#miserynvice

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

Confused, you enter your shared house. 

“I told you to leave!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What are you doing home so early anyway?”

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

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

You’re frozen in disbelief. “What?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It’s not.

It most definitely is not. 

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

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

“Is this normal?” you ask Ash.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Something shatters in the room next door.

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

The tremors stop. 

“You okay?”

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

“We should go too.”

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

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

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

“Are they robbing us?”

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

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

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

Screams pierce the air. 

People shuffle away from the debris. 

“Sanji!” A yell from above calls out

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

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

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

You raise your arm.

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

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

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

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

What if he’s dangerous?

“Don’t,” Ash murmurs behind you.

The man stands up and scans the crowd.

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

You swallow the lump in your throat. 

The ceiling gives way again.

Ash pulls you back as people start to yell. 

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

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

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

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

You somehow manage to nod. 

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

Ash steps in front of you, eyes narrowed. 

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

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

Ash turns their head, waiting for your decision.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The other man joins him soon after.

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

“Uh—yeah.” You nod.

“You’re drooling,” they snicker.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I…” You shrug. “What do you mean?”

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

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

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

You nod slowly. “Sounds logical.”

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

“You sure are smart,” you chuckle. 

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

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

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