sweet, thank you, Sanji.”

He smiles and prays you can’t feel the way his heart is pounding in his chest. “Only the best for my princess; anything else would be a crime worthy of hanging.”

You ghost your lips over his. “Well, I don’t want that. I quite like your neck and everything else that’s attached to it.”

His heart races faster than he thought possible, his face warming, and he cups your cheek with his free hand. “Glad to hear it.”

Finally, you press your lips to his, and he pulls you closer, the taste of alcohol and fruit juice on your tongue, your warm skin beneath his grasp. He breaks the kiss for a breath, releasing your hand to trail his fingers up your thigh before settling them on your hip. “I hear they keep the good stuff upstairs; you want to go find it? Let me give you a personal tasting?”

A breathy laugh slips past your lips, your grip on his shirt tightens, and you kiss your way up to his ear, voice no louder than a whisper, sultry and sweet in the way he knows is genuine. “I’d rather we go back to the ship, and I let you do some tasting of your own.”

He swallows, mind supplying him with the memory of your taste from back after Luffy wandered off in Lougetown and the two of you did your own wandering—to somewhere much more private. “Brilliant idea from a stunningly beautiful woman; let’s go right away.”

You giggle at his enthusiasm and take him by the hand, only to be stopped by two townsfolk being thrown through the doors by Zoro.

“You’re going to need more than two guys to take me down.”

The mood in the saloon shifts, and Sanji swears under his breath, then all hell breaks loose.

It’s a nice change of pace, though she does find it a bit ridiculous, but you don’t seem to mind, or even notice, so she doesn’t say anything. Not until she finds you in the storage room, hunched over in the dark, a lantern on the table the singular light source, Sanji’s suit jacket halfway in your lap, halfway on the table. Your pin cushion is on the table as well, and you nearly jump out of your skin when she raps her knuckles on the round wooden tabletop to catch your attention.

“Nami! You scared me.” You tell her, one hand on your hip reaching for your pistols that you left in your shared bedroom, the other frantically trying to hide Sanji’s jacket.

“What are you doing up so late? I thought you went to bed hours ago?”

You laugh nervously, glancing around to make sure no one else was around. “Would you believe me if I told you I was sleepwalking?”

“Absolutely not.” Your shoulders slump, and she takes a seat, picking up the limp sleeve of Sanji’s jacket. “So, is there a reason you have this or..?”

“It got torn, during our last fight, and he keeps saying he’ll buy a new one at the next island, but I know this is his favorite one, and I hate to see him looking so unkempt.”

She hums in response, taking in your lantern lit form. You’re so clearly enamored with Sanji. You’re treating his jacket like it’s the One Piece itself.

You duck your head, embarrassment creeping across your face. “It’s dumb, isn’t it? I don’t even know how I’ll explain why I did it; it’s not like he asked me to sew it back up for him.”

“I’m pretty sure if you tore it more and gave it back to him, he’d thank you.” She snorts softly.

You look at her confusion knitting your brows. “Why would he do that?”

She leans her head into her hand, giving you a look. “Because he’s into you?”

“No, no way, he’s just a flirt, he’s flirts with everyone, he doesn’t like me like that…” You fidget with the cuffs of his jacket. “Does he?”

Nami’s heart twists in her chest, you’re a little bit younger than her, and she can’t help but feel protective. “I mean I think it’s pretty obvious but if he doesn’t then he’s an idiot.”

You smile bashfully, smoothing out his jacket. “Thank you.”

“But it is a little creepy, you sitting here in the dark hunched over his jacket like a bellringer. Why don’t you come finish that in our room?”

“Really? I don’t want to disturb your sleep.”

“It’s fine, I’ve got a few new things I want to add to the map anyways, just be quick about it.” She says, standing and taking the lantern.

“I’ll be super quick; I’m basically almost done anyways.” You tell her, bundling up your sewing supplies and following her through the hatch back to your shared room.

She watches you hover in the doorway to the kitchen, foot propped up on the bar stool next to her, resting her folded arms on her knee, her back to Sanji who’s finishing up plating breakfast. She raises a brow at you, and you give her a nervous smile. She rolls her eyes fondly in response. You’re not usually this shy, she’s seen you reduce Sanji to a blushing mess at least twice in the last week, but she gets it. Crushes are hard, gift giving can be a vulnerable act, and while she doubts it highly, there’s a chance Sanji won’t like the fact that you stole and repaired his jacket in the dead of night. Men are weird sometimes; they get sensitive about certain things. Swords, ships, gold chains, a portrait of some girl they swore they were in love with ten years ago, the list goes on and on.

“Breakfast should be ready in a few minutes.” Sanji announces, his back still to the door.

You take a step in then step back out with a silent squeak when it looks like Sanji is about to turn, nearly crashing into Zoro.

Zoro glances over at her, a do I even want to know expression on his face.

She tilts her head towards Sanji and his deadpan expression of disgust is so quick that she can’t stop herself from laughing.

“What’s so funny? Did Zoro tell a joke?” Luffy asks, his silverware already in hand waiting for Sanji to set his plate down.

“Mosshead? Tell a joke? Now that’s funny Cap.” Sanji says.

“Alright Waiter, why don’t you hurry up, the eggs are gonna be cold by the time you’re done garnishing.”

Sanji clicks his tongue. “True artistry cannot be rushed.”

You’ve finally make your way into the kitchen, coming to stand next to Nami who slides her foot off the stool so you can sit. Sanji’s jacket is folded neatly in your lap, hidden by the countertop overhang.

“So?” Nami asks quietly, bumping her shoulder into yours.

“So?”

“Are you going to give it to him now or?”

“He’s cooking, I don’t want to get in his way.” You explain, looking as if you’re going to bolt.

Okay, tough love time. “Hey Sanji?”

“Yes, madam?” He calls, looking over his shoulder with a grin that only grows when he sees you sitting beside her.

“Y/N has something for you when you’re done.”

“Nami!” You whisper-scream, putting on a smile when Sanji turns, wiping his hands on his apron.

“A present? Now, what did I do to deserve that?” He asks, picking up the plates and dishing them out.

“I’m wondering that too.” Zoro says, coming to sit beside Luffy, Usopp still in the corner writing his latest letter to Kaya.

Sanji glares at him, then turns back to you, setting you and Nami’s plates down with a gentleness she’s come to attribute with Sanji.

“Oh, it’s not really a present, it’s just…” You hand him his jacket, grabbing your napkin to give your hands something to do. “I noticed it had a tear in it from that pirate’s cutlass, and I sewed it up, I’m not a professional seamstress by any means, but I’m not horrible with a needle, I just hope it looks alright.”

It looks perfect, Nami’s already seen it a million times over since she found you in the storage room. It looks like it was never damaged in the first place.

“You can’t even tell it was ever torn, this stitching y/n, it’s masterful.” Sanji says, beaming at you with the full radiance of the sun. “Thank you, sweetheart, really, your kindness knows no bounds, we truly are in the presence of a goddess.”

You giggle and wave his praise off. “It was nothing, I just didn’t want you to look unkempt, I know order and appearance means a lot to you.”

Nothing my ass, Nami snorts, stealing a piece of bacon from your plate, and popping it in her mouth, before Luffy can.

Usopp is second or at least he thinks he's second, you're the gunslinging duo he likes to think he knows you pretty well.

“So, how’s Kaya’s doctor stuff going? I saw you got a new letter from her.” You say, voice a little strained from the way you both hang upside down from the rigging, preferred weapons in hand.

It’s a normal sailing day, a lot of downtime, so you and Usopp pulled down the netting he and Nami rigged up, securing it to the mast and rigging, creating a pseudo-obstacle course to help you both keep your skills sharp while at sea. Plus, Luffy likes swinging from it and seeing how far out over the ocean he can stretch.

“She’s been studying like crazy, but she said she’s been making really good progress.” Usopp says, loading a ball bearing into his slingshot.

“It’s Kaya, of course she’s making good progress. I know I only met her like once, but I’m pretty sure she’ll be an amazing doctor.” You aim for one of the targets and shoot, hitting dead on. “Hey, maybe when she’s done studying, she can be our ship doctor, that would be cool.”

Usopp goes next, hitting slightly to the left of the bullseye when the wind pushes the target back suddenly. “That would be awesome, but I don’t know.”

“What’s there not to know?” You ask, aiming with your left hand, swearing under your breath when the ship rocks and your shot hits too high. “She’s smart, kind, strong, you’re like childhood best friends, you guys like each other, and she’s a blonde which is always a plus.”

Usopp's ears perk up, he’s had a slight sense that there was something between you and Sanji, but he wasn’t sure if either of you were aware of it. “Let’s take a break.”

You holster your pistols. “Okay.”

He pushes himself off the mast, swinging back and forth watching as you do the same, laughing as you spin in the air. He waits until you’ve stopped spinning, swinging past you as he asks, “blond is a plus?”

“Yeah, of course, I’m a sucker for a blond.” You tell him, pushing off the mast one more time before grabbing at the net above you to slow your swinging.

He does the same, pulling himself up to look at you. “You know Sanji is blond.”

Your brows furrow. “Yeah so?”

He wriggles his eyebrows. “Soooo.”

“Soooo?” You echo, searching his face for any hints as to where he’s going with this.

He loops his arms through the netting, resting his chin on them to stare at you expectantly. “Y/N, come on.”

“Come on what?”

He sighs dramatically, tilting his head to emphasize his words. “You’re a sucker for blonds, and Sanji is blond.”

“That’s just a coincidence.” You protest, untangling yourself from the netting and hanging from your knees once more, taking your pistols back out.

He flips down as well. “So, you don’t like Sanji then?”

You huff and refuse to face him, tripping over your words unlike he’s ever seen before. Except for that one time you accidentally walked in on Sanji getting out of the shower, towel around his hips, and Usopp had to convince you not to hide in the crow’s nest for the rest of the week. “I like Sanji, just—ugh not like—I don’t know, and he doesn’t even—shut up is this because I got a bounty before you? Are just messing with me?”

“Actually, I got a bounty before you, but I know it’s nice to dream.”

You whip your head around, wincing slightly as the blood rushes in your head. “That was Luffy’s bounty, that doesn’t count!”

“You sound just like Sanji, that doesn’t count, this is stupid, blah blah blah. I get it you guys are jealous of me, just date already and be jealous together.”

“I’m going to shoot you.” You deadpan, reaching for him, the force of your movement swinging you past him.

Usopp scrambles up the rigging, unhooking his feet and dropping to the deck below, a shit eating grin on his face as he turns to run. Yeah, you totally like Sanji. “You can deny all you want, y/n, but I know the truth.”

“I’m not jealous of you. Get back here!” You call, hurrying to unhook your feet so you can give chase. You hit the deck, one gun drawn, a bolt of energy whizzing past his ear, scattering like the sun shimmering on the waves when it hits the fireproof brick wall that the main deck shares with the kitchen.

He turns and thumbs his nose at you. If you wanted to hit him, you would’ve, he’s not worried. Another bolt flies past, and he grabs his slingshot, sending a harmless smoke and color powder pellet back in response. Bright pink smoke envelops you as he ducks below deck, your laughter, and fading curses following him down.

Sanji’s at the bottom of the short set of stairs clearly listening in, and he startles when he notices Usopp, quickly recovering, a carefree smile on his face. “You two having fun?”

“Yeah, but y/n might need some help getting all that color powder out of her hair.” Usopp says, folding his arms behind his head, giving Sanji a knowing smile as he saunters past. You two can thank him later. He has to tell Kaya about this. Another success for Captain Ussop, the matchmaking of y/n and Sanji, the Lady of the Golden Guns, and the Best Chef on the High Seas.

Zoro is actually second, but he acts like he's third simply because he was trying to ignore you and Saji's antics.

He's not stupid, he may be more of a strong silent type as you might call him, waiting and observing before acting, speaking little unless needed, but he’s not stupid. Zoro can see clear as day that Sanji is almost annoyingly head over heels for you. Which in itself is really not any of his business, though it does give him plenty of material to goad Sanji with. What he finds surprising though is that for a man who flirts with everything that moves, Sanji gets pretty jealous when someone flirts with you.

It starts off subtle. Sanji’s smile stiffening slightly when a bartender gives you a free drink with a wink. His body shifting closer to you as a fruit seller compliments your outfit. Then he turns it up a notch, refusing to let you get your own drinks from the bar, telling you some crap like a fair lady such as yourself should not be forced to order her own drink, allow me to fetch it for you. And when someone compliments you, Zoro has to fight back the urge to gag at how flowery and long-winded Sanji becomes. If someone says they like your dress Sanji is spending the next ten minutes telling you everything he likes about it. Praising the way the color compliments your skin, your hair, your eyes, marveling over the way the fabric either clings to or flows about your form, the way the cut of the neckline looks, the detailing, the fact that it has pockets or doesn’t have pockets, it’s never-ending.

He will admit, though, he does enjoy watching Sanji get all worked up when he can’t swoop in and distract you. Like today, you’re scanning through the racks of clothing in some shop he thinks is way too expensive, Nami at your side, the salesman hovering, dousing you both in compliments. Sanji just shoves his hands deeper and deeper in his pockets. His jaw set, his eyes never leaving you.

You head towards the curtained off section designated as a dressing room, a pile of clothes in your arms, and disappear behind one of the curtains.

Zoro meanders over, sinking into one of the weirdly shaped chairs set up outside the curtains, Sanji doing the same. “Tell me again why we had to come with you guys?” Zoro asks, tapping his fingers on the hilt of his swords.

“Because it’s the polite thing to do, we’re both ladies on a new island, and we need protection.” Nami says from behind her own curtain.

He rolls his eyes, he should’ve known this was part of her matchmaking scheme. “Didn’t I see you two beat the shit out of a guy just last week?”

Nami sticks her head out, her eyes narrowed. “Shut up, Zoro.”

He holds his hands up in surrender and lets it be. “Fine, fine, we’ll be here, waiting to protect you guys.”

He’ll admit it, the clothing all blurred together at some point, and he’s far more interested in the champagne offered by the salesman than the various shirts, skirts, and dresses you and Nami are trying on. But when you finally, finally reach the end of the pile, and are hesitant to come out, he pays attention.

“Come on, y/n, I’m sure you look great.” Nami says, her own last item, a sparkling dark blue gown that wraps around her form, a slit up the leg, catching the light as she moves to peek past your curtain.

“Okay, okay, just, give me a second.”

“You’ve had plenty of seconds.” Nami reminds you, tapping her foot.

You shyly pull open the curtain and step out towards the full length mirrors set against the wall, turning and twisting, keeping your eyes on the gown and off anyone else so you don’t see their reactions. It’s similar to Nami’s, but a deep red almost crimson, and where hers is cut straight across at the neckline, yours is more halter style.

Zoro let’s out a low whistle. “Damn y/n.”

“I knew you’d look great.” Nami says, smiling as she motions for you to give her a twirl.

You do so, face flushing, your eyes pointedly looking anywhere but Sanji. “I like it, but where would I wear it? It’s too nice for just being on the ship.”

“B-Baratie.” Sanji says, a blush crawling up his neck. “You could wear it at Baratie love, Luffy wants to go back and visit soon, it’s perfectly in dress code.”

You smooth your hands down the skirt of your dress. “That could work, but I don’t know. What do you think, Zoro?”

He glances at Sanji who looks torn between staring unabashedly at you and glaring at him, then glances back at you, shrugging. “Why are you asking me?”

“Because I trust you to be straight with me.” You shrug, and he doesn’t let the way that simple sentence taps at the ice around his heart show on his face.

He takes a long look, dragging his eyes up and down your figure, biting back a smirk when Sanji mutters something about indecent looks, and stands crossing the space between you and him. Might as well mess with him a little bit, maybe it’ll spur him to action. “I mean, it’s pretty.”

“Well, yeah, but is it worth getting?”

He runs a finger down the halter strap, starting at the back of your neck and ending at your clavicle, hooking one finger beneath it to feel the inside. The material isn’t scratchy like he thought it might be given the sparkling, so that’s good. He doesn’t want you or Nami to spend money on something uncomfortable that wouldn’t make any sense.

“I think it’s worth get—”

“She didn’t ask you, Waiter.” He deadpans, removing his hand and resting it on your hip, spreading his fingers to see if the slit goes as high as it looks.

You don’t react, just look at him curiously, but Sanji can’t see that.

“This slit is pretty high, I don’t know how comfortable you’d be with that once you’re walking around.”

Your lips crook to the side in thought and you step back, fiddling with it. “I guess I could sew it closed a bit here at the top.”

“Yeah, that could work, but let me just test something.” He says, grabbing your waist and throwing you over his shoulder, turning so the side of your dress with the slit is facing Sanji.

You yelp and grab onto his shirt for balance. “Zoro, what the hell?”

“Need to make sure it’s not showing too much, what if you get injured, and we have to carry you?”

Sanji’s gritting his teeth, his hands balled in his pockets. “There are other ways to carry a lady.”

“Yeah, yeah, how much of her skin is showing, think it’s too much?”

Sanji swallows hard, eyes tracing up your leg. “I have no right to decide what’s too much skin, it’s y/n’s body, whatever she’s comfortable with is all that matters.”

Zoro can feel you stifling a dreamy sigh and readjusts his arm to better secure you.

You tuck your hair behind your ear to get it out of your face. “I’d actually like your opinion, Sanji, if you don’t mind? I wouldn’t want to be too exposed.”

Sanji’s on his feet in an instant, arms held out. “I think it’s too high for this position, but if our dear Mosshead will indulge me?”

Zoro hands you over and takes a step back. Sanji’s carrying you princess style, which is just as well since he calls you that constantly.

“See here, when you’re being carried properly, we can see that while the slit is still high, it’s less revealing. Though I think for comfort it’s best to sew it up some, which shouldn’t be a problem for you seeing as you so masterfully repaired my suit jacket.”

Your arms are around Sanji’s neck, and you’re looking at him like he hung the moon and stars. “You’re so sweet.”

“And you are absolutely stunning in this gown. You’ll be the envy of every man, woman, fishman, and fishwoman, in Baratie.”

“As long as I make you look good on your triumphant return, then I’m happy.” You say, smiling prettily, looking up at Sanji through your lashes.

Zoro watches as Sanji’s ears turn red, and he breaks eye contact, clearing his throat. “You’d do that anyways, gown or no gown. Haven’t I told you there’s nothing prettier than you?”

“I think you said beautiful, actually.”

“My apologies, princess, there’s nothing and no one more beautiful than you.”

You giggle in response, girlish and flustered, trying and failing to hide your smile. So, this is what Luffy was talking about when he said he saw you get all embarrassed around Sanji.

Zoro feels Nami’s elbow knock against his arm. “Nice work.”

“Just tired of them mooning over each other all the time.”

Zeff is understandably among the last to know, but still caught on before you and Sanji.

He’s glad to have Sanji visiting Baratie, though he wishes the brat hadn’t brought that bottomless stomach of a captain with him. No matter, it’s nice to have Sanji in the kitchen with him once more, barking orders and receiving that familiar defiance from his little eggplant all grown up. And grown up he definitely is, seeing as he brought a little cabbage with him. You’re a sweet girl; with weaponry he hasn’t seen since the high tide of his pirate days strapped to your hips that you stubbornly refused to be parted with until Sanji assured you that they’d be kept safe. It had taken a lot of wheedling and promises of making sure dessert had strawberries somewhere on it to get you to reluctantly hand over the gleaming golden pistols, to the host who looked just as reluctant to take them.

Now he’s here, dicing tomatoes alongside Sanji waiting to see if he’ll bring you up. When he doesn’t after a few minutes, Zeff speaks. “So, the lass you’re with?”

“Y/N, Lady of the Golden Guns, a beauty ain’t she?” Sanji says, finely dicing the tomatoes with perfect precision. “And that gown, stunning, you know she asked for my opinion about it?”

“Smart girl. You know, I always knew you’d go for more than just a pretty face. You need someone with fire to keep your head outta the clouds all the time. Seems like she’s up to the task.”

Sanji’s knife stilled. “We’re not—she doesn’t see me like that.”

Zeff scoffs. “And a mermaid stole my leg.”

Sanji shoots him a scathing look.

He chuckles. “It’s plain as day, she likes you. Even her captain couldn’t get her to give those guns up, but you offered her strawberries on a dessert and a reassuring word, and she’s handing them over.”

“It took far more than that, and she was still reluctant to hand them over, she’s very…protective of them, she’s had a hard go of it getting and keeping those guns.” Sanji says, his tone prickly.

Defensive of you and your shared captain, Zeff’s glad to see it. “Still, wasn’t her captain that convinced her, but you.”

“We’re friends.” Sanji says curtly, calling for another set of tomatoes to be brought to him.

“Again mermaid, leg.”

A muscle in Sanji’s jaw twitches. “Yeah, yeah, old man I get it, you don’t believe me.”

Zeff shrugs. “Can’t an old man hope for the best?”

“You can, doesn’t mean you’ll get it.” Sanji says his shoulders slumping.

Zeff pauses in his prepping, wipes his hand on his apron and squeezes Sanji’s shoulder. “Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. If she rejects you, and you’re too embarrassed to face her you can always come back home, I’ll put you right back on the line.”

Sanji shoulders his hand off but smiles gratefully. “As if I’d ever work for you again.”

Zeff jerks his head towards Sanji’s prepping. “What do you call what you’re doing right now?”

“Making a meal for my crew.” He says pointedly, that old defiance slipping right back in.

“Which includes your girlfriend.” Zeff adds, unable to resist ribbing him.

Sanji’s lips curl up into a half smile. “We’ll see, old man, we’ll see.”

Zeff notes the way Sanji grabs the oregano, and dashes some of it on a particular plate, even though his nose crinkles at what he knows the little eggplant considers sacrilege. “Who likes oregano in your crew?”

“Y/N. I’m trying to wean her off it, but she says it was one of the few spices her mom knew how to cook with… It reminds her of home.”

He nods, feeling his old stone heart crack a little and resists the urge to tease Sanji, instead letting him be, and helping him carry the plates out once they’re ready.

Zeff retreats to the kitchen and watches the way you lean into Sanji’s space, listening intently as he explains each dish, fawning over them and his knowledge, while the others on your crew share looks. It seems that everybody but you two knows about your shared affections. He chuckles quietly and shakes his head before going back into the kitchen, young love.

Just friends, that’s what Sanji said, but Zeff doesn’t know any friends he’d have pressed against a wall the way Sanji has you. His hands cupping your face, yours gripping his jacket, lips melding together, whispered words exchanged between fervent kisses, foreheads resting against each other when you both come up for air. He doesn’t say anything, just backs away slowly and tells everybody to avoid going out back. He’ll give you and Sanji some privacy, he just hopes he won’t see you two back in nine months, he’s not ready to be a grandfather quite yet.

Luffy likes to think he’s pretty in tune with the emotions of his crew, they’re his friends, his brothers and sisters-in-arms, his treasure hunting companions, and he knows them pretty well. But what he can’t figure out is why you and Sanji are being so incredibly weird.

One: It’s the pet names, the terms of endearment, as Sanji calls them. He has a million, from Mosshead for Zoro to madam for Nami though he only did that once and she hated it, but for you it’s never ending. Sweetheart, Princess, Love, Gorgeous, Darling, Goddess, and Dearest but that one only really comes out when he’s messing with you. And he flirts, nonstop, which seems to annoy other girls, but you don’t seem to mind it? In fact, you encourage it!

“Well, hello there, gorgeous, feel like walking my way?” Sanji smiles, putting out his cigarette as you enter the kitchen.

“Hm, try a better pick-up line and I might.” You say, tossing a smile Sanji’s way as you lean against the doorframe, arms crossed over your chest.

“Of course, love, allow me to try again.”

You raise a brow in anticipation.

“Y/N, sweetheart, grace this poor overworked cook with your healing presence, won’t you? Take pity on me oh merciful goddess.”

You roll your eyes but walk over to the kitchen island leaning on it, putting you parallel to Sanji, and tap your nails against the countertop with faux impatience. “You’re gonna have to do better than that to get me all the way over there.”

Sanji smiles and leans on the island as well. “How about this, princess? I make your favorites for lunch, and you sit pretty on the counter, keeping me company?”

You’re flustered, Luffy never sees you flustered! And it’s like you two have forgotten he’s even there as you round then hop up on the island, Sanji coming to stand at your knees, his hands planted on either side of you, caging you in, asking you a million questions about your favorite foods he knows Sanji already knows the answers to.

“What about lemon? A little zest to brighten your day?”

You smile, resting your head on your shoulder. “I do like citrus.”

“That is because you have excellent taste.”

“You flatter me. I’m sure I’ll like anything you make.” You tell him, playing with his tie, twirling it around your finger. “You’re an amazing chef.”

“Now who’s flattering who?” Sanji smiles, a slight pink tint crawling up his pale throat.

“I only speak the truth.” You shrug.

“Like the benevolent goddess you are.”

You release his tie, and lean back on your hands. “It’s a good thing you cook as well as you speak.”

“I do a lot things well, if you’re interested.”

You bite your lip. “Oh yeah?”

Sanji smirks, rolling up his sleeves as he starts pulling out bowls and various cooking utensils. “All you gotta do is ask darling.”

“When is lunch going to be ready?” Luffy asks, making his presence known once more.

“Be patient Luffy, good food takes time.” Sanji says, giving you and him a wink.

Two: You’re a star shooter, the fastest draw in the East Blue, and you dodge quick too, but Sanji always acts like the most minor scrapes and bruises are life threatening wounds. Even when you try to brush him off, like you’re doing now, rolling your eyes affectionately at Sanji as he fusses over you.

“Sanji, seriously I’m fine, it barely grazed me.” You tell him, lifting the gaze to see if your arm was still bleeding. You’re standing in the kitchen by the sink, Luffy leaning against the island, the rest of the crew scattered about, Nami and Ussop counting out the treasure you guy got on the table, Zoro cleaning the blood from his swords in the corner.

“You got shot y/n, you have to treat all bullet wounds seriously, they could get infected.” He says, grabbing a bottle from one of the cabinets and a clean rag.

You laugh softly, letting your head fall to the side and flashing Luffy a smile. “I’ve been shot like eleven times and never gotten an infection.”

Luffy laughs too, he never would’ve imagined you’d been shot at so many times, you always try to avoid trouble sticking to the back to get a clear line of sight. “Eleven times?”

You use your uninjured arm to make a so-so gesture with your hand. “Give or take. You don’t gain ownership of the golden guns without making a few people jealous enough to take a shot at you.”

“Just because you’ve never gotten an infection before doesn’t mean you won’t get one now.” Sanji chides, already pouring alcohol onto a clean rag preparing to disinfect the minor scrape on your bicep.

You hiss when he presses the rag to your arm and Sanji mutters soft apologies as he bandages you up, not even noticing the way you look at him, but Luffy does. You look at Sanji the way some sailors look at the ocean, like you can never quite pin it down, inexplicably drawn deeper, entranced and in awe of the sight before you, a smile playing on your lips.

“There we go gorgeous, all fixed up.” Sanji says, finishing tying the new gaze around your arm, his touch lingering, his lips pressing tightly together before they stretch out into a charming smile. “Next time let me get shot. I can still fight with an injured arm, you oh Lady of the Golden Guns, can’t.”

You crinkle your nose in response, the handles of said golden guns gleaming from within the holsters at your hips. “I shoot with both hands, what are you talking about? I can definitely still fight with one good arm.”

“That’s not the point sweet girl.” Sanji sighs, booping your nose with his index finger.

You rear back as if he’s offended you, but you’re still smiling. “What if you slip doing all that fancy footwork? You’ll need your arms to catch yourself.”

He shrugs. “I’ll just try to aim my fall so Zoro can catch me.”

“I’m not catching you.” Zoro says, not even glancing up from his swords.

You try to bite back a laugh, but Sanji catches you. “I’m hurt y/n, truly, you’re really betraying me like this? Such untold cruelty you put me through.”

You take a step forward and straighten the collar of Sanji’s striped button up. “No betrayal here, handsome, no cruelty either.” You let your hands linger and Luffy wonders if there’s something more to the action or if you just like how Sanji’s shirt feels.

Sanji’s face tints red, and your hands are flat on his chest now, sliding up towards his shoulders. Okay he’s gotta feel Sanji’s shirt, it can't be that soft. Luffy reaches out and feels the sleeve of Sanji’s shirt making you both turn to look at him. It feels like a normal shirt? Is he missing something?

“Y/N, why are you touching Sanji’s shirt so much? It just feels like a normal shirt.”

Zoro snorts, and you swiftly kick him, aiming for his ankle, ignoring him when he swears under his breath. “I’m just helping him straighten it out, it got wrinkled in the fight.”

Three: Sanji hates seeing you sad, maybe even more than Luffy does, and he hates to see any of his friends cry, and would do anything to cheer them up.

He’s watching the two of you, he knows you’re upset, it’s late, he’s up at the wheel and you’re sitting beneath one of Nami’s tangerine trees, your knees pulled up to your chest, your chin resting atop them, your shoulders shaking with subdued jerky motions like you’re trying really hard not to cry but can’t keep everything inside. He was going to go over and sit with you, make sure you weren’t alone but then he saw Sanji approaching from below deck.

He places a hand on your shoulder, and you look up at him, wiping at your eyes, clearly embarrassed. Sanji shakes his head and sits next to you, his hand still on your shoulder now moving to wipe away any stray tears.

You say something, but he can’t hear, and he sees Sanji’s face fall before he pulls you into his embrace, your face buried in the crook of his neck, your body wracked with sobs as he holds you tightly, his chin resting on the crown of your head.

You two sit like that for a while, until finally you pull back and wipe your face again. Sanji cups your cheeks looking at you in that weird gooey way he often does, saying something that again he annoyingly can’t hear. He should’ve tried to get closer, but he doesn’t want to make you feel more embarrassed than you already are.

Finally, once your tears have subsided, Sanji pulls you to your feet, and it looks like you’re thanking him. He presses a kiss to your hand with a flourish and you smile, it was a small watery smile but still a smile which Luffy is happy to see. You part ways with Sanji, leaving him beneath the trees, arms still wrapped around yourself but looser, eyes on the sunset.

Sanji watches you go, taking out a cigarette and waiting until you’re below deck to light it, taking a long slow drag before running a hand through his hair and leaning against one of the trees, still staring at the door you disappeared through.

He watches Sanji smoke for a while, the orange glow of his cigarette a single point of light, until the door to the lower decks opens back up, casting a sliver of light across the deck. It’s you, dressed for bed, your hair loose and face scrubbed clean.

Sanji snuffs out his cigarette meeting you halfway, bringing you both close enough for Luffy to catch a few words. “Y/N? I thought you were going to bed?”

“I tried but I just couldn’t fall asleep.” You say, stopping a hairsbreadth away from Sanji.

“Doesn’t seem like you gave it much of a try, love. You only went below deck ten minutes ago.” He chuckles softly, tucking a lock of your hair behind your ear, fingertips lingering for a moment.

“It felt like longer.” You say almost breathlessly, looking up at Sanji with stars in your eyes.

“Yeah, it did.” Sanji hums in response, lifting a hand to caress the curve of your cheek.

You throw your arms around his neck, and Sanji’s hands settle on your waist and lower back, his head dipping down to meet yours and oh, oh, you’re…kissing Sanji? Sanji’s kissing you? He can’t really tell, you both moved so fast.

It’s intense, he watches through his fingers, trying to decide if he should let you both know he’s there or just close his eyes and ears. There’s a lot of wandering hands and noises, Sanji pushes you against the bulwark, you grab at his shirt, and yeah okay he’s going to say something.

Luffy coughs loudly, waving his arms. “Um guys I’m up here.”

You and Sanji jerk apart, Sanji’s face burning red while you bury yours in your hands. “Luffy! Why didn’t you say something sooner?” Your voice three octaves too high to be normal.

“Well, I didn’t know you guys were going to start kissing!”

Sanji clears his throat and straightens his clothing. “Why don’t we all calm down and I’ll take y/n to bed, Luffy you just keep your watch, I’ll go get—”

“I don’t want to know about you two having sex!” Luffy says, slapping his hands over his ears.

“That’s not what I meant, I’ll just escort her back to her room.” Sanji says, waving his hands frantically as if that would make everything go away.

You’re dying laughing nearly bent in half, leaning on the bulwark for support. “Sanji, Sanji it’s okay. Luffy nothing is going to happen between us tonight, I promise you, so you can uncover your ears.”

Luffy removes his hands and looks at you both warily. “Okay but I want extra bacon at breakfast tomorrow.”

“Deal.” Sanji says, offering his arm to you. “Shall we go then sweetheart?”

And of course you couldn’t forget the massive church with its wall of stained glass depicting the way the women of the island overthrew their male oppressor long ago and made their island into the paradise it is today. Nor could you forget the priestess, the witnesses, and the gold bands that were currently trying to meld with your flesh, or at least the one on Sanji’s ring finger looked like it was trying to do that.

The crew had only meant to make a quick stop, just for supplies, in and out, then back on course to save Vivi’s kingdom, but of course things never went exactly as planned.

The island was a matriarchal society, something you, Nami, and Vivi enjoyed seeing. The women would wave and greet you three, completely ignoring the men in your crew or ushering them off to go chat with the other boys.

Nami snickered at the disgruntled look on Zoro’s face when he was told that.

You’re not really sure how it all went from a nice sunny day and easy shopping trip to where you were now. Well, that wasn’t entirely true…the crew had split up, and while you and Sanji were shopping, he did as he always did: complimented the shopkeeper and her assistant. Nothing crazy; he’d been much more conscious of his words since your paint-induced rage freak out back on Little Garden, but it seemed to be too much for the island's inhabitants.

Which brought you here, to an altar, in an obnoxiously garish wedding dress, because according to the island’s laws, a man demonstrating such harlot-like behavior was either to be imprisoned or vouched for by a woman of good standing that knew him well. You thought it’d be easy; of course you’d vouch for Sanji, but you didn’t realize vouching for him on this island meant something very different from literally everywhere else you’d ever been in your whole damn life.

The rings were special, forged with some ancient magic kept secret by the blacksmiths and jewelers of the island, given only to couples who were made up of a former harlot and the gracious woman who’d vouched for him. They had a tracking ability, the woman who’d helped you into your wedding dress explained. That way you’d always know where your former harlot was, and he’d always know where you were, that way when you called for him, he wouldn’t waste your time asking where you were.

You knew a lot of women who’d kill for that kind of magic, and before joining the Going Merry you wouldn’t have said you were one of them but, with how often your crew got into hijinks and got separated it didn’t seem too bad of a thing. Though it’d probably be better to put a tracker on Luffy since he ran off the most, but hey beggars can’t be choosers right?

You glanced down at the ring on your finger; the gold caught the sunlight streaming in through the stained-glass windows. If you kept this up long enough, you were probably going to have an extensive collection of gold themed magic items before you guys even found the One Piece.

The priestess said the vows you and Sanji were to repeat, and you flinched internally at the way the woman behind Sanji dug the knife in when he hesitated.

You didn’t take it personally; you knew Sanji had feelings for you, you knew he loved you even, but this wasn’t the way either of you would choose to get married.

The ceremony was quick, the rest of the crew sitting in the pews with varying expressions on their faces ranging from delight (Usopp and Luffy,) concern (Vivi and Chopper,) and of course, the blank slates of emotion from Nami and Zoro, who had years on the rest of you to learn how to control their facial expressions.

“You may now kiss your husband,” the priestess said, waiting expectantly.

You looked at Sanji, who gave a stiff nod, mindful of the dagger at his throat. Then you leaned in and kissed him chastely, wanting to get this over with so you could get Sanji out of there.

The others in the church cheered, including Luffy and Usopp—though you weren’t sure if Luffy actually understood why you and Sanji were getting married— and the dagger was removed from Sanji’s throat.

“Now the consummation!”

You and Sanji’s heads whipped towards the priestess. “What?”

You stood out on the balcony of the honeymoon suite the priestess had ushered you and Sanji into. The wind ruffled your hair, and the sun dipped into the horizon painting the surface of the sea with brilliant colors.

The whole forced consummation was thankfully over. Turned out you and Sanji were good enough actors that those listening outside the door to ensure the rites were completed fully believed you two had slept together.

It he’d involved an embarrassing amount of fake moans and pleasured cries, you jumping on the bed while Sanji clapped his hands together to try and simulate the slapping of skin, and a groan of your name by Sanji that was so convincing you felt your face burn.

You weren’t sure if you’d ever forget the sound of your name on his lips like that.

Sanji came up beside you, his hands gripping the railing, the setting sun glinting off his ring, his voice soft. “Y/N, I’m sorry.”

You turned your head to look at him, confused and still a little flustered by the memory. “Sorry? For what?”

He gestured to the matching rings on your hands. “When we first met, you were trying to escape an arranged marriage, and now you’re here, married against your will because of me. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I understand if you’re furious with me, if you hate me.”

You placed your hand over his. “Sanji, I’m not mad, and I certainly don’t hate you.”

Now it was his turn to look confused. “But it’s my fault that you ended up in the same situation you were trying so desperately to avoid. And I haven’t forgotten our conversation about Luffy and not wanting someone else to decide if or when you’re married.”

You turn towards him and rest your hip against the slats holding the balcony railing up. “Sanji, when we met, I was trying to avoid marrying a creepy old man who would’ve kept me locked in his house and forced me to squeeze out heirs.”

He nodded in understanding, a heartbreaking frown on his face. “And I would never do that to you, y/n, but still, I know this wasn’t your choice and I cannot apologize enough.”

You shrug and hold your hand up, admiring the ring. “I mean, it kinda was. I chose to vouch for you.”

He chuckled wryly. “The only other option was my imprisonment, love, not much of a choice.”

You patted Sunna holstered on your right hip. “We could’ve broken you out.”

He shook his head. “I know you. I knew as soon as the options were presented that you’d make the choice you did, and I’m so sorry.”

You rest your hand on Sanji’s chest, over his heart. “Sanji, stop, there’s no need to apologize. I made my choice, and I’d do it again if needed. You’re not my former fiancé; you’re my friend and you’re a good man. A good man that I love, that I pictured marrying one day. So yeah, this wasn’t how I expected our wedding to go or even when it would be, and I wouldn’t have worn that ugly dress, or accepted your hair looking like that.”

He laughed and ran a hand through his hair, cringing at the stiffness. “It doesn’t look too bad does it?”

“No comment.”

He held a hand to his heart. “You wound me so cruelly, dear wife.”

You rolled your eyes, intent on continuing the speech you’d been practicing since Sanji asked for a moment alone in the bathroom. “And ideally my aunt and uncle and Zeff would be there, and no one would be held at knifepoint, but…”

Sanji’s eyes, blue as a robin’s egg, were glistening with something that looked very much like hope. “But?”

“But I don’t regret marrying you, forced or not.” It was hard to admit, not because it was something you were embarrassed about, but because it was so vulnerable, so real and open, no jokes or bravado to hide behind.

He smiled, radiant as the sun, and your heart fluttered in your chest. “Me neither.”

You returned his smile. “Plus, now the Marines can’t make us testify against each other, and I’ll always know where you are, even if we get separated.”

Sanji laced his fingers with yours. “I do like that part very much. Though I wish we could’ve gotten a pair for Luffy.”

You laughed. “I was thinking the same thing.”

“Another bonus as well, we got to skip seeing Luffy’s attempts to decorate the ship for our wedding,” he added.

“Oh I’m very sure he’s still going to do it. You know he’s going to say a marriage is only done right if the future King of the Pirates officiates it.”

Sanji chuckled and raised your hand to his lips. “At least it’ll give me time to bake you a proper wedding cake.”

“Good because those ten layers they gave us was just not enough, I want at least thirty.”

“Only thirty?” Sanji asked, a smirk toying at his lips. “Don’t go easy on me just because it’s my wedding too.”

You smiled. “Fine forty layers, each one a different flavor.” Then you glanced down at your intertwined hands. “Oh also, I know the priestess pronounced us Mrs. and Mr. Marrow, but we could use your surname if you wanted? I don’t think I actually know what it is, though. Does that make me a bad wife?”

You hoped he would rather use his surname; you weren’t actually sure Morrow was your actual surname. When you woke up on your aunt’s island, she asked you a series of questions, one of them being your full name.

When you told her it, Y/N Y/M/N Marrow, she asked you again and again, then repeated your full name, but when it came to your surname, she said the same as you, though she insisted she was saying something different.

It was weird, but eventually she let it go, and you just tried to forget about it. Morrow felt right, but your aunt’s expression every time you said it made a small part of you wonder if maybe you were wrong.

Something flickered in Sanji’s eyes, then it was gone, and he shook his head. “You could never be a bad wife, but I agree with Luffy; you have the larger bounty, so it should be your surname that lives on.”

You cocked your head. “Are you sure? I really wouldn’t mind.”

Sanji began to kiss down your hand, wrist, and forearm, sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. “Absolutely sure, in fact it’s an honor to take on my goddess’ surname, how much closer it brings me to your divine mercy.”

Your face warmed, and you bit back a flustered sigh. “Alright then, Marrows we shall be.”

He smiled, and his free arm snaked around your waist, pulling you closer. “Do you desire anything from your husband at the moment, Mrs. Marrow? Perhaps an escort back inside?”

You raised a brow. “Inside? The place that’s four steps away?”

“You could trip.”

“Sanji, are you trying to see if I want to consummate our marriage for real this time?”

His face tinted pink. “Was I that obvious?”

“A little, but maybe that’s because I want to as well.”

He beamed and guided you back into the suite, sliding the balcony door closed behind him.

“Nah, he’s fine.” She says, adjusting her hat and reclining back into the colorful cushioned beach chair.

You watch a little longer sipping your drink, feeling a twinge of irritation even the strawberry daiquiri in your hand can’t wash away. “What do they see in him?”

Nami gives you a look over her sunglasses. “What do you see in him? You’re the one who fucked him behind the bar last night.”

Your face flushes, and you look around frantically hoping Luffy wasn’t nearby. He’s still just a kid, he doesn’t need to hear about that. “We didn’t have sex, we were just...doing other stuff...”

She hums her disagreement, sliding her sunglasses back up.

“Nami I’m serious!”

“I totally believe you y/n, just like I believe a mosquito is the reason you’ve got so much concealer slathered on your neck.”

You resist the urge to raise your hand to your neck; you don’t want to smudge anything and reveal the hickeys Sanji left on your skin. “It was a really aggressive mosquito, okay?”

Nami finishes her drink and sets it aside, stretching her arms over her head. “I basically got you guys together, I don’t know why you’re lying to me.”

“Because it’s embarrassing obviously, what are we teenagers?” You grumble into your drink, the cold slush like liquid giving you a brain freeze.

She pats your shoulder. “Should’ve thought about that before you let him sink his teeth in.”

“Someone bit you?” Luffy appears out of nowhere as he’s prone to do, plopping down on the end of your chair, causing you to nearly jump out of your skin.

“No, no, no one bit me, Nami is just joking.” You explain quickly, waving your hands wildly.

“Okay, good, because if anyone tries to just let me know, I’ll knock them clear into the ocean.” Luffy says, smiling as he holds his fist up ready to show anyone who would hurt his crew the power of the Devil Fruit.

Your heart melts, and you wrap your arms around his shoulders, pulling him in for a backwards hug. “You’re so sweet, thank you, Luffy.”

“Why are we hugging? I thought this was a no hug day. Y/N you promised me we’d all just drink, and no one would try to hug me.” Zoro says, carrying a variety of drinks on a tray.

“No one is going to try and hug you, I promise.” You reassure him, releasing Luffy and gratefully taking your next drink from the tray.

“Good.” He says, settling into a chair next to Nami, arms folded behind his head, eyes shut against the sun.

Luffy grabs his cup of milk, which you’re surprised the bar has, and scans the beach, stopping when he spots Sanji. “Y/N shouldn’t you go rescue Sanji? He’s getting pretty red.”

“Why me? Why not Usopp?” You ask, jerking your thumb at your friend who admittedly is passed out cold in the chair next to you, coconuts littering the sand between you and him.

“Because you and Sanji are married.” Luffy says, shrugging as if it’s simple.

You choke on your drink. “What?”

“Yeah, Luffy, what do you mean?” Nami asks, her words concerned but her tone thoroughly entertained.

“I’m the captain and captains can marry people, and you guys like each other, you confessed, you kissed, I accidentally watched, so that means you guys are married.”

Zoro snickers and Nami smacks his arm. “Luffy, that doesn’t mean they’re married, there’s a whole ceremony, and they exchange rings, it’s more than a kiss.”

“Oh, well, then you should go get him so you can get married.” He says, smiling widely at his quickly discovered solution.

You want to melt into the sand. “I-I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“You don’t want to marry Sanji? Is it because he’s an orphan? Don’t worry y/n that doesn’t really mean anything, besides we’re his family now.”

You look between Luffy and your two remaining crew mates that aren’t passed out cold or Sanji, holding back a scowl at the smug expressions on their faces. “It’s not because he’s a—I didn’t even—I-I'll just go get him, but we’re not getting married!”

“Damn, y/n, you’d deny a man happiness just because he doesn’t have parents?” Zoro shakes his head at you in disappointment, amusement gleaming in his eyes.

You throw some sand at him, hoping it lands in his drink as you pass by. “It’s not because of that! We don’t even know if he’s an orphan, you guys are just guessing.”

You storm over to Sanji pushing through the crowd. “Excuse me, excuse me, sorry ladies, but this one is mine.”

Their reactions range from acceptance, shooting you jealous looks, muttering under their breath and full-on sobbing, the latter which makes you much more embarrassed than you were before.

“Yes, y/n darling, thank you, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Sanji says, slinging an arm over your shoulders, his fingertips dangerously close to the tops of your breasts, which only makes your face even warmer.

“Weren’t looking too hard.” You grumble, hiding your glare at him behind your sunglasses.

One girl narrows her eyes. “How do we know you’re actually his girlfriend and not just trying to trick us so you can have him go yourself?”

“I’m his wife, actually.” You tell her, placing your hand on Sanji’s chest, smiling up at him adoringly.

You feel his breath catch as he chokes on air, but he recovers quickly. “She’s absolutely right, which is why I was trying to gently turn all you lovely ladies down. I’m already taken by the loveliest lady here, my gorgeous, gun-wielding wife.”

The girl clicks her tongue. “Lucky.” Then leaves, passing the information on to the others lingering a few feet away hoping you’d leave.

“Come on, husband, our friends are waiting for us.” You say loudly, for the benefit of anyone who might still think they have a chance. “And you owe me a drink for saving you from that mob.” You add on quietly at the end so that only Sanji can hear.

Sanji smiles brighter than the sun. “Anything for my beautiful wife.”

You roll your eyes behind your sunglasses and start walking back towards your crewmates, Sanji at your heels like a lovesick puppy dog.

As you approach, you hear Nami humming a wedding march.

“Not a single word.” You grit out, flopping back into your beach chair.

“Okay, wait, now I’m really confused. I thought you said you and Sanji aren’t married?” Luffy says, sipping his milk through a colorful bendy straw.

“I’ll tell you the whole story after I get my darling, dazzling wife her drink.” Sanji says, shooting you a wink before waltzing off to the bar.

Which leaves you wanting to bury your head in the sand as Nami and Zoro debate whether you should take Sanji’s last name or if he should take yours. Luffy’s vote is your last name since you have the bigger bounty which “is cooler,” and you stare at the ocean hoping the tide will rush in and sweep you and your embarrassment away.