UTI Warrior

“Ooo, why?” Her eyes twinkle. You don’t have a proper excuse.

“..Because you deserve it?”

“True. I haven’t been having my allowance since I’m away from home.” It worked.

“You get allowance?”

“Yah.” She nods. “I get 120 berries a week. 4 weeks is 500 berries a month. My mom said I could have it all at one time a month but I told her I want 120 a week because I’m like a grown up so I do every week so I don’t spend it all.” Her math is wrong but you have a feeling there’s a reason her mom didn’t correct her multiplication. When she gets home this can be a lesson on why you need to pay attention during math class. The hundreds are too complicated at her age. When she gets home. When she ages.

“So, I got a lot. The thing I want you to see is another type of ship. You’re going to need to know these if you want better success, okay?” She nods, determined. “Good. It’ll be a storage ship. We can buy food and snacks on our way there, okay? Do you have a backpack?” She nods again, more excited. “Good. Good.” You clench your jaw to hide any emotion.

“Um..” She fidgets nervously. “Are they going to let you go?”

“Maybe. If not, we can sneak out. We’ll get them something on the way back to make up for it.” That placates her and she goes back to being excited.

“Can I get something for Mama and Papa too?” Talking about being mad for sneaking out reminded her of her predicament.

“Sure, but we can ask them what they want when you’re back.” It’s best she doesn’t spend money on anything extra right now, money is important.

“Okay!” How are you going to manage to sneak out, though..? You told her you’d sneak out but this ship is full to the brim with people proficient in observation haki, and observation in general.

You head out onto the deck nervously, trying your best to look completely normal and not like you’re about to try to escape from one of the strongest people in the world.

“Hey.” Your heart jumps out of your chest like a rubber band and recoils back into place. It’s the pirate you saved. “You can walk?”

“Yes.” Normal—ish. Thankfully the crewmate thinks you’re just scared of him. He pulls something out of his pocket and holds it out to you. It’s a necklace. It’s pretty. The necklace is real braided leather, two interconnecting circles as a pendant with a pretty gem inside held carefully inside by another round piece of metal hugged around it. “I made this for you.”

“..You made this?” What delicate work, even the leather looks high quality.

“I know it isn’t worth my life but I worked pretty hard on it. Tried not to make it too heavy so it doesn’t hurt your neck.” Okay you aren’t that weak, but to be fair your body is still not at full strength. You hold out your hand and he carefully places it inside. Are you supposed to wear this? It feels disrespectful to be wearing something a criminal made around your neck. “You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to, you can even sell it if you don’t want it. It’s yours now.” He says that but you can tell he doesn’t want you to sell it. You put it away for now.

“Thank you. It’s really nice, I like it.” You might not be able to wear it around the base if you make it back, though. The large pirate smiles at you then leaves to help with docking, you’re left to fidget with the jewelry in your pocket and peek at it. You actually like it, the color and shape of the gem is even your favorite and you wonder if that’s a coincidence. Maddie tugs your arm. “Right,” You store it safely on your person. “Let’s go.”

A pair of dark eyes follow you through the smoke of a cigarette.

“Let’s see which side of me is right, Marine.” The man mumbles as your figure leaves the ship.

_______

It worked. All you did was carefully sneak away while everyone was busy docking. It hurt because the ramp wasn’t properly stuck, you had to jump, but you made it.

Maddie runs around the town, spinning and humming like this is the best day of her life. Your mind wanders to necessities. An extra set of new clothes would be good. Not expensive looking enough to look like ransom money but not shabby enough to be taken advantage of.

You lead her to an exchange center for metals into money.

“What’s this?”

“We need to trade in some of the gold coins for money.”

“Why can’t we just go? Just give them a coin.”

“Solid gold coins are too much money on their own. Even just one would be too much for most things. The only time you’d pay in pure gold is if they have different money or you don’t want to have to carry around space-taking money.”

“But it’s paper.”

“It would be a lot of paper. A lot. I’ll show you.” You exchange a few for cash, then some into smaller bills. You show her the stack vs the gold coins. “Which one takes up more space.” She pauses then points at the coins. “I worded that wrong. I only used a few of the coins to get this amount of bills, if I exchanged all of them how much would I get.” Multiplication…

“..Ummm..” She looks inside the bag. “Ummm..”

“It’s okay, it’s just that it’s a lot.”

“I can do it!” She pauses. “...10, 10 times 10. 100.” There’s more than 10 coins in the bag, her formula numbers came from nowhere.

“More than that, but you get it right?” She grumbles and nods.

“I don’t have anything to write on, that’s why.” You gently pat her.

You grab a certificate of proof for the gold and have the clerk teach her about how not to get scammed just in case. Right before you leave you almost drop Tacky’s gift, catching it in time.

“Oh! We buy those too!” The clerk quickly says.

“You do?”

“We buy all metals and jewelry. Would you like me to examine it? It looks valuable if my eyes are right.” You freeze. Money. You need it for survival; but.. this was a gift. Not a reward for saving his life but a gift made with his own hands.

…

“It’s fine, I’ll keep it.” This could be considered foolish but you can’t bring yourself to sell such a thing right now. Perhaps later in your life, if you survive, you will. For now, this is the gift from someone who you saved.

“I see.” They look a bit disappointed but let you go.

So you’re off. New clothes, food, snacks, anything you can fit into her backpack. You buy a big rolling suitcase for you and fit more in there, but there’s no guarantee you’ll make it so you make sure she has the bare essentials and can handle the weight of the bag. You might be able to keep it with her, but the world is dangerous.

You go inside a small building as a shortcut, opening the door to the outside. The ship is in view. It’s time-

“I still had a feeling this wouldn’t work how I hoped, but I can’t say I’m not disappointed.”

Your blood runs cold. You turn and see him, your fear. Grey hair, sharp eyes, gun by his side.

“Maddie, I need you to go.” You say quickly and she looks between you and Benn Beckman.

“But-”

“Now! I’ll catch up with you!” You push her and she sprints away. A flash happens and you grip onto something, but the impact hits you. All that happened was his body slamming into yours and Benn Beckman stops.

“You’re gonna be like this still?” He grabs you by the back of your clothes, you kick at him.

“Mariney?”

“Woah!”

The other Red Haired pirates! They’re gathering. The first mate scoffs.

“You seriously thought you could get away with this?” You yell and try to stab him with a knife you stashed but it’s flicked away like nothing. “You see that, Captain?” Your head snaps to the crowd and to a redhead. Red hair.

“(Y/n)...” Why is he making that face?

“Knew you’d have to see it to believe it.” You’re tossed onto the ground, scrambling up. “I’ll go get the kid.”

“No!” You run to the door and block it with your body, but are shoved away easily. You get back up and it happens again. “I’m not-! Stop! She’s..! A kid!” Another two kicks.

“We should be telling you that.” Limejuice spouts, turning away angrily. You’re gripped by the back of your clothes again, lifted up like you weigh nothing.

“Moron. To think you seriously believe the marines would help her. Do you think everything is sunshine and rainbows on that side? After what you and your leader did? What your leader was? You’re dropped onto the floor and gasp for air. The pressure is killing you.

“Fuck, I actually trusted him.” Chaser mumbles in the background.

“Traitor to the marines and then us?” The doctor sneers.

“Jeez, and I called Beck paranoid.” Lucky Roux sighs.

All of them, so easily. So easily. You lock eyes with Red Hair. He looks down, then away. You clench your fists.

“Why.. why are you all acting like you’re the victims?” It’s coming to the surface. “Kidnapping me, slaughtering my coworkers, coming to me covered in blood and malice. All of you, all of you didn’t do a thing. You chose when to be nice and chose when to be mean. What the hell is wrong with you?” They stare down at you. “Do you really think I’m being the unreasonable one here? Pointing knives at me for fun, calling me names I never wanted to be called just because you could. It must be nice.” There are tears running down your face, disgracefully, given up. “To get to pick and choose which ‘normal’ to trust and care about like I’m a fucking puppy to you. Nothing to worry about, getting the choice. What was I supposed to do?” Your head droops. “What is someone like me meant to do? Shut down for doing something too bold and taken advantage of for being too meek. Too big, too small, too greedy, not ambitious enough, don’t fit in, not special, is anything even supposed to be right? Even when I go blank now I’m too blank. Why do you get to be something!?” The first mate's eyes stare into yours. “Is this really my fate no matter how hard I try?”

BANG

drip

drip

Your eyes focus on black, a coat, then the hand in front of your face.

“You’re as fast as ever, Beck.” You look down, there’s blood running down your lap. “Even with some haki it still hurt. You really tried. After the hesitation, of course.”

“I knew you would do this. Dammit.” The first mate clenches his jaw.

“you..” Your voice feels so small compared to what’s happening. Red Hair’s hand flicks off blood. “you’re bleeding.” His head turns to face you, a small grin on his face.

“I’ve had worse.” That doesn’t really help your shock.

“but you got bored of me. treated me like i’m something then left because i’m nothing.” His grin saddens into guilt.

“I’m sorry.” He turns back to his crew. “I’ll personally get Maddie, everyone stay here.” You grab onto his coat. With all your might, you stand up. “Alright, C’mon.” The crew stands there as you two leave, you don’t see their mixed faces of emotions.

You walk over to the docks, to the beaches around them and the other ships. The one you recognize is already at sea.

“I can get her from here.”

“Wait, they’ll recognize you.” The captain pauses, then softens and walks over to an empty wooden box used by the delivery people. He sticks it over his head, then vanishes into the wind that blasts into your face. You look to the ship and see a figure soaring through the sky that lands onto the ship. You’re anxious. You don’t know what’s going on yet.

Is this.. the nagging feeling?

It soars back through the air towards the docks.

A chance so small to you.

It’s heading towards the salt water, his hand will get wet.

A hope you lamented over.

Your legs move and cold sea water drenches your body. You reach out to him.

THUD

Shanks lands into your arms, the box falling off and your eyes meeting his. So brown, so warm. His face is so close to yours. Tan skin, wrinkles you never looked at closely, the stubble covering his chin and upper lip. His lips themselves. His cheeks slowly tinting a warmer color.

“U–Uh.” He finally lets out a small noise. His face is close to yours! You step back as quick as you can in heavy water until your feet reach sand, then put him down gently.

“I.. your hand. The salt water would have hurt.” Now it's your face getting hot.

“thanks.” He mumbles. Something in his arm squirms and hops out onto the ground, then runs over and kicks your shin! OWwwwww!!!

“Liar! Liar liar liar! Liar!” Right, Maddie. You crouch down and avoid her trying to punch you in the nose. “You lied! You were teaching me that stuff because you were gonna leave! I’m never learning anything ever again!” She continues to punch you, only hurting a bit except for a bite you'll have to wash later, you hold her. The punches get weaker until they stop and her little fists clutch onto you.

“WAHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

She bursts out into tears, sniffling and hiccuping and sobbing. Through it all you still hold her close to your chest.

“Ahem.”

You look behind you and see the Red Haired Pirates.

“I know you said to stay but we got worried.” The pirate doctor explains guiltily. “You need this too-” Maddie takes off her shoe and throws it at them angrily. When he tries again she throws the other. Only when you pat her back she calms down a little bit. “..I need to treat Captain’s hand.” Said Captain jolts.

“Oh–right. Go ahead, it really isn’t bad though.” The doctor wipes it off and sanitizes it before treating it. The redhead looks fine but he doesn’t really feel fine to you. You gently rub his wrist and he smiles; then your body tenses when the first mate steps forward. Shanks steps in front of you.

“I really look like the bad guy now, huh?” He speaks bitterly. “Well, I don’t blame ya.” His hand reaches for his rifle… then drops it onto the ground. His hands go up into the air. “Not sure how much this helps but I can do it for now, though I can’t leave it here in the sand forever.” There’s a small moment of nothing before the crew drops their weapons one by one, raising their hands the same way. The pounding in your chest starts to slow down. Shanks’s wrist in your grip pulls away to reach for Gryphon.

“You–don’t have to.” You shift Maddie in your arms more comfortably. “I’ll trust you.” Shanks makes an expression like awe, then drops Gryphon onto the ground.

“I’m doing this because I’ll trust you too.” The sweetest smile forms on his face. Fuck. Not again.

You want to kiss him.

Hii! Kind of a short ending message today. I decided to post this a little earlier than usual because I have something to do at 5 sharp. Anywayyyy, congrats on the romance!! *applause*.

Your head is starting to ache from stress, along with your arm as pain receptors activate with no medication or adrenaline. It would be nice if you could tell your body that you already know you’re injured and it doesn’t need to scream at you about it. Come to think of it, you did something similar when running away from Red Hair. You close your eyes.

I already know I’m hurt.

…

Didn’t work. It just made you more focused on the pain. You’ll give up on that method, not that you really believed it would work.

Your eyes open and you look next to where the bag was to a container of pills, picking it up. It’s strong stuff. There’s a note that says dosage for your build on it, along with side effects if you take too much; just in case you think about taking more. You take it with a conveniently placed cup of water and that’s about all you can do for now. You really don’t feel like getting up when you’re hurting this much, and it isn’t like you have anyone you want to meet.

Click

Thunk

The door opens to a little girl with a key in her hand, her eyes are reddened. She looks at you and is visibly distressed, but takes a deep breath and walks over.

“M-Mariney?” You didn’t want to meet her when you’re like this. You glance at the key in her hand, so the door was locked from the outside. That thunk must’ve been a heavy duty lock dropping.

“How’d you get the key?” She flinches.

“u-um–hongo.”

“Did he give it to you?”

“...” No answer. She stole it.

“I don’t have to tell you that’s bad, do I?”

“...” She’s shaking. You hope they don’t get mad at her for this. You open your arm and she looks up at you for a moment before slowly toddling into your hug. “They wouldn’t let me see you..!”

“I know, but this isn’t a nice sight to see.” Your hand strokes her back as she holds onto you.

“but you’re awake.”

“...If it makes you feel better, then it’s okay.” You don’t want to get angry with her when she’s like this. Sometimes, even if they look bad, it’s a reassurance that someone is still alive.

(Hongo’s POV)

Hongo leans on the wall outside the door with a small satisfied smile on his face from the sight of the reunion.

“You got the key stolen from you, what are you smiling about?” Limejuice whispers from beside him. His crewmate is also here.

“I obviously let her have it, I’m too used to you guys trying to escape rest to not notice.” Drunkards.

“Is that what you’re telling yourself?” Hongo clenches his jaw, grabs Lime Juice’s sunglasses, and disassembles them. “No..! Those are my serious occasion glasses..!”

An hour passes and Limejuice only stood there for half of it. His excuse was curiosity to what Hongo was “monitoring”, yet he left after “nothing interesting” happened. All that he saw was Maddie hugging you, talking about her days, and asking you if your arm still hurt every 10 minutes. A normal interaction between a little girl and an injured person she cares about. He didn’t say anything about it, but Hongo noticed a guilty look on Lime Juice’s face when the long haired man turned around.

Once he’s gone Hongo sighs. What is he supposed to do now? Maddie is starting to look tired and he doesn’t want to get caught watching you two. He closes his eyes, and listens. The sound of someone scratching wood. He can guess what’s happening.

Hongo goes past the hallway into the room next to the infirmary. He doesn’t see anything and the sound has stopped. The wall connecting to the medical office has a small roughed up mark on it like someone was there.

“You’re hurting yourself doing that.” He places a small packet of disinfectant wipes from his jacket onto the floor. “You can keep these, I have more.” The door closes behind him as he leaves and he sighs again.

Once he’s gone, Shanks comes out of his hiding spot and grabs the wipes; then puts his ear back to the wall. So cowardly, he didn’t even have the guts to show his face to Hongo after being caught. How could he ever face you after what happened?

(Flashback)

Your body is lifted up carefully and they rush you inside the ship while Shanks follows. Like a corpse you’re limp, cold, and wet from the rain while the blood that’s supposed to keep you warm pulses out from the grotesqueness of your open vein or down into your body. He doesn’t even know you’re still breathing until-

“Turn him to the side, he’s vomiting!” Hongo yells and shuts the door on the captain. You’re losing heat, you’re losing blood, you’re losing life; and all Shanks can do is pace outside the door. Helpless.

He hears footsteps towards him and stops to see Yasopp, who leans against the wall not saying anything, just staying there. It’s helping a little, but it still feels like despair is eating him whole. The sniper gives his captain a minute before speaking.

“He’ll be alright, Captain.” Those few words burst the dam that was keeping him silent.

“I-I forgot about him! How could I forget about him when he’s so weak!” He had half-assumed that you were safely inside with the little girl. “I should’ve known better that he would try to help but I just made my assumption that he would put himself first and never double-checked.” Are you going to die? So easily? It should have been just a storm, something they’ve handled so many times, his crew has handled it so many times; but you aren’t a part of the crew. You don’t know their procedure or know how to join it. Your procedures in the marines relied on pure quantity and teamwork, not mixed with strength and the talent of individuals during.

“Pacing outside this room isn’t going to do anything. Beck’s out there trying to deal with the aftermath but you got everyone stressed seeing their captain panicked.” Shanks stops in place, his responsibilities. To the crew outside he had abandoned them in favor of a random marine they met not long ago.

“Right, I’m sorry.” He cares about you but this isn’t doing anything, and he still needs to take care of his crew. ‘I can’t afford to even stay outside.’ The redhead thinks bitterly to himself, taking a deep breath before putting on a smile. No one else was badly injured so he’s just gotta take care of morale. Being emotional during times like these is “unlike him.”

The captain steps outside onto the deck and his subordinates’ dim faces light up “So everyone got a little banged up, huh?” He is their calm.

(End of Flashback)

______________

You shouldn’t be surprised but Red Hair hasn’t come to visit you. You got so attached that you deluded yourself for a moment thinking he would at least visit once, if at least to thank you. You suppose that’s why he sent his first mate instead, so he wouldn’t have to see you. Has he gotten fully tired of you now that you’re injured? Or maybe he thinks he’s gotten what he wanted now that you’ve done something as drastic as save his crew at the cost of your health.

‘Well he’s wrong.’ He may think he has you hypnotized now, but that only helps your plan to escape. It doesn’t matter if he’s no longer interested, there is no point to being hurt. You’re hurt enough physically.

…

It does hurt, though.

You can cry once you’re safe, you’re trained, you’re a grown man. Grown marine men do not cry from heartbreak. If you’ve got the energy to be stressed you should be training, you should be working. Not that you can like this, you can’t even do chores. When Maddie isn’t here all you can do is be alone with your thoughts. Even the times the doctor comes in he doesn’t make much conversation and the first mate hasn’t come since you two worked out your reward. You’re not man enough for this.

“Get up, soldier. Proper marines don’t sit and cry like babies.”

“You all are numbers, you will die over and over. Remember that.”

“Vacation time, huh? Look at your arms and tell me if you can afford a vacation.”

The voice of your old, dead captain echoes in your mind. You look at your arms. You’ve lost mass. You’ll have to make this up when you get back, how would they ever be able to recognize you as a marine of the grand line if you’re built like a twig? If you’re so emotional? Pathetic. Pathetic man. Pathetic soldier. Pathetic fodder. Your stomach still doesn’t feel right but you need to eat more. You take a deep breath and let it out. Your body should have healed enough, right?

You stand up, wobbly. Apparently it wasn’t just your arm that got injured, you have some other smaller injuries. Nothing related to your head, you have the pirate to thank for that. Laying down and not wanting to come out of the room also contributes. You look out of the window, the only source of sunlight you’ve had all this time, then walk to the door. Are you still locked inside?

It turns, suppose not. Must be so Maddie can have better access. It’s still day but you had overheard that most of them are out of the kitchen by now.

Slowly you creep inside, no one is here. The dishes are clean and you’re jealous of whoever was able to clean them so quickly. When you get back to chores you’ll be slower than before. There aren’t usually leftovers here, so there isn’t anything to eat. It’d be risky to try anything crazy. You grab what looks like poultry and grab it. Do you have another preference?

“Eat. There’s no time for pickiness. Get rid of any preferences you have.”

You can’t. You take what you can get and right now you need easy protein. You dump it in a pot of water and let it boil. Advice to help you survive, advice caused by the sight of your coworkers dying without proper mourning, it crowds in your mind. Everyone else was going through it. You weren’t the only one by a long shot. Why are you the only one affected? How is everyone else so strong, so disciplined, or even carefree; happy. Soldiers stay in lines and don’t care about what their orders are. They wouldn’t have gotten attached to Red Hair. They would’ve kept their morals and trusted their supervisors, the ones who know better. Why are you different? Why did you have to be different? Why is there still this nagging feeling that you’re deluding yourself into thinking wrong? That you’re avoiding something difficult? That you know..?

Why? Why can’t you feel and think like everyone else anymore?

..It’s still too risky. Maybe in another world a little girl wouldn’t be here and you wouldn’t be too fearful of her fate to take risks. Maybe in another world you wouldn’t have met Red Hair at all because you wouldn’t have met Maddie. This chain of events, these chains that bind you, the chains around your heart and head and soul. You are a worker. You are a soldier. You are a number.

1

Tag list: @abarosoap, @eater-of-sand, @yuurivalr, @aruaruaru, @rorawrnoa-zoro, @sasahzs, @psychictamsy

‘I liked his personality too, but it’s at least mostly fake so that’s put to the side.’ His carefree smile was so handsome.. you’ve got to stop thinking about this. Now that you’ve shoved down your emotions your brain is all jumbled up. ‘Just be normal, apathetic, look at things as they are rather than how you see them.’ You write down on a piece of paper you snagged from the medical office.

The next island you’ll be docking on is a neutral one, not important enough to be coveted by the government either; and because they don’t have much there they import a lot of their product. One of the islands they import from is one that’s closer to Maddie’s so with some money she’ll be able to hitch a ride there, though not comfortable. From that island she should be able to make her way back with a few more trips. You still don’t know how the little girl made it so far from home but oh well.

The problem here is money. You have enough for the original cargo ship ride, but even if it was just Maddie you don’t have enough for her to make it home. She had apparently relied on sneaking on so far, running out of money quickly, but considering she was caught you won’t trust that. Must’ve been shocked to hear that “even” 15,000 berries isn’t enough to make it far. How are you supposed to get money, though? You do chores here but you don’t exactly get a paycheck. ‘I can steal but, urgh.’ Stealing not only doesn’t feel good but how are you going to steal money from here?

BOOM

“Storm!” Ah. Spectacular news. You feel the deck sway beneath you and experience keeps you from slamming into the wall. You run outside to help, seeing Red Hair giving orders. It’s pouring rain so suddenly but of course it is, this is the Grand Line.

‘At this rate this is going to kill me before I can do anything.’ You can’t count on anyone saving you if you fall, and thankfully Maddie is already inside. You help furl the sails, keeping things steady, everything is going smooth. Of course it would, they’re strong. They aren’t like you and your coworkers that you see fall off screaming for their life, unable to even hear their drowning cries over the sound of rain and thunder. A painful death.

You slip.

“Ah.”

At the last second you grab onto the railing and climb up, heart thumping out of your chest. You’re struggling. You look to the side and see a face slip near the same spot as you. No one is around to help him, just like you, but his arms are too far up for him to catch himself, unlike you. Your legs move before your mind and you grip onto his arm. Heavy! He’s way heavier than any of your coworkers, pure body mass from both sturdy fat and muscle. Your arm strains to hold him but you can’t use the other to since it’s on the railing. Everyone else is too busy to notice when you look around for help, he’d be fated to silently fall from the ship and drown alone; only noticed when the storm stops. Only mourned when they’re long gone. You remember the first time you saw a drowned corpse, painful. Bloated and barely recognizable, coworkers pale beside you from horror. Salt water fills your lungs and grinds them open while the salt irritates the wounds.

“Mariney!?” He’s shocked as you keep your hand on his. He grips onto your arm to try and climb up. You can’t let that happen, not in front of you; but your body is protesting. Your shoulder struggles and your tendons strain to keep your arm together until-

POP

-your shoulder pops from the socket and you yelp. He lets go, startled. You’re still holding on and the pressure forces your bones and muscles to pull roughly. All at once like you would to a thread to rip it off.

POP

There goes your elbow. This is bad, your grip isn’t going to last the storm. You lean back and put your foot against the railing and use your abs to take the brunt of the labor now that your arm can’t, but it’s searing in pain. Something falls from your pocket but you’re too focused to look, lifting and lifting like your arm is just a rope holding the two of you together.

POP

Your wrist dislocates right as he makes it over, you fall to the ground heaving. It feels like your arm has fallen apart inside, tendons and muscles stretched like strained rubber. Unable to go back into place with the round bone of all three joints searing into the flesh. The only thing holding everything together is your skin but the pressure stretching it is slowly ripping it apart cell layer by cell layer. How many skin cells will be tugged apart until it finally snaps? The man you saved tries to help but the storm knocks him over, the most he’s able to do is keep your arm from swinging violently. The cold rain and loud thunder is mixing together with the panicked thumps of your heart and rushing of your blood. Layer by layer you’re running out of time.

Layer.

Layer.

Layer.

The storm passes after hours. You’re still laying there in pain while everyone does a headcount. Of course they aren’t counting you, they probably don’t remember you’re even here when they have their own people to worry about. You see the man you save stand up and run off.

“No one’s injured? Where’s Tacky? Oh, there you are.” Red Hair notes but Tacky runs past him to the doctor.

“T-The marine!” Red Hair’s eyes widen and he runs to where the crewmate came from, finding you on the ground. Your dominant arm is significantly longer than the other and the skin stretches into reddened bloody lines where the joints are. The ship’s main doctor kneels next to you, carefully holding your hand. You’ve run out of time. The last layer holding the tension pulls apart and a chain reaction occurs.

RIP

The flesh of your wrist rips and you cry out into pain. A cloth is shoved into your mouth and you bite down onto it.

Pop

Your wrist.

Pop

Your elbow.

Krrr

Your shoulder joint grinds against your bones in a sound that you can feel in your body before-

Pop

-it finally moves back into place. That was the worst one, it was taking most of the damage the entire time. You’ve bitten down on the cloth enough to rip holes into it, kicking your legs and heaving from pure instinctual distress; the agony in your brain overloading your system in a way nothing in your mind can figure out how to handle.

“Don’t throw up now! You’ll choke!” You hear the doctor yell but it’s so hard keeping it in when the pain is trembling through your body. It feels better with your joints back in place but the pain isn’t gone due to how long, how bad, and how much strain was put on the completely dislocated arm. Your cruel fate has not let you pass out yet, the innate determination forcing you awake so that you haven’t slid off this boat.

You’re lifted up and taken to the medical room, gasping for breath. It would’ve been even worse if the pirate hadn’t done his best keeping your arm safe. You can’t tell what’s happening, only suffering and blurriness as presumably treatment is used on your arm. Eventually, you are safe enough to lose consciousness.

________________________

Your eyes slowly open. How many times does this make that you’ve fallen from distress? You turn your head to the side and see red.

“Sh..anks?” No wait, that’s just the blood bag. Also you called Red Hair by name again. “Red Hair.” You correct yourself.

“Hm?” Your head snaps to the door. YEOUCH! Add whiplash to your list of injuries. “You’re awake!” It’s just the doctor. You ignore the feeling of disappointment in your heart and try to speak to no avail. The pirate hands you a cup of water and tilts it so you can drink, awkward. Were you screaming that loud? “It’s good we had someone on the ship with your blood type.” He explains while you drink. “Though it’s lucky you’re keeping your arm at all after what happened. Thankfully we were able to close the ripped vein quickly, not that it fully snapped like the flesh around it. As for everything else,” He smirks proudly. “I’m not the ship’s doctor for nothing.”

“III–hack” You cough and clear your throat. “Can’t feel my arm.”

“Good, honestly. It would hurt like hell right now without me numbing it. That should wear off soon. You kept struggling in your sleep when it hurt too much. You’re really good at being inconvenient when you’re unconscious.” That’s what got you into this mess in the first place. “If you struggle again I’m going to temporarily paralyse you this time. I’ve thought about it but..” He doesn’t finish that sentence. “Just don’t struggle, and I can’t give you more pain meds for the day.” Amazing, your subconscious got all of the pampering. Speaking of subconscious, you don’t even realize you’re looking around until the doctor points it out. “If you’re looking for the captain, he’s busy right now.” You won’t admit he’s right out loud, but you look back up at the ceiling and get comfortable laying down. Maybe it’s because you’re on pain meds but you feel calm at the moment. Sleepy, too.

“How long h..ave I been a..sleep.” You’re still struggling a bit.

“Few days.” You almost snap your head to him but learn from experience not to.

“Days!?” That must be the real reason for your dry throat.

“Yeah, you didn’t bleed on the outside for very long but you had a lot of internal bleeding.” He motions to your arm that you’ve been ignoring. Now that you’re more awake you notice there are giant bruises running along your dominant arm to your shoulder, some parts tracing the muscle fibers. “Also, uh, your wallet fell in the ocean.”

‘Should I just ask them to kill me now?’ Your dominant arm is severely injured and the money you were counting on is completely gone. You need those to escape. “…How’s Maddie?” His face twitches like he didn’t expect you to ask.

“She’s alright. A few scrapes from sliding around but nothing bad. As for her mental state..” Right, she’s also stressed alongside you. This isn’t good. She’s likely going to be even more stressed if she sees you injured. Your plan has completely gone down the shitter.

…

“Do you need anything?” The pirate asks softly and you look at him. He looks nervously gentle.

“I don’t know. My wallet had everything in there. My ID, my work card, and my entire paycheck considering I was kidnapped on payday.”

…

Awkward.

“I mean it’s not as valuable as a person’s life but still.” You’re starting to get nervous yourself, it’s starting to sound like you’re placing money over life; though you did need that money for a chance to live. Without your ID there’s less ships that will let you on, and without your work card there’s a big chance you won’t be able to go to the marines and be let in. You aren’t some big shot that would be recognized no matter which base you go to, you aren’t even sure they know you’re gone right now; and if they do they’ve likely presumed you dead. May be accurate with the situation you’re in right now.

“Beckman said he wanted to talk to you, so he’ll be here soon.” There’s a pause. “He may not take the most kindly to you, but he just worries for the crew. Don’t hold it against him.”

“I won’t.” The doctor leaves and you sigh. Do you even have the option to hold it against him?

_________

You don’t remember falling asleep, but your eyes open. You blink away the sleepiness, eyes trailing around the room. Right next to your bed stands Benn Beckman, the first mate and vice captain of the Red Hair Pirates. Your heart jumps out of your chest despite your already distressed state.

“Calm down.” How helpful of him. “I didn’t come here to do anything bad to ya.” He says that with one of the most unfriendly looking expressions you’ve seen. He pulls a chair next to your bed and sits down. “So, why’d you do it?” You’re confused for a second if you did something wrong, but figure out what he means.

“I didn’t push him off.”

“Not what I meant.” You aren’t being accused but you don’t know why else he would look so menacing towards you.

“Was he a bad guy?” Your mind runs along possibilities. “Were you trying to get rid of him ‘on accident’ so-“

“How shitty do you think we are that we’d do that to our own crew?” The room has gotten more tense, you’re starting to tremble and your already weak heart is straining. The first mate sighs. “Why did you save him?” You.. aren’t quite sure. You never really talked to him and you hurt yourself doing it.

“He.. was right in front of me.” That’s the only answer you can come up with. “He fell off in front of me.” Maybe if he was farther or if it happened when you weren’t looking then you wouldn’t care; that he wasn’t your problem, that it’s not your fault—but the fact that he was right there and you had the ability to save him means if you stopped you would’ve directly caused his death. At the same time, “He was about to drown in a painful way and I could save him. Another person was going to die painfully in front of me.” it’s natural to want to help others when you have the ability to. The pack animal instinct to help.

“…” The vice captain is silent and you begin sweating. He rubs his face from an emotion you feel is stress. “He’s a pirate and you’re a marine. You saved a criminal that has killed your coworkers and will go on being a pirate.”

…

Oops. You didn’t think of that.

“I can tell by your expression you barely realized this.” Did you just contribute to the deaths of many others now that you’ve saved their future murderer? “I can’t tell you to not get stressed over this, Tacky isn’t going to stop being a pirate because you saved him, but thanks anyway. A shame what happened to your arm but Hongo’s a good doctor and he’ll get it running again. Believe it or not the only reason Captain’s arm isn’t reattached is because we couldn’t reattach something digested.”

“Digested..?” You thought he lost his arm in a fight.

“So what do you want for it?” Guess there’s no elaboration on that. “The arm is free considering it happened due to you saving Tacky.” He must not want to owe a debt, especially to a marine. You’d like to say nothing since you both didn’t expect a reward and want the debt so that they’ll spare you, but that doesn’t seem like an option.

“M…Money.” Embarrassing! You sound really bad right now, materialistic. You really need the money though since you lost your wallet.

“Since you lost your wallet, right?” At least he understands that. “Tell me how much you lost and we’ll give that and more.” He leans forward. “Then consider the debt paid.” Scary… You nod and he leans back to normal. “But really, thanks. You should value yourself more though, it was stupid of you to do this. You could’ve easily lost your life along with his.” He stands up and leaves without a goodbye. A bye would be too good natured for him, apparently, but it feels like he’s a little less hostile to you now.

Next

Oops! Listen, maybe a sudden storm was violent but to be fair there really wasnt much other choice. My hand was forced, really. Hope youre okay with your other hand. I also hope any medical inaccuracies are small enough to suspend disbelief-. I made sure to not specify which side hand since there are left handed people. If any of you are both handed.. well.. pick a hand to sacrifice. I wouldve loved to get this out on 5 on the dot but i messed up and discarded a bunch of the editing and i had to redo it lolll. hope i didnt miss anything ;;

edit: forgot the description and tag list lol.

Something pops into your head. You never saw if the hostages actually made it. How could you forget something so obvious?

You’re starting to feel sick.

Oh gods, was some of that blood theirs?

Your ears start to ring.

What did he do while you were passed out?

You’re panicking.

What can you even do about it?

hiccup

breathe in breathe in

out out

in in in

ouuttt

You can’t control your breathing. All of the stress you’ve been keeping in is starting to force its way out. The bottle is cracking.

in out in out in out

in out in out.

InOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOutInOut

TheFoodYouAteEarlierWasMadeWithHandsCoveredInTheBloodOfCiviliansWhoTrustedYouToHelpThemEscapeBeforeTheirFleshTurnedColdAndTheLightLeftTheirEyesFearInTheirBodiesAndSkullsBlastedOpenByGunsPaintingTheGroundInBrainAndCrushedBonesGrindingIntoPowderInsideTheirBodiesTheirFamiliesFoundThemDeadMournAndCurseEverythinDieOfStarvationWithTheirChildrenYoungSkinStickingToTheirBodiesAndMaggotsEatingTheCorpsesAndYouWereHereHavingFunWithTheirKillers

OutOut

Gag

Cough

Everything in your stomach ejects through your mouth. You struggle to get air into your lungs through waves of vomiting. Something grips onto you and your eyes snap to red hair, it’s him. You can tell even through the blurriness and you threw up on the floor.

“I-I’m so-” You break into heaving again and he grabs you harshly. He’s going to kill you, you’ve hastened the time of your death.

You’re thrown over his shoulder and forced through the ship to your execution while flailing helplessly. When your back hits a bed you struggle more. They’re going to kill you. They’re going to torture you to death.

“(Y/n), you need to still. I’m going to let go but you can’t flail because you’ll hurt yourself.” You’re let go and tremble violently, gripping onto the sheets. You don’t know what’s going to happen to you exactly. He sits down next to the bed. “Can you look around?” Of course you can. “Name some stuff, anything. Three.”

“..t..table.” He waits. “medicine.” You’re inside the ship’s medical room. “papers.”

“Hearing?”

“waves. birds. wind.”

“Feel.” You grip the blankets under you. You don’t feel like following what he says but you don’t know what else to do, and it’s helping.

“Blankets..” You reach out and touch the bedframe. “Frame, Clothes.” You’re still panicked, but you notice you can breathe again. Struggled but bearable.

In

Out

“Alright, you feeling better?” You don’t answer. There’s silence for a bit. “That’s alright.” He takes a deep breath and you follow. “I used to have these a lot, I had help to teach me how to deal with them.” A pause. “I.. still have them too, sometimes. Rarely.” You look at the ceiling.

“Are you lying?” What can you believe?

“...I’m not, unfortunately. At least it helps me help others who have them. I’m sure you can agree that being on the sea isn’t always sunny.” You remember seeing people have panic attacks after coming back from failed missions, the mental health checks from psychiatrists at base. You wonder if anyone back there had them before they were murdered by the person beside you. Your head falls to the side to see Red Hair. He gives you a big smile. You hate that there’s something deep within you that reacts to it. “Did I help?”

“I vomited on the kitchen floor.”

“Right.”

“I’ll clean it up.” You try to sit up.

“Nah, don’t bother. I got someone else cleaning it. You seriously think this is the first time someone has vomited on the floor in this ship? With a buncha drunkards?”

“I guess so.” Your dry answer makes his smile falter for a moment and you twitch. “I mean-”

“Rest up. I’ll wait outside for a few minutes then get Hongo so you can have some me time. I’ll still be close, though; so call if you need me.” You both like and dislike having him close by. The door shuts behind Red Hair.

…

You ended up not having to clean your own vomit, even though he said you would have to.

(Shanks's POV)

He waits outside of the door for a few minutes before Hongo walks over.

“I didn’t need to come get you.”

“It was very noticeable what happened.” Shanks chuckles dryly at that. “I don’t need you to tell me for me to know it was from stress, either. Lucky panicked for a minute that he used bad ingredients or one Mariney reacted badly to. I had to calm him down before coming over here. All the ingredients are fine.” He’s given you a check up before so he can say if you react badly to anything.

“That’s good, partially.” It’s easier to deal with a physical ailment accompanying your symptoms than a mental one. “Do you mind giving him a few more minutes before going inside?”

“Alright, I’ll go get him tea.”

(Your POV)

You lay on your back, taking deep breaths you were taught during mental health training. You’re still nervous after creating such a scene but nothing has happened yet, which means they either really don’t care or will take it out on you in the end. The end.. You start to think about the end but push it from your mind. What you’ve done has let out enough emotion to be able to hold it in again.

There’s a knock on the door before it opens, the ship’s doctor. He walks over and hands you water and a bucket.

“Rinse your mouth, you can brush it after you get a bit of food and water in you.” You rinse out your mouth and he dumps the water, washing up. You feel a bit guilty making a mess when he tends to keep things clean, but shake the thought away. If you’re going to be worrying over their opinions then it shouldn’t be for their sake. He puts tea and plain crackers in front of you, you nervously drink it. “I know you don’t trust me but I didn’t poison it.” You choose to believe him for your own peace of mind. That makes you feel a little better and you nibble on the crackers. It feels wrong eating things made by them but if you don’t you’ll kill yourself from starvation before they could. Once you’re done eating he makes you brush your teeth.

‘He’s really taking care of me. Did Red Hair convince him to?’ The thought of him convincing the doctor to help you makes you uncomfortable.

“I know you’ll want to sleep but can you bathe first?” You nod. “Are you sure? I don’t want you vomiting in the bath.” You nod again. “Alright.”

The bath is warm and prepared for you. It would be nice to feel happy about that but your brain is too mixed up to feel anything like gratitude. You were grateful before and look how that ended up. Abandoned by the captain you let yourself get attached to, fearing for your life, sick, trapped, helpless. It would be more realistic to fit an elephant in the hole of a needle before being able to take out anyone here without being killed. You just… you wish you never fell for it. You wish he was harsh from the start, and you wish he would let the act fall when you made the mistake of vomiting. That doctor taking care of you so well didn’t help your mixed up emotions at all.

Despite the negative thoughts, the bath made you feel better. There’s a change of clothes for you too. You realize it’s the clothes you bought and stored in your temporary room, which means they looked through your stuff. You never had privacy in the first place but it doesn’t feel nice to have them digging around your belongings. Then again, this is better than wearing theirs. The sheets are changed as well. You lay down carefully since the doctor is still in the room.

“Am I staying here?” You might as well ask this now.

“On the ship or in the med room?” He didn’t ignore you.

“..Both.”

“Yes—to both. We aren’t kicking you out for vomiting from stress.” You twitch and he pauses for a moment. “It’s best you stay in this room too, just for monitoring. This bed should be more comfortable than the futon in the storage room, and if you feel sick again there's meds here to take. They’re labeled, so you shouldn’t take the wrong ones. Nausea medicine is used often here.” You have a feeling it isn’t from sea-sickness.

The doctor proceeds to tell you the doses for your build, where the medicine is, what you should eat, and where the bucket is. Even if it was from your mind your physical stomach is still weakened so it’s best to be careful until you’re fully calm. He doesn’t ask why you’re stressed, nor tries to comfort you besides the medical advice. You aren’t close enough for words to work.

‘If he poisons me at some point I hope it’s a painless one.’ You could use some of his poison to try and get someone here but you feel like he would notice the moment something was gone. The deadlier poisons are locked away, as well. ‘Am I ever going to figure out a way to survive? Or at least get Maddie out of here?’ You’ve forcibly steadied yourself long ago that you will likely die for civilians’ sakes, much more for a child. The pirate doctor stands up.

“I’ll leave the room.” You can’t sleep well with him here, he must have caught onto that.

“Thank you.” Just a bit of politeness. “And I’m sorry for vomiting in the kitchen when you like things clean.” He turns to you with a mildly surprised look and you think you messed up before he gives a small smirk.

“I’ll take payment in the form of your continuing chores once you’re better.” With that, he leaves. Maybe you were too nice to him, but it feels natural to be polite; even if in the end they’re playing with you. It’ll happen once it happens, in the meantime you’ll continue that. You get comfy inside the bed for now, worried that you won’t be able to sleep. Only a few minutes pass before you knock out.

_____________

(Shanks’s POV)

Shanks closes the door of his bedroom with a sigh. He’s stressed. He’s stressed because you’re stressed, and it makes him stressed that he’s stressed because you’re stressed. This isn’t a good situation. Stressful. Full of stress. He was getting too complacent with your emotions to assume you were okay now. Of course you wouldn’t be okay. You’re a normal marine soldier trapped in a ship full of powerful pirates that haven’t been anything but hostile to you until recently, and one of the Emperors of the Sea has been following you around everywhere; not giving you enough time to yourself even if he’s toned it down.

“Fuck.” He rubs the bridge of his nose. “How bad did it get that he threw up with a panic attack?” Shanks saw the look in your eyes when you saw him, you were scared. Of him. Of the strong pirate. If he wasn’t so worried you would hurt yourself he would’ve left for your sake but there’s not a single person here that you can let your guard down for. He had to make due by using the fact that he might at least be the one you’re least scared of, since you’ve stuck around him, but now he isn’t even sure you stuck around because you wanted to. He was always worried that was the case but had deluded himself into thinking that it wasn’t, for his own satisfaction.

Shanks pulls a stashed bottle of alcohol from his drawer and takes a swig. He took advantage of you and you paid the price.

“I should have learned by now that I hurt the people I get close to.” He mumbles and chugs the rest, it’s not even enough to get him buzzed.

“I used your spread for the toast, since you don’t like blueberries.”

He had the gall to be happy over your survival instincts. Shanks grabs another stashed bottle and chugs it, then another, all of them. To think he was so selfish to get a crush on a personality you put on. He doesn’t remember when he got onto his bed.

“The crew’d be furious if they found out I stashed, and drank this much at once.” He whispers. He’s selfish, though, because he can’t bring himself to care for that over his heartbreak. Some of the conversations you two had together must be real, but that only hurts more. “I’m whining about not having self control while drinking the entire stash I saved up for months secretly.” He laughs. “Just do your fucking job Shanks, how do you keep messing it up. Over and over again you get selfish and others pay the price, it’s simple, it’s what you have all these privileges for despite what you came from. It’s like it’s in your nature to harm others no matter how much you fight against it.” Every time he does something to help he hurts someone. How many times is he destined to do things for the greater good? He can’t even blame this on that either, you were dragged into this all by his own will. He could’ve just pried you off of that girl. It would’ve hurt your arms, sure, but you would’ve been fine. Much better than how you are now.

“Ahh..” He’s starting to loathe himself again. “Just wait. It’ll kick in soon.” The alcohol will digest, he’ll get drunker and drunker until he won’t think at all anymore. Shanks closes his eyes. He doesn’t want to think about anything anymore.

Next

Here you go. A STRONG start right? Don't worry, im sensitive, this will still have a happy ending. Also I can't always be depressing there's too much funny in me. So don't think it'll be all sad or all gross. GL and welcome back to Canon Fodder.

“Did I actually shock you enough to get hurt?” He coughs.

“No, I’m fine I- cough- I flinched on purpose and forgot there were- achoo- mushrooms too- hack.” You wipe his face more and more, using a flask of water to get it off. Thankfully it wasn’t poisonous, just meant to scare off animals. You blow his nose and he looks up at you. “You won’t tell anyone about this, right?” You’re about to tease him again when you look closer at him. Furrowed brows, a slight pout, red nose and cheeks, tears dripping down his cheeks.

…

“That isn’t you considering it, is it?” You realize you took too long to answer. He sniffles like he’s actually crying and you feel something in you stir. Before he can talk you wipe his face to stop him.

“I won’t.. just clean yourself up.”

“Thanks, love.” He manages to get out between rubs.

________________

Eventually the crew finishes mapping the island and decides to camp outside to enjoy nature, tired of staying on the ship. Your love sleeps next to you, snoozing away while you’re wide awake thinking about his teary eyes. You.. actually thought he looked pretty. You wanted him to cry more. Does it make you a bad girlfriend if your stomach throbbed when you saw him looking up at you like that?

You rub your thighs together, thankful you don’t have a cock to get visibly hard. An advantage.

You look closer at your boyfriend’s face. His eyes are still a teeny red from the irritation of both the spores and tears, you slowly scoot as close as you can to see. This isn’t pervert behavior, you’re his girlfriend, this is perfectly appropriate. Red eyelashes, reddened eyes, if he was crying his cheeks would be red too. You’d kiss his lips red after and make him cry.

“Please, baby..!”

Shanks would beg for you.

His eyes slowly open, your breath kept tickling him.

“To what do I owe the pleasure of you so close?” Whispering to not wake the others.

“..i think i’m a bad person.”

“???” Shanks kisses your forehead. “Did you have a nightmare?” You put your head to his, he looks confused but doesn’t stop you.

“Do you think I’m a bad girlfriend?” Now he looks worried.

“Why do you think that, sweetheart? You’re everything to me.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

…

“You’d love me no matter what?” He nods. “Even if I’m strange?” He nods again. “..You’re so sweet. I feel bad for you.” You smooch him, he nuzzles his face against yours. “Would you do anything for me?” Shanks pauses for a moment. “you wouldn’t..?”

“I would..!” He trusts your choices. “I was just caught off guard.”

“Then..” Hesitation makes you pause. “Would you cry for me?” His emotions turn to panic.

“If you’re hurt? Do you-“ You stop him from sitting up.

“I’m not hurt. I mean.. if.. if you..” Shanks has cried in front of you before and you always thought he looked pretty, but you’ve never been so turned on by it before. Not when he would cry over such sad things. However, seeing him cry when he was safe stirred arousal in you. You like seeing him cry. “If I wanted to make you cry, would you cry for me?” You reach a hand out and stroke his cheek, he closes the eye on that side.

“Not the best at crying on command…” He trails off as something clicks in his head. “…oh.” Even in the dark you see his face heat up. “Yes. I would cry for you.” You lean in and press your lips to his in a slow kiss.

“Let’s go to the ship-” He sits up so quickly he almost wakes everyone.

__________

The sound of making out moves across the ship, Shanks kicking the door to your shared room open and closed so he doesn’t have to let go of you. Once you’re inside you slide off his coat and gently push him down on the bed.

“Wait here.” He’s hesitant but stays. You have an idea on how to make him cry.

You grab rope and fabric from the storage room, hurrying back with it. His eyes lock onto the items and he shifts in place. Shanks isn’t a dom only person but he hasn’t been this much of a sub for you before. To be tied, restricted, it’s exciting.

“I got the fabric so the rope won’t irritate you.” You push him further onto the bed while wrapping the red fabric around the rope then around his torso in a design ending with his arm tied to his own body. This isn’t a wimpy rope, you’ll keep secret that you’re using the ship’s supplies for this. When Shanks tugs to test it he finds it sturdy, as expected he’d need real effort before snapping the fibers. “I forgot to remove your shirt before tying it.”

“Oh, hold on-“ You rip the cloth clean off. “you could also do that.” His dick twitches in his pants, it’s uncomfortable. “Can you..” You press the tip of your finger against the bulge, drawing a small grunt from his throat.

“Can I what?” His breath hitches from the look in your eyes.

“Fuck, take them off. Please.” The digit runs across his clothed length. Shanks leans back, spreading his legs. Maybe if shows how desperate he is, you’ll touch him more. It isn’t going to work.

“You’re so desperate and I haven’t even touched you properly.” You’re only motivated to go further, press hard where his tip is so he clenches his fist and jerks his hips up with a gasp. Your other hand slides up his body, running along his abs, gripping his chest, massaging his neck; you tap his Adam's apple as it bobs with a gulp. “Poor, poor Captain.” You grip the sides of his throat, your other palm brushing over his crotch and holding him down by his inner thigh when they try to meet the pressure. “My poor honey.” His head is spinning, he’s had fleeting thoughts of you doing things like this to him but having it actually happen is a whole different feeling, especially when he was asleep not too long ago. Going from dead asleep to dommed by his girlfriend almost feels like he’s dreaming, but to you it still isn’t enough. He isn’t crying yet.

A kiss lands on his Adam's apple, lightly nibbling it and kissing the stubble on his jaw before sucking hickeys all along his neck and collarbone; all the while groping and fondling his muscular body. Your hands leave with a parting squeeze. There’s a whine of protest.

“Be patient.” You pull down your captain’s pants and free his erection, there’s pre-cum already at the tip. You look up at his flushed face and he smiles. You wipe it off to slide your fingertip along the thick vein underside his shaft up to the top, palming the sensitive head and feeling the pre-cum slick your palm. His breath gets heavy and the moment you know he’s about to cum you snatch the pleasure away along with your hands. He’s about to try chasing again, say something, complain,

when your hand comes up and slaps his dick.

Not harsh, not mean, but enough for a shudder to course through his body. There’s a small pout but it isn’t crying.

“You’re so cute, I’m gonna have so much fun with you.”

“Sweetie please.” You smack the underside of his dick again. “Ah!” His eyes get shiny and the rope strains lightly.

Again, again, you stroke and palm and jerk and slap yet every time he’s about to cum it all stops. Until his face down his neck is red the same as his erection, straining as he whimpers from desperation.

“(Y/n)~” You lean down and kiss the tip of Shanks’s dick to watch it twitch desperately before kissing his lips. “Gods.” This is way more than he expected and he groans as you squeeze it roughly. “Please!” His eyes are wet with tears, that’s what you were waiting for.

You undress enough to free your pussy, opening up your labia with your other hand to finger yourself while he watches helplessly. Another torture for your lover to be unable to touch or taste you, but he’s been so good. You’ll let him have something. So your fingers pop from your pussy and into his mouth to let him suck on your arousal desperately. Now it’s time for more fun.

You position yourself above his dick, watching his eyes widen as he pants heavily again. As a last tease you rub your entrance along the glans teasingly,

“Honey, I-“ then slam down all at once. His head falls back and he screams. His dick is pulsing inside of you and you still. “Nnnmm~!” Tears run down his cheeks, it’s all so much and he wants to cum. “Sweetheart..”

“My lovely Shanks, such a crybaby for me.” You kiss his now wet cheek, squeezing around him so he leans his head forward onto your shoulder; his stubble tickles your skin. You need to get off too, swiping across your clit with your finger, pushing him back to watch tears drip down his face. “You want me to move?” He hiccups, nodding. Your other hand comes up to pinch his nipple as you raise your hips slowly, then slam back down. He gasps like the air was knocked out of him and you repeat it. Up, and down. Slow but hard movements. You speed up and his legs jolt, eyes rolling back as he cums inside you suddenly from being edged for so long.

“C-Cant!” Shanks’s fully crying now with rough hiccups and tears pouring from his trembling body. You aren’t quite finished, though; so you continue to ride your boyfriend through his orgasm. His head goes blank and he cries. “I can’t do this, doll- AH!” You squeeze.

“One more time for me, crybaby.” You tilt his chin up and kiss over his scarred eye, then watch the liquid stream down his eyes while you ride him. Reddened brown eyes, wet flushed cheeks, messy crimson hair, sobbing every time his dick bottoms out. You’re close from just watching it. You lean back to hit your g-spot better, moaning when he whines. “One more time, I want you twitching and spasming in me so I can cum.” Your free hand shoves your digits inside his mouth to play with his tongue while the other swipes along your nub. His eyes roll back and he gags while sucking on them. Shanks’s body can’t refuse that, can’t refuse you, he feels the way it builds up for you despite his strong orgasm. Your boyfriend’s thick dick pulses, it only takes one more squeeze before he lets out a strangled groan and warm cum coats inside you once again, finally letting the knot in your stomach snap. The throbbing of his cock, the way your walls milk with each one, you two are linked and you’re taking everything from his shuddering sobbing body.

Finally, you stop. He falls back against the headboard, drooling with tears running down his reddened tan cheeks. “So good for me, Shanks.” You kiss one, though he can’t speak right now. The ridges of his softening dick are a little overstimulating as you pull out, the liquid of both of your arousals dripping onto his now limp dick. You take the chance to make more hickeys onto his torso. “Open.” He opens his mouth instinctively and you shove your tongue into his mouth and down his throat while he takes it. Only a small noise of pleasure comes from him. Shanks loves you.

You untie him and the redhead flops onto his back, trying to get his bearings while you wipe him clean. He shivers when you carefully clean his dick. You’ll take care of him.

“You don’t want a bath?” You ask since he seems to have made his comfort on the mattress.

“Want to cuddle.” He mumbles. That settles that. You wipe yourself as clean as you can and lay next to your boyfriend, wrapping your arms around his body as he gets comfy on your chest.

“You did so well, crybaby.” You feel a nibble on your nipple. “Hey!”

“Don’t yell, I’m just a crybaby.” He jokes, sucking lightly with a pop before sighing in relief.

“You’re so silly.” You run your hands through his hair. He did so well for the first time either of you have done something like this. To make him cry for your pleasure, maybe you really aren’t a bad girlfriend for that; at least he didn’t look like he was all that suffering. You can’t say anything else, though, because he’s already asleep. You woke him up in the middle of the night to do this and he’s out of energy, plus girlfriend pillow. You stroke his red hair, playing with it lightly before yawning yourself. The ship is rocking, the waves a lullaby, the warmth of your satisfied lover on you.

You fall asleep.