#yonji x reader

The crude squelching of a glossy hand slowly stroking his thick cock from tip to base ricocheted from the corners of the bedroom. Reclining on your chest, his legs were pried open by your knees while your blunt fingernails of your unoccupied hand dragged down his sculpted chest. Breath hitching, he sobbed through his parted lips as the first few spurts of his precum slowly ebbed from his small slit at the top of his flushed tip. 

“You close, baby?” your gentle voice cooed at him sweetly, “Oh, I can feel it. You're being so good for me.” Your hand maintained the same gentle motion in your lubricated palm, softly pumping his shaft up and down while giving his tip an attentive squeeze. Your thumb swiped his sensitive frenulum while a dewy pearl of translucent precum seeped into the pads of your digits. 

“M-M-M-!” His voice caught on a word while his hands gripped the bedsheets beside your thighs. Hips involuntarily rocked in time with your pumping as his lips seeped drool from its edges. His entire body was covered in a glistening sheen of glossy sweat, trying so desperately to hold back from letting go while their body gave into the feeling. 

“That's it,” you praised him while your hips gently rolled with his, hand still focussing on pumping along his shaft and milking him of his impending orgasm, “That's my good boy. You just say what you need to say so I can help you. Come on, sweety. You can say anything you want, and I’m here to work you through it.”

A sweet mewling cry trickled from his gulping lips as fresh tears dampened his cheeks. Emotions were overtaking his body at the same time as your lubricated fist focussed on edging him closer to his euphoria. He felt his legs begin to twitch, shake, and stutter while his shuddering toes curled in an intense convulsion. 

“M-M-!” his lips couldn't say it, yet his stiffened shaft began bleeding his bliss while a pooling warmth spread from his belly up to his chest. As he rocked in time, your soothing and calming voice praised him supportively while his belly knit itself in thick knots. 

“Cum for me, sweetheart,” you whispered affectionately, “Show me how good you can be for me.” You never ceased your motions, continuing that speed while your other hand snaked around his waist to hold his staggering hips pinned against your chest. Your strength surprised him as he felt securely caged against your safety. Hanging his head back limply on your shoulder, he finally let out a strangled cry while the first squirt of thick cum spurted from his slit. 

“M-! Mommy!” 

As soon as that word fled his lips, the safety net faded into a smokey darkness. Your body fled its warmth from his back, the reclined position he was in felt horizontal rather than angular, and his eyes sprung open in a room of lightless serenity. He was in his bedroom: alone, miserable, and flooding his boxers with the final waves of his touchless ecstasy. A deep frown drew itself over his whirlpool eyebrows as he truly came to terms with exactly what had happened moments prior. 

He had a wet dream. In that wet dream, he had been a whimpery, pleading, crying mess. And in that whimpery, pleading, crying mess, his fictitious self had called you ‘Mommy’.

“Fuck.” 

Ichiji

A heavy sigh fled from his lips while he tugged those blankets from his waist. Glancing down at his crotch, he rolled his eyes as a damp patch of his cum seeped into the woven seams. Ichiji scrunched his eyes tightly shut and shook his head in disappointment while peeling his boxers from his hips and down his thighs. 

Ichiji’s red, curly pubic hair was glued down by the intensity of his moonlight transgressions. Cum gelled his cock against belly, causing Ichiji to be taken aback by the sheer amount of it there truly was. 

“Clearly, I'm not beating you into submission often enough,” he snarled down at his shaft as he kicked off his boxers and tugged away his sleep shirt. Stepping over his pants, he sauntered grogily to the joined ensuite and flicked on the light. The usually stoic older brother of the Vinsmokes took in his sleepless reflection and scoffed at the tone of his under eyes. 

Within the silvery reflection, Ichiji noticed each enhanced contour of his pale abdomen with his now flaccid cock tucked beneath his soiled pubic hair. He clicked his tongue with a curt hiss before placing himself into the shower. Rotating the tap heads around, the scorching water hit his back beneath the nozzle and cascaded down his spine to pool at his feet. 

“Mommy?” he chastised himself with his venomous tone, “Really? And you for that matter.” Despite the content of his dreams, his mind moved towards the imagery of his sister’s closest and most trusted confidant. Reiju was the one who picked you as a companion and her assistant to her duties. Your kindness was only demonstrated in the ways you handled her duties, your smile only shown once a task was completed - and never directed to him or his brothers. 

“Why am I dreaming of you?” he questioned as his hands motioned down his belly towards his cock, giving the shaft a few strokes as his cum congealed around the base beneath the water. “You are nothing to me. You mean… you mean… nothing-, fuck.” His hands slowly pumped along the contours of his rapidly swelling cock while his eyes fluttered to a close, “Just because you’re kind, considerate, intelligent, and so… so… hgmnh-... fuck…”

Ichiji’s hands picked up, squeezing at his tip ever so often and teasing his frenulum to entice a rise in his need, almost shocked by how hard his edge was stampeding towards release. Placing a hand on the shower door, his breath puffed out in heavy exhales and dampened the tiles with his ecstasy-laced pants. The reserved eldest brother of the Vinsmoke children continued focussing on your words, your image, the fictitious taste on his tongue of how he imagined your skin would paint on his palate, all the while rutting his hips in time with his strokes. 

“F-Fuck you. You… You… Fuck… Cumming-!” his choked moan strangled his throat with his desperation, finally shuddering through the thick euphoria releasing from the tip of his cock. His cum painted the tiled wall, slowly oozing down the surface to trickle down the drain at his feet. The hot water continued to pummel his back while his body jolted through those final waves of ecstasy. 

You were the central focus of his thoughts; picturing his cum possessively glazing your flesh and watching you continue to go about your duties as if he hasn’t claimed you as his. That’s what you were. His. 

All he had to do was go and inform both you and Reiju as such at a more reasonable hour. 

Niji

Laughter was the first thing to leave Niji's lips despite the unfeeling and humourless nature founded in his core. He was raised to be unfeeling, cold, calculated, yet that spark of laughter bloomed in his chest the longer he examined himself. His release still coated his belly and crotch, sticking to his skin while oozing down onto the mattress as his laughter slowly died down.

“Pathetic,” he uttered dryly while stretching his hands over his shoulders, arching his back against the mattress while his muscles became taut and rippled beneath his skin. As he de-arched his back, his hands slowly stroked down his shoulders and found his puckered nipples, giving them a hard pinch and hissing at the connection before he clawed his splayed hands down his waist and collected his viscous release onto his palm. 

“Look at this mess you made,” he spoke to the memory of you dancing within his mind, “And ‘mommy’? Seriously? Tsk.” Niji collected his cum from his waist with his bare hands and stepped off his bed to walk towards his ensuite. Turning the faucet, he rinsed off his rapidly congealing spend before soaping up his hands to ensure no trace was left on his skin. 

Once done, Niji shook his head and turned towards his shower and flickered on the toggles to flood water from the head into the rectangular glass before stepping in himself. He let the fog smear around his body while he shook his head at the memory. His laughter returned as he heard your words echoing back to him. Thoughts of having one command when he could and could not cum engaged a twitch of interest from his cock as it hung thickly between his legs. 

“Good? Me?” he growled as he reached for his soap, lathering his face first before his armpits and down his chest, “As if that would get me off.” The suds oozed down his wast and caught on his cock, now standing at full mast and brushing against the tiled edge of the glass cubical. Gazing down at it, he tilted his head with a sneer on his features. 

“What’s so good about being called ‘good’, anyway?” he growled as his balled fist found his shaft and slowly began stroking it to clean it of any remnants of cum. Despite his intentions to simply clean himself, his imagination began to run wild with the thought of earlier continuing to plague his mind with the shimmery image of you continuing to flicker behind his minds eye.

“Don’t you want to be good for me?” your voice echoed in his ear without any voice or breath to follow. His eyes fluttered closed, and suddenly he pictured your hand stroking his cock and pinching the tip to withhold his release from him. He groaned and slowly rocked his hips into his hand while continuing to picture it as yours. 

“I don’t know if I can be good for you,” he whispered back to his fictitious imagination, “But let me try. I know I can try for you.” Niji continued to fuck his fist in sharp, deep thrusts while the claps of skin meeting skin began to ricochet throughout the echoed bathroom. His hand braced itself against the tiled wall while he continued to buck forward. His tip kissed the cool wall and had his eyes rolling in response. 

Huffing and panting through the feeling, Niji felt his body reach its pinnacle of ecstasy while his other hand came to pinch his nipple. Gritting his teeth at the mixture of pleasure and pain, he continued to picture your lips in his ear, your hand on his cock, and your hand over his hand tugging at his chest while he chanted your name over, and over again. 

“Cum for me, Niji,” his mind replayed repetitively. Niji immediately felt that euphoric rush split white while his pearlescent release hastily spattered all over the tile wall. His hips continued to buck through his thick release while he moaned and chanted your name over and over again like a bull mounting its mate. He continued past the point of his release and threw himself into a blaring amount of overstimulation the longer he pictured you touching him. 

Unaware of when exactly he began to hold his breath, his eyes opened once again and he gasped in a mixture of air and water beneath the shower while he slowed the pace of his thrusts. He shook his head, dampening his blue locks with the clear liquid and allowing stringy strands to fall over his shoulder while he watched his cum move down the drain beneath him. 

“You haunt me,” he chuckled darkly, “And when you wake up, you’ll find me reciprocating that immediately. Mark my words, you’ll learn that you’re mine soon enough.”

Yonji

Without warning or any prompting, the youngest Vinsmoke brother found his eyes going glassy and fogging with the final moments he shared with the ghost of you in his dream. Within the darkness of the cold and lonely room, Yonji refused to let that moment with you go as he rolled onto his belly amongst the bunched duvet curling around his middle. His hips ground into the material while his deflating cock halted in its retreat, smearing the cum he just expelled across the linens while his glossy tip brushed with the plush blanket. 

“Why ‘Mommy’?” he sniffled softly, feeling that weakness and groggy aura from his restless sleep clinging to his chest with a sudden vulnerability he had never felt before, “I don’t-... It’s not-... I don’t like-...” His words lost themselves as his hips slowly began to move against his will and driving his cock into the folds of the duvet. 

Yonji clenched his eyes tightly shut and found the image of you he had longed to see beneath him. Your head against the mattress, eyes peering up at him with love, your lips smiling sweetly with praise rapidly falling from them as if it burned you to keep his name hidden for any longer - Yonji used this image to fall his cock deeper against his blankets and grow his cock once more. 

“I’m sorry,” he whispered into the dark, his eyes still closed while seeing your face haunting him, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” His cries only continued while he drove his cock deeper into the bed, feeling that cottony fabric brush against his oversensitive cock and catch against his frenulum. He pictured your hand reaching up and cupping his cheek, guiding him down to press his forehead against your own. 

In reality, Yonji was snapping his hips rapidly into his bed, eyes closed and lips biting his pillow while his ass dimpled with the taut and release of the muscles he’d been gifted with. His green hair fell over his head and shrouded him in another curtain of safety while picturing it caressing the perimeter of your head and framing it with his aura. 

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Yonji,” he heard his imagination call with your voice in his minds eye, “You’re making me so proud of you. You’re doing so well, baby. Keep making mommy proud, okay? You’re so close. I can feel how close you are.” “I’ll make you proud, Mommy,” Yonji muffled hurriedly, feeling his belly tense with the call to an orgasm he could ride out, “I c-can do that. I can do that, Mommy. J-Just tell me you’re proud of me. T-Tell me y-you love me.” He felt the corners of his eyes prick with tears, truly unsure as to where the emotions came from to give him this extreme need to be praised and held. 

Yonji felt his hips stagger the closer he drew, huffing and panting into the pillow while picturing himself huffing your scent and kissing your neck. His cock twitched and pulsated within the material, so close he could almost taste your words and hear them speak outside of his augmented memory. Just as he bit his lip and felt the first sparks of cum begin to spill, he heard your voice clearer than anything he imagined prior.

“I love you, Yonji.”

Immediately, Yonji openly began to cry. His eyes spilled over with thick, dewy tears while his cock spilled into the curled duvet. His belly grew tense and his stomach tingled while he emptied himself all over his bedsheets. He can’t remember the last time he felt this much relief at once: how easy his orgasm came to him, and crying into the pillow he slept on with such intensity. 

As his hips came to an end, Yonji laid face down for a moment longer. He only parted his eyes to turn his head to the side and let out a soft whimper before scrunching them tightly shut. He sniffled and drew his hand up to his nose, brushing away the tears with the back of his wrist while his lips continued to quiver. 

“I have never wanted to be someone's ‘good boy’ before,” his whisper caught in his throat while wracked with another small sob, “But if I did, I would want to be good for you, Mommy.” He lay there for a little while longer, finally finding sleep once again calling his name while hearing your hum and feeling your hands rake through his hair. He would never tell a soul he felt like this, not even you. 

For now, his love for you will be his dirty little secret he will keep tucked into his heart any time he needs to find that comfort from you. 

Tag list: @mfreedomstuff @daydreamer-in-training @mermaniaa @gingernut1314 @writingmysanity @i-am-vita @indydonuts @feral-artistry @the-light-of-star @empirenowmp3 @racfoam @sunflowersatori @carrotsunshine @skullfacedlady @jintaka-hane @thenotsofantasticlifestory @ane5e

For Ichiji, Yonji and Reiju: @bookandyarndragon @goldenglow149 @hbk99450 @coolnekochan9961    @acehasmyheart @architectofsuffering @mysunfishpeedinmyroom @sol4rm00n @idk67876 @flow33didontsmoke @a1x1n @angelic-selfshipper @heartwoundd @starchild-unnamed

For Niji: @sunbumglow

Everyone gathers on deck, watching as a small island comes into view. Nami, ever the responsible one, is already squinting at her map.

“This island wasn’t on the log pose…” she mutters.

Sanji, who had been flipping a pan of eggs in the kitchen just moments ago, suddenly freezes mid-step. His cigarette nearly falls out of his mouth.

“Oi, what’s wrong with you weirdo?” Zoro asks, raising an eyebrow at Sanji’s weird reaction.

Sanji, looking like he just saw a ghost, grits his teeth “I have a very bad feeling about this...”

The moment you all step onto the island, it becomes very clear why.

Standing in the middle of a clearing, looking just as shocked as you all feel, are none other than Judge and the Vinsmoke brothers, aka Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji.

The silence is actually painful.

“…Well. This is awkward...” Nami says, breaking the tense atmosphere.

Judge just glares at Sanji like the disappointing science experiment gone wrong he thinks his son is. Sanji’s face twists in anger, and you’re already bracing for a fight...

... at least until Yonji (the green one btw) suddenly grins and rushes toward you.

“Y/N!!!!!”

Oh no.

Yonji practically sparkles as he walks up, chest puffed out like he’s the main event “It’s been way too long, gorgeous”

You resist the urge to groan. You knew this would happen. You knew the second he saw you, he’d start this nonsense again.

Zoro, however, was not expecting this at all.

“…What the...?”

Before you can even react, Yonji swoops down, takes your hand and kisses it, and then he winks “I never forgot about you, you know.”

Zoro’s eye twitches. Twice.

Franky watches with interest “Whoa. What’s happening?”

Chopper blinks “That guy is still flirting?”

Brook chuckles “Oh my, how bold!”

Nami, looking far too entertained, smirks at you “I forgot about this little detail from Whole Cake Island. The green one had a thing for you, huh?”

Zoro is still frozen. Processing. Trying to understand why this is a thing that exists in HIS world.

You, on the other hand, yank your hand back before Yonji can do something stupid... again “Yonji. No.”

Yonji gasps dramatically, clutching his chest “You wound me, y/n! After all the time we spent together in Whole Cake Island...”

“You mean the time you spent getting punched in the face?” Sanji interrupts, rubbing his temples like this is giving him an actual migraine.

Yonji waves him off “That's how we flirt...” He turns back to you, flashing what he clearly thinks is a charming smile “But I see you’ve still got that spark! You know, you don’t have to stay with your boyfriend... what was even his name? Or did you break up with him to be with me finally???”

Zoro finally snaps out of it “EXCUSE ME?!”

“Oh, so YOU are the competition...” Yonji muses, looking Zoro up and down with a disgusted face “Huh. I gotta say, y/n, you’ve got an interesting taste. He’s got the whole ‘grumpy ronin’ thing going on. You into that??”

Luffy perks up “Oh yeah, she’s totally into that...”

Nami grins “Yup, definitely her type.”

Chopper nods enthusiastically “Yeah, she likes grumpy, swordy guys.”

Brook laughs “Ahh, young love~”

Zoro, who had been slowly turning redder throughout this conversation, finally explodes “SHUT THE HELL UP, ALL OF YOU!!”

Yonji smirks “Touchy, huh? You sure he treats you right, y/n? Maybe you should consider a man who can actually handle you.”

Zoro immediately reaches for his swords “That’s it. I’m killing him. Now.”

You physically have to grab Zoro’s arm to stop him from committing actual murder “Zoro, breathe... Breathe.”

Yonji just smirks wider “See? He’s too hot-headed for you. A real man stays cool and confident. Just like me.”

Sanji, who has been suffering through this entire thing, finally loses it “OH FOR GOD’S SAKE, YONJI! Y/N WOULD RATHER DIE THAN GO ANYWHERE WITH OR NEAR YOU!”

Yonji sighs, placing a hand over his heart “You guys are so mean to me.”

Luffy laughs “This guy is kinda funny!”

Sanji lights up a new cigarette “Do not encourage him.”

Zoro glares at Luffy “Which side are you on?”

Brook hums “Although… now that I look at you two…”

You blink “What?”

Brook tilts his head “Yonji and Zoro… they do look kind of similar, don’t they?”

Everyone pauses.

You turn to look at Yonji. Then back at Zoro.

Oh my god.

The green hair. The sharp features. The stupidly stubborn expressions.

You gasp “Oh my god.”

Zoro frowns “What?”

You grin “Zoro… he... he kinda looks like you...”

Zoro’s eye twitches “NO HE DOESN’T.”

Usopp laughs and then he turns to the rest of the crew, so that everyone except for you, sanji and zoro could hear “He actually looks as if Zoro and Sanji had a son”

Everyone starts laughing, trying to hide from you and you look at them confused before Yonji steps in “Huh. Now that you all mention it… I am kinda like a better-looking version of him, aren’t I?”

Zoro draws his swords immediately.

“I WILL END YOU.”

The crew absolutely loses it. Luffy is on the floor wheezing, Nami is wiping tears from her eyes, and Sanji, for the first time in his life, actually agrees with Zoro about murdering someone.

You, meanwhile, just smirk and pat Zoro’s arm “Don’t worry. You’re the only green-haired idiot for me.”

Zoro grumbles, but you can see the tips of his ears turning pink “…Good.”

Yonji just sighs dramatically “Ah, well. Guess I’ll have to try again next time.”

Before anyone can react, he casually leans against a tree, arms crossed “Anyway, what brings you all here? Came to visit me?”

Zoro glares “Like hell we would.”

Yonji smirks “Deny it all you want, y/n clearly missed me.”

You see the change in Zoro’s demeanor almost immediately. His grip on his swords tightens. His brows furrow deeper, and you can practically hear the low growl in his throat. There’s something almost dangerous in the way he’s glaring at Yonji now.

Zoro, no longer content to just grumble, takes a step toward you, his eyes still locked on Yonji “You seriously don’t find this guy annoying?”

You blink, surprised by the sudden shift in his tone towords you “What? Yonji?”

Zoro’s eye twitches “Yeah, Yonji. That guy. You know, the one who can’t seem to keep his hands to himself—”

“Oh, come on, Zoro! I’m not interested in him” you interject, but it’s too late. Zoro’s already fuming. He crosses his arms, looking like he might set something on fire if his glare gets any more intense.

You sigh, giving him an exasperated look “I literally just told you, he’s annoying, okay? Does that make you happy?”

He doesn’t answer right away, just glares some more, while Yonji seems to be enjoying the show. You can’t help but notice how Zoro’s getting even more upset by the second. It’s like watching a kettle about to boil over.

“You don't have to say things you don't think just to make me happy and I swear, if I see him wink at you one more time…” Zoro mutters to himself, barely holding it together.

Nami, who’s been snickering in the background, calls out “Zoro, calm down! We’ve got bigger things to deal with than this drama.”

Luffy, ever the troublemaker, raises an eyebrow and says “Yeah, Zoro, you’re acting all jealous!”

Zoro shoots them both a deadly glare, making them immediately stop. But you can tell they all are having way too much fun with this.

You’re starting to feel like you might actually be caught in the middle of some absurd love triangle, and that’s definitely not what you signed up for today.

“Okay, enough with the staring contest,” you say, rolling your eyes, “Zoro, stop. You're acting like an idiot.”

Zoro huffs, still refusing to look at you “I’m not the idiot here and I'm not jealous,” he says through clenched teeth “I just don’t like the guy.”

“Sure, sure, Zoro,” you tease, walking up to him and nudging him with your shoulder “You really don’t like him, huh?”

Zoro shifts uncomfortably, clearly still not ready to admit anything. His eye twitches as he stares out into the distance, and you can see the muscles in his jaw working overtime today “Yeah. I really don’t like him, so what? Don't treat me like a kid...”

You smile softly at him “Don't pay him this much attention, he's just trying his best but it's useless anyway. And I have to admit, your jealousy is a bit cute” you say trying to make him relax about the situation, but this actually worsen everything but you realise it only later.

In fact, Zoro’s posture stiffens, and his fists ball at his sides. He finally turns his head, his gaze sharp and cold as he looks at you. For a moment, the tension between you both is thick enough to cut with a sword.

And then, without any warning, he growls “If you like him so much, why don’t you go with him then?”

You stare at Zoro in disbelief. The words hit you harder than you expected, and your heart does a little lurch in your chest. Your eyes narrow as you cross your arms, trying to keep your cool “What did you just say?”

Zoro shifts uncomfortably, clearly not ready for the words to come out like that, but his pride won’t let him backtrack. He looks away, then mutters “I said if you like him so much, go with him, then.”

Your mouth falls open, the shock of his words giving way to a flush of anger “Excuse me?” You take a step toward him, shaking your head in disbelief “What the hell is that supposed to mean? You really think I want to go off with him??”

Zoro stays silent, a vein popping in his temple as he looks anywhere but at you. His posture is stiff, like he’s forcing himself not to turn and walk away.

You continue, voice rising with frustration “You’re really THIS MUCH jealous of Yonji? Really?”

Zoro’s eye twitches “Stop saying that... I already said it, I’m not jealous” he says flatly, but you can see his hands balling into fists at his sides.

"Yeah? So I’m the problem, huh?" You take another step forward, chest puffed with frustration.

Before Zoro can retort, a voice interrupts, smooth, smooth as ever.

“You know, y/n,” Yonji says, stepping forward with a dramatic flourish “if you need someone who understands you, I’m here. I always was.”

You let out an exasperated groan, rolling your eyes so hard you nearly hurt yourself "Oh my god, Yonji, please stop now. I told you—"

Before you can even finish, Yonji is already presenting you with a ridiculous bouquet of flowers, smirking “You’ve always had such exquisite taste. I’m sure these would look beautiful on you.”

Zoro’s eye twitches again, his patience hanging by a thread “Are you seriously still doing this, you idiot? Can't you read the room?”

But Yonji doesn’t seem to care. He’s too busy smirking at you, eyes glinting as he presents the flowers like they’re the most precious thing in the world “You’re much too beautiful to settle for someone who can’t even get his words right to you” Yonji says smoothly, his voice dripping with faux sincerity.

This does not help.

You feel your patience starting to snap "Oh my God, Yonji!" you exclaim, throwing your hands up in the air “Seriously? Stop trying to give me flowers in the middle of this!” You take a deep breath and turn back to Zoro, who still looks like a bundle of rage and frustration.

He’s glaring at Yonji now, his jaw clenched and his body coiled like a spring, ready to snap. The silence that hangs between you all is thick with tension.

“I just want the best for you darling, and that's me, I'm clearly the best option”

And then, just like this the tension breaks.

Zoro suddenly yells, his voice booming with pure fury “I’LL KILL YOU, YOU DAMNED PEST!!”

The entire crew jumps in shock. You quickly turn to Zoro, trying to calm him down before the situation gets any worse “Zoro, please, calm down—”

But Zoro is already stalking toward Yonji, his swords drawn, every inch of him radiating the kind of anger you’re well acquainted with. You’re not sure whether to laugh or cry, but you definitely don’t want him making this worse.

“Zoro, stop!” you shout, rushing toward him and grabbing his arm before he can do anything rash "You’re acting like an idiot! Just let it go, please!”

For a moment, Zoro just stands there, muscles tense under your grip, his breathing ragged. His glare stays locked on Yonji, but he’s clearly fighting himself, trying to hold back.

Yonji, who’s been far too entertained by this entire scene, steps back with an exaggerated sigh “Ah, you two. Such passion,” he says, still holding out the bouquet like it’s a peace offering “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re both jealous. What’s the matter? Not enough room for two men in y/n’s life?”

Zoro’s eye twitches again. You, meanwhile, feel a headache coming on “Yonji, this is not helping!”

And that’s when it happens.

Zoro glances at you, eyes still sharp, but now there’s a hint of... something else? His voice drops low, almost like he’s growling under his breath “I don’t like anyone who gets in the way of what’s mine...” he says, and you freeze.

Wait, what did he just say?

Before you can process, Zoro turns around with a grumble “Whatever. I don’t have time to argue with you. We’re wasting time.”

You can’t help but laugh at his stubbornness. It’s adorable in its own way, and you finally decide to make it stop once and for all.

You take a step forward, pulling Zoro gently by the arm to face you. He looks down at you, eyes still a little tense, and you put your hands on his chest “Zoro,” you say with a soft smile “You're the only one I care about, okay?”

He freezes for a moment, as if trying to process your words. His expression softens, just a bit.

“You’re mine, huh?” you tease with a playful grin, mimicking his voice.

Zoro’s face goes a little pink, but he quickly brushes it off with a muttered, “Shut up.”

You laugh softly, finally stepping into his space, wrapping your arms around his waist “You’re such a dork,” you say affectionately, resting your head against his chest “But you’re my dork.”

He sighs, but this time, it’s not out of irritation. He relaxes, his arms wrapping around you “Yeah, yeah… don’t go getting all soft on me now.”

You pull back just a little, eyes gleaming with mischief “I could get really soft on you, you know.”

Zoro raises an eyebrow, then smirks “Not in front of everyone.”

At that, you both glance over at the rest of the crew, who are all staring at you two, wide-eyed, waiting for the next dramatic turn.

“You guys are all so immature” you groan, making Zoro chuckle as you try to hide burying your face into his chest.

“Well, someone had to tell that weirdo green Sanji who’s the boss” Zoro mutters, a soft smirk still on his face.

You laugh softly, finally feeling the calm after the storm of jealousy pass between the two of you. At least for now, anyway.

“And just for the record,” you add, “I’m not breaking up with you anytime soon, no matter how annoying Yonji gets.”

Zoro grumbles, but you catch the small, satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he pulls you closer, ignoring the rest of the crew's teasing.

“Good” he says, settling into you.

The tension finally starts to dissipate. Yonji, seeing that his attempts at flirting have officially failed, grumbles to himself and starts wandering off “Whatever. You guys are no fun.” He gives one last exaggerated sigh, throwing his hands up, and disappears into the woods. Where the rest of his family left minutes ago without saying a word.

Franky, trying to lighten the mood, claps Zoro on the back, nearly knocking him off balance “Damn, Zoro, you’re really serious about her, huh?”

Zoro barely acknowledges him, still standing rigid, his arms crossed tightly. The rest of the crew, including Sanji, are chuckling or whispering among themselves, all far too entertained by the scene that just unfolded.

You take a deep breath, rubbing your forehead in exasperation “I swear, you guys are all impossible…”

Luffy grins, completely oblivious to the tension, and waves at you both “Alright! Let’s go, guys! We’re leaving! On to the next adventure!”

Nami and Chopper follow Luffy, not bothering to look back, still snickering. Brook gives a little laugh as he walks past, his bony fingers strumming a tune on his invisible guitar.

Sanji, still puffing on a cigarette, shoots you both a knowing glance before he follows after the rest of the crew “Don’t think I like you now just because I hate my brother more” he says with a wink.

Zoro grumbles something under his breath, but you can tell he’s starting to cool off. He turns his back to you and walks a few steps toward the ship, but then pauses.

You watch him for a moment, the way his broad shoulders relax as the weight of the situation begins to lift. When he’s not looking, you smile to yourself and quietly walk up behind him.

Without thinking too much about it, you quickly step forward, your heart racing a little. Before Zoro can turn around, you give him a quick kiss.

Zoro freezes, his body stiffening for a moment, and you quickly pull back, your heart pounding in your chest. For just a second, there’s a silence. The world seems to stop moving, and you hold your breath, wondering if you’ve done something ridiculous.

Zoro slowly turns his head, his face flushed, and he looks at you in surprise. But then he just grins, his usual smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Is that your way of saying you’re not mad at me anymore?” he asks, his voice gruff but softer than before.

You laugh softly, not sure if you’re nervous or happy or both “Maybe,” you say, shrugging “But don’t let it get to your head. You’re still a pain in the ass.”

Zoro’s grin widens “I’ll take that as a win.”

With that, he turns back toward the ship, walking a bit slower now, as if he’s giving you a chance to catch up. You follow behind, a contented smile on your face, and you know that despite everything, all it's going to be okay.

“Father,” Ichiji had said, his irises just barely visible over the tops of his glasses as he looked up with a frown, “It’s a rat.”

“I want to join!” A pitiful little thing cried. Soldiers from Germa pinned it down, and yet it continued to yell out. It was a horrible noise. Reiju quirked a slender brow, glancing up at her father. “The revolutionary army’s always looking for new recruits, aren’t you? I want to join! Please put me to work or something, anything! Just take me with you!”

The pressure that was applied to the back of the neck didn’t appear to slow the tumble of words that flooded out into the atmosphere. It was a pitiful plea, and one that hurt Ichiji’s ears even to have to endure. 

The annoying whining seared itself into Ichiji’s superior memory, although Judge hadn’t thought much of it.

”This is not the revolutionary army,” he grunted. Judge turned, no longer enchanted by the scene of death, fire, and destruction of the pathetic island in front of him. Reiju and Ichiji followed, leaving the blood-stained civilian at the coast. 

It didn’t make much sense as to why Judge was reminded of that moment now. His children were gathered at the base of his massive throne. The enormous dining table had since been vacated from the room to allow ample space for pacing and bickering. 

Yonji, Judge’s current source of angst and vexation, debated furiously with his brothers. Judge had exhausted the resources in his lab with tweaks to his youngest son. From the data he saw, there shouldn’t have been an issue. All the numbers came back normal, and all of Yonji’s responses were on par with what was expected of him. And yet, it was undeniable that something continued to be off. 

Yonji could have easily forgotten that he was in the presence of his father to begin with. His mannerisms grew aggressive as he made the most of his size to square up against Niji.

All of them were talking. Yes, even Judge’s daughter was involved in this one. Even Ichiji, whom Judge had never seen so frustrated before, was barking something. Yonji and Niji were about nose-to-nose. Reiju, having noncommittally found herself between them, had been spun into a web of annoyance. Her arms attempted to act like gates, in an effort to create some separation between her two brothers. Yonji was large enough that Reiju almost placed herself to his left, using the back of her shoulder to try to block his massive form. 

It wasn’t just Yonji. All of them appeared to have forgotten Judge’s presence. 

“Enough,” the Judge sighed, but the boom of his voice was enough for the room to fall silent. The Vinsmoke children separated, taking short steps away from each other to train their eyes on their father. “This is entirely too much commotion for… what was it?”

“The library attendant,” Ichiji spat. 

“Yes, the library attendant,” Judge repeated with a slow nod. “Yes, this is far too much commotion over the library attendant!” He stroked his chin in contemplation. The entire ordeal sounded petty, and under normal circumstances, Judge wouldn’t have thought little of it, just as he did about most things. He was, after all, far above a children’s quarrel concerning toys, especially considering that guests were present in the kingdom. 

And then Ichiji…

“Yonji’s defective,” Ichiji scowled.  

Defective.

The very words narrowed Judge’s eyes. He looked upon his four children with scrutiny, pondering to himself in silence. 

Another one of his masterpieces… defective. The very thought was insanity. The fact that his eldest, his favorite son spoke about it so blatantly nearly made Judge’s blood boil.

Judge performed a thorough examination of his youngest son personally, subjecting him to every blood test, DNA extraction exam, and cognitive testing in the Germa lab’s arsenal. Each panel yielded nothing.

“We’re seriously talking about executing the librarian over this? Do you even hear yourself?” Reiju rolled her eyes.

Ah, they were back to bickering. 

“Yes, because when a person poses a threat to your kingdom, you have to exterminate the problem—”

“Oh, so it’s your kingdom—”

“Yes, just like it’s yours, Reiju.” 

“You’re not king, yet.”

”Yet.”

“Listen to yourself!”

“If we’re taking a vote, I am all in favor of killing the librarian.”

”The fuck you say, asshole?”

“Let’s just not make the kill too quick, ya know?”

“Enough, enough,” Judge waved a hand, rising from his throne. It appeared he’d actually have to handle this situation after all. Judge continued to wave his hand as he descended just a few stairs. “Niji, Reiju, you are dismissed.”

With the final verdict from their father, Niji and Reiju departed. 

***

The fleet in its entirety docked in the harbor of a friendly nation, one that made a hefty amount of berries from selling to the nation of Germa. It was a summer island, not unlike the one you and Yonji had gone shopping on. 

“Put this on. We’re going out.” 

Yonji had impatiently pushed a neat, white box into your arms, spinning you around and sending you away. And now, draped in his color, Yonji had you by the hand as he ran through the forest. It was instantly apparent that he had far more stamina than you did. The two of you ran through town and nearly halfway across the island. 

“Yonji, please. Slow down! Where are you taking us?”

“Haven’t you ever heard of a surprise?” he called, hardly looking back toward you.

The green silk of your garments whipped in the breeze. The cool air generated by your pace flew up your sleeves and around the light material you wore. The clothes Yonji gifted you were made for summer weather and fit you like a glove. 

“Walker says it’s going to storm later.” You glanced up at the blue sky above, but Yonji didn’t reply. 

Yonji turned back as he continued uphill, never letting up for a moment. He grinned a white, beaming smile. 

“We’re almost there! Don’t make me carry you the rest of the way,” he snickered. 

By the time you reached the clifftop, you were completely winded. Your lungs heaved, and your cheeks tingled with such intensity that you couldn’t even let out a gasp at the beautiful scenery in front of you. 

A sea of vast green seemed to reach for miles. Flowers littered the land, dotting the expanse with little pops of rainbow color, and the wild grass accented the rolling hills. A sparkling stream glided through the fields, hosting an array of aquatic plants and modest, trickling waterfalls. Trees grew densely on the expanse closest to you, almost as if the trees and the flowers declared their own kingdoms right next to each other. And from where you stood, you could see it all, and every green thing on the hill ran on toward the horizon. 

Yonji hooked an arm around your waist, and you didn’t realize what he was doing until he had pulled you straight back for you to sit on his right thigh. Yonji settled on a felled tree trunk, which was overgrown with wildflowers. He snickered, in higher spirits than you had ever seen him before.

His teeth formed so tight a line, even his laugh could hardly slide through. With a flick of his wrist, Yonji plucked one of the flowers from the surrounding earth— hardly having to even reach down— before sliding it behind your right ear. He immediately intertwined his fingers in yours, dwarfing your hand.

“I spoke with my father,” Yonji hummed, nose upturned in triumph. He pressed the webbing of his fingers farther against yours to the point where it almost hurt. “And I’m pleased to report that I’m allowed to keep you. You’ll live with me in my castle from now on.”

You stared at him for a moment. 

“What?” you breathed, almost like a laugh. You blinked once, then twice. 

You scanned Yonji’s expression for any hint of context. A short beat passed, and you anticipated that Yonji would burst into laughter at any moment. You were fully prepared to chuckle along, but as you looked into Yonji’s sparkling irises, no sign of a joke presented itself. You unconsciously moved to recoil, but Yonji’s firm grip around your waist and hand didn’t allow you to shift an inch. In fact, he only pulled you closer, seeming oblivious to your attempt to escape. 

“I told him everything: about how you’ve been helping me with missions. About your gift,” he continued, and at that point, your face had already begun to sink. 

You tried to crack a smile.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Yonji,” you said, a sheepish smile continuing to hold on your mouth as you glanced away. “I didn’t think that anything I ever offered you was helpful in any other way than entertainment. I mean, isn’t that why no one ever visits the library anyway?” You chuckled nervously. 

“Oh, no. You’ve given me more valuable information than you know.” Yonji pressed his forehead up to yours, closing his eyes as his hand grasped yours tighter. Perhaps his closed lids were how he missed your widened gaze. “All your favorites will be in my castle from now on. I remember all of them, you know, from when I had you show me. And then we can go through the rest together to decide what’s going to give me strength. And when we’re not there, we can go to places like this whenever we want!”

Yonji pulled back, finally letting go on your hand as he gestured to the expanse of grass and trees that littered the scenery around you. You unconsciously clenched your hand before stretching it. With the force he gripped you, you were surprised his fingerprints weren’t permanently indented on your skin. 

“It doesn’t have to be continuous blue ever again! We can go to places this green whenever we want. Did you know there were places this green?” He beamed at you, coiling his arm tighter around you. You couldn’t help but smile warily at his excitement. 

“Yonji, you’re really not making sense.” Your free hand pressed up against his forehead. Your smile faltered. “You haven’t been making sense lately.”

Yonji snatched up the wrist that you held up, his excitement completely overpowering his actions. 

“You were the reason I was able to complete my mission in Speleothem. You gave me that strategy in my room, remember? And— and the sparrows that allowed us to bypass the encryption and you knew the password to the safe—! You just… know exactly what I need. I don’t know how, but you always know the exact key to our missions. Well, we don’t know now, but I’m sure that Dad can—”

“Yonji— Please slow down—”

“You can be my strength! Or… the brains to my brawn to make me the best soldier Germa has ever seen!” Yonji gripped both sides of your face. You’re sure that with a bit of effort, he could wrap his wide grip around the whole circumference of your head. “You can be the key to making me even better. You’ve got a science that Germa hasn’t even discovered somewhere in here, and we can explore it together!”

Yonji’s hands slid to cup the sides of your face. He cocked his head almost curiously as he tried to examine your face. 

“Don’t you want to stay with me? Be with me? Be the key to my strength?” He stared you directly in the eye, offering no escape to his all too earnest gaze. Yonji’s eyes held a delicate light, and in the reflection of the summer sun, you considered for just a moment that he held streaks of blue in his honey colored eyes that you had never seen before. 

But you weren’t answering fast enough.

You weren’t matching his smile. You weren’t enthusiastically exclaiming your consent like he anticipated. You weren’t thanking him for his generosity and mercy. 

You were looking. Staring. Quiet, 

Tension left his forehead, causing his brows to droop. His gaze darted across your face.

“You do… don’t you?” he trailed, his expression sinking by the second. And by the time he reached your eyes again, you still hadn’t said anything. You stared into Yonji’s gaze, words dried up on your tongue. “Please,” he said in little more than a whisper. 

The one word. The one plea broke the resolve that you didn’t even know you were holding out. Tears spilled en masse from your eyes like open flood gates. They pooled quickly at Yonji’s palms, filling the crease where his hands met your cheeks. 

“Hey, hey,” he cooed, laughing lightly. He leaned closer to try to meet your eye. His hands forced up on your cheeks, urging you to look at him. “What are you cryin’ for?” Yonji let out another boyish laugh as you pressed your cheek into his left hand. “I know humans can cry when they’re, like, really happy and stuff, but don’t you think this is a tad bit dramatic?”

“I’m sorry,” you whimpered, trying to wipe away the waterfall of tears that didn’t seem to stop falling. Yonji was already ahead of you, swiping across your cheeks to clear away the wetness. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry, dummy,” he sighed, rolling his eyes playfully. “But it’s not like you haven’t already been mine, so I don’t know what’s got you all emotional about things now—”

“You’re still marrying Ursula, aren’t you?” Something about the way you asked the question made Yonji’s breath hitch. It was almost as if the words were spoken in isolation from your tears, devoid of emotion. He snapped back to reality. Even watery and puffy, your gaze pinned him down in a second. “Tonight. You’re marrying her tonight. That’s what I heard before we came here.”

Yonji physically recoiled, hands coming away from your face to hover in the limbo now created between you. He shifted, causing you to slide off his lap and onto the fallen tree below you. The slightest hint of genuine shock and confusion ghosted over his face. 

“Yeah,” he said. Breathless. “I’ve handed in my raid suit until it’s official. I have to prove myself to Germa at the wedding. Dad said he’d give you to me… as a wedding present…” 

There was a flash of something across your face. Yonji was well-acquainted with all sorts of things: cutting-edge genetic technology, war, and the look of fear. But whatever crossed your face was so unknown to him that a heavy shot reverberated through his entire body. It was a familiar sensation.

The silent tears from before instantly transformed into full sobs. Yonji grabbed you, frantic eyes darting across your face as he shook you by the shoulders. 

“Hey! Why are you doin’ that?” he asked, his voice cracking as he continued to shake you. “I told you to stop! Why aren’t you stopping?”

“Prince Yonji, I don’t think I can do this,” you whimpered. You could hardly get the words out. Your face had since been stained with tears, their trails sliding off kilter as you shook your head. 

“What is with you and all this ‘prince’ shit?” Yonji’s mouth cracked a jagged smile, his grip becoming tighter. He let out a few breathy chuckles. “I can’t keep correcting you. I can’t keep telling you to call me by my first name, you know. It makes me look bad.” 

“I didn’t belong in Germa,” you cried, voice and heart shattering like glass thrown onto stone. “I never belonged in Germa.” 

“Why do you say that?” Yonji’s eyes darted across your face frantically. “Of course you belong in Germa! You’re a dedicated servant. You’re the perfect height to knock things off your head!”

“You probably don’t remember when you did a raid in Libro,” you hiccuped, and Yonji’s brows scrunched up at the sudden change in subject. “Forces from Quill had invaded a few years before and overthrew the government… They occupied the island as a warzone for all that time.” 

You brought Yonji’s hands back to your face, closing your eyes as you nestled into one of his palms. You leaned into his touch, your hand supporting the back of his as you did. His thumb continued to swipe away your never-ending stream of tears. 

“You probably don’t even remember me. Probably don’t remember saving me,” you laughed between hiccups, “But you did, and I… I wanted to be with— be with you. I didn’t c-c-care how.” The admission only made you sob harder. You never said it out loud before. You hadn’t dared to. “I said I wanted to come with you, and you said fat chance!”

You laughed, and Yonji laughed along with you. Tentative.

“I don’t… remember you,” he said, his smile faltering. 

The cruelty you brought upon yourself should have been funny. The fact that you were crying in front of him should have been hilarious. Annoying, but hilarious. It was the goal, the reason he selected you out of all servants to torment all this time. You had never shown any indication that you were affected by his cruelty in the slightest. You were a challenge to break—a durable toy to be gnawed on. 

“I think that was the right call.” You pulled away from his touch. 

And like that, you were in his hands, and then you weren’t.

Yonji tried to reach for you, but you were already rising from where you stood. You turned to face him, a short distance now lying between the two of you. You clutched your bicep with one hand, playing nervously with the fabric. 

“What?” Yonji’s eyes were wide as he tried to calculate the ways in which you possibly couldn’t be saying what you were. 

You scrunched your face, trying not to let any more tears fall. Your lips formed a tight, disciplined line. Yes, you tried your best to still the quivering of your lip. You wished nothing more than for the tears to stop falling. 

And when you asked, “Do you love me?”, you wished that your voice wasn’t shaking. 

You wished that it was how you’d always imagined it in romance books.

A demand for truth. A plea. 

Romantic. 

Chaste. 

Yonji’s lips morphed into a hesitant smile, a breathy laugh escaping his chest. 

“The fuck?” he laughed. He twisted and contorted his face, as if the motion would make the situation in front of him any clearer. Yonji’s hand shot roughly through his hair, his fingers raking through his strands. A few more chuckles puffed from him. “What kind of question is that?”

His laughs pierced straight through your chest, dizzying your body with embarrassment and shame. 

“Please…. Just tell me yes or no—” you pleaded, the request sounding almost as pitiful as the original question. 

“I don’t experience love,” Yonji interrupted, announcing his words like a grand secret of the universe. He held his arms out wide before pointing toward his chest. He continued to smile widely, accenting his words with haughty gestures. “Machines don’t experience love; I’m not like you, I’m not human. I don’t cry like some goddam child. I don’t fall over myself and act like a jackass because of some delusional bullshit—”

“Of course you’re human, Yonji!” you blurted.  

Was there a stronger word than sobbing? Your face was puffy and ugly, ruined by the sheer amount of water that spilled from your eyes. You were beginning to feel lightheaded from the sheer tasks that was sobbing.

“I hate it when you say you’re not! Why do you all think you’re not human? I’ve seen it! I’ve seen it, Yonji! You’re the happiest when you’re normal— You’re happiest when you’re human—!”

“This is how you repay me for the freedom I’ve given you? Everything was perfect, and now it’s all gone to your head and made you greedy. A greedy little bitch just like the rest of ‘em!” Yonji began to walk toward you, and instinctively, you backed up.  

“You’re human, Yonji! You love the library! You love reading and— and—” Yonji continued to approach, his jaw and fists clenched. A severe expression washed over his face, causing your heart to beat out of your chest. “Shit— you know exactly what kind of books I like even before I do! What about that time you protected me from Ichiji?” 

Your back hit the trunk of a nearby tree. You thought about the time Yonji rescued you on your home island. You remembered the guard he beat into the ground, grinding his brains into liquid with his fists alone. 

You remembered Ichiji’s threat. Leave, or he’d kill you both. Could Ichiji really kill his brother? Could he do it just like that?

“You know, maybe I am greedy,” you laughed, the sharp bark of the tree digging into your back, “Because it used to be enough just to be near you. But I’m greedy, I want more than that!”

And maybe there was more truth in those words than either of you knew. 

Yonji was upon you. 

You thought this might happen one day. If it wasn’t Yonji, you wouldn’t have been overly surprised if one of the other Vinsmoke brothers decided to finally get rid of you for good. Ichiji had gotten close for sure. 

And perhaps that was the reason why… 

“Genes don’t make up everything about a person, and they certainly don’t make you more or less than human!” 

Yonji cocked his fist, and he didnt quite know what he expected in that moment. Because, like every other time he had taken his rage out on you, threatened you, and debased you, you looked at him with wide eyes. Wide eyes that didn’t hold an ounce of fear in them.

“You know how to love… I just want to know…” you cried softly as you closed your eyes.

Yonji’s fist struck the tree trunk behind your head, sending it crashing and skidding far into the background. 

It didn’t escape him how your closed eyes only twitched instinctively at the sound of the impact or how your body quivered with stress. But you remained, standing in such close proximity, eyes closed. 

The world enveloped the noise and the collateral. Silence overtook the two of you, suffocating Yonji’s burning rage until only smoke remained. 

His arm lowered, and his head with it. Yonji’s mouth wasn’t too far from your ear. 

“You already know what the answer is,” he hissed, fatigue dripping from his words. His chest heaved. He glanced out of the side of his eye to find that you were already staring at him with lidded eyes. Yonji shifted his head, his nose almost touching yours. 

“I want to hear you say it. I just need to hear you say that you don’t love me,” you whispered, the words spoken almost against his lips. Your eyes scrunched, almost as if you were going to cry again. Your hand found his, your fingers ghosting around each other’s as if your touch would electrify you both. Yonji could already see the tears coming back to prick at your eyes. “Please,” your voice nearly stopped his heart. It was barely above a whisper. “Let me go.”

Yonji pressed his forehead against yours, closing his eyes. 

“I don’t experience love. I will never love you or anything else,” he said. Low. Resigned. Emotionless. Another halfhearted chuckle escaped him. “But why should that matter, huh?” He smiled. “You really thought I loved you? All this time while you’ve been embarrassing yourself and fawning over me, did you really think that you could, what? Have your selfish emotions and throw a fit… Trick a prince into loving you?”

He spoke quieter than either of you expected. 

”No,” you breathed, “I never thought anything of it because… I think I knew that I didn’t belong in Germa. I thought there might— I thought I saw, I don’t know, something that I knew didn’t make sense.”

You slowly pulled away.

“Goodbye, Master Yonji.” 

He felt you leave before he opened his eyes. 

***

It felt like the world generated around him anew, like gravity doubled in weight and settled directly on Yonji’s chest. 

You were gone, and he let you. 

He let you, and it ate at him that he let you. 

He wanted to rage. He wanted to destroy the landscape around him. He wanted to laugh at the memory of you and strut off to find a new toy to play with. He wanted to yawn, shrugging your interaction off like the minute moment it was. 

But for as much as Yonji wanted to act, the only thing his body was capable of was standing exactly where you left him. His joints felt stiff, like a bundle of hinges in need of oil. His stomach ached like a sea king had bodied him. And for all the thoughts that could have circulated his brain, Yonji was left with none. 

A heavy shot pierced through his very being as gravity pulled him down to the ground. Yonji braced both hands on the ground, clutching fistfuls of grass and weeds. 

For a moment, the thought that you had lured him out to ambush him darted across his mind. It was the quickest explanation for what must’ve been a gaping gunshot in his chest. But not only did he bring you up the hill, but he had felt this very sensation before. 

Yonji’s chest heaved in and out at an accelerated rate, his lungs desperate for air that he couldn’t seem to keep hold of. The lack of oxygen further muddled his mind, making the world around him spin. 

Raindrops hit the ground between his braced hands, and Yonji’s spinning head made little of the spotless blue sky above him. 

***

You had never bolted up the excessive flight of stairs up to your tower faster. Despite the familiar scenery, everything felt far too foreign after your latest interaction with Yonji. It was as if the walls bent down over you, peering at you with cold, stone faces to dub you no longer welcome within the library tower. 

Compared to the all-too-sunny outside, the annex seemed pitch-black. An abundance of light radiated from the window adjacent to your cot, but the sheer amount of tall bookshelves that littered the rest of the room blocked the sunlight from stretching any farther than the corner. 

You lit a match, fumbling with it for a moment before the flame took hold of the wick of a handheld candle. You scrambled around the dusty corners, fishing out a traveling pack from between a bundle of textbooks. The material was faded and old, but would serve to be sturdy enough to hold the few belongings you had amassed during your time in Germa. 

You didn’t even realize that the ship was beginning to move. 

***

By the time Yonji arrived at the docks, storm clouds were already beginning to roll in the distance. Despite the clear blue sky above him, he could practically smell the thunderstorm that was brewing in the distance. It was like you were trying to tell him earlier… and he had brushed you off. 

Yonji hurried throughout the chunk of dock where his fleet was, counting his ships like ducklings as his eyes frantically searched for the tall peak of your library. His hand shot out, stopping a passing soldier roughly, almost knocking the man off his feet.

“Where the hell did they dock the archive?” Yonji gruffed. 

“I’m not sure, Master Yonji—”

“Yonji, my dear, that ship is long gone.” 

The soldier scurried off as Yonji turned to find Ursula and her posse of soldiers and attendants blocking the way. Her hair and makeup were done up even more intricately than usual. 

Yonji instinctively grinned at the sight of her, but as his brows rose, the muscles in his face fought and twitched as confusion set in. His face contorted between a puppy-like excitement, the scrunch of his brow, and a burst of adrenaline that Yonji had never felt before.

“What do you mean?” His body moved to take a step toward her, but he came to an abrupt stop mid-step. Yonji’s wide grin twitched, jumping from a beaming smile to a furious scowl and back. 

“Yonji, honey, I set that ship to drift off hours ago,” Ursula hummed, rocking on her heels. She focused her attention on her manicured nails, completely missing the array of expressions that contorted Yonji’s face. 

Yonji’s face finally settled on an expression. His eyes narrowed, a neutral scowl settling on his lips. 

“What do you mean you set it to drift?”

Ursula strutted forward, oblivious to Yonji’s more than apparent dismay. She stood at the edge of the dock, looking down into the water.

“My mother used to say if you didn’t like something, give it to the sea,” she said, looking down into the ripples made against the supports of the dock. She turned toward Yonji, beaming a Cheshire grin. “The sharks will be more than happy to take care of it for you.”

Even with his superior eyes, Yonji could barely see the archival ship in the distance. It was a speck on the horizon, surrounded by black storm clouds. Sparks of lightning cracked in the vastness. But it was the very top of the tower that truly held Yonji’s attention—an unmistakable wisp of bright orange. 

Yonji’s hand shot to where he typically kept his raid suit, only to find the pocket empty. He did a double-take, not used to not having his suit on hand, before he remembered surrendering it. 

Ursula grabbed Yonji by the arm, yanking him backward. He hardly budged. Ursula strained to position herself to take up his attention, stepping on his foot with her heel as she did so.

“Don’t give me that look,” Ursula frowned, “That beastly rat attacked me in that ship, and I was more than happy to throw the pest out with the trap. In fact, I insisted that it be the case if this marriage was going to move forward. I knew I had a fixer-upper, sure. I didn’t mind that part, but we absolutely had to do something about this abnormal affliction you were beginning to develop. Your relationship with that pest was unnatural.”

Ursula clicked her quaint kitten heels together. They were white today with delicate, rose accents. 

“Either the wallpaper goes, or I do,” she announced triumphantly, nudging Yonji in the ribs as she wrapped her arms around his bicep. “See? I’m getting into that reading stuff already.”

Quietly and unceremoniously, Yonji removed his cape. 

“Aw, is that for me? It’s a bit breezy over here. We should go inside and prepare—”

Then, Yonji stepped back and removed his shirt and his shoes.

“We both knew this was never gonna work out. You’re not really my type,” he yawned, stretching lightly. Yonji gave Ursula a sharp swat on the ass, launching her into the sea. Her high-pitched scream seemed to grow softer the farther she went. She skipped on the water like a stone before falling into the sea altogether with a plop. 

Yonji wasted no time diving into the water, but not after Ursula. 

***

It felt like a dream as the ship felt as though it were falling. The churning mass of waves taller than buildings below played roughly with the lone snail, rocking it side to side. The books in the annex had already fallen from their shelves. Despite fixtures in place for vertical maneuvers, you neither had the time nor the help in fastening everything before your ship drifted into the oncoming storm.

The snail itself had retreated entirely back into its shell, leaving what you had deduced was just you, alone in the highest tower of the library. Your bag of belongings had been lost somewhere in the room. The candle you used to light your way fell into a nest of dust and old paper, igniting the tower in a blaze. 

You found yourself where you always seemed to be: in your usual corner, braced just under the window. The flames suffocated you from one side, and the open window above you threatened you with the existential view of the endless void of the ocean far below. 

The sea played with the snail shell like a child with a new toy, swinging you back and forth. The animal itself would be fine, but the structure built on the back of its shell would easily succumb to the sea. 

The motion of the tower felt humbling, terrifying. Celestial. Almost as if the universe itself heard your declaration that you were no longer dedicating yourself to Germa and decided that you had no other uses. Being by Yonji’s side was what gave you purpose, after all… at least you thought it did. 

It was never supposed to last. Ichiji made that much clear. Yonji himself made as much clear. 

You gripped the bottom shelf of a nearby bookshelf, closing your eyes as you tried to fight the nausea. Sea and fire closed in on you. Smoke quickly filled the annex, the open window too small an opening to keep it from building up. 

Just when you decided to live. 

So much for that…

You heard a heavy thud from somewhere in the annex, likely from shelves giving out under the weight of their books as they weakened with the fire. Things seemed to shift as the fire roared, the movement of the ship sending blazing objects sliding and flying through the smoke.

Another heavy thud and what almost sounded like your name.

The unclean air was making you dizzy, suffocating you from the inside. The sound of crashing sent a shockwave throughout your system, jolting you up as the bookshelf in front of you crumpled into the embers. 

You thought you were seeing things.

Yonji.

Disheveled. 

Frenzied. 

He called your name, his hand reaching out toward you.

It was a cruel illusion of your mind as you died… bringing him here. 

“Yonji,” you muttered, barely conscious. 

“What are you doing, dumbass? Why are you just lying there? Get up!” He was hazy… so hazy. 

“Yonji,” you groaned. “No… It can’t…”

He shot through the flames, soaking wet with soot covering his body. 

“You got no survival instinct or something? Was your big plan to leave throwing yourself onto a sinking ship?!” Yonji scooped you up by the armpits— yep, he was the real thing, alright— dragging you to your knees. He kneeled in front of you. 

“I thought I told you to let me go!” you cried. Dizzy. Delusional. 

The adjacent bookshelf, now adorned with flames, came crashing down over you. You let out a shrill scream as Yonji caught it with one hand, not taking his eyes off you for a moment. 

“Well, yeah. But you forgot one thing, and god dammit, I forgot it too!” Yonji admitted, continuing to stare at you as he forced the bookshelf the opposite way. A cocky smirk creeped onto his lips. He grabbed your shoulder, pulling you close to him as he jabbed a finger to your chest. “You forgot that I’m an asshole and I don’t listen to anyone! You hear me?!” 

It might’ve been the smoke, but Yonji’s sky-blue eyes began to water. His smile stretched wider than you had ever seen it. And it was something about it. It was something about the joy on his face. 

He had laughed before. Smiled— smirked before. But this?

But joy?

“Let’s get out of here.” 

He pulled you up to your feet, and you immediately began coughing. 

“We can’t— I can’t go that way,” you sputtered. Yonji glanced hurriedly at the blaze that engulfed nearly the entirety of the room. You wondered, in a split second of amusement amongst the terrifying experience at hand, if Yonji might have forgotten you weren’t fireproof. 

Yonji immediately dove into the debris, trying to clear a path through. 

But the waves had other plans. The ship rocked, and with the mess around you, you stumbled back toward the open window. Your widened eyes met Yonji’s for the briefest moment.

The glass had shattered a while ago from the heat, leaving nothing to catch you as you fell out through the window. 

He didn’t hesitate in leaping after you, kicking off the windowsill as he dove straight down. You could feel your momentum building against your back, fear sending shockwaves as your body twisted in the air. And yet, you extended your arms out toward Yonji. 

He shifted his mass as he fell, teeth clenched and an expression of panicked desperation on his face as he reached out toward you, shouting your name. 

Your fingers nearly slipped, nearly missing each other. But Yonji didn’t let you slip from his grasp twice, his large hands clamping onto yours like you were the last salvation on earth. He pulled you close to him. 

Time stopped for one singular moment. The universe stopped to give you just the right amount of time to touch your lips to Yonji’s and for him to kiss you with the a force greater than the waves below you. 

You separated. A singular moment stretched out into millions. 

Yonji wrapped his arms around you, tucking your head below his chin as he braced you both for impact. 

On that day, Yonji Vinsmoke, the fourth prince and another son of Germa, was declared lost at sea.

Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII Part VIII Part IX Part X (Finale)(????)

I have been working for the Vinsmokes for a while and in that time I had come to realize that they didn't really get birthdays, I mean they got celebrations but it wasn't for them as a person, it was more like telling a tool they have done good this year, it made me feel bad for them, so I decided to try even a little to give them a glimpse of what a normal birthday is like

Reiju

Reiju was the only Vinsmoke child that got a birthday to themselves which also meant her birthday was much less large then Ichiji, Niji, and Yonji's, not that she seemed to care she knew the weren't real celebrations anyways so she didn't care how big hers was, I hated seeing no one truly celebrated her especially with how nice she always was to me, even her younger brothers didn't spare her a real congratulations, the only one that would had long since left the cold walls the Vinsmokes live in, so I decided to take it upon myself to give Reiju the birthday she deserves, I knocked on her door the best I could holding the cake I made for her, and two plates as well as silverware, Reiju opened here door she smiled when she saw me saying my name before asking kindly "what are you doing here?" I held the cake up saying "I wanted to celebrate your birthday with you" She looked at the cake taking it from me and stepping aside so I could come in, she asked "you made this for me?" It definitely wasn't the best cake in the world, it was uneven and the frosting was definitely not the smoothest, the pink frosting came out pretty okay but the purple frosting hardly even looked purple it was much to gray, I smiled at her embarrassed saying "Yeah although it definitely isn't the best cake in the world" she smiled at me saying "it's perfect" she shut the door before walking over and placing the cake down on the table in her room, I quickly pulled out some candles placing them in the cake, I pulled out a chair for her to sit down, she sat down, I pushed the chair in before pulling out a lighter to light the candles after I lighted them I started singing happy birthday to her, she rested her head on one of her hands looking at me happily as I sang to her, after I finished I said "okay make a wish" she smiled leaning in and blew out her candles, after she started taking out the candles, she grabbed a knife and the two plates I brought with me and started cutting up the cake as she spoke "this was very sweet of you" she plated them before handing me one, she leaned in kissing my cheek softly, I felt my face heat up as I said "oh its really nothing" she said softly "no it's not, I really do appreciate this" I looked at her saying "well I appreciate you" I knew it definitely wasn't the best or most normal birthday in the world but it was better then nothing and I knew she was thankful for even the littlest amount of joy I tried to bring to her birthday

Ichiji

Ichiji definitely isn't the most friendly Vinsmoke in the world but despite his rough edges I've grown fond of him in the time I've been working in the castle and when him and his brothers birthday rolled around I decided to do something nice for the red brother, which is how I ended up here standing in front of his door nervously with a single cupcake the red frosting on it, it wasn't the best frosting in the world and all together it was definitely less impressive then the giant cake him and his brothers had earlier but I had put effort in to it, I hoped he would enjoy it but I was still to scared to knock on his door, before I could even think about retreating the door opened reveling the eldest Vinsmoke brother, he leaned against the door frame crossing his arms as he asked "were you planing to stand out here all night or were you going to knock?" I said a little to quickly giving away how nervous I was "of course I was going to knock sir" He chuckled "sure you were" He stepped aside giving me room to enter the room saying "well don't stand out there all night" I slipped into the room before he shut the door behind me, he walked over to me asking "what's the cupcake for?" I turned to him holding it out as I said "It's for you sir, because it's your birthday" I smiled at him even though I was nervous about his reaction I knew Ichiji was a tough person to please, he huffed saying "I already had cake for that I don't need you're pathetic excuse of a cupcake" I chuckled even if there was no real joy behind it, I spoke saying "Yeah but I wanted to make you something to" He didn't look like he got it but he did still hold his hand out saying "Fine hand it here I'll eat you terrible looking cup cake" I pulled it away from him heading over to the table in his room saying "let me light the candle first" he followed me over to the table and sat down as I pulled out a lighter lighting the candle that was on the small cupcake, he said coldly "this is stupid" I just sh'd him as the candle caught fire after that I looked over at him and the cupcake in front of him and started sing happy birthday, he did not look impressed at all, after I finished he said "I didn't need your show tones" I chuckled this time there was joy behind it as I said "Yeah but you didn't stop me" He scoffed but did argue back, I said "okay blow out your candle and make a wish" Ichiji said "a wish? I'm not a child" I said quickly so the candle didn't melt to much "just do it" He reluctantly did, it definitely still wasn't the most normal birthday but it had more care put into it then most of his and that was all I could try for

Niji

Niji was a jerk everyone who dealt with him knew that, I knew that especially well seeing as the blue haired brother seemed to find it fun to mess with me, still here I was in the kitchen making cupcakes for him after what I wasn't even sure could be called a birthday party, I mean sure it was extravagant but it was more a show of power then love, my thoughts were intrupted by the oven beeping, I quickly pulled the cupcakes out of the oven and started working on the blue frosting, it didn't go the best sure I did get the cupcakes frosted but I also got it all over the counter and myself, I stuck a candle in one of the cupcakes before going to clean up, as I was cleaning up I heard a very familiar snicker from the doorway, I looked over to the doorway to find Niji leaning against the door frame, he spoke up saying "You're a mess" I felt my face heat up at being caught like this because he was right I was a mess right now, Niji walked over to me wiping some of the frosting off my face with his thumb, after he licked it off his thumb and hummed saying "not haft bad, although it's definitely not the best thing I've ever had" I huffed saying "well you better like it because I made it for you" He chuckled as he followed me over to the cupcakes, me asked teasingly "oh you made them for me?" I grabbed the cupcake with the candle on it holding it out to him saying "yes I made them for you, it is your birthday isn't it?" He smiled saying "it is but I can guarantee the cake the chefs made will be better then this poor excuse for a cupcake" he chuckled "I mean really you got the frosting everywhere" I huffed saying "either shut up and light the candle or ill go give it to Ichiji"

Niji scoffed but still did bring up to of his fingers around the candle, blue lightning shot out lighting the candle, I smiled before I started to sing happy birthday to him, Niji crossed his arms looking at me like I was stupid but still let me sing him the whole song, after I finished I held the cupcake out to him saying "okay make a wish before the candle burns to much" He uncrosssd his arms leaning into the cupcake saying "I wish you wouldn't be so in to these stupid celebrations" He blow out the candle before grabbing the cupcake, I scoffed hitting his arm lightly "hey you're not supposed to say your wish out loud" He took the candle out of the cupcake throwing it before saying "that's stupid you're supposed to make your wants known" I crossed my arms as he started eating the cupcake, sure he really didn't get it but at least he's trying

Sanji

Sanji's birthday, just like everyone else's on the crew was a event, a very loud, a very happy, very crazy event, and one sanji happily participated in, the cake sanji made just like every other birthday was perfect the best anyone would ever have, and we're not going to talk about the one luffy tried to make for him, it was a disaster, let's just say Sanji banished him from the kitchen quickly, but just like every celebration it eventually had to end, and end it did even after though Sanji couldn't help but smile as we walked back to his room because he knew the crew truly cared for him just like everyone on the baratie. Birthdays meant a lot to Sanji because he knew what it was like to have no one truly celebrated the fact that you're alive, he could still remember the pain of sitting in that cold cell on his birthday wanting anyone to care about him, he truly was grateful for how many people cared about him now, and all the effort the put in to make sure he knew how much they cared about him

After his birthday party was over and we slipped further and further into the night I found myself laying on Sanji's chest, it wasn't uncommon for me to spend my nights laying on the blondes chest and he was always very happy about it but tonight I found him quieter then usual, it was so quiet in fact the only noises that could be heard was the waves crashing against the sunny outside, I looked up at the man with curly eyebrows from where my head laid on his chest, I said softly "Are you okay Sanji?" He looked down at me gently patting my back as he said "I'm okay beautiful" I decided to pry a little more asking "What are you thinking about?" He hummed softly before saying "My childhood" I stayed quiet waiting to see if he would elaborate anymore, I felt him use his nails to gently scratch my back, at the feeling I couldn't help but remember a few days ago when me, Nami, and Robin painted his nails, I smiled softly at the memory as he reached over to the bedside table grabbing his cigarettes and lighter, he slipped a cigarette into his mouth lighting it before setting the case and lighter back on the bedside table, Sanji inhaled deeply before exhaling the smoke, he looked up at the ceiling before saying quietly "when I was young I thought I was going to die in that cell, I never thought..." he trailed off taking another puff of his cigarette, after another bit of silence he spoke again saying "I never thought I'd have people who care for me as much as the crew and everyone on the baratie does, I never thought I'd get to have someone like you" He looked down at me bringing his hand up from my back to my head gently scratching it, I watched him as he smoked, he spoke up again saying "we never had birthdays when I was younger father said we hadn't done anything to earn a celebration, mom still always celebrated anyways at least...." he went quite I knew why, I knew how much his mom's death hurt him especially in a family were she was the only one who truly showed him love

I sat up moving to sit on his chest, right after he took another hit of his cigarette I grabbed it leaning over to stub it out in the ashtray on the bedside table, I looked down at him saying softly "I would love to celebrate your birthday with you for the rest of our lives" He smiled at me as I leaned down kissing him as we were kissing he exhaled the smoke that was in his lungs into my mouth, I breathed it in before pulling back from the kiss and blowing the smoke into his face, Sanji smiled up at me saying "You're so beautiful" I chuckled leaning down to pepper his face in kisses saying "No you're so beautiful" between the kisses I said "You're the best Sanji, you're the sweetest, and you're a great cook" Sanji smiled happily he clearly was eating up all the compliments I was giving him, I knew nothing I did would truly heal the pain of his childhood but I would do whatever I could to soothe it even just a little

Yonji