#koby fluff

"yes?"

"are... are you okay?"

"perfectly."

helmeppo stood beside him blinked.

"...you've been staring at luffy's pirate ship for twenty minutes."

"...i'm waiting."

"...for?"

koby adjusted his glasses.

"...her."

poor helmeppo...

he looked even more confused.

before he could ask another question, loud laughter echoed across the harbor.

"KOOOOOBYYYYY!!!!"

koby froze.

there you were.

the straw hat pirate casually hopped off the sunny's railing as though you weren't trespassing into marine headquarters.

you landed gracefully before him, hands tucked behind your back, wearing the brightest smile he'd ever seen.

"hi!!!"

"..."

"..."

"...hello."

good.

great.

his voice didn't crack.

progress.

you tilted your head.

"aren't you gonna arrest me?"

"...yes."

"really?"

"...yes."

"right now?"

"...yes."

"..."

"..."

"...okay."

you simply stood there.

koby frowned.

"...what?"

"nothing."

"why aren't you running?"

you smiled innocently.

"because i'm waiting."

"...for what?"

"for you to do your job!"

his brain had already started buffering.

you giggled.

"come on, marine. aren't you supposed to catch me?"

he took a deep breath.

don't panic.

garp told you she'd try to distract you.

stay focused.

you can do this.

he stepped forward confidently.

"in the name of the marines, i am placing you under arres..."

you suddenly leaned in.

"...your freckles are cute."

"...what?"

"your freckles."

you pointed at his face.

"they're adorable."

his entire face exploded into scarlet.

"t-those have nothing to do with..."

"do you count them???"

"w-what?!"

"i would."

"kyaah?!"

he stumbled backward so hard he nearly tripped over his own boots.

you covered your mouth to hide another laugh.

too easy.

koby quickly shook his head.

no.

not this time.

he clenched his fists.

"nice try."

you blinked.

"...hm?"

"your— y-your tactics won't work today!"

"...tactics?"

"yes."

"what tactics?"

"the..."

he pointed accusingly.

"...t-th-the flirting!"

you gasped dramatically.

"me?"

"yes, you!"

"captain koby, are you accusing a poor pirate girl of flirting?"

"...y-yes."

"that's so mean."

"i'm serious!"

"you're adorable when you're serious~"

his eye twitched.

somewhere nearby...

garp watched while eating rice crackers.

"he's losin'."

bogard nodded once.

"he is."

koby inhaled slowly.

"...enough."

you raised an eyebrow.

"i'm arresting you."

you smiled.

"come and get me~"

you darted away.

"w-wait!"

he chased after her through headquarters.

marines scattered out of the way.

"captain koby!"

"she went left!"

"no, right!"

"she's on the roof?!"

"how did she even get up there?!"

you laugh the entire time.

every time koby got close enough to grab your wrist, you'd slip away at the last second.

"you're too slow~" you teased.

"hold still!"

"make me."

"that's literally what i'm trying to do!"

after nearly ten minutes of chasing...

you suddenly stopped.

koby nearly crashed into you.

"h-ha..."

he panted heavily.

"...got you."

his fingers finally wrapped gently around your wrist.

victory.

he smiled triumphantly.

"you can't escape this time."

you looked at your joined hands before looking back at him.

"...really?"

"really."

"you promise?"

"...yes."

"you won't let go?"

"...no."

your smile softened.

"...okay."

you stepped closer.

koby blinked.

"...?"

"..."

"...?"

before his brain could process what was happening...

you rose onto your toes.

*chu!*

a tiny peck landed against his warm cheek.

"...thanks for catching me~"

...

steam practically rose from koby's head.

his eyes became little circles.

his grip immediately loosened.

and you slipped free with practiced ease.

"see you later, captain!"

you waved cheerfully before sprinting away.

"w-w-wait!!"

he reached after you uselessly.

"you... y-you... y-you kissed..."

his sentence never finished.

*BONK!*

garp's fist landed squarely on top of his head.

"OW!!"

"told ya not to fall for it."

"i-i didn't!"

"you let go."

"...she kissed my cheek."

garp snorted.

"yep."

"..."

"that's rough, kid."

bogard adjusted his hat.

"...you smiled."

koby's eyes widened.

"...i— w-what?"

"you smiled."

his face somehow became even redder.

meanwhile, from the sunny's deck...

you leaned against the railing, watching him frantically cover his face with both hands.

you laughed so hard you nearly doubled over.

"he's so cute!!!"

luffy looked up from his plate of meat.

"who?"

"my favorite marine."

"oh."

he took another bite.

"he blushes a lot."

"that's exactly why."

Koby quickly looks away, pretending to focus on a group of recruits jogging past. He tells himself he’s just being polite, he’s a Captain after all, and he should be keeping an eye on the base. But he knows that’s not the real reason he keeps sneaking glances in your direction.

“Captain Koby!” a voice calls, snapping him out of his thoughts. Helmeppo strides toward him, smirking “You look a little lost there. Something distracting you?”

Koby flinches, straightening “N-No! I was just—” He stops himself before he makes it worse “Never mind.”

Helmeppo follows his gaze and immediately raises an eyebrow “Ohhh. I see.”

Koby nearly chokes “You don’t see anything!” he insists, but it’s too late. Helmeppo’s smirk deepens.

Before Koby can stop him, Helmeppo waves in your direction “Oi, Y/N! Got a minute?”

You look up, blinking in confusion before setting down your clipboard and walking over. Koby wants to disappear.

“Captain Koby, you needed me for something?” you ask, tilting your head slightly.

Koby opens his mouth. Closes it. Opens it again “Uh—I—”

“Yeah, Captain,” Helmeppo drawls, arms crossed “You did seem eager to talk.”

Koby silently vows to get revenge on him later. For now, he struggles to form a sentence under your curious gaze.

“I—I was just checking in!” Koby blurts out “You know, making sure you’re, um, settling in alright!”

You blink “I’ve been here for three months, Captain.”

Koby wants the sea to swallow him whole “R-Right! Of course! I just... uh...” He rubs the back of his neck “How’s inventory going?”

You look down at your clipboard and back up at him "…Fine?”

Helmeppo snorts, and Koby kicks him (it’s not subtle).

An awkward silence falls between you both, and so you clear your throat “Well… thanks for checking in, I guess? I should probably get back to work.”

“Y-Yeah! Yeah, of course. Sorry for interrupting!”

You nod and turn away, but before you get too far, Koby calls after you “Wait!”

You pause, looking over your shoulder.

Koby hesitates, then forces out “Let me know if, uh, if you need anything!”

You smile small but warme “Will do, Captain.”

The moment you’re out of earshot, Helmeppo claps a hand on Koby’s shoulder “That,” he says, grinning “was painful to watch.”

Koby groans, face burning “Shut up.”

Helmeppo just laughs.

Morning drills leave Koby exhausted, but that doesn’t stop his mind from wandering. Specifically, to you.

It’s frustrating. He’s supposed to be focused on training, strategy, and leadership, not on the way you smiled at him yesterday.

Helmeppo, of course, has noticed “You’ve been sighing a lot today, Captain,” he teases, leaning against the railing of the training ground “Something on your mind? Or should I say… someone?”

Koby nearly drops the training manual he’s holding “I have not been sighing!”

Helmeppo raises an eyebrow “Right. And I haven’t been watching you sneak glances toward the docks all morning.”

Koby stiffens, gripping the manual tighter. He refuses to dignify that with a response. Instead, he turns his attention back to the field, where a group of recruits is finishing their sparring exercises. He clears his throat, forcing his voice to be steady.

“Focus on work, Helmeppo. We’re not here to gossip.”

Helmeppo snickers “Oh, you might not be, but I certainly am.”

Before Koby can protest, a voice calls out from the direction of the supply docks “Captain Koby!”

He turns so fast he nearly gives himself whiplash. And there you are, jogging toward him with a clipboard in hand, eyes scanning a sheet of paper.

“I need your signature for the new shipment approval. Do you have a second?”

Koby straightens too quickly “Y-Yeah! Of course!”

You stop beside him, close enough that he catches the faint scent of salt and parchment ink. He takes the clipboard from you, trying very hard not to let his hand brush against yours as he signs the form.

Helmeppo, standing a few feet away, watches the exchange like he’s witnessing a drama unfold.

You shift on your feet “The shipment came in earlier than expected, so I figured I’d get the paperwork done now.”

Koby nods, handing back the clipboard “That’s… really efficient of you.”

You blink at him, then let out a small laugh “Well, I try.”

Koby realizes, belatedly, that he’s still staring at you. He quickly averts his gaze, clearing his throat “Uh—good work. Keep it up.”

You tilt your head, amused “Thanks, Captain.”

Another awkward pause. Koby swears he can hear Helmeppo physically holding back laughter behind him.

You give him a small nod before heading back toward the docks. Koby watches you go, feeling his entire face heat up.

The second you’re out of earshot, Helmeppo claps him on the back, nearly knocking him forward “Captain, that was tragic.”

Koby groans, rubbing his temples “Please. Stop talking.”

Helmeppo grins “Oh, absolutely not.”

Koby has survived brutal training, impossible missions, and direct battles with some of the world’s most fearsome pirates. And yet, none of those things compare to the sheer terror of sitting across from Vice Admiral Garp while Helmeppo tries very hard not to choke on laughter.

“So, Koby.” Garp takes a massive bite out of a rice cracker, crumbs spilling onto the table “You got a crush?”

Koby nearly chokes on air “W-WHAT?!”

Helmeppo completely loses it, practically keeling over with laughter “Oh, this is amazing.”

Koby grips the table, staring at Garp like he’s just declared war “Where did you—who told you—what are you talking about?!”

Garp snorts “Oh, come on, boy! You think I wouldn’t notice? You get all stiff and weird whenever that supply recruit’s around. Like a nervous little sea slug.”

Koby buries his face in his hands “I do not get stiff and weird…”

Helmeppo, still wheezing, barely manages to say “Koby, you literally bowed yesterday when Y/N handed you a clipboard. A clipboard.”

Koby groans “I panicked!”

Garp laughs so hard the entire table shakes “Panicked?! Boy, if you freeze up over a clipboard, how do you plan on ever confessing?!”

Koby immediately launches into damage control “There’s nothing to confess! Y/N and I are just—we’re colleagues! That’s it! Absolutely nothing else!”

“Right,” Helmeppo says, smirking “That’s why you turn the color of a cooked lobster every time they talk to you.”

Koby’s about to protest when a voice calls out from the doorway “Captain Koby?”

His soul leaves his body.

You step inside the room, looking between the three of them, clearly confused “…Did I interrupt something?”

Helmeppo immediately straightens, looking like he’s about to combust from holding back laughter. Garp, meanwhile, just grins like he’s enjoying the show.

Koby, on the other hand, is desperately trying to appear normal. He sits up way too straight and forces a totally casual smile “N-No! Not at all! What’s up?”

You glance at him suspiciously before holding up a document “I need your signature on the cargo report.”

Koby nods too quickly “Of course! Right! Cargo! Work!” He grabs the paper and hastily signs it, nearly snapping the pen in half with how hard he’s gripping it.

You hesitate for a second “…Are you okay?”

“Yep! Perfectly fine! Why do you ask?” he blurts out.

You blink “…Because you’re sweating?”

Koby internally screams “I-I was just… uh… training! Hard training! Very intense!”

Garp chuckles “Yep, boy’s been real worked up today.”

Helmeppo snorts so loudly he has to cover his mouth.

You still look confused, but eventually just nod “…Alright then. Thanks, Captain.”

With that, you turn and leave, and the second the door closes, Koby slams his head onto the table “Kill me. Right now.”

Garp howls with laughter, slapping Koby on the back hard enough to nearly knock him over “Boy, you’re hopeless!”

Helmeppo wipes a tear from his eye “Hopeless and hilarious.”

Koby just groans, face still pressed against the table “…I need to be reassigned.”

Koby tries to avoid Helmeppo for the rest of the day, but it’s nearly impossible when the man keeps appearing everywhere just to smirk at him.

At one point, Koby swears he sees Helmeppo whispering to Garp about something before the old man grins in his direction. He doesn’t have time to question it, though, because the universe decides to make his day even worse.

“Captain Koby! I—oh—wait—ah!”

Koby barely has time to turn around before you crash directly into him, nearly sending both of you to the ground.

He instinctively reaches out to steady you, hands awkwardly hovering before actually making contact with your arms “Are you okay?!”

You immediately straighten up, waving your hands “I-I’m fine! I wasn’t looking where I was going!”

Koby quickly steps back, rubbing the back of his neck “No, no, it’s okay! I wasn’t paying attention either!”

There’s a long, awkward pause as you both look anywhere except at each other.

Helmeppo, standing a few feet away, slowly puts his head in his hands “This is painful.”

You clear your throat, still visibly flustered “Um—right! I was actually looking for you!”

Koby’s brain completely shuts down “M-Me?!”

You nod rapidly “Yeah! I mean—yes! Because I, uh… I had a question! About… the, um… the thing.”

Koby blinks “The… thing?”

You shift your weight, clearly struggling “…The… Marine thing. With… the reports?”

Helmeppo audibly groans “Oh come on, Y/N, even you now?”

You snap out of your panic mode and shoot him a glare “Excuse me?!”

Helmeppo gestures wildly between the two of you “This! This! The mutual awkwardness! You’re both acting like nervous cadets instead of normal people!”

Koby sputters “W-We are not!”

You cross your arms, cheeks heating “I’m acting perfectly normal!”

Helmeppo gives you both a look before turning on his heel and walking away “I can’t do this. You two are a lost cause.”

There’s a moment of silence. Then, you nervously rub your arm “…I really did need to ask about the reports, though.”

Koby straightens “O-Oh! Right! Of course! Let’s—uh—go over that.”

You both walk toward his office, keeping at least a two-foot distance between you the entire way. Neither of you say a word. The tension is so unbearable that even the recruits passing by seem uncomfortable.

At this point, everyone in the base is starting to notice.

And everyone is waiting to see how long it takes before one of you finally admits something.

Koby does not want to be here.

Not because he doesn’t respect Vice Admiral Garp, he does, a lot even. But because you’re here too, standing stiffly beside him, and the moment Garp notices, Koby knows he’s doomed.

The Vice Admiral leans back in his chair, massive arms crossed over his chest, eyeing the both of you with a smirk that immediately puts Koby on edge “So. You two are spending a lot of time together lately.”

Koby nearly drops the stack of reports in his hands “I-It’s not like that! We—we just—work! We’re colleagues! Just normal colleagues doing normal Marine things together!”

You nod aggressively, gripping your own paperwork like it’s a lifeline “Yes! Exactly! Just work! That’s all it is!”

Garp snorts “Right. And I’m the King of Alabasta.”

Koby sputters “Sir, we’re serious!”

Garp waves a hand “Oh, I know you’re serious, boy. That’s the problem.” He leans forward, grinning “Because you’re so serious that it’s painfully obvious you’ve got it bad.”

You immediately stiffen “I—what?!”

Koby turns bright red “That’s—that’s completely incorrect, sir! I have no idea what you’re talking about!”

You nod far too quickly “M-Me neither! No idea! None at all!”

Garp glances between the two of you. Neither of you can hold eye contact with him or with each other. You’re both standing like you’re facing a firing squad, shoulders locked in place, expressions frozen somewhere between denial and horrified realization.

Then, Garp starts laughing.

Not just any laugh, a full-blown Garp laugh. The kind that shakes the entire room and nearly blows the papers off his desk.

“Oh, this is golden!” he howls, slapping his knee “You two look like a couple of schoolkids caught passing notes!”

Koby groans “Sir, please!”

Garp wipes a tear from his eye, then gestures toward the door “Go on, get outta here before I start planning your wedding.”

You both immediately move for the exit, neither of you daring to say another word. The second the door closes behind you, you and Koby stand there, stiff as statues.

For a long, awkward moment, neither of you move. Then, Koby slowly turns to look at you “…That was horrible.”

You nod, face still burning “Yeah. That was… a nightmare.”

More silence.

Then, you clear your throat “…Well. See you later?”

Koby nods way too fast “Yep! Later! Definitely! Okay bye!”

And with that, you both practically sprint in opposite directions.

From inside the office, Garp just shakes his head, grinning to himself “Hopeless.”

Koby swears he’s never been this embarrassed in his entire life.

And that includes the time he tripped in front of Admiral Sengoku. And the time he saluted the wrong superior and didn’t realize it for a full minute. And definitely the time he panicked and called Garp “Dad” during a training session.

But this? This is a new level of humiliation.

Because ever since the disaster in Garp’s office, the entire Marine base has started talking.

It starts small. A couple of recruits whispering when he walks by. A few smirks from officers who normally never pay attention to his personal life.

Then it gets worse.

Way worse.

By noon, Helmeppo has fully weaponized the situation. He strolls up to Koby while he’s trying to review patrol reports, looking far too pleased with himself “Hey, Captain.”

Koby doesn’t even look up “No.”

Helmeppo grins “I didn’t even say anything yet.”

“I know you’re going to say something, and the answer is still no.”

Helmeppo leans on the desk “Fine, I’ll just show you instead.”

Before Koby can react, Helmeppo holds up a sheet of paper.

Koby squints “…What is that?”

Helmeppo beams “It’s a petition.”

Koby feels instant dread “…A petition for what?”

Helmeppo flips it around. At the top, in very large, very bold letters, it reads:

“MAKE KOBY AND Y/N STOP BEING AWKWARD AND JUST ADMIT IT ALREADY.”

Koby makes a strangled noise “What—WHAT IS THIS?!”

Helmeppo chuckles “Oh, just something the crew put together. You’d be amazed how many signatures we got. Look, even Garp signed it.”

Koby’s eye twitches as he scans the list.

Not only is Garp’s name right at the top, but nearly half the base has signed.

“WHY IS THERE A WHOLE PAGE JUST FROM THE KITCHEN STAFF?!”

Helmeppo shrugs “Apparently, they’ve been betting on you two for months.”

Koby slams his head onto the desk “This cannot be happening.”

And just when he thinks it can’t get worse—

“Hey, Captain, I need to—”

Koby’s head shoots up.

It’s you.

And you’re holding a stack of documents, looking just as awkward and uncomfortable as he feels.

For a second, the whole room is silent.

Then Helmeppo, still holding the petition, smirks “Oh, perfect timing.”

Koby lunges for him “DON’T YOU DARE—”

But Helmeppo’s already turning to you, holding up the paper like it’s an official Marine decree “Hey, Y/N, wanna add your name to the list?”

Your eyes widen in confusion “ uh? For what?”

Koby desperately grabs for the petition “IGNORE HIM! IT’S NOT REAL!”

Helmeppo dodges, still grinning “Oh, it’s very real.”

You look between the two of them, clearly so confused. But then you catch a glimpse of the title. Your entire face turns red “…Oh my god.”

Koby groans “I’M GOING TO JUMP INTO THE SEA.”

You look horrified “WHO SIGNED THIS?!”

Helmeppo cheerfully flips through the pages “Well, Garp, obviously. Most of the officers. Some of the cadets. Pretty sure the janitor added a heart next to his name. Oh, and the kitchen staff wrote a whole paragraph about how sick they are of you two pretending you don’t like each other.”

Koby wants to die “I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING.”

You cover your face “I need to quit. I need to leave the Marines and change my name.”

Helmeppo grins “Oh, come on, you both like each other, just admit it—”

“WE DON’T—” both of you yell at the exact same time, which is the worst possible answer because now everyone in the room is watching.

Helmeppo just sighs, shaking his head “You two. Hopeless.”

And with that, he walks away, still holding the petition.

Leaving you and Koby standing there.

In the middle of the Marine base.

Surrounded by people who are very clearly eavesdropping.

Neither of you say a word.

Then, at the exact same time—

“I have work to do—”

“I should get back to training—”

You both turn and power walk in opposite directions.

The second you’re gone, one of the recruits sighs loudly “I swear, if they don’t get together in the next month, I’m quitting.”

Koby cannot take this anymore.

It’s been three days since the petition incident, and somehow, things have only gotten worse.

Everywhere he goes, people give him knowing looks. Recruits whisper the second he walks past. The kitchen staff has started serving his meals in heart-shaped portions.

And Helmeppo? Helmeppo has been insufferable, more than usual.

Koby really tries to pretend none of this is happening. But then, this morning, he finds a new note pinned to his office door:

“Confess or we riot.”

That’s it. That’s the final straw.

So now, Koby is marching down to the docks, fists clenched, heart pounding because damn it, if everyone is going to make his life miserable over this, he might as well get it over with.

And then he sees you.

You’re sitting near the supply crates, flipping through a stack of reports, completely unaware that Koby is about to have the most disastrous conversation of his life.

He takes a deep breath, walks up, and “WE NEED TO TALK!”

You jump so hard you nearly fall off the crate.

“What?? koby?!” You clutch your chest, eyes wide “You scared me. What is wrong with you?!”

Koby swallows, his face already heating up “S-Sorry! I just—I need to say something! Because if I don’t, I think I might actually die!”

You blink “…Okay?”

He exhales sharply “Listen. I don’t know when it started, and I don’t know why the entire Marine base thinks they have the right to butt into our business, but I… I like you, okay? There! I said it!”

There’s a long, horrible silence.

Koby’s entire body is on fire.

You just stare at him, mouth slightly open, as if your brain is still catching up “…You… like me?”

Koby nods aggressively “YES. VERY MUCH. A LOT, ACTUALLY.”

You blink again.

Then, slowly, your face starts turning red “…Oh.”

More silence.

Then you bury your face in your hands “I hate everyone so much.”

Koby freezes “…What?”

You groan, voice muffled against your palms “Because I like you too! But I was never going to say anything because I was convinced you didn’t feel the same and everyone was just trying to make fun of me, and now the entire base is going to rub it in our faces forever!”

Koby short-circuits.

“…You… like me too?”

You look up, expression absolutely miserable “Koby. Did you think I was just constantly being awkward for no reason?!”

Koby stares at you. Then he stares at the ground. Then he stares at the sky, as if begging for it to strike him down.

“Well, you thought that of me though… I am an idiot anyway”

You sigh “Yeah. Me too.”

And then, before either of you can say anything else.

“FINALLY!!!”

Koby whirls around.

Half the base is watching from the distance, cheering, clapping, and throwing their hats in the air.

Helmeppo is holding the petition, waving it over his head like a victory flag.

Garp is standing nearby, laughing so hard he actually wipes a tear from his eye.

The kitchen staff is clinking glasses.

Even the janitor is there, pumping his fist in the air.

Koby buries his face in his hands “…I should’ve transferred when I had the chance.”

You groan “We will never survive them”

koby - painting portraits of each other

“Surprise,” Koby whispered in your ear, removing his hands from your eyes. He pressed a soft kiss on your shoulder, wrapped his arms around your middle and waited for your reaction. You spun around in his embrace. Koby chuckled as you took his face in your hands and kissed him. “I take it that you like it.”

“I’d love anything you plan,” honesty dripped from every word you said, a bright smile accompanying them, “and this is gonna be so much fun!”

He followed after you as you skipped towards the table. A soft smile graced his lips, his eyes followed your every move. You picked up various paint brushes and colors, analyzed them and put them back on the table a second later. Using your arm, you measured the canvas, commenting on how you weren’t sure if you’d be able to fill it all. As he watched you, Koby poured two glasses of wine and set them next to the platter he had arranged earlier.

Clearing his throat, he reached for a chair to pull it out for you.

“We need some music,” you declared, inadvertently ignoring your boyfriend, who simply let out an amused sigh and waited.

Soft tunes setting the atmosphere and paintbrush in your hand, you felt like an artist ready to capture your muse’s beauty on the canvas. Is this how Da Vinci felt when he painted the Mona Lisa?, you wondered as you tried to fix the mess of pink that was supposed to be your boyfriend’s hair. You were no artist, after all, and though the brush glided smoothly on the blank canvas, splotches of paint accompanied your uneven strokes. Using too much paint, you discovered, was as much of an inconvenience as not using enough.

Koby, on the other hand, appeared to be in his element. His movements were exaggerated, yet elegant. Eyes sharp and focused, he looked up over the edge of his canvas to analyze your every feature. Then he would tilt his head, squint at his painting and resume his carefully placed strokes. 

When he finally announced he was done, you took an apprehensive look at your own painting. That was not your boyfriend. What would you do if his painting was beautiful? God, please let him be a horrible artist, you thought to yourself as Koby suggested to do a countdown for the reveal.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three!” You finally exclaimed at the same time, turning the canvases to show each other the portraits you'd painted.

Silence fell upon you for all of two seconds, before it was turned to shreds by your boisterous laughters. Every concern of not matching his abilities faded as you gazed at his portrait of a vaguely you shaped blob.

“That looks nothing like me!” Said through laughing and wheezing.

“You’re one to talk,” came his retort, struggling to push the words out through his own laughter. “My eyes are not that far apart.”

Koby tried to imitate the expression of Not Koby, pushing you into a fit of even more roaring laughter. Your stomach hurt, tears pooled in your eyes, breathing became almost impossible. In a similar state as you, he sat doubled over, open hand hitting the table.

When your laughter finally subsided, you spoke up. “We have to hang them up in the living room.” Koby nodded, body still trembling with barely contained laughter.

A second later, the two of you erupted into laughter once more.

koby saw lots of people on social media doing this kind of thing, and thought it would be cute to do it with you. so, he went and got cute wine glasses, cheese and stuff for a platter, and way more art supplies than you'd need. now your closet has a box full of paint and paint brushes.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚ taglist ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

@softlypaintedseafoam

A- Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

He’s still working on being able to care for you afterwards, sweet boy needs a little aftercare too, but he likes being able to take care of each other afterwards. Lots of snuggling as you come down from your highs, slowly helping each other clean up. If he recovers a bit quicker than you he’s always such a gentleman, grabbing a new set of comfy clothes to help change you into if your body is too sore. He’s a little clingy, but you don’t mind it one bit, he loves getting to hold you close and whisper sweet nothings to you.

B- Body Part (Favorite body part of theirs and their partners)

There wasn’t any specific part of his body that he favored over the next, but as soon as you mentioned how much you like his arms he’s really started to like them himself. He first noticed it when you started holding onto his bicep when you walked beside him and as he’s gotten stronger through his training he’s started to pay a little more attention to them. He loves it when you ask to see how strong he’s gotten and admire them, running your fingertips over the muscles and veins.

Koby adores your thighs. He loves getting to lay his head on them after a long day while you comb your fingers through his hair. They’re so soft, he can’t help but grip onto them when he eats you out. You sometimes think he purposely digs his nails in just enough to leave a mark so he can kiss over them as an apology.

C- Cum (Anything to do with cum)

No matter what he does, he cant stop himself from cumming first almost every single time. It never stops him, he’ll gladly get back to it if you give him a little bit of time to recover, but he’s so sensitive he just can’t help it. And he’s very grateful you never take any offense to it. You’ll always help clean him up and lay there next to him in bed until he’s no longer too sensitive to be touched.

D- Dirty Secret (A dirty secret of theirs)

He would prefer to take his glasses off when you have sex, but he leaves them on because he knows you love it. It’s not like he’s blind when they’re off, his vision just gets a bit blurred, but you always tell him you like it when he’s able to watch too. Afterwards, when you’re catching your breath next to each other, he thinks it’s so sweet when you take them off for him and put them aside so he doesn’t have to worry about them breaking when you toss and turn in bed.

E- Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?)

No experience whatsoever, but he’s very eager to learn from you. He’s tried to learn a little bit from whenever he’s touched himself before but it’s not really something he’s been all too confident in. The first few times you sleep together it’s very slow and it’s more educational than anything. Showing him how to make you feel good and talking him through everything so he knows he’s doing it right. When you want to make him feel good it’s a little more of a challenge since his dysphoria prevented him from wanting to be touched for a long time, but as your relationship continues his comfort level gets better and better. He still gets nervous from time to time, assuming he’s not doing something right, so you’ll still have to give him a lot of reassurance that he’s making you feel good.

F- Favorite Position(s) (Self explanatory)

There’s no positions he would consider his favorite. Being intimate with you in any capacity is something he loves, the positions don’t really matter to him all that much as long as it’s comfortable for both of you. He really likes sticking to the basics though. When using a strap he prefers it when you’re on top, hands on his chest to keep yourself balanced. He loves to watch you bounce in his lap, using him to make you feel that sweet euphoria that flows through your veins. He just doesn’t love that it doesn’t feel the same for him, it still feels good when he gently thrusts up into you but the friction sometimes isn’t enough for him. When not using a strap, his usual go to is the Amazon position. He’s still quite vanilla when it comes to positions, but being able to hold each other close while he’s on top is indescribable to him. It’s intimate, it’s comfortable, it makes you both feel good, and when you wrap your limbs around his body to tell him you’re getting close gives him an ego boost like never before.

G- Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment? Are they humorous?)

Koby tries his best to be serious in the moment but sometimes his own nervousness gets in the way. He’ll accidentally say or do something that gets a few giggles out of you but he knows that you’re always laughing with him, never at him. It’s usually followed up with you taking a moment to yourselves to get the rest of your giggles out before getting back into things.

H- Hair (How well groomed are they?)

It’s not unruly, he likes to make sure it’s not too much, but he prefers to have a decent amount of hair down there. Every once in a while he’ll do some manscaping and trim around his thighs but he absolutely needs to have something there. Overtime it gets thicker, and with how light his hair is naturally it gets a little frustrating when it’s hard to see with the naked eye, but he likes being able to see the progress that comes after he starts noticing the small changes after a while of taking his testosterone.

I- Intimacy (How romantic are they in the moment?)

Very romantic. It’s almost like the only thing on this sweet boys mind is making you feel like the only girl in the world. He’s attentive and gentle, and even though you tell him he doesn’t have to, he always puts your pleasure before his own. He likes the buildup to sex, the little intimate moments that come before you hit the bedroom. Flowers, dinners, dancing, the little kisses and sweet whispers into your ear before you reach his door. He always asks every few minutes if you’re feeling ok or if there’s anything he can do better for you.

J- Jerk Off (Masturbation headcanon)

It’s something he didn’t do often before meeting you, but when you’re on his mind he genuinely can’t help himself. Most of the time he’ll touch himself in the showers late at night when he knows he’s the only one there. At least then if he’s caught, he can explain his flushed cheeks and heavy breathing on the water being a little too hot. Even after being together, he prefers it more when you touch him rather than using his own hands. He likes it when you talk him through it so he can try it on you later, but he always tries it out on himself for practice to make sure he’s doing it right.

K- Kink (One or more of their kinks)

Praise (giving and receiving)

Koby loves hearing how good a job he’s doing for you, and he loves being able to reciprocate all the little compliments and praises you give to him. He always looks at you with the sweetest eyes whenever you tell him he’s doing everything perfectly, and he loves getting to tell you how amazing your body feels under his touch.

Soft Domination (receiving)

He’s a very sensitive boy and he loves that you know how to push his buttons just the right way. You’re sweet and stern, always telling him what a good boy he is and how he’s the only man that can make you feel the way he makes you feel. The best part for him is when you hold him afterwards, slowly moving your fingers through his hair.

Overstimulation (receiving)

It’s usually something he does to himself, but he loves pushing himself to the limit to get you to finish before he does. He’s been doing a lot of practice so you can finish at the same time but he can only last so long.

Body Worship (giving)

Koby would kiss every inch of your body if you allowed it. He thinks you’re beautiful, every part of you, and he sees nothing wrong with giving your body the attention it deserves. He loves having you beneath his hands when he worships you, but sometimes he’s able to cum just from grinding into the mattress while he’s gripped onto you.

L- Location (Favorite places to do the do)

When you’re intimate, whether it’s sex or not, Koby always prefers it to be in a very private place. He doesn’t want to risk getting caught. For the most part, you’ll always pick one of your bedrooms or his cabin on the ship. You’ve only been able to convince him a handful of times to fool around in the communal showers on his ship but only if it’s late enough where he knows no one else is going to be there.

M- Motivation (What turns them on?)

He loves your body, and when you show it off a little bit he knows you’re going to get a little more attention. Whenever other guys see you hanging on his arm or loving on him, he can see the stares from everyone else and will bask in the feeling of knowing that he’s the one that gets you all to himself. Knowing that others want you, but can’t have you, is enough motivation to keep him going for hours.

N- No (Something they wouldn’t do)

He’s got enough anxiety and insecurities to make him dread the thought of you being with another person. Sharing you is one of those fantasies that only pop into his head every now and then, and he can think about it all day long, but having it actually come to fruition is not something he’s willing to do. He’s not opposed to getting a little rough, but nothing more than gentle restraining or gripping each other just a little too tight. Anything like spanking or slapping is not something he can even imagine himself doing.

O- Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc.)

For a while he preferred to give rather than receive, but thats only until he gets more comfortable with you going down on him. You take baby steps, making sure to be gentle and stopping as soon as he asks you to, and it takes a little bit for him to open up to the idea of it. He always assumed you just wouldn’t enjoy it, or that you wouldn’t want to, but that of course isn’t true. You want him to feel as good as you do, and once he gets more comfortable with it he really gets into it, holding your hair back for you and paying attention each time you move your tongue a certain way so he can remember for later to try out on you.

P- Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

It always starts out nice and slow, but it’s a toss up on whether or not it’ll end that way. The only time Koby is genuinely unpredictable is when he’s arguing with himself over whether or not he wants to keep the slow pace he’s started or if he wants to completely ravage you. He likes to take his time with your body and make sure he can really draw out your pleasure, but he just can’t help it sometimes when his animal instinct takes over and he needs to have you writhe beneath his touch.

Q- Quickie (Their opinions on quickies)

He’s certainly not opposed to them, but he rarely enjoys doing them. There’s only been a handful of times you’ve had a quickie, and it’s only because he knows it’s the only time he has with you. For the most part, it’s just quick sessions of makeouts and heavy petting, you’ve only managed to have sex once during a quickie and it wasn’t very comfortable to have to be fast about it.

R- Risk (Are they game to experiment? Do they take risks? etc.)

He definitely likes getting to try new things every now and then, but he has his limits. It’s fun getting to try something new that gets him out of his comfort zone a little, but he doesn’t love going too out there when trying new things in the bedroom. Sex is still pretty new to him, and he loves that you get to be the one he experiences it with, but he’s still not the biggest fan of going too far from vanilla. At least for now.

S- Stamina (How many rounds can they go? How long do they last?)

When you first start getting intimate it’s hard for him to go more than one round, but once he really starts to get used to everything he can’t last for quite a few. Usually after the first round you’ll snuggle in bed and whisper sweet nothings to each other in between kisses, but he just can’t stop his hands from wandering and the second round starts soon after. He doesn’t last for too long but that never stops him, he’ll go for as long as you want him to. Your pleasure is more important to him than his own.

T- Toys (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On their partner or themselves?)

He doesn’t own any to use on himself, but he doesn’t mind using them on you. He has a strap on that you got together to make sure it’ll be comfortable for the both of you, and he knows that every now and then you’ll ask to bring one of your vibrators into the bedroom to try out, but he doesn’t love using any toys on himself. He loves getting to use them on you though, it gives him a little ego boost knowing he’s in complete control of this little thing that makes you feel so good.

U- Unfair (How much do they like to tease? Do they like to be teased?)

He’s not perfect when it comes to teasing, but he’s certainly getting better at it. Most of the time his teases are very innocent, usually a comment about how well your dress is fitting or how gorgeous you are in the moonlight, followed by him pawing at you until you can reach the bedroom. He thinks you’re much better at it, and he loves it when you tease him. He never seems to think you’ll ever stop.

V- Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make, etc.)

At first he was fairly quiet, but as he’s gotten more comfortable with sex it’s been a bit easier for him to be vocal. He’s definitely a moaner, and he gets embarrassed if his voice cracks but it’s such a turn on for you. When he’s really trying to hold back he whimpers, especially when he knows he’ll be too loud if he loses control. When he gets a bit rough with his thrusts he’ll hold you tight and quietly grunt into your ear. You love all the pretty sounds he makes for you.

W- Wildcard (Random headcanon)

Secretly, he loves it when you mark him up. There’s limits to it of course, but seeing the little red scratches your nails leave behind on his back and arms really turns him on. Every now and then he wishes you could leave a hickey on his collar, but he doesn’t mind them on his chest. You both know you have to be very careful where you mark him up, so you always make sure to do it on places no one else but you two can see.

X- X-Ray (What’s going on beneath the waistband?)

As a whole, it’s very sensitive. Sometimes all it takes is a little friction from sitting in his lap and he can already start feeling his clit start to slowly harden beneath your touch. His outer labia is a bit small so as soon as he opens his legs for you everything is on display. He still gets a bit insecure about it, but you think it looks absolutely perfect.

Y- Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

Since he’s started taking his testosterone, his sex drive has only gotten higher and higher. You don’t mind it one bit, but there are times where you ask to have a night off every once in a while. It’s hard to keep up with him sometimes, which is a little surprising given how sensitive he is, but he always respects when you say no. He doesn’t want to be the type of boyfriend that’s constantly asking for sex, but you encourage him to initiate it when he wants to.

Z- Zzz (How quickly do they fall asleep afterwards?)

It’s rare when he’s able to pass out soon after, only when he really pushes himself to the limit and you wear him out. Most of the time he’s still got a little bit of adrenaline left, but he likes to lay with you after and snuggle as you come down from your highs together. When he does need to rest up a little after he gets very needy, curling into your side, almost begging you to hold him.

A- Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they like to show affection?)

It was a bit hard for him at first to show much affection outside of when you were alone together, but as his confidence has improved he’s started showing it more and more. When it’s just the two of you he finds it hard to not want to be affectionate in some way. Lots of kisses and compliments, always wanting to be touching you whether that means snuggling in bed or hugging you from behind while you brush your teeth in the morning. In public he prefers it to be a little more subtle. Having you hold onto his arm when you walk beside one another, his hand on your hip to help guide you in a crowd, quick kisses on the cheek until he can pull you away to have a moment to yourselves.

B- Best Friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

He’d still have a bit of a hard time fully coming out of his shell around you. He knows you’re beautiful, he knows you’re smart, he knows you’re funny, what he doesn’t know is how you could possibly want to spend your time with him. Still, he’s always so kind and never treats you any differently. If anything, he treats you better than anyone else he knows. Whenever you’re out doing anything he’s always such a gentleman, opening doors for you or helping to guide you through a crowd. Every now and then Helmeppo will rag on him for the way he acts around you but that never stops him from treating you the way he does.

C- Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Absolutely adores it. It’s the only way he can sleep at night, and when you’re not there next to him in bed he’s constantly tossing and turning. He doesn’t have a favorite snuggling position, as long as you’re holding each other it doesn’t matter to him, but he really enjoys letting you be the little spoon. It always makes him feel like he’s protecting you at night, especially when you hold onto his arms and try to get as close to him as possible.

D- Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking, cleaning, etc.)

Of course he does! He’s got cleaning down to a science but he could certainly use a little help when it comes to cooking. He can prepare a few basic things but for the most part he lets you take control of the kitchen. He loves getting to cook together, especially when you’re teaching him how to make something new. He wants to build the rest of his life with you and he enjoys every second of it.

E- Ending (If they had to break up with their partner how would they do it?)

Politely declining to do this one 💋

F- Fiancé (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

He would know pretty soon after your relationship starts that he wants to be with you for the rest of his life. He’d keep that thought to himself for about a year, carefully dropping little questions here and there to see if you felt the same. You’re not leaving each other anytime soon, but you both agree to wait until you’re certain you have the stability to get married. Right now the biggest focus is your own personal goals, and you’ll always be there to support each other, but he wants to be able to have his focus be completely on you. He does propose and he gets you the most beautiful ring, but you’re giving yourselves all the time in the world to plan the wedding of your dreams.

G- Gentle (How gentle are they? Both physically and emotionally)

The gentlest man you’ll ever know. He has a lot of patience and will always be there to listen when you need it, talking with you through every little problem. He has a way of always making you feel like everything is going to be ok. Physically, he only knows gentle. He still gets a bit nervous when he hugs you, hoping he doesn’t do it too tightly, and he still asks if he’s holding your hand too hard.

H- Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

He loves hugs, and he’ll always look for an opportunity to get his arms around you. He’s the type of guy who has a little bit of softness to him when he holds you, it always feels so warm and comforting and he loves it when you tell him they make you feel safe at night.

I- I Love You (How fast do they say the L-word?)

He wants to say it almost instantly, but he waits until he’s certain it really has meaning, he doesn’t want to say it before he’s certain he really loves you and not just the feeling of having someone love him. He won’t say it until after it’s been a few months, but he’ll absolutely do things to show that he loves you before just outright saying it. Bringing you back little trinkets from the different islands and ports his marine ship stops at to show that he’s thinking of you. Picking flowers for you in your favorite colors and writing sweet notes to attach to them. He has a lot of love to give and he’s happy he gets to give it all to you.

J- Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

Before that deep trust is established in your relationship, the first few weeks are spent with him constantly worrying that you’ll find someone else. He has a lot of insecurities, especially when it comes to romantic relationships, and he knows you would never just up and leave him for someone else, but there’s always that thought in the back of his mind that tells him the opposite. If you’re out and he sees another man talking with you or making you laugh he won’t intervene, but when you notice him keeping a bit quiet you’ll bring him over and introduce him as you boyfriend to help ease his nerves. It’s cute to see him get a little jealous every now and then.

K- Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

When Koby kisses you it’s always very gentle, no matter how passionate they are. He’ll gladly kiss you anywhere you allow him, but he loves getting to kiss your forehead when he hugs you. It always makes him feel big, and he really likes it when you nuzzle into him just a little bit more. He loves when you kiss his cheeks or along his jawline, he only gets a little iffy about it when you’re wearing something on your lips and he doesn’t want to leave a mark. You love seeing the little lipstick marks on his cheeks but he knows that he’ll get ragged on by the other marines if they catch something like that on him.

L- Little Ones (How are they around kids?)

He’s definitely better with them than you thought. He takes a lot of pride in being able to help anyone in need, so if that means playing along just a bit when a kid runs up to him and asks for help arresting the ‘pirates’ he found, when really it’s just another group of kids playing, then so be it. It’s cute to see how well he does with them too when they do actually have a problem, like losing their parents or helping to clean up some scraped knees.

M- Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

He’s a slow riser in the morning, but he usually only needs about 10 extra minutes in bed before he’s ready to start his day. He’s always groggy for the first hour or so, but his morning voice is so attractive it’s hard to not want to pull him back into bed to snuggle just a little longer. Almost every morning he’s up before you but he likes to wait until he knows you’re awake to get up.

N- Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights are always spent a little too late with Koby. He gets tired pretty early but he loves getting to lay in bed and talk with you for hours if he can. Most nights you have to tell him he has to get ready for bed while he’s begging you in between yawns that he’s not tired. As soon as you lay next to him and snuggle close, he’s out like a light.

O- Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything at once or do they open up slowly?)

He’d start revealing little things here and there during your first few weeks, but as your relationship continues he’ll start getting deeper after the first month or so. There’s a handful of things he knows need to be discussed before you decide to pursue something long term, especially regarding things like intimacy, marriage, kids, etc. just so you know you can be on the same page. He knows he can trust you when it comes to things he was initially anxious to bring up, and he knows that communication is the most important thing for a successful relationship, but sometimes you will have to pry if he gets too nervous to keep going.

P- Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Koby is a very patient man. He always gives himself a moment to think things through, even if he’s anxious or uncertain of the outcome he’ll always take a step back to analyze everything. He overthinks a lot, but you know that’s just how he is. When you need help calming down during stressful situations he’s always there to help bring you back down to earth and help you through it. He doesn’t get angry all that easily, but you’ve definitely seen him frustrated when he’s trying to help others and it’s either not noticed or brushed off completely.

Q- Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they mention every little detail in passing or do they kind of forget everything?)

He’s got an incredible memory, especially when it comes to anything regarding you. He knows all the little things, your favorite color, favorite flower, favorite book, but he almost always remembers a date and location for the important things too. He remembers the day you first met, the restaurant you had your first dinner date at, and he loves getting to remember the night he asked you to be his. He’ll gladly talk about it with anyone that’ll listen.

R- Remember (What is their favorite moment of your relationship?)

His favorite moment was during the first few weeks of being together. You had dinner plans for that night and you insisted on getting ready together. Helping to pick out one another’s clothes, watching you do your hair and makeup while he tried to find a cologne that wasn’t too much. He always thinks about when you stood next to each other in the mirror to make sure you were ready to go and you stared at him with so much love and awe in your eyes, telling him how handsome he looked and how happy you were that he was all yours.

S- Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

He’s a bit overprotective, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary for him. He’s a wonderful partner and he absolutely trusts you, it’s everyone else that he doesn’t trust around you. He knows you’re gorgeous and kind and it’s hard for him to not think about the other guys who may not take your ‘no’ for an answer. As he’s gotten stronger from his marine training he knows he’ll do a good job of making you feel protected, but there’s still that thought in the back of his head that gets to him sometimes. He needs a different kind of protection from you though. He gets into his own head a lot, always thinking that you’re going to find a better option or that he’s not good enough for you. You always give him lots of reassurance that you’re not going anywhere, that you love him and you’re so proud of him every single day.

T- Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

He always puts in the most effort that he can. Koby tries to make sure you always know how much he loves and appreciates you, so whenever there’s a date planned or an anniversary coming up he makes sure that everything is as perfect as it can be for you. He puts a lot of thought into the gifts he gets for you, sweet little notes he’ll write while he’s away or finding trinkets or flowers on the different islands he visits that remind him of you.

U- Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

He’s very work focused so it’s hard to get him to stop thinking about it, but you know it’s what he’s passionate about so you usually cut him a little slack. He’s also a bit of a bed hog but it’s all because he wants to be as close to you as possible so it always ends up with you right at the edge while he’s pushed up directly into your side. You love getting to snuggle, but it does get to be a bit much every now and then.

V- Vanity (How concerned are they with their appearance?)

It’s something that’s pretty important to him. Before any noticeable changes came from his testosterone, it was something that he took very seriously. Since he’s grown a good amount of muscle and his voice has gotten deeper it’s gotten much better, although some days he needs a bit more reassurance than normal. He always apologizes for needing it but you remind him every time that there’s no need for him to be sorry about it. You love him, you support him, you can’t imagine being without him, and you’ll do whatever you can to make sure he feels confident in himself.

W- Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Absolutely. He adores you, he wouldn’t want to be with anybody else. He’s thought about your future together and wants to be able to give you everything you’ve ever wanted. You’re kind and beautiful and smart, you’re the first person he wants to see in the morning and the last person he wants to see at night. He lives for you.

X- Xtra (A random headcanon for them)

His favorite part of going out with you is getting to go back home once the night is over. Its always so nice to be able to come back home and spend the rest of the night relaxing with the woman he loves, putting on your comfies and snuggling with a movie on until you’re nearly falling asleep on the couch. And he loves nothing more when he looks down at you and you tell him how much fun you had with him that day, snuggling into him and telling him how much of a perfect boyfriend he is.

Y- Yuck (What are some things they wouldn’t like, either in general or in a partner?)

He wouldn’t want someone who lies with intent, to him or anyone else. It’s one thing to stretch the truth a little or tell a little white lie, but there’s no reason to outright lie to anyone, especially him. He also couldn’t see himself with someone who’s only able to see the bad side of everything. He knows there’s only been one person he’s ever met who is perpetually positive, but the constant negativity would feel a bit burdensome to him. He’s not asking for constant positivity, but it would be nice to have someone that doesn’t only focus on the negative.

Z- Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

He’s a definite bed hog, but when you’re not there next to him it’s very hard for him to go to sleep. He’ll be out to sea for weeks at a time and not be able to get back to a normal sleep schedule for at least a week. Having you there next to him, holding each other close and keeping each other warm, always puts him right to sleep.

“I always knew you’d have to go eventually…” You said softly, “I just didn’t think it would go by this fast.”

“I know.” Koby sighed quietly, looking down to keep his eyes away from yours, gently glancing up over the rim of his glasses, “I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be sorry.” You reached out and gently grasped his hand, holding it softly in yours, “It’s just… part of your job.” Trying to hard to force a smile to assure him you were fine, but you both knew it was a lie.

Being a marine was Kobys dream. To become strong and brave, someone to be depended on when the people on both land and sea needed a hero. To be the man he knew he could be, protecting those that needed it most. He wasn’t supposed to let anything get in the way of that, and he foolishly allowed you into his heart.

What you’d had over these last two weeks couldn’t be classified as a romance per se, but to those that had witnessed it, it seemed like one had began to blossom. You hadn’t kissed, and there was never any discussion of a label for the relationship you had, but it was nothing like any of the others you’d had before. Koby was sweet and gentle, soft spoken and kind. You can still remember the moment you saw him standing on the deck as his ship pulled into port.

Your father was the harbor master, overseeing every ship that came and went from your island, your home. You were lucky to live close enough to stand at your balcony, watching as the ships pulled in or took off into another adventure. Feeling the calm breeze, the scent of the salty ocean air, the beautiful architecture of the ships that had come and gone. It was all so peaceful and serene. When you saw that marine ship pull into the bay, you watched in awe as it waded smoothly over the water. It was much too far to make out any of the finer details, but as your eyes passed over the ship, you caught the faintest hint of baby pink moving along the deck.

As usual, your father insisted on having you come with him to greet the Vice Admiral and thank him and his marines not only for their services, but for choosing to dock at your humble, not so little island. You stood next to him at the end of the pier, watching one by one as the marines stepped off the ship. Vice Admiral Garp was an easy man to spot, and you could see that trailing just behind him were two marines. Your eyes widened as you recognized that little blush hue you caught from the ship.

Behind the Vice Admiral stood a boy with large circle glasses, the color of his hair resembling the peonies that would blossom in the spring. You stood politely at your father’s side as he greeted them, your eyes slowly moving over the three men that stood before you. As they met the bright blue behind the lenses of his glasses, the pink haired boy gave you a kind smile and a gentle nod before his gaze shifted away from yours. That quick interaction was enough to make your heart beat just a touch faster. There was something about him that was so intriguing.

He seemed to have the strength and wit of a marine, and he must’ve been doing a damn good job to follow so closely behind Garp. He had the looks of a marine, but not the demeanor of one. The marines you’d met before were cocky and somewhat overconfident, some walked with a sense of arrogant authority while others were happy to enforce their law whenever needed, but not this one.

You weren’t paying much attention to the conversation between your father and Garp, your attention focused on the men behind him as the blonde at the other side leaned over and whispered something to the wide eyed boy beside him. You could tell it was some sort of tease from the way he carefully motioned to you, a cheeky smile at his lips as he was gently nudged away. Suddenly, your fathers’ hand clapped down onto your shoulder, pulling you from your trance back to reality,

“She’d be happy to!” He said with a smile, looking down at you with pride.

“I couldn’t possibly ask such a thing,” Garp said, “besides, these boys still have their work for the day, unloading the ship and continuing their training.”

“Nonsense!” Your father laughed, “I’ll have my men assist with the cargo. Meanwhile, your marines are free to roam as you please, and she’d be happy to show these two the island. You and your marines have only just arrived! Please, I insist you use the rest of the day to explore and enjoy the island.”

Garp thought it over for a moment, nodding to himself as he turned to look at the men behind him,

“Be back on the ship at sundown.”

The two behind him said a quick ‘Yes, sir’ as he and your father made their way down the dock.

It was silent for a moment before you took a step forward with a smile, introducing yourself,

“It’s nice to meet you. Welcome to our island.”

The pink haired boy stepped forward with a shy smile,

“Hi. Thank you for welcoming us to your island.” Slowly, he put his hand out for you to shake, “I’m Koby.”

You took his hand with a smile, giving it a gentle shake and noticing how his hands felt soft, but still calloused and slightly rough from his marine work.

As you let go of his hand, the blonde stepped forward, his arms behind his back as he gave you a polite nod,

“Helmeppo, it’s a pleasure.” He smiled.

You slowly led them down the dock as the various captains and their crew worked around you. Carrying boxes, shouting orders, securing ships to the dock and preparing them to set off to sea. It had become second nature to maneuver around them as they worked.

“How long are you docked for?” You asked them.

“About two weeks I suppose.” Helmeppo said, leaning in closer to Koby as they walked, “Though I’m sure someone wishes it was for longer…”

Koby quickly shot him a stern look as the apples of his cheeks flushed almost as pink as his hair,

“Stop it.” He whispered through gritted teeth.

“Hm?” You questioned as you turned back to face them, barely able to hear their conversation in between the loud shouts of the men and women at work around you.

“Nothing.” They said in unison.

You glanced back and forth between them before shrugging it off, quietly giggling to yourself as you continued on down the pier.

“Awful busy around here, isn’t it?” Helmeppo stated, looking around at the boxes and barrels being loaded onto the ships, “I haven’t seen a port this busy in ages.”

“It’s what we’re known for.” You beamed, “Work isn’t really ‘work’ here. People fish, bake, some have farmland while others have orchards. There’s so many of us we always have plenty to share.” You giggled, “We spend our days doing what makes us feel calm and relaxed, and we always encourage visitors to do the same during their stays here. Usually, it’s cargo ships or marine vessels coming in to stock up before a long journey.” You glanced over your shoulder to Koby, noticing his eyes perk up as they met yours, “Headed somewhere?”

It took him a moment to respond, his train of thought going completely off track before he stuttered out,

“Y-yes, although I’m not exactly sure where. We’re currently in pursuit of a pirate ship.”

“Sounds like quite the journey. Hopefully your stop here doesn’t set you too off course from them.” You stepped off of the wooden planks onto the main road, keeping off to the side to stay out of the way of the workers, “We haven’t gotten pirates in ages, are the ones you’re after as dangerous as everyone says they are?” You asked, curious to hear more of their adventure, “I’ve only heard stories here and there from the people that dock for a night or two, but recently there’s been rumors of a crew that’s unlike any other on the sea. I think they call themselves the ‘Straw Hats’?”

Koby perked up at the mention of them, remembering how he’d been saved from Alvidas ship and pushed to follow his dream by the very man they were after.

“Well, luckily for you,” Helmeppo smiled, his hands gripping to Kobys shoulders, “Koby knows all about those Straw Hat Pirates.”

“You do?” You chirped, eager to hear a story of the rumored crew.

“He certainly does. In fact, I’m sure he’d love to tell you about it.” Helmeppo gently pushed Koby a step closer to you, patting his shoulders before his hands went back to his sides.

Koby was quietly stuttering to himself, unsure of what to even start with. Your eyes looking at him with such interest and intrigue shook him to his core. They had a glow about them that made it hard to focus on anything else. All he could muster was a bashful smile.

“I’d love to hear all about them.” You smiled, hoping your sweet demeanor would help ease him into a more comfortable mindset. He had a shy, boyish charm about him that you couldn’t quite place, but it just made him all the more appealing to you. “It’s been a while since I’ve heard any new stories, the workers here usually tell all the same ones I’ve heard before.” You giggled, “You can tell me all about them while I show you the island.”

As you stepped onto the gravel road Helmeppo exaggerated a groan, grabbing your attention as he took a small step back onto the pier,

“Damn! You know what, I completely forgot, I left… something, back on the ship.” His excuse seemed to come out of nowhere, but he seemed apologetic for having to step away, “Why don’t you two go on ahead, and I’ll meet up with you later?” He gave Koby a quick pat on the back before making his way back to the ship.

Koby wasn’t too keen on being left alone with you. He knew exactly why Helmeppo had come up with such a lame excuse to leave the two of you together, and made a quick mental note to try and hide his stares better. It’s not his fault you looked so captivating as you stood at the balcony watching the ship pull into port, even from so far away he couldn’t help but keep his eyes fixated completely on you. Now, he had to suffer through Helmeppos ‘help’ with getting the two of you alone together. If it was up to him, Koby would’ve just left it alone, pushed the thought of you aside to continue on with his duties and get these next two weeks over with. The moment they stepped off the ship and heard Garp address your father as the harbor master, he knew he’d never hear the end of it from Helmeppo.

“We can wait for your friend if you’d like?” You offered, seeing the hint of anxiousness in Kobys face.

As he looked back to you, the sweet grin on your lips and the light in your eyes somehow made him feel more at ease. Perhaps it was the island, or the soothing sound of your voice, but the moment he realized you really were alone Koby felt a wave of relief wash over him. At least now he didnt have to worry about having someone over his shoulder, bragging about his accomplishments and achievements in order to get some attention on him. Being his natural, normal self seemed so much easier.

“No, that’s alright. I’m sure he can find us again, eventually.” Koby smiled, “Sorry you’re stuck with me.” He joked, his eyes darting down to avoid your gaze.

“Don’t apologize,” You giggled, “you and your friend seem very nice. Besides, it’s always nice to get to know a new friend. I’m pretty eager to hear about those pirate stories of yours, as long as you’d still like to share them?”

“Sure.” Koby beamed, “I don’t mind at all. As long you don’t mind still showing me your island?”

“Not one bit.” You smiled, feeling the heat slowly rise to your cheeks as Kobys eyes met yours again. You caught a glimpse of the blush at his cheeks, and you were certain he could see yours. You slowly began walking along the gravel road into town, walking at Kobys side. “Though, I do have one question.” You glanced back behind you to make sure that Helmeppo, or any other marines could hear your voice as you leaned in and spoke softly, “Is his hair supposed to look like that?”

Koby couldn’t help but laugh,

“That’s another story.”

You laughed with him, the tension easing,

“I’m willing to hear it, as long as you’re willing to tell.”

Koby glanced back to you, and when your eyes met once again, for the first time, he didn’t look away.

You’d spent the rest of the day nearly attached at the hip. Koby had shared his stories of the Straw Hat Pirates and Roronoa Zoro blessing Helmeppo with his current haircut. You’d shown him all your favorite places in town, sharing stories of your own of memories at each spot. It all flowed so naturally, like you were friends that had known one another for years. Never before had you felt such a connection with another person, let alone someone you knew would be leaving within the span of only two short weeks, but you couldn’t rob yourself of the opportunity to spend time with someone who made you feel that same calmness you felt when watching those ships on the dock. Neither of you had even noticed that Helmeppo never joined back for your little tour.

He’d walked you home that night just before curfew, and just before you’d said goodnight he sweetly asked if he could see you again the next day. It was impossible to say no to a boy who had treated you with such kindness and warmth. The thought of him kept you up that night, replaying the day over and over again in your head, anticipating the moment you could see him again. No man had made your heart flutter the way that Koby did.

For the remainder of those two weeks, any time he had a free moment, Koby had spent it with you.

Your days were spent laughing with one another, creating special memories of your own. Walking along the wildflower fields and cobblestone roads, visiting every little shop and bakery you could, trying to evade the little comments and stares from the other marines and townspeople who could so clearly see how well the two of you meshed together. Your evenings were spent in the various bars and restaurants or watching the musicians perform in the streets. You’d even managed to get him to dance with you in the crowd of people enjoying the music, dancing along with it. Each night, he’d escort you home and you’d say your goodbyes before waiting for the next day to come.

You’d talk until sundown, sharing laughs and sneaking in a few flirtatious comments each other’s way without even realizing it, not even knowing that you’d each fall asleep to the thought of one another.

Each night, Helmeppo would tease and urge Koby to give him the details of your time together, but he refused.

What you had together was only yours to share. It felt so natural and flowed so smoothly from the first day you’d met that Koby hadn’t even noticed himself falling for you more and more each day.

The last day at the dock was bittersweet. There was a tension in the air that you both could sense throughout the day, but mentioning it would only make it worse. Koby wanted to enjoy the last little bit of time he had with you.

He disregarded the curfew, asking if you would walk along the beach with him. That night, you’d walked along the coast with your hand tenderly holding his, the other held onto his bicep. It was perfect. Quiet, romantic, peaceful. It was a night you’d cherish for the rest of your life. Few words were said, but you knew what you had together was destined to be short lived. He walked you silently to your door, not wanting to let go of your hand and forget the feeling of how warm it felt in his.

“I’m sorry I have to leave tomorrow. I wish I could stay, but…” He quietly trailed off.

“It’s ok.” You smiled, gently squeezing his hand in yours, “I knew since your ship came in that you wouldn’t be staying forever.”

Koby nodded,

“I guess this is goodbye then.” He said, somberly.

“Not just yet. I’ll see you off tomorrow at the pier.” You took a step closer, hand still in his, “But it is our last ‘goodnight’ to each other.”

He mustered up a slight smile,

“You’ll be there tomorrow?”

“I will, I promise. I won’t let you leave without saying goodbye.” You were certain the blush at your cheeks could be seen in the gentle moonlight, even such a bittersweet moment could make you feel like he was never leaving your side but you knew in your heart it wasn’t true, “Thank you for being so sweet to me. I’ve loved getting to spend time with you, I just wish we had more time…”

“I do too. And, you don’t have to thank me.” He bashfully laughed to himself, looking down to hide his cheeks brightening up, “It all came so easily. I’ve really enjoyed all the time we’ve had together.”

As he looked up, your eyes met. How he wished he could peer into them for hours, holding you close at night and whispering sweet nothings to you.

Every moment that he’s spent with you over the course of your friendship had played over and over again in his head. The way the breeze flowed through your hair, the way your eyes sparkled each time you looked at him, the way your laugh always eased him when he thought he may have sad the wrong thing. You were so beautiful, so smart, so interesting. He’d never met another woman that captured his attention the way that you did.

All he wanted to do was tell you how perfect you were. To bring you in close and kiss you the way he’d been wanting to for days, but he blamed his own cowardice for holding him back. There was never any direct discussion of the relationship you had. No labels, no stress, but he knew the way he felt about you and he was certain you felt the same way about him. If only he wasn’t so afraid of making the wrong move.

Koby smiled, and regretfully, he slowly pulled his hand from yours,

“Goodnight.”

Before his hand could leave yours as he stepped back to the road, you pulled him back to you, tenderly kissing his cheek. You could feel the warmth of his blush beneath your lips.

“Goodnight Koby.” You whispered to him with a smile before letting him go.

Now, you were finally faced with the reality of actually having to let him go. You were stood before Koby next to the ship, an envelope in your hand, reminiscing over the days you’d spent together just hoping that something would happen to cause him to stay just a bit longer, but you knew it would never come.

He was a marine, tied to the duties and responsibilities of one. It was his dream, and you wouldn’t dare ask him to leave it all behind just to make you happy, but you hated having to see him go.

“I hope I didn’t get you into too much trouble keeping you out so late last night.” You giggled.

“Not too much,” Koby smiled, still able to feel your lips at his cheek from the night before, “it was worth being able to see you just a bit longer.”

Even up until the very end, he was the sweetest boy you’d ever met. There would never be another person as perfect as him.

“I’m really going to miss you…” You sniffled, trying to hold back the tears pricking your eyes.

“I’ll miss you too.” Koby tried keeping himself strong, holding back all the emotions he wished he could show you, but it was too late.

You reached your arms out and wrapped them around his neck, hugging him close as you felt his arms snake around your waist. You held each other tight, just wanting to feel the sweet embrace for as long as you could. As the ships horn rung out, you gripped onto his shoulders, knowing that your time was finally up.

Slowly, you loosened your arms from around him, offering the envelope in your hand,

“I wrote this for you last night,” You carefully wiped a stray tear from your cheek as he held it in his hands, “don’t read it until you’ve left the port. Please?”

“I won’t.” He smiled as he looked at his name sprawled on the front of it, a little heart just at the end, “You have my word.”

You took a short deep breath, sniffling to yourself before quietly asking him,

“Do you promise we’ll see each other again?”

Although he wasn’t certain of the future, Koby knew in his heart that he’d be back. He had very little regrets in his life, and leaving you was one of them, but he’d be damned if he wasted another moment letting his fears of the unknown take him over. He stepped forward, closing the small gap between you as his hand reached up and gently held your jaw before tenderly bringing his lips to yours.

His lips were soft and sweet, and the way they felt against yours was nothing short of perfect. His movements were gentle, careful, letting your lips linger for a moment before going back in for another tender kiss. He felt a fire in his veins that he’d never felt before. As bittersweet as this moment was, it was something he could never forget. That feeling of pleasant euphoria could never be replicated. As Koby slowly pulled away, he gently rested his forehead on yours, whispering,

“I promise, we’ll see each other again. I don’t know how, or when, but I promise you that we’ll be together again.”

With one last hug, you held onto his biceps as he took that first final step away. You looked deep into his ocean eyes just one last time, and whispered your final goodbye.

As Koby stepped onto the platform he watched you slowly move down the pier, and as you stepped back onto the gravel road you’d once shared before, he couldn’t help but let a few silent stray tears flow down his cheeks. He took a deep breath and placed the envelope into his pocket, wiping away the tears before any other marines on board caught them. He quickly went back to his duties, preparing the ship to set out to sea from the port. Before they finally set off, he brought the envelope to his room, tucking it beneath his pillow to keep it safe before he joined the other marines on the deck.

He stood at his place next to Helmeppo as Garp addressed them, though it was all in one ear and out the other. He was certain that would be something he’d be reprimanded for later. The only thing on his mind was you. Your sweet voice, your beautiful features, the way the breeze flowed through your hair. The taste of your lips still lingered on his and he wanted to relish that feeling for as long as he could.

The moment he was dismissed, he headed for the side of the ship that faced your balcony. He remembered that each day you’d ask him to come with you out to that same balcony he first saw you from to watch the ships. You looked so peaceful, watching in awe with a tranquil smile, and he could never take his eyes off of you. He was always so embarrassed when he was caught, but you always said you never minded him staring. It made you feel pretty.

As he began walking, he felt a sudden pull at his shoulder, Helmeppo at his side once again.

“Have you been listening to a word i’ve been saying?” He questioned, “I asked how your little vacation with your paramour was.”

Koby didn’t take kindly to his teasing, especially when it was regarding you.

“Don’t call her that.” He said sternly, anxiously looking over his shoulder to make sure he hadn’t raised any attention towards them, “And she’s not my paramour.” He spoke softly.

“Sorry.” Helmeppo apologized, “Alright then, how was your little vacation with your ‘girlfriend’?” Koby could sense that through the taunts, there was an eagerness. Although he hoped that Helmeppo wouldn’t pry for any more details.

Koby would barely even mention your time spent together when he was pried every night by the bothersome blonde.

“She’s not my girlfriend either…” Koby said quietly, trailing off. Now that he knew what he’d lost, all he’d wanted was to have a reason to remember you. “I don’t know what she is.”

“Hm.” Helmeppo nodded as he followed Koby to the side railing of the deck, “Well, whatever she is, good for you.” He smiled to Koby as they came to a stop, “Seems like you had a good time.”

Koby looked out along the coast. He couldn’t get you out of his mind. It was agony having to leave, but as the ship pulled further and further out into the open sea, he was already anticipating his return. Slowly, he nodded,

“I did.” He glanced up at Helmeppo, a smile tugging at his lips as he pictured how excited you’d be to see him again, waiting for him at your balcony, “I had a great time.” His eyes searched the rows of houses that lined the island he saw you, looking for him.

As your eyes followed along the side of Kobys ship, you found him. That familiar baby pink spot you remembered so fondly. Your heart fluttered just the same as it did when you’d met, and although you were heartbroken to see him leave, you were happy to see him doing what he loved. He always spoke with such pride when it came to his position as a marine. Wanting to help those that can’t help themselves, and bring justice to those who harm others. It was his dream. You smiled to yourself, tears pricking your eyes as you raised your arm up, waving to him.

The moment he saw you he stood tall, waving back as the ship floated further away from the island. He sighed, wishing he’d only gotten a few more moments with you, but the time you spent together was something he would always be grateful for. You slowly became a small speck in the distance, and he stared out into the open water for a moment.

“I think I’ll go lie down for a little while.” Koby said up to Helmeppo, looking out back over the water just one last time before slowly moving his way towards his cabin.

He quietly closed the door behind him, sitting at the edge of his bed and pulling out the envelope from under his pillow, staring at it for a moment as he held it in his lap. It was the last little piece of you he still had with him. He carefully opened the envelope and pulled out the letter you’d written inside. Out with it came a few dried and pressed flower petals from the wildflowers he picked for you, along with a picture of you.

It was a candid of you at the beach, relaxing in the sand as your hair blew in the wind, the fainted smile on your lips as you brushed down the sundress you were wearing. You looked radiant. He smiled as he placed the picture gently onto his pillow and began to read the letter in his hands. He could smell your perfume on it.

𝑀𝓎 𝒮𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓉 𝒦𝑜𝒷𝓎,

𝐼’𝓁𝓁 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝑒 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓈𝑒 𝓁𝒶𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝓌𝑜 𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓀𝓈 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓂𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓅𝒾𝑒𝓈𝓉 𝒾’𝓋𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒷𝑒𝑒𝓃, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊.

𝒴𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓂𝒶𝓃 𝐼’𝓋𝑒 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓂𝑒𝓉 𝓌𝒽𝑜’𝓈 𝓂𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝓂𝑒 𝒻𝑒𝑒𝓁 𝓈𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹, 𝓈𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒾𝒻𝓊𝓁. 𝐼 𝒸𝒶𝓃’𝓉 𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓁 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓂𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝓂𝑒. 𝐼 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝒾𝓈𝒽 𝓌𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇.

𝐼 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓈𝓀 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂 𝒷𝑒𝒽𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓉𝒶𝓎. 𝐼 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝑒𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑜.

𝒯𝑜 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝒻𝑒. 𝒯𝑜 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝒶 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒾𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹. 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒾𝓈 𝓎𝑜𝓊.

𝒴𝑜𝓊’𝓇𝑒 𝓈𝓉𝓇𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓁𝒾𝑔𝑒𝓃𝓉, 𝓈𝑜 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓈𝑜 𝓈𝓌𝑒𝑒𝓉, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝒹𝑜𝓃’𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉.

𝐼 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝑒’𝓁𝓁 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝑒𝒶𝒸𝒽 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓋𝑒𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓈𝑒𝓅𝒶𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓊𝓈 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓊𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝒹𝒶𝓎. 𝐼’𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝒻 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝓎 𝓊𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓃, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝓀𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝒾𝒸𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝑒 𝓈𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒶 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒶𝓁𝓌𝒶𝓎𝓈 𝒷𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓎𝑜𝓊.

𝒰𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓁 𝓌𝑒 𝓂𝑒𝑒𝓉 𝒶𝑔𝒶𝒾𝓃, 𝓂𝓎 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒.

Next to your signature was a lipstick stain. A kiss for him to keep with him always.

Koby took a slow deep breath as he laid his head next to the picture of you on his pillow. He knew you’d be together again someday. He was certain of it. And he promised himself that when that day came, he’d be twice the man he is today.

Until that day came, he’d keep that picture of you close. He wouldn’t have to spend the rest of his life wishing for you to be there for him. He knew you’d be right there at your balcony, waiting for him.