#Mihawk is very aware of how pretty he is

[kacievvbbbb]

Mihawk is a man that knows, if he even showed the slightest bit of interest he could pull anybody he wanted. And that is something Shanks, crocodile, buggy and anybody he has ever even mildly been in the presence of, fear deeply

[loganwritesprobably]

Even Strong Men Have Weaknesses

Content/Warnings: Mihawk/GN!Reader, Crocodile & GN!Reader, Mihawk has chronic fatigue, cross guild era, established relationship, fluff, reader and Croc have chronic pain

Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest swordsman.

Dracule Mihawk, your boyfriend.

Dracule Mihawk, the world's sleepiest swordsman.

You and Mihawk had been dating for a few years now, and it'd been pretty blissful for the most part. Now, on Karai Bari, life had never been better. Your shared tent did leave some things to be desired (like privacy) but there was very little to complain about. You were happy, healthy and comfortable. At least, as healthy and comfortable as two chronically ill people could be.

That was why your relationship worked so well, you suspected. The two of you understood each other in a way that an abled person couldn't understand, no matter how hard they tried.

Your boyfriend was known for his love of naps, but only yourself and Crocodile (his closest friend) were aware that it was a medical requirement. His chronic fatigue left him exhausted even from the smallest of tasks, and the fact that he'd mastered swordsmanship despite it made you admire him deeply. He'd succeeded despite his illness, and you were incredibly proud of him.

On the other hand, you had chronic pain. Often, you'd join Mihawk's midday naps if only to sleep away some of your aches and pains, though they'd always return when you woke. Resting was rarely a bad thing in your case. You both understood that sometimes you just had to say no, even to the smallest of things, for the sake of your health and that a relationship may not always be able to be 50/50, it really depended on how much you had to give on any day.

You'd grown closer with Crocodile since the beginning of the Cross Guild too, which was a nice bonus considering he and Mihawk had been friends for so long. He had his own issues with pain when it came to his missing hand, and you'd bonded over it. He was far less forgiving with himself despite your attempts to convince him to take it a little easy sometimes for his own sake. It was a work in progress.

"Love?" Mihawk called out as he walked into your shared tent, a yawn quickly following. "I'm already in bed, I was waiting up for you." You replied. Mihawk parted the curtains that separated your bedroom from the rest of the living space and then silently admired him as he stripped down to his underwear to sleep. "You're very good to me." He said softly, neither of you minding the long silence between your words and his response. He slipped into the bed and opened his arms for you to cuddle in closer, resting your head beneath his chin. "I try." You said with a yawn of your own, and it didn't take long for the both of you to be asleep. Crocodile had attempted to organise an afternoon meeting but you suspected the both of you would be missing it.

Requests are open! See below links for my other works, and how to leave requests. I write both canon/canon and canon/reader requests for your enjoyment

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Tags: @claryeverlarkf @uselessboots

[donquixotehomura]

Dracule Mihawk x Reader “Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

Angst, Hurt no comfort, just me feeling sadistic one day and writing it down

Master List

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

“wow… you're pretty” was the first thing she said to him when they met, not at all the usual that he heard, he did get compliments from women who wanted to get into his bed, but this was not a usual statement.

………………………

She confused him to no end, she didn't want to fight him, kiss up to him, get into his bed, get a favour, what's up with this woman?, he could feel her very obviously staring at him across the room, looking at her making eye contact she smiled and waved ‘odd woman’ 

………………………

“Yo! Can we be friends?” Excuse me? He looked at her as she said that, her smile radiant “pardon?” “friends! You're cool and I like how you are, let's be friends!” she said again totally ignoring the semi glare that would scare most people away, what an odd woman. 

 …………………….

“I wanna go with you! I hate it here, I want to be with you!” Mihawk looked at her, she had chased him across the garden of the extravagant palace on his way out ”you can't… This is where you belong, not on the seas” there was no safety on the seas it was dangerous for her “I don't care! I wanna go with you and I won't change my mind, either you'll let me go with you or I'll follow you on my own!” stubborn woman… (Y/N) had no experience sailing on her own, especially in the terrible storm that seemed to have covered the island representing the turbulent future, Mihawk looked at her, she had the most serious look on her face he'd ever seen not a shred of playfulness or doubt “Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?” What you're giving up? You're giving up everything to be with me“ he argued hoping she'd decide to stay “no I'm not… If I stay here and leave you, I'd be giving up everything for some useless titles and empty things” she said it so clearly, no hesitation, Mihawk was shocked and couldn't even hide it, “alright then… You better not regret it, odd Woman” he turned around to hide the small smile, (Y/N) grinned at the nickname she'd earned since they first met, grabbing the two bags she packed she ran after him to catch up then fell into pace with him.

(Years Later)

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

Rain poured down relentlessly, the sky a dark, swirling mass of clouds. The ground was a mix of mud, rain and blood turning the once serene landscape into a battlefield of chaos. (Y/N) laid on her back, her vision blurred and her mind disoriented. The cold, relentless rain mingled with the warmth of her blood, seeping into the ground beneath her.

She struggled to focus, to understand how she had come to be in this state. Flashes of memory pierced through the haze, fragments of moments shared with Dracule Mihawk.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

She saw him in their library, a rare smile touching his lips as he read aloud from an ancient text, his voice a soothing balm to her soul. They would spend hours there, wrapped in the tranquillity of their shared silence, words unnecessary to convey the depth of their bond.

Mihawk sat reading a book on the balcony, a glass of wine in hand as the sun illuminated the sky in the early hours, he felt arms wrap around him, her usual giggle filling his ears “mornin’ love” she mumbled still sleepy, he smiled faintly pulling her to his lap, her head finding place on his chest, eyes closing again “Good Morning, Mi Vida” she just giggled, she loved when he used his mother tongue.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

Another memory surfaced, of them curled up together on a stormy night much like this one. The howling wind outside was a stark contrast to the warmth and safety she felt in his arms. His fingers traced gentle patterns on her back, his voice a low murmur as he spoke of dreams and futures they would share.

(Y/N)'s heart ached as she remembered the vulnerability in his eyes during those quiet moments, the way he would let his guard down just for her. The world saw him as the Greatest Swordsman, but to her, he was a man of deep emotions and quiet strength. His words of affection, though rare, were always heartfelt and sincere.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

The memory of his proposal came to her then, vivid and clear amidst the fog of her pain. The setting sun, the ring with its radiant sapphire, and his voice, steady yet filled with emotion as he asked her to be his wife. "Will you marry me?" he had asked, his eyes reflecting a depth of feeling that took her breath away. She had said yes, tears of joy mingling with their embrace.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

A sharp pain brought her back to the present, a reminder of the severity of her injuries. She could feel the life draining from her, her strength ebbing away with each passing moment. Panic tried to take hold, but she pushed it back, focusing instead on the love she felt for Mihawk.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

As her vision dimmed, she sensed a familiar presence. Mihawk was there, his aura a beacon of strength and determination amidst the chaos. She felt his arms around her, lifting her gently from the mud.

"(Y/N)," his voice broke through the haze, filled with an urgency and fear she had never heard before. "Stay with me."

She managed a weak smile, her hand reaching up to touch his face. The rain blurred her vision, but she could still see the worry etched in his features, the desperation in his eyes.

"I can't wait to marry you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the storm.

Tears mingled with the rain on Mihawk's face as he held her close, his grip tightening as if sheer willpower could keep her with him. "You will, (Y/N). You will," he vowed, his voice breaking.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

Her world faded to black, but not before she felt the overwhelming love and determination emanating from him. The last sensation she was aware of was the strength of his embrace, the promise of a future together, a future she desperately wanted to see.

---

Mihawk sat motionless, cradling (Y/N)'s lifeless body as the storm raged around them. The battlefield, once filled with the sounds of clashing swords and battle cries, was now eerily silent, save for the relentless downpour and the occasional roll of thunder.

His mind raced, replaying the moments leading up to this tragic end. He had been too late. The ambush, the enemies—he had fought with all his might to reach her in time, but it hadn't been enough. The greatest swordsman in the world, yet powerless to save the woman he loved.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

Memories of their time together flooded his mind, each one a dagger to his heart. Their quiet nights reading by the fire, the soft laughter they shared, the dreams they had woven together. The proposal, filled with so much hope and love, now felt like a cruel joke played by fate.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

Mihawk looked down at (Y/N)'s pale face, her eyes closed as if she were merely sleeping. The sapphire ring on her finger sparkled faintly, a heartbreaking reminder of the future they had planned. He gently brushed a strand of hair from her face, his hand trembling.

"I will find a way," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "I will bring you back to me."

But as he sat there, the weight of reality pressed down on him. The wound was fatal, and no amount of skill or strength could undo what had been done. The realisation hit him with the force of a thousand blades, cutting deeper than any physical wound ever could.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

In the depths of his grief, Mihawk made a silent vow. He would honour her memory, he would carry her love with him always, and he would never forget the promise they made to each other. Even in death, their bond would remain unbroken.

As the rain continued to fall, mingling with his tears, Mihawk lifted (Y/N)'s body gently. He would give her the burial she deserved, a final act of love for the woman who had touched his heart in ways no one else ever could.

“Are You Even Aware Of How Dangerous It Is?”

The storm raged on, but in the midst of the darkness, Mihawk held onto the light of their love, a beacon that would guide him through the shadows of his grief. And though the future they had dreamed of would never come to pass, their love would endure, a timeless testament to the strength and beauty of their bond.

So Dangerous that Even I couldn’t Protect You

[hamliet]

Monkey D. Luffy: The Fool's Journey, and One Piece's Intricate Structure

So while reading One Piece for the first time, I was struck by how the story seemed to continuously reference and often even follow the Fool's Journey in tarot (much like Tokyo Ghoul did). All I'm saying is that if any of y'all who nagged me to read it for years had told me this, I would have read it MUCH sooner!

Anyways, I want to talk about OP's structure, which is paradoxically simple on the surface and intricate when you dig into parallels and analyses. Much like our protagonist, and the story's themes. I'll divide this meta into two parts, based on the two parts of the manga: pre and post timeskip.

Pre timeskip follows the Fool's Journey perfectly. Post follows the Fool's Journey in reverse... but also has each arc zigzag to thematically mirror its matching arc in terms of chronology in the pre-timeskip part. So, the first arcs of both pre and post timeskip mirror one another., even though pre is the Fool and post is the World. I'll also talk about why I think Oda is doing this below, and what that indicates about the story Oda's trying to tell.

To start with, what is the Fool's Journey? It's the "Major Arcana" of the tarot deck, consisting of 22 cards that follow a particular order and tell a story that is supposed to represent a journey through life. The cards are numbered 0-21, and each is present in One Piece... but sometimes they overlap and sometimes the inspiration in certain arcs is more direct than others. In other words, the tarot card references are not always done in the same way--sometimes it's a thematic reference, sometimes it's a visual reference to an element of the character, sometimes it's the embodiment of a character.

I will reference this summary of the Major Arcana, but I also know a lot of random ish on tarot so I'll be drawing from that too.

Pre Timeskip: The Fool's Journey

The Fool - Luffy

I don't think this should be controversial. The Fool is the central character of the Fool's Journey, card 0. The Fool isn't to be condemned for his foolishness--sure, he's not wise at the start of his journey, but he's bold enough to begin. He wants to explore what it means to be alive, and to accomplish his goals.

Luffy's foolhardy faith in people is his greatest strength, and also his weakness.

The Magician - Roronoa Zora

Card 1 is the Magician:

He represents the active, masculine power of creative impulse. He is also our conscious awareness. The Magician is the force that allows us to impact the world through a concentration of individual will and power.

Zoro is pretty clearly the embodiment of this. He's fabulous with a sword, very much active to the point of it being a flaw (pushing himself to fight Mihawk before he is ready), but also very "what you see is what you get." He doesn't hide aspects of himself, which is necessary.

The High Priestess: Nami

However, the Magician isn't complete without card 2: the High Priestess. The High Priestess is meant to parallel and balance the Magician, because the Fool needs both of these people and what they offer him to grow and continue on his journey.

If the Magician is active and upfront, the High Priestess is mysterious (much like Nami hides her deal with Arlong from the crew). The High Priestess is potential rather than passivity--she needs the Magician to activate her potential. She is creativity, planning, and emotionally in tune with the world around her. (All things Nami is.)

The Fool needs both to grow.

The Empress

The Empress is best represented by Princess Vivi. Not only is she actual royalty, but she takes on an almost maternal role in the crew--which is necessary, because the Empress as a card represents maternal influence, influence that opens the Fool's eyes to the realities of the world around him while also providing for him. Through Vivi, Luffy starts to participate in the politics of the world.

The Emperor

The Emperor is the father figure, who represents structure and authority--hence, Vivi's dad, Nefertari Cobra, and Crocodile both represent this figure for Luffy. Oda even draws Vivi's father to look like the Emperor tarot:

The Hierophant

Skypiea. The Fool here starts to learn about various cultures and beliefs, and adopts a spiritual understanding. The entirety of the Skypeia arc involves Luffy and crew facing a literal deity (Enel, the cruel god) as well as learning about the people of the Sky and their histories and traditions.

The Lovers

Here's where we get a little vague--at least, in this version (less so in the reverse post-timeskip one). Oda is allergic to romance. But while this can represent a sexual union, it doesn't necessarily have to. It can also represent the desire for human connection, particularly that knit together by the angels (as the card's appearance indicates).

Anyways, this is the first part where I was like "oh, this isn't actually the Fool's Journey." But I do think there is a reference, albeit not as direct as most of Oda's references.

A snake slithers up a stalk going up towards heaven, where the angels watch. Nola and Giant Jack, anyone? The card is also supposed to represent healing and union, which is thematically what happens between the Skypieans and Shandians.

The Chariot

The Chariot itself represents the Fool feeling in control... which Luffy feels, for a bit. Hence, Luffy using the Merry (the crew's literal chariot) to race in the Long Ring and Long Land Arc...

Strength

So, Strength can actually be switched with Card 11, so we'll come back to it. Oda introduces Strength in this arc via Kuzen defeating Luffy, someone they acknowledge they cannot beat because he is too strong.

The Hermit

Tonjit, who encourages Luffy to look inwards.

The Wheel of Fortune

Now we enter Water 7, which is conveniently shaped like a wheel:

And upon entering, the place where their fortunes change. It's a turning point in the Fool's Journey, and it certainly is for Luffy.

Justice (+ Strength)

So, in some decks Justice comes as card 11, and in others as card 8--it switches with Strength. While I do think Kuzan represents Strength as a glimmer, Oda actually introduces Strength as a person alongside the concept of Justice.

Strength is Franky.

While Justice becomes the major theme of the arc... tied to Robin.

The Hanged Man

Or woman, in this case, because this is Robin in Enies Lobby. She wants to live, but she doesn't believe she can.

Here, the Fool is supposed to feel defeated, stuck and trapped and unable to act in a lot of ways. Robin eventually makes her own decision, while the crew could not make it for her--she decides to live, and that's when they act and rescue her.

Death

Death sounds ominous but it really isn't; it's supposed to represent a transition to a new stage of life. Which happens, but also we get introduced to Brooks... a literal skeleton.

Temperance

Here, the Fool finds balance in the wake of what has just occurred.

The Fool has combined all aspects of himself into a centered whole that glows with health and well-being.

Here, Luffy talks to Garp and begins to reconcile that part of himself. Luffy's crew reunites, including Usopp and Robin, and comes together again for their next adventure.

The Devil

This was actually the arc that convinced me we were following Fool's Journey imagery because there's a common aspect to the Devil that often gets overlooked: two people, a couple, chained together.

The couple in the tarot card are not able to free themselves even though they seem like they should be able to (the chains are loose). Here we have an attempted forced wedding of Nami to Absalom--she's under a spell.

The Tower

The Fool only escapes the Devil via the calamity that is the Tower. Which just so happens to be where this arc takes place.

And Oda just so happens to have to people fall from the Tower, which is what the card displays too.

The Star

After the calamity of the Tower, the Fool encounters the Star, a moment of calm, of hope, often represented in a woman... and water. So here Luffy encounters Camie the mermaid, and her friend Pappagg.

The Moon

The Moon is a card of illusions. Camie is taken to a place that thrives on illusions and is shaped like, well, a moon:

The crew's experience on the island causes them to question who they are, and who they want to be.

The Sun

The Sun emerges and provides clarity for the Fool. Here, it's represented by their new ship--the Thousand Sunny. Luffy's sun is that he realizes love for his crew and loved ones (like Ace) are his starting point.

Judgement

Judgement is a card where the Fool has been reborn and has to rise up and embody his potential at last. Here, Luffy survives Themyscira, essentially becoming reborn, before goes into prisons and freeing people (hence the image of the dead rising--people being freed from dead on the card). Waves and mountains rise up around the freed, but the Fool presses on...

And onwards to Marineford, where we do see literal waves rising like mountains.

The World

Luffy rescues Ace, but Ace still dies for him. Here, he reconciles with aspects of himself that he's tried to suppress--his relationships with his grandfather, with Ace, with his own weaknesses and strengths, with the people he's previously defeated and with his crew. So Luffy and his crew, now scattered across the world, take several years to regroup.

Post Timeskip: The Fool's Journey Reversed

The Fool's Journey itself is meant to represent a cycle. At the end, after the Fool has arrived at the World, he realizes the possibilities that are open to him--and that he knows less than ever. So he begins again. Hence, the Fool's Journey begins again, with each arc in the second part mirroring two.

The World

Here, Luffy and his crew reunite, mirroring a lot of Romance Dawn's early arcs. Luffy is ready for a new adventure in a new world, which he finds in...

Judgement

The Fish-Man Island Saga, which mirrors both the Arlong Park Arc (High Priestess) and the Judgement Arc. Except this time Luffy is the one prophesized to bring Judgement.

You see, the Judgment tarot is portraying the idea of "Judgment Day," a concept from the Biblical book of Revelation wherein the living and the dead are judged... and the world is destroyed and remade anew. Here, because the arc is reversed, the waves don't rise up to tower over Luffy et al like mountains; Luffy instead dives beneath them.

Reversed, the Judgement tarot also asks the Fool to look back at their life and their journey thus far, which is pretty much exactly what characters are asked to do--Nami with Arlong, the mermaid princess, and more.

Continuing on, we then dip into Punk Hazard, which mirrors elements of the Little Garden and Drum Island arcs (giants, snow, etc).

The Sun

Then we hit the Dressrosa Arc, which mirrors the Alabasta Arc in that there's a focus on a royal family and dastardly rebels.

The sun reversed indicates that the subjects are stuck in a delusional state... which they kind of are, albeit forced into it.

Oda references the Sun with sunflower fields and with the theme of children. The child is Kratos as well as Rebecca, learning how to be reborn.

The Moon

Now we go backwards into illusions again. Zou is an illusion, and we're told to beware the Moon, because it's reversed.

We then delved into Whole Cake Island, which mirrors Enies Lobby in that a character is taken from the Straw Hats and the others have to chase them down... and the ensuing events force them to grapple with what they mean to one another, and with their places in the world.

The Star

Reversed, the Star is about feeling overwhelmed and slightly in despair. Essentially, the entirety of Whole Cake Island.

The Tower

There is a literal tower again. Even reversed, the Tower represents a crisis--but instead of falling into it, the reversed Tower is about trying to dig heels in and refuse to accept change and that what has been a pillar of support will no longer be. Which is kind of the Vinsmokes' issue, but also Big Mom's main issue.

The Devil

In a character, Big Mom, forcing her children into marriages.

Reversed, however, the Devil is about throwing off chains and breaking free--which we see both Sanji and Pudding do. Also, unlike the false couple in the earlier Devil Thriller Bark Arc, Pudding does appear to develop genuine feelings for Sanji.

Temperance

As a visual nod, Jinbei returns the ceremonial cup.

But in reversed form, Temperance means excess--gluttony, rather than on balance. Which is Big Mom.

Death

Reversed, it's being afraid to make changes in life, which again applies to most characters in this arc.

The Hanged Man

Like Robin in Enias Lobby, here we have Sanji. Reversed is pretty similar to upright, though it is more focused on being stuck than on actually making a decision--yet eventually Sanji does.

Justice

So this time I think Justice and Strength show up as 8 instead of jointly as 11. We have justice addressed thematically via the Whole Cake Island Arc, but it's not fully delved into until Wano.

Wheel of Fortune

Luffy gets sucked into an actual whirlpool that spits him and his friends out in not only a different country, but different times... mirroring the Straw Hat's separation and Amazon Lily Arc, to an extent.

The Fool may recognize his destiny in the sequence of events that led him to this turning point.... His perspective is wider, and he sees himself within the grander scheme of a universal plan. His sense of purpose is restored.

This above description will essentially be Luffy's journey through Wano.

The Hermit

Tama, the opposite of Tanjit. Instead of an old man, this time it's a young girl, because we're reversed tarot carding this.

Justice/Strength

The entire Wano arc is about justice and injustice, and about what it means to be strong.

The Chariot

The Chariot is all about making your own fate, about having control over yourself, and reversed it's about an illusion of control. Notably, the crescent moon is a prominent feature adoring the driver of the Chariot on the card, because it symbolizes the process of becoming.

Orochi, Kaidou--both these characters maintain a veneer of control, but they're actually very much out of control.

The Lovers

Well, there's sort of romance here. In a twisted, one-sided way, that is. It's Orochi and Hiyori, and since it's a reversed card, it fits that it's pretty twisted and not an actual love story, but instead a desire to possess rather than love.

Notably, we have another snake reference--Orochi's name means serpent.

The Heirophant

Kaidou, who basically plays at being a god. The Heirophant is also associated with Taurus--the bull.

Kaidou also stands in contrast with Luffy in regards to the nature of the Heirophant--which is about a character learning to identify themselves with the larger world. Kaidou, much like Orochi before him, tries to forced others to identify with him, to fit his goals, while Luffy does the opposite--he genuinely tries to learn about people and their dreams and goals.

The Emperor

Overlaps with Kaidou (one of the Four Emperors). Reversed, the Emperor represents abuse of power, which is extremely fitting.

This part is also where Nefertari Cobra, our previous Emperor, actually dies.

The Empress

Vivi, our Empress, is missing... and that's pretty much where we are now. Reversed, it represents insecurity... which we see discussed and repudiated, with the Straw Hats declaring that they trust that Vivi has a plan.

Going forward, I expect the Final Saga to somehow mirror Impel Down and Marineford as arcs, and also to reflect the reversed High Priestess (a focus on intuition), reversed Magician (illusions), and reversed Fool that will ask Luffy the question: who do you want to be?

[invye]

I feel like at this point I need to extend a formal apology to Benn for making him suffer the CoraMiShanks antics. Because for some reason they are all more likely to talk to him about their feelings than to each other.

Corazón, enchanted as he watches Shanks and Mihawk duel: "Wow, they don't do anything halfway, do they? I could never keep up with that, they're so good--" turns to Benn "Alright, they clearly belong together, I'll help you play wingman, what's the plan? Is there a plan? Don't worry, I'll come up with something!" And Benn has to sit there in silence because he can't tell Rosinante that he doesn't need to play anything and already got both the captain and Hawkeyes wrapped around his little finger because previously:

Shanks, in the middle of his hour long I-am-in-love-with-everything-about-Mihawk-but-I-can't-ever-do-anything-that-would-risk-what-we-have rant that Benn already learned by heart years ago: "Also, did you see Rosinante being cute? He's so protective of his kid, it's so inspiring how he's willing to go to the end of the world for Law, especially when he doesn't have the kind of power we do, but he's so creative and smart with his ability he balances it right back out; anyway, Hawkeyes […]" And Benn was sitting there like: 'wait wait wait hold up a second, what just happened---' but had to stay silent because he can't tell Shanks that previously:

Mihawk, slamming a bottle of Expensive™ wine on to the table Benn is sitting at: "I think I'm in love with two different people, is that even possible, or acceptable?? Also I'm kinda involved with both of them in two very distinctively different ways that are both highly intimate to me, but neither of them think it's the real deal, help--" (Obviously Mihawk used more dignified words, but Benn has gotten quite good at translating Hawkeyes and his sanity needs to unstiff the Hawkeyes-speech to be able to get into this, alright?) And Benn had to drink half the bottle (very good wine, Mihawk knows how to pick them) before he was able to gather himself enough to explain open relationships and polyamory to Hawkeyes of all people, but then he also had to point out that all of those require direct and open communication and it ended in a very stiff silence during which Benn refused to break eye contact with Mihawk, both of them very much aware that if there's one thing Mihawk struggles with it's communication and even more so when he's the one who has to initiate it.

All to say: Benn is suffering in stubborn loyal silence, because he won't break the trust expressed to him as a confidant. He would never ever betray Shanks' trust, he's been listening to his love sick rambling about Hawkeyes for years now and he hasn't gotten involved, he damn well won't change that just because captain has added another guy to the list. Rosinante is obviously marked by not having had trusted people to confide in pretty much all his life, and Benn will not be yet another person to disappoint him. And well, if he meddles in any of Mihawk's business by using insider information he can just as well slice his own throat.

But he's still suffering, watching them dance around each other in an seemingly eternal stalemate. And here he thought he'd only have to handle one idiot…

As the creator of your torment, I want to formally apologise for your suffering, Benn. I'm afraid it will happen again.

[i-am-vita]

OPLA hot older guys headcanons

Yesterday was the longest working day I've had in a while and my brain decided to affect my concentration and performance by hyperfixated in one thing only: THE AMOUNT OF HOT OLDER GUYS IN OPLA.

(The highlight of the day being @fanaticsnail based her new Mihawk fic on the dream I had the other day. I can´t still thank you enough! ToT)

So now my brain won't let me live in peace without getting these reader-headcanons into the internet in a kind of kill, marry, kiss way but instead we kiss all of them at one point of our life.

.

👉 Masterlist, More here.

Warning: mention of sex, drinking and general horny thoughts (?) Probably very bad written since english is not my first language XD

.

So you, my gentle readers, are a semiretired white collar thief, former first mate of the misterious Phantom Pirates, who had to go into hidding to take care of your little niece after your older sister and her marine husband died in a shipwreck 8 years ago.

You're pretty set in giving your niece a comfortable and peacefull life, like her parents had, but she may have other ideas and be more like yourself than her own mother, because at 18yo she escaped home while you was visiting a neighbour island for business.

Now you're on full mama goose mode, searching for your duckling for the East Blue. And may reaquaint with some interesting men of your past.

Lets get a look at them ;)

.

Mihawk

Current (VERY) interested. Doesn't know if he wants to behead you or fuck you.

You met during a heist at a marine's party going very bad a year ago. Your crew weren't aware of his attendance to the party (the man hardly attends his own warlord reunions), so you had to make a last minute distraction or you would've been discovered. So distracting Dracule Mihawk by heavy flirting with him and stealing his golden cross-knife was the best you could came up with.

You're an excellent knife wielder but your price habilities are in the infiltrate area so slipping away is kind of your thing. Nobody can keep up with you. Except a very pissed off warlord.

After an action packed chase, filled with you getting under his skin and him almost getting you more times than you're comfortable remembering, you considered it was enough time for the crew to had escape the party, so you released his cross and got the hell out of there leaving a very crossed (hah) Mihawk.

Since you semiretired 8ya, you pulled a job with your old crew from time to time and just if it was a very big score, but your reputation precedes you, and Mihawk managed to connect you with the infamous Phantom Pirates with many other thefts along the Grand Line and even inside Marine Bases in all the Blues.

The thing about the Phantom Pirates is that nobody knows who they are or how they look like. Your captain just known as a white masked man, no name but "Captain of the Phantom Pirates" 150,000,000. Your own wanted posters without photo but a ? and the epitet "The Ghost Rose" 80,000,000. Until now. Mihawk saw enough of you to recognize you if he sees you again but decides against informing the government.

You're his to find and deal with ;)

Kuro

The controlling and toxic angry ex we all should have for drama.

You met during your golden years as a first officer of the Phantoms, your crew and his having a brief alliance to work together several times.

You thought you were perfect for each other, both loving your plans and having similar habilities with knives and speed, but his controlling, manipulating, perfectionist and literal bloody tendencies sour the deal pretty soon.

He didn't see you as an equal but another pawn for his plans, apparently the only one good enough by his standards, but still a pawn. So you dumped his presumptuous ass and sailed away to never see each other again.

You didn't feel a little sorry after hearing of his passing.

.

Now you have tracked your niece to Syrup Village, the home of some old friends of her parents and whose daughter, Kaya, had keep in contact with through the years but haven't seen since before her own parents passed away.

There you came to know that indeed your niece arrived the day prior just in time for her friend's 18th birthday and, after a very eventfull night, she sailed away with a group of Kaya's new friends and saviors that same morning in a new vessel with a ram's head.

The fact they got acquainted with Kuro himself, who turned to be alive and posing as Kaya's buttler for 3 years, paled in comparison to discover this little group has a boy captain set to sail the Grand Line to find the One Piece. And if the witness of the shipyard got it right, already has a big ass marine ship tailing them.

Judging by their route, they were heading to the Sambas Region and there's only one place to dock there...

.

Bogard

The what-migh-have-been if he wasn't such a workaholic and you hadn't run away from home.

You met back in your previous life when you were a young debutante set by your parents to settle with a respectable marine husband, like your big sister.

He was just promoted to Garp's right hand despite his youth. Being one of the youngest officers with a promising career.

You were indeed charmed by him, but found yourself suffocating by the idea of a future like your sister's. Even after he confessed his plans of sailing the world and not being opposed to his future wife to be a marine too with him.

You did wanted a life of adventure and liberty, but not as a marine. You rejected his proposal and dissapeared days after. Your family came up with the story of you leaving to be an artist and study with the masters in the continent.

Truly nobody had a clue of you for years until you showed up after hearing of your sister's death to take care of your niece, looking like a well put together and wealthy art dealer.

Shanks

The one you ran away with to a life of piracy.

Days after rejecting Bogard and be sent by your parents to some "vacation" to think better of your life choices, you went to hide from your chaperones in a shaddy bar, full of young confidence that you could deal with it.

Plot twist: you did not. You found yourself in the universal female experience of dealing with guys not accepting a no for an answer and had to be rescued by a charming redhead in a straw hat whom you ran away with that same night after you both stole everything you could from those assholes ship and your chaperone's.

After burning out the initial passion, you and Shanks decided that maybe were better as friends, but still sailed together for a while, you learning everything about pirate life from him until you crossed paths with the Phantom Pirates. Captain Erik, being really impressed by you and your knowledge of the upper society, offered you a place in his crew, which you accepted, and kept training you.

Shanks and you remained good friends over the years, even assisting to his legendary drink parties from time to time. Your crew never having any reason to being enemies and even helping his if they needed intel on something.

Didn't expect to be precisely him to give you "parental advice" after you went looking for him when hearing he was in a nearby island, now minus an arm, and confessed you were semi-retired with a child to take care.

No, the child wasn't from him! Why would his crew would thing that?

Buggy

IT-WAS-JUST-ONE-TIME!!!!

But your stupid crew'd never let you live down that.

Surprinsingly, your Captain Erik and Captain Buggy turned to be very good friends. Both with a flair for dramatics and love for certain aesthetics, but yours being happy with working in the shadows, which suited Buggy perfectly.

Every time your crews crossed paths, it was a full carnival for days. And it was in one of those that it happened.

Even if you like and hold very well your alcohol, that time you were really wasted, having just broke up with Kuro. There was no way you'd had jump the clown's bones otherwise. You had standards!

But who'd have thought that the mad jester was such a charmer while drunk? Whispering dirty while still sweet poetry to your ears. Had his eyes always been so pretty? And those arms looked like they might hold you up without effort...

You woke up in his tent with the worst hangover of your life, naked and with a surprinsingly good recollection of the night before.

Of course you took your clothes and ran away to hide in your quarters for the rest of the day.

Fortunately, Buggy hadn't such a detailed memory of the night prior and assumed he passed it with one of the hired women from the local brothel whom the crew invited to the party.

But of course, your captain saw you leaving Buggy's tent and wouldn't stop teasing you for the rest of your life.

.

That's it, my gentle readers. The headcanons for today and I'm already regreting it because my head is full of more ideas than ever and my job performance so down that I'm considering just dig its grave XD

👉 More here.

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[gav-san]

A Vintage Bouquet | 1/5 | Mihawk x reader

Pairing: Dracule Mihawk / Fem Reader

Length: 1/5 Chapters

Summary: Trapped in a monastery and threatened with an impending marriage, you'll strike any deal with a Pirate to escape what your father has in store for you.

Next

“What a treat, for a great warlord of the sea to come to our island.”

Mihawk didn’t remove his feet from the table, barely even bothering to blink at the approach of the voice. Its owner, Rear-Admiral Jacobson, was the insipid leader of the Marine Outpost here, a dull man fitting of the dull backwater.

“It’s truly an honor to host you.” The marine said, taking out a chair to join him, much to his irritation.

“Charmed,” Mihawk replied dryly, barely acknowledging the large man in the marine uniform. “I’m sure.”

The rear admiral laughed, taking a seat on the bar left of the famed swordsman. He didn’t sit too close, clearly aware he was unwelcome, but not scared off 

“I don’t mean to overstep, Hawk Eyes, but I’m shocked to see you here. The West Blue has been very quiet on the pirate front, and less so on any budding warriors. Illa de Palma is paradise for us here.”

Mihawk tilted his head.

He could outright refuse to chat with Jacobson, but it would likely be detrimental. Mihawk was no fan of bright sunlight and the thick humidity on Palma but he did find their wine to be pasable. Insulting the owner of the best vineyard on the island wasn’t going to get him his shipment, or any future ones on any island, knowing the way the wine-masters held grudges.

With a sigh, knowing he wasn’t getting off without revealing a little info, he acquiesced. 

“It isn’t nearly that complicated. I was headed this way and was followed. Since there or no decent vineyards between here and the Grand Line, I thought I may find something interesting.” The swordsman said, raising a glass of dark liquid, and swishing it. “I have yet to decide if it was worth the diversion.”

The rear-admiral Jacobson perked a brow.

“I’d say so, but since it’s my wine, I have a stake in your opinion.”

Mihawk took a measured look, before taking a short drink of the wine, before looking back.

“It’s not terrible.”

The Rear Admiral laughed.

“That’s high praise. I’m not sure anything could please your stiff palette, other than the best.”

Mihawk took another sip, letting the liquid run across his tongue.

“It’ll do, I suppose.” He said, putting it down. “It doesn’t seem like your little island is very interesting otherwise.” The rear admiral Jacobson smiled at the swordsman.

“Interesting? Perhaps not for a man of your caliber, but for me, it’s been divine. We export the best wine and women!”

Mihawk tilted his chin.

“The monastery girls,” Jacobson added, with a wink. “The nobles send their daughters here to learn how to be good wives. Makes the entire island a pretty penny, and we get to see pretty women.”

“How quaint,” Mihawk responded with little care.

Jacobson leaned in as if he expected a juicy bit of gossip, and Mihawk raised his glass again.

“Oh, don’t be so closed-mouth! I know you came in with that fancy noble who has his eyes on our girls! Tell me if it’s true that he wants to take our sweet, lovely island beauty. I speak, of course, of Ms. Gabriella!”

Jacobson named a woman's first name that Mihawk prompted recognized and ignored. The swordsman gave a sound that was similar to a snort, though he was too elegant to do so outright. He was tempted to immediately leave hearing that name again. After having to listen to that incessant noble who decided to follow him, he could live a very long life and not have to hear it again.

“This conversation turns tedious,” Mihawk replied, “Such things hold little interest for me.”

“Always the swordsman, dedicated to your craft.” The rear-admiral joked, much to Mihawk's great annoyance at the familiarity. “For a former pirate, you have always been quite dedicated, much like those nobles.” 

“I’m a pirate, not a savage.” The pirate scoffed, lowering the wine onto the bar with a clink. He rose, moving to leave before he had to hear any more nonsense. “The wine is astringent. Hardly worth a visit.”

The Rear Admiral gaffed, scooting his chair so the swordsman could pass.

“You should pass by the monastery. They had the best wine on the island.” Jacobson said, raising the glass to take a long sniff. “They always purchase our best for their private sacrament.”

Mihawk raised a hand, not bothering to give a reply.

He was not much inclined to take the word of someone who touted such fine taste and failed to live up to the expectations, but he had run low and disliked the idea of setting off without a fresh crate. 

He learned against a pier, next to his boat, listening in to the local fishermen passing, morning still fresh. Villagers only give him half a glance and Marines kept a wide distance, more familiar with his old Wanted Poster. 

He had learned early in life that the best way to discover the best wine was to listen to the townspeople. And though he wasn’t much inclined to speak, he had found his fair share of bounties simply being near. 

But he did raise a brow at the topic of today’s rumor mill. 

It was the name.

The name of the girl, at the monastery. Ms. Something Gabriella. It seemed that this girl was of some importance in the town, her name was like a buzzing fly in his ear.

Gabriella Gabriella Gabriella

What was that first name?

Ah yes.

Ms (name) Gabriella.

After putting the two together he pressed his lips together. 

The last name alone was popular enough that he hadn’t thought much when people shouted praises about the girl. However, the first name was unique enough that it did cause a memory of something to resurface.

Isabella Gabriella.

An old pirate captain, who enjoyed daggers. He wondered if there was any relation between the girl and the pirate swordswoman he had known long ago, who had been a fearsome foe indeed when he was a young man.

She often bragged about her precious little daughter, who had the same name as this monastery girl.

He glanced at the Monastery, turning. Well, he supposed it wouldn’t be that big of a detour. 

Perhaps even bearable if there was good wine.

-XXX-

The white sheets fluttered in the cool sea breeze that the evening on the coast had brought, the crisp breeze ridding it of the last wrinkles and folds. Careful fingers folded the fabric into a sharp square, placing it in the large wicker basket next to the laundry before you turned to the last row of hanging sheets.

You couldn’t help stop your eyes from wandering past the tall stone wall of the Nunnery Annex and gazing down the hill where the shimmering white of Ciudad Blanca lay, flaunting its beauty to all who came across the Isla de Palma.

You could appreciate the artistry that had gone into the white facade of the rich town, as you had once been part of something.

You blinked, hearing your name.

Ms. Gabriella.

Calls of it came from those passing, able to see through the cutouts in the wall, making you feel akin to a goldfish in a too-small bowl. 

The monastery walls had been built less for the comfort of those inhabiting it but as a symbol of its wealthy patrons. It was a very popular destination on Isla Palma, and though you preferred cloistering herself away in the depths of the monastery, you had watched those visitors with a melancholy stirring in your heart. 

Adventurous, free, people.

Located in the West Blue, the beautiful city saw more than its fair share of seafaring wanderers, an almost alarming toss-up of Marines and merchants. You heard more than you saw, as enough seemed to fear the Gods that they would visit, climbing the stairs to reach the tall white building.

And, inevitably, some of those travelers were almost certainly pirates masquerading as sailors. 

And despite your hair being tightly pulled back into a strict bun, secured by coif and wimple, under the black veil, it did little to hide your lovely face and sparkling eyes, as bright as the lights dancing off the warm ocean. 

And others noticed, as well.

When you were on rotation for laundry or any other tasks outside the monastery walls you would be cat-called, harassed, or confronted by angry women.

you tended, hiding yourself behind the last youets, folding as quickly as you could.

You weren’t surprised at the rough-looking travelers who called as you trod behind the Abbess, as you greatly suspected they were pirates. But the number of Marines who would leer at you and the other sisters was downright horrible.

You whipped another sheet off the laundry and winced when you heard a rip.

Damn.

Mother Superior would be greatly displeased with her, as she already thought you taking the food and space that so many other young females would be grateful for. 

A good marriage, the Mother Superior had often told you, was something a face like yours should aspire to. It was one of the Abbotess’s many ways of letting you know that time was ticking for her, and if you could not find a proper husband, you’d be found one.

Choose, you foolish girl, choose! 

Countless men had been offered to her, but the photos and love letters blurred before your eyes as panic caused your stomach to heave.

Your entire body reacted to the notion of marriage, shoulders squaring and knees locking as you attempted not to drop to your knees.

You felt a drop of sweat run down your shoulder at the thought of accepting one of the many proposals coming through the Monastery letterbox. Many wealthy men came to the island, but few were good. Less who had all their teeth, and had the resources to afford a bride dowry for her.

And those acceptable were almost exactly like father.

Your father, a name not earned but given regardless, was a noble living in the holy city of Mary Genoese, bathing in wealth and privilege. you hadn’t seen him in years. He saw you more as a prize swan than flesh and blood, and the only reason you heard from him was when he reminded you of your duty to marry, mainly through very unpleasant Den Den Mushi calls via snail.

And his latest he hasn’t held back, letting you know that whoever you accepted, expected to receive a generous offering for her. 

The Mother Superior had a vice-like grip on your arm, keeping you in check. 

Of course, you agreed.

A record number of Berry would go on to continue running the monastery with your success. That was the whole reason girls like you were boarded and raised by nuns.

But your worth was ticking down if you passed into your thirties without choosing. 

The town bell rang, counting down your hours.

You wanted to pull the entire line of laundry down, angry at everything. Your life hadn’t started as a plot to turn into a breeding cow! 

Your mother had been an adventurous, independently wealthy captain before wedding father. He had promised her a similar lifestyle after getting hitched, just adding his fine title as a nobleman with a residence in the Holy City. 

And so you were a child who had worn only the finest dresses, even when running through the swelling ocean waves, hair perfectly coiffed even as you lay to sleep.

Maids regularly pampered her, and the best tutors engaged her mind. You voraciously read books and loved your father for generously giving you so many. Many afternoons had been spent aboard your mother's ship, set up in a hammock reading romance and eating the finest sweets, and even tasting the fine wine they sailed around delivering.

Your mother's crew was mostly retired marines and had generously taught you all about the wine trade as if you were their child. Your mother taught you more than a few tricks with her daggers, though you preferred the feel of a sword.

Your mother had made you hide this when you visited your father. He had, over time become more and more vocal about his dislike of sea life, how women didn’t suit it, especially concerning you in particular.

You had, deep down, had a feeling that something had gone sour in him.

It had probably not helped that over time, your mother had taken on the lion's share of raising you, and your noble father had mostly enjoyed staying at home, raking in his wife's wealth and attention with far too much free time on his hands. They spent more time away than together, and soon, it was clear divorce would be imminent.

On your sixteenth birthday, your mother, her ship, and the entire crew were shot down by pirates and murdered. 

You had miraculously been on a rare vacation with your father. He had praised the heavens for such good fortune but you deeply grieved, unable to find any value in your life compared to your mothers.

You weren’t even half the woman she was, in any respect, and now she was gone, you saw just how strong she had been to counter a man like your father.

Father wasted no time introducing the newest addition to his collection. And you meant that as a plural since it wasn’t a day after your mother’s passing that you discovered your mother was just one of four wives that your father secretly had. He went around town, touting how you were to be sold off in a similar manner.

You were determined to cut ties, your anger roused at such a callous insult, but before you could touch a penny of your inheritance he locked it away, then he locked you away, per the flexible arm of his noble title. 

Your entire future shifted, and any chance at a seafaring life was gone. And it took less than a day for that to be made clear.

And there was nothing you could do about it.

You paused, hands loosening before you tore another bed sheet, focusing to take another deep breath. 

Taking out your anger here would not give you back what you had lost. You would only receive toilet cleaning duties for the next month if you didn’t control yourself.

But every day, anger cinched your middle tighter, and inevitably, those invisible stays would break, or simply cut you in two. 

Breathe, you reminded herself.

“Ms Gabriella, my beloved!!” Another voice called behind your back, and you scrunched your brows together. It was close. A cold shiver danced down your spine. 

Heffery Jones.

“Lovely Sweet thing!”

You recognized that drunk voice and your brows furrowed. What a terrible day, you decided. While most of your well-wishers managed to control themselves and not climb the nunnery, this voice was coming too close to her.

You flinched, turning at the figure who was half dangling over the brick, waving too enthusiastically your way.

One of the somewhat poor townsmen, a very young fellow with brown hair and yellowing teeth grinned at your lost expression.

And very drunk. 

“My love, why haven’t you responded to my proposal?” He cried out to you, still struggling on the balustrade. 

“Go home Heffery, your wife works too hard for you to waste it on drinks.” you retorted, your tone flat. You didn’t have the time to state all of your reasons, but that was a start.

Not that it worked.

“Darling, let’s run away and go sail the sea together! My wife means nothing!” He cried, wiggling to try and get over the sharp spikes.

You actually liked Mary Jones and feel sorry you had married Heffery. But it was arranged, like most marriages in town. You were sure the only reason Mary Jones hadn’t run off was her children, who all looked suspiciously like your neighbor, rather than her husband. 

You readied herself, grabbing the laundry basket, in case you needed to throw it at him.

“Heffery Jones, don’t you dare!” The voice of the Mother Superior rang out, startling both of them.

You, for once, were flooded with relief as you heard her call out from one of the many windows. Even if it meant a lecture later, of why you had been the problem. For now, Heffery could take the tongue-lashing of the older woman, for however long it took him to realize he needed to run.

The Abbot didn’t hold much power in the monastery, but he had a den den mushi phone and paid off the local marines for problems like this.  

But Heffery Jones wasn’t known for his intelligence or listening ability, and he attempted to jump over the brick. Even the solid shoe you threw aimed at his face didn’t change his mind.

He still attempted to jump.

And this was only an attempt as he inadvertently sacrificed his fancy waistcoat on a lantern pedestal and flung himself back the other way, into the road. Your shoe met with a satisfying thump and fell to the ground on the other side.

You heard the alarm of the local church regulars and the dismay of drunk sailor men who had followed Heffery from his bar to egg him on, as well as the distant thuds of Heffery rolling down the hill, probably straight back into the bar he had come from.

So you waved goodbye, cheekily.

Mother Superior burst through the side door, just as you finished folding the laundry, hiding ripped sheet at the bottom of the pile.

“That disgusting man! And you, you! Must you flaunt yourself? If you wish to be seen, hurry up and choose a respectable suitor!” 

you knew better than to argue, simply apologizing. Thankfully you weren’t forced to grovel for long, as the Abbot flew through the door, bouncing back from the Mother Superior's large girth.

“He is coming!” He cried, falling into a tumble of robes.

“Great Heavens!” The nun said in tandem, as Abbot cried out his news. “I already chased the Jones boy off!”

A nun followed the father, picking him up from the ground, and the old man wasted no time delivering his news to both of them.

“Not the boy, Mother!” He said with a flourish, slipping around her. 

The Abbot grabbed your hands, gleefully. 

“Your fiancé! He has been chosen! And he’ll be accompanied by a Warlord of the sea!” your mouth fell open, but you stopped herself by biting her lip. 

“Pardon?” you croaked.

Mother Superior cackled in thanksgiving, holding up her hands in praise to the sky. 

“He can afford a Warlord?!? He’s clearly rich and powerful enough to pay for an entire new section of the building!” Mother Superior cried out, picking up the Abbot and spinning him.

The man cried out in alarm, but you felt like you had been the one being spun. you knew the time had been ticking down, but your father had promised your mother, in a written will, that you would be able to choose your husband!

You stepped back, breath getting heavy. The Abbot and the Mother Superior danced around one another, leaving you the chance to dash away, trying your best not to hyperventilate. You flung yourself around the corner fleeing the wide courtyard to the smaller citrus grove. 

Others disliked the mushy ground, laden with rotting oranges, and so you often found respite there.

There on the bench, you raised your lone barefoot to look at the consequences of a very impulsive throw. Not that it hadn’t been deserved, but now you’d have to go beg the gate guard to fetch it for you. 

Or…

You glanced at the old, bolted side gate in the wall behind the last tree. 

If you dare, you could unlock it, dart out, and get it herself. You questioned if it was worth potentially being discovered, but if you were quick, and only to avoid unnecessary drama, it very well might be. Tucking a stray piece of hair behind your ear you sighed, agreeing it was certainly a bad day.

This inner debate was cut short when you heard a thud, near the gate. 

You jumped up, startled, head snapping over.

A shiver ran down your spine at what you had found.

A shoe.

Your shoe.

There, in a space bare of any fallen oranges, lay your shoe.

You dash to the gate, from where the shoe almost certainly came, thrusting your head out of the small space on the top. And you only caught your beneficiary as they turned the corner, the edge of a dark coat.

And you were unsure why such a small glimpse of a simple kind of action made your stomach erupt in butterflies.

You turned, ready to call out to the person, or something.

“Girl!”

You jumped back, throwing on your shoe just as Mother Superior turned the corner and found you. 

“Quit hiding around, it’s time to get ready! Your father wishes to speak with you!”

-XXX-

If there was anything that could make this day worse, it was getting a call from your father. The den den mushi for the convent was not only slow, but your father had become unbearable.

The snail did a great job conveying his disregard for you.

“Do us both a favor, you, and be on your best behavior.” 

“Father-” you began, only to be sharply cut off.

“-While you may not want to be married, you, but there’s no other respectable path for your future. I promise there are much worse suitors who are interested, who wouldn’t care much for your consent.” 

“-Father-”

“Pirates, even.”

You froze. 

“Be a good girl, my dear. I mean, anything is better than one of those Doflamingo boys. I’ve heard that Donquixote is little better than a brute. He’s been looking for a noble bride and has the money. He had no real title, since that debacle, and has been calling me up incessantly.”

Surely your father wouldn’t be cruel enough to consider that? you didn’t dare call his bluff, only to be proven wrong. you had heard plenty about the fallen noble Doflamingos, and you knew that your father was no longer joking. If you pressed him, then he’d make it worse for you.

“You’ll be a darling, won’t you, my dear? Go make pretty eyes at that nice new fiance and make sure you walk away with a ring.”

…

“Yes… father.”

-XXX-

You sat in the citrus grove, finally alone. It was chilly, being outside well into the night with only a shawl, still wearing the day dress.

Fingers clenched in the fine, high-waisted cotton dress, simple but well made. It had been the only nice dress you possessed, but had still needed a quick fitting since you had lost weight as time slipped on. Dainty slippers pinched at your toes, clearly borrowed from someone who had smaller feet. 

Your hair had been groomed till it shone, left mostly up twisted into a pretty pearl netting to keep your face clear of any strays. Even makeup had been acquired.

Not even a week had passed, but you already met your new finacé.

And it had been what you expected. You had hoped that it wouldn’t be an extended meeting with the Noble fiancé because alas, no good were wishes anymore. Ronald W. Canonfire the Fourth was a long-winded, much older man looking for a pretty third wife, just to liven things up, since his other two were getting so old. And he disliked their ‘worn’ bodies since they had had almost twenty children between them.

You grit your teeth and played dumb.

Though you had been engaged, a first meeting tended to be shorter, by tradition. It was mostly to assure the buyer that the bride was as had been showcased to be. And if he approved, which he probably would, the wedding would proceed. And your next meeting with him would be the day you would go down the aisle.

Good Lord.

You couldn’t live that way.

No-

You wouldn’t.

You took in a deep breath, your chest heaving. Surely, this was not going to be the way your life went. Whatever it took, you would not be going down that aisle. You could secretly take the vows, or maybe even slip away, and find work on the docks disguised. Or stowaway!

Anything.

Anything, but this life.

So you stood, unsure of what path you were going to take, only sure that you had to take it. 

And to hear a lock break.

The door on the side of the monastery creaked open.

You whip your head around, confident someone has somehow read your thoughts.And your chest nearly seizes as you brace yourself for whatever is coming.

The first thing you saw, from the deep shadows of the doorway, were well-oiled boots. Followed by dark pants, a rich black coat, and a sleek hat with a feather. A cutting figure, to say the least. His scandalous lack of a shirt was not missed, nor were the cut muscles that gleamed pristine white. 

You take a step back, thinking you should probably call out for help, but are unable to find the words.

There is something downright transfixing about this man, and it’s not just the way his muscles cut down to the downright sinful apex of his pants. 

He’s older, but not much.

Your mouth goes dry.

“Are you going to throw your shoe again?” He has a mild tone, almost bored. “Or should I wait?”

“You-” You mutter in fascination. “You are the man who threw back my shoe.”

He steps through, letting the gate swing close behind him.

“Why are you here?” You ask, perplexed. You might be afraid, but he looks so disinterested that you can’t help but feel a bit calm.

“Are you going to throw it at me this time?” He asks again, a sharp brow raising.

Heck, the man’s entire face was sharp, accentuated by well-groomed facial hair, and generous lashes, held together by a severe expression. 

His unmissable eyes must have seen your first, for when your gaze reached his face, he was already looking at her. 

Startled, you realized they were gold. Gold, and almost alien in appearance. All of these things were eye-catching and startling.

And for a moment, both stared.

But that’s not what you gazed at with an abrupt interest.

Just as he stepped into full view of the single lantern overhead, the light danced off the large metal cross on the man’s back, giving you a view of what must be the largest sword you’ve ever seen.

“Is that a kriegsmesser?” You said before you could stop yourself. “It’s enormous.”

You swear at yourself, as a reminder that the last thing you need to do is start fangirling over weapons, lest you encourage the intruder to use his own. And for it to come out like you is an innuendo.

It truly was a long, horrible day, if this was your best manners.

One of the man’s brows lifted, followed by a slight down curve at the corner of his mouth.

“Yoru.” He answered, and you blinked. “Is hardly so simple as a mere Kriegsmesser. She may be my largest sword, but I’m effective with all I equipt.”

Your mouth tilted in a smile, glee filling your chest, before you managed to clear your throat at his sly joke. Suddenly you were ten again, on the deck of the ‘Sweet Joy’ and practicing your footwork. 

“Yoru,” You repeated, subtly swaying the motions you’d use with such a sword. It sounded familiar, though it had been ten years since you had read anything about swords. “May I see her?” You ask, forgoing all manners, like a bar whore.

This time, the man actually gave a smile, though it was very subtle. 

“It’s not for taming bunnies.” He said, coming a step closer, and glancing down at your feet.

“Lend me your blade and we can test that theory.” You retort sharply, much to his amusement, the way he leans forward.

“I hardly here for a fight with a nun.” He said with a drawl, his tone mildly amused. 

“I am not a nun.” He waved a hand like it made little difference. “Why did you come?” you said cooly, moving to put the bench between you. You hoped he was here to take you hostage, but you couldn’t make it seem easy, and give yourself away.

The man sighed, giving you a long look as if he could read your mind.

“Don’t kid yourself. I heard there’s good wine here.” The man replied, leaning against the door of the outer wall

You blinked.

“I guess.” you said, “But this isn’t exactly a store.” 

“Understood,” He said wryly.

“And the Abbot will also be asleep by now, even for a distinguished gentleman yourself.” You fold your arms.

“Hense the sidegate.” He tilted his fancy hat to the broken side door.

“Rude.” You reply. “I should scream.” You wave a hand.

He moves so quickly you don’t see him place a finger on your mouth until it’s there.

“Perhaps we can come to an accord.” The man said, and you stepped back, slapping the hand away.

“Perhaps, for the right price.” you gave him a long look. “Do you own a boat?”

The man lowered his chin, giving you a hard stare that you struggled to keep, and only did so since your entire life was on the line.

A nod and you assumed that meant yes.

“I need passage off this island. And quickly,” You muttered, lowering your voice and stepping closer. He sighed as if you had asked him to pluck the moon out of the sky.

“Oh? Now why would I ever do that? Even good wine isn’t worth a private ride on my boat.” He said, tone flat. 

“The wine is the best on the island. A vintage from my mother’s last shipment.” You bartered, standing your ground. “My word is good. I have my sommelier certification, and still have an active registration in the Vineyard Guild. I know wine.”

The swordsman looked you down steadily with his gold eyes.

“What’s your mother’s name?” He said, moving to the bench to sit before you, one leg elegantly flung over the other.

“Isabella Gabriella, the captain of the-”

“The wine merchant and you’re her daughter?” You wonder if you should be offended by the long look he gives you, but for some reason it fills you with butterflies, to be seen so thoroughly.

“You knew my mother?”

“Very well, girl. You’ve piqued my interest. Let’s make a deal.” He lifts a hand, gesturing to the monestary.

“I require two crates of wine for your passage to the next island.” He says, and you look at him harshly.

“This wine is worth at least a trip to the Grand Line.” You counter, fingers clenching your arms.

“Now why would a bunny like you want to go to the Grand Line? Surely you don’t think well-bred girls such as yourself are better off there than here?”

“If wine isn’t enough, then I’ll fight you for the honor of riding on your boat. If only to prove to you I can handle myself. ”

“Fight? You, a little bunny?” He said, this time you knew you had amused him, by the way the corners of his mouth raised. 

“I doubt I could defeat you, swordsman, but I’m not a girl. But if I can land even a single blow, would that impress you?”

“Very well.” He said, folding his arms. “This is hardly an appropriate venue. When an opportunity arrives, we’ll see what you’re made of.”

You lower your arms, placing your hands flat against your dress. Better for him to underestimate you now.

“Fine. When and where?” 

The man stood, turning to the gate, practically making you follow him out.

“It bores me to wait, so be by the docks to my ship by next nightfall. And only come if you manage to get the wine, girl.”

“I’m not a girl.” You say, and then clearly annunciate your name, but the man just walks down the cobblestone road, away from you. “What’s your name?” You call out, brows furrowed, arms holding the door to not clang.

“Dracule.”

He doesn’t look back.

And as you swiftly go back into the monastery, already planning your escape, you can’t help but get the notion that you’ve heard that name before.

[fivedayslater]

Like Fine Wine: An Informal Study of Zoro/Sanji Side Pairings

I've been curious about which side pairings crop up the most alongside ZoSan, so I decided to look into it the only way I know how: AO3 tag usage

Come on this journey with me

Since people tag side pairings in either the Additional Tags section using the format Minor [Ship Tag] and in the Relationship Tags section alongside the main relationship pretty evenly, I decided the best way to go about this was to get both numbers and add them together. The way I got these numbers was by searching AO3 for works tagged with Roronoa Zoro/Sanji in the Relationship section and Minor [Ship Name] in the Additional Tags section, then with both Roronoa Zoro/Sanji and [Ship Name] in the Relationship section.

I am aware that this meant that I a) counted fics that were tagged in both the Relationship and Additional Tags sections twice, and b) counted those giant one-shot collections that tag every single ship featured even if they're only in one chapter (derogatory), which aren't quite what I'm looking for, but even so I feel this was the best way to go about it given the tools at my disposal.

As for which pairings to search, I went to the experts, aka Zoro/Sanji fic readers. I took suggestions from here, the ZoSan Club discord server, Twitter, and BlueSky. I also added the top 50 or so l tagged One Piece ships on AO3 that didn't involve Zoro or Sanji to see how they compared overall.

(Poly ships were excluded because most tagging on them also includes tagging every combination in the poly ship, and would have skewed the data)

It should also be noted that because of how this method functions, I also would have counted fics where Zoro/Sanji is tagged in the Relationships section, but is only a side pair to the main pairing. I deemed this acceptable, as the point of this quest is to see which ships go the most with Zoro/Sanji, and them being the side pairing counts. It also means that fics with these side pairings that don't have them tagged at all weren't counted, but there's not much I can do about that.

The results of all this?

Most everyone on every platform agreed that Franky/Robin, Nami/Vivi, Usopp/Kaya, and Luffy/Law were the most common. And the numbers agree:

(purple is for the assumed top ships, green is for suggested ships, and blue is for AO3's top ships)

Here's everything broken down by which tags were searched:

Here's the breakdown of what my Panel Of Experts (the people who replied) like to see alongside ZoSan:

And here's the breakdown AO3's top ships

What have we learned from this:

The pairings most popular with Zoro/Sanji tend to feature Straw Hats (Franky, Robin, Luffy, Nami, Usopp), or people who would reasonably be around the Straw Hats in an AU (Ace, Mihawk, Law, Sabo)

We as a community really need to standardize how we tag side ships. Considering writing up a Best Practices post. Will keep you posted

When everyone agrees, that's probably the right answer

I think Law/Luffy beating out Franky/Robin on the Relationship tags has to do with there simply being more Law/Luffy fic. It doesn't appear as a side pairing as much, but is often a main pairing alongside Zoro/Sanji, and a lot of Law/Luffy centric fics have Zoro/Sanji as a side pair

Doflamingo is very popular to ship around for some reason? He's in like 5 of the top 10 ships

Law is too, but like. I get that

Sabo too! Everyone really likes throwing Sabo at people

You are all so right about Kuina/Sabo though

There are pairings that made the list like Killer/Penguin and Crocodile/Dragon that I assume are very popular side pairings in like Kid/Law and Luffy centric fics, but don't have a lot of showing in Zoro/Sanji fic

More studies could be done into more specific breakdowns within each side pairing, and how often Zoro/Sanji appears as a side pairing with the other ship as a main pairing, but I don't want to. Maybe later

Mostly what I learned is that i have way too much time on my hands 👍

Still, maybe some of you are interested in the results too, in which case, you're welcome :)

[beanghostprincess]

Transfem auntie buggy ideas again bc AAAA BRANROT I LOVE WOMEN-

Ya know,,,,, how Oda said,,,,,, Buggy COULD be really fucking powerful if there was effort put in? What if in transfem Buggy world, the effort was due to dysphoria-fueled depression and anxiety. Coming out ((and having such blatant and unrepentant support, from her lovers AND the Guild in its entirety)) leads to her actually... feel okay-ish. It's not a sudden in-all-fix-it ((she needs a PLETHORA of therapies)), but it starts her on a good path. Thay first step was difficult, but it was made... so much easier. Which leads to the second step. The third. The fourth.

And now that Buggy isn't having seventy four panic attacks every three minutes, she can devote some Brain Space to other things - her weapon making has become a sort of fidget toy type of situation, and she's.. actually really gotten a knack for this, over the years. She'd never call herself prodigal ((lowkey even if she is, with chemistry, physics and spatial awareness, she's so deep in the I'm A Liar hole that she doesn't clock that just.... Getting It isn't normal)).

Croc and Hawk are very supportive, even if they bully her (consensually).

And eventually, they even deign to try teaching her Haki - just to realize she's... been using it constantly almost her whole life. Her Observation is innate, acute, and one of the reasons she's so charismatic and able to reign in a crowd. It's both a talent for manipulation and also a form of reactive observation haki - by shifting her own energy among her followers, prospective or otherwise, she can encourage a specific reaction. It's a mix of Skill, Natural Talent and smoke and mirrors.

Learning that makes her wonder - if Haki can be so dynamic and THEN SOME, what other places has she not considered such an approach? Her weapons? Training? Her... her devil fruit...?

It's a paramecia. It affects her body, and she's gotten some rather decent control of it. Do paramecias awaken like zoans? Do logias? New Fixation Hours. She goes a little feral with the possibilities.

Suddenly, it seems like all of these little walls she never noticed before have fallen away, leaving a vast horizon of possibility.

Shanks will take a bit to arrive at Karai Bari, and he's expecting a specific version of his former best friend (or former love or former sibling, depending on Preferred Shuggy Flavor). He is anticipating the Buggy he saw a few years ago, but this time Woman Mode.

Crocodile and Mihawk's protective hovering is not exactly smth he anticipated, but he's willing to roll with that! His lovely Bug is just so pretty, he HAS to tell her, see her for himself, it's not even a want, it's not a desire, he needs it the way hee needs sea salt in his hair and a hilt in his hand and air in his lungs.

Buggy, meanwhile has skipped right tf over many emotions, instead Fueled By Hyperfixation, and while part of her is absolutely REELING at Shanks showing up unannounced on HER island, another part is cackling in mad scientist and saying "convince him to guinea pig, 'for old time's sake'." Shanks is WEAK to Buggy Begging Eyes, and Croc and Hawk ((while also weak but not exactly as weak as Shanks, they can pretend)) are watching and honestly laughing internally bc....

Well. Buggy's on a ROLL. And Shanks is her newest toy.

Poor Redhair has NO IDEA what he's in for...

SHE'S A QUEEN SHE'S A PRINCESS SHE'S LITERALLY LIVING IN MY HEAD RENT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is actually canon to me. Okay. Okay? She was just insecure and dealing with dysphoria and now she's the queen of the world. She owns it. Shanks is such a simp he's gonna let her do anything lmfao. And Mihawk and Crocodile absolutely love her and it's even funnier to bully her this way. And she's,,, She's so powerful. Queen. Absolutely amazing. Sexy but also really cute. Prettiest clown you've ever seen. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT HER CLOTHES??? Because I have so many outfits in mind I am going INSANE. And I can't stop thinking about Luffy and her getting along and Luffy being extremely happy (not to mention Sanji, Don't- Don't let Sanji see her because maybe he dies. Me too).

[kacievvbbbb]

The Seraphim & The Concept of Self

I wonder who picked the Seraphim's outfits cause at first glance when you only look at S-Hawk and S-Snake it feels like there's a standard uniform. then you see the whole group and there's definitely some individuality going on; like S-Bear just wearing a mini kuma outfit, S-Shark with the gi, my man Moria got a little suspender situation going on over there. S-mingo wearing a whole ass hawain shirt. So there's definitely some variety though they all incorporate white in some way. And I wonder if maybe they got some input into what they wore one of the only acts of "free will" they were allowed was choosing whether they wore shorts or long pants which is as adorable as it is sad.

Because think about the implications that they are dressed to the taste of their adult counterparts, right down to how doffy and mihawk like to open their shirts (except for S-Snake which thank god) but yeah what if it wasn't an allowance of free will but a test to see just how deep DNA ran. If it could influence something as simple as choice of clothing, just another fact for Vega punk to marvel at.

Or maybe the clothes were chosen by one of the Vega punks (I can imagine Shaka doing it) or one of the other various lab assistants. And it's just another way to get them to embody the warlords, to reinforce who they were cloned to be, impressing on them that they are not their own people, their lives are not their own. They are already predetermined; from what powers they get, to what weapons they use, even down to what clothes they wear. Everything reinforces that they are not people, just "better" "stronger" versions of someone else.

Either way, and It might have not have been purposely meant that way because I'm pretty sure Vega punk doesn't really register them as human (which is weird cause he treats stussy very humanly and a whole other can of worms seeing as they seem to be aware and possess a personality to some capacity) it's another way of dehumanizing them, reducing them to the people they are meant to become. They have no "free will" no illusion of choice; they have a predetermined destiny, a pre-determined order, there was never any room for choice even down to the shirts on their back.

[shankss-magnificent-ass]

What do op men's hands are like part 1

Red haired Shanks

Shank's hands aren't the softest or the smoothest. He is a swordsman, a pirate, and a sailor, so his hands are dry as fuck. His skin will scratch at your skin when he runs them over your skin.

He has a habit of running his fingers through his hair, which is usually a little on the greasy side. Unfortunately it's pretty much the closest thing to moisturizing them that he gets. It also usually makes his hangnails significantly worst. Which he ends up biting them off when they start to bother him, or when he's bored, or he's finished biting his nails.

And yes, he does bite his nails. Shanks has always chewed his nails down to the nail bed ever since he was a child. Both Benn and Rayleigh have tried and failed multiple times to get him to stop.

You might think that all of this makes Shanks's hands very unpleasant to the touch. And as long as he's not giving you a massage for a prolonged period of time without using oil or lotion, it is very pleasant.

Law

Law is a surgeon, so he's very careful with his hands. He uses lotions and goes as far as as to oil his cuticles and around his fingers. However, he is still a swordsman, so he has calluses on the pads of his hands. Law usually keeps his nails short, but not down to the nail bed. He lets there be like an eighth of an inch to his nails.

Law's hands are unfortunately kind of clammy most of the time. It's something he'll be self-conscious about early on in your relationship. But as it progresses he'll sink into being comfortable running his hands along your body, he'll still wipe his hands off before doing so.

Law has a habit of twiddling thumbs when he's deep in thought. It isn't uncommon to find him hunched over in the polar tang and resting his elbows on his knees with his hands clutched together and his thumbs rubbing together against his pursed lips as he's deep in thought. You don't understand how he can have his hands so close to his face, especially considering that his hands reek of disinfectant.

Mihawk

Mihawk is a world-class swordsman, a solo sailor, and he farms his own food. So his hands are so callused that they're smooth. His skin isn't dry, he regularly rubs various oils and moisturizers into his hand. Granted it's usually the stuff he uses for his face, but it works.

Mihawk's hands are amazing to hold, they're the perfect temperature. They're warm during the winter and cool during the summer. He's aware that you will often hold his hand as an excuse to warm up or cool down your own hands. So when the two of you are out in the elements for prolonged periods of time, he'll cup your cheeks, so you can take advantage of his own body temperature. Mihawk likes to give you sweet little kisses on your forehead when he does this.

He doesn't bother trimming his nails, they usually wear down as he goes about his life. They're usually short, but long enough that dirt gets under them quite often, but he's meticulous about cleaning them one's he's finished doing the dirty work. Mihawk will sometimes use them to scratch along your head, neck and spine, when the two of you are snuggle up together at bedtime.

It's practically a part of both of your nighttime routines. He'll come inside after the sun set, for either training, farming, or fixing up the castle. He'll take off his work boots before coming into the house, he'll go take a shower, while you cook dinner. After you'll eat alone together, unless Zorro and Perona are home. Then the two of you lounge around in the same room, doing different activities, just sharing space and enjoying the tranquility. Then he'll get settled down in bed as you shower, and once you're done, and dressed he'll pull you into bed. As you rest your head against his chest, you drift off into a peaceful sleep as his nails rhythmically scratch from your head, down to your tail bone and back while you listen to his heart beat.

Katakuri

Despite the fact Katakuri is an amazing fighter, he spends most of his days doing paper work and wearing gloves. He is also a mochi man, so his hands are smooth, soft, cool, and they smell nice, except his knuckles are rough from punching. And because of his devil fruit, he doesn't need to use any moisturizer, and he doesn't get permanent wrinkles either.

Katakuri also keeps his nails short, but he doesn't use clippers, he just peels them off t the margins. Which is why he wears the gloves, to try and stop him from wrecking his nails. But the moment the gloves come off he's breaking them and pulling them off. So the edge of his nails are kind of uneven, and wildly jagged.

The temperature of his hands depends on the temperature of his environment. They get warm and sticky when it's warm out, and cold and stiff when it's cold, another reason he wears the gloves. Katakuri will put his hands on you to annoy you when they get bad, but only when you're. His hands are still soft, and cushy, so when his hand engulfs yours, and he kisses your knuckles during sweet moments together, it's always very tender for the both of you.

Please support me on Kofi and Patreon

[thewillofdeez]

Shanks - SFW Alphabet

G/N Reader, minor discussion of adult themes.

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

Shanks is a very affectionate person, both with his friends and his lovers. If you’re not that kind of person, he’ll totally keep his hands to himself, but he does like expressing his affections through touch. For his closest friends on the crew, hugs are commonplace. He’s been known to plop himself into Beckman’s lap when drunk for a cuddle. Mihawk gets a big sloppy kiss on the cheek whenever they see each other (he hates it and has considered killing Shanks to end it, but he doesn’t because he VERY begrudgingly loves his friend very much). But you? If you want, you get the hugs, you get the kisses on your head or cheek, you get him falling asleep on your lap. Whatever you want, as long as he’s touching you he’s content.

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

Much like Luffy after him, he sort of picks people up and makes them his friend whether they want to be or not. You might have started out as a reluctant companion, or maybe you were friends from the moment you met. Shanks knows he can come on pretty strong, so if you need time to let him in, he’ll give that to you because he thinks you’re worth it. If Shanks considers you his bestie, he’ll move mountains for you.

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

Shanks loves to cuddle. He’s a physical touch as a love language kind of guy. He wants you to lean your head on his shoulder if you’re up late on watch duty. He doesn’t mind if you fall asleep, hell, he’ll encourage it. He also loves sleeping with you. Whether you’re a couple or platonic, he specifically enjoys the closeness that comes with falling asleep with another person.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Shanks is a pirate for life. Even if he wanted to, there would be no “settling down” for him. He plans on being at sea until the day he dies. He also kind of enjoys that he has people on the crew who do the cleaning and maintenance for him. He feels like he got enough of that life on the Oro Jackson.

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

Shanks would do anything in the world for his person, but he’s a pirate above all else. It’s the only life he’s ever known and the only life he wants. The thing to most likely break them would be if his partner wanted something he couldn’t or wouldn’t be willing to provide. It’d break his heart entirely - he loves easily, but being in love is something rare. He’d get past it, but he’d be hesitant to allow himself to be in such a vulnerable position again, and he’d feel forever changed.

F = Fiance(e) (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

If you’re a member of his crew, Shanks would be open to the idea of marriage, but it might take some convincing. He’s very aware of power dynamics and even before you started dating the idea of being romantically involved with someone on his crew made him cautious. But the crew was fully supportive, and so he took the leap. To take that next step would be much the same kind of discussion. Ring or not, he is completely open to the idea of spending his life with the right person. If you’re not on his crew and he can’t guarantee being able to spend every day with you, it’s probably not going to get to that point in the first place anyway.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

We’ve all seen Shanks. We know he’s incredibly strong physically, as a pirate, and with his Haki. But with you, he’s all soft edges unless he needs to use that strength to protect you. Emotionally, the man is basically a golden retriever.

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

If you asked Shanks what the worst part about missing an arm would be, he wouldn’t say having to re-learn how to do everything with his right hand, it wouldn’t be the weird phantom limb syndrome he had going for a while, and it wouldn’t be the things that he never realized were harder to do with only one arm, like putting on pants. He would 100% say it’s that every hug he gives is now, by definition, half a hug. He makes up for this by just making every hug twice as long.

I = I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Shanks is liberal with the word “love,” but not in a meaningless way. He loves his crew, he loves his friends, and he’s open about letting people know this in a completely platonic way. He thinks it’s important to tell the people you care about that you care about them while you can. But for romantic love, he’ll be a little more cautious. Yes, he’ll want to tell you immediately. He’ll want to shout it to the world. But he also knows romantic love is delicate, and he would hold back until he was sure you were on the same page. After that, though, you’ll hear it a dozen times a day.

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

Nahh, Shanks trusts you. There isn’t a jealous bone in the man’s body.

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

Shanks wants to kiss you all over, everywhere, and all of the time. You’ll get soft, sleepy smooches when you wake up in the morning, and he’ll nuzzle your face and neck, enjoying being close to you. During the day you’re both busy around the ship usually, so you’ll get a quick peck here and there when your paths cross. At night, he’ll pull you close to him and kiss you deeply, letting his tongue explore your mouth…then elsewhere, if you want.

L = Little ones (How are they around children?)

Shanks is awesome with kids, probably because in some ways he’s sort of a big kid himself. He speaks their language, and they tend to flock to him. He gets joy out of playing along. If a kid he doesn’t know comes up to him and shows him a rock, he’s totally gonna tell that kid it’s the coolest rock he’s ever seen. Shanks doesn’t see room in his life for being a full-time parent, but he enjoys taking on a mentorship role with the kids he meets and being a positive influence in their lives, and that scratches the itch enough for him.

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

Shanks is a morning person through and through. He spends about two total minutes being groggy before he’s back to his normal self and ready to start the day. Unless he partied a little too hard the night before, he also likes to be among the first people up on the ship. He sort of sees it as part of his duty as captain - if his people need to be up at the crack of dawn, he should be too. If you’re an early riser, you can enjoy getting ready for the day together and reading the paper over coffee and breakfast. If you like to sleep in, he’ll slip out of bed and do his best not to disturb you.

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

Shanks can be a party animal and when the time is right will drink and dance well into the night. But he also appreciates the still, quiet nights where you can sneak up to the crows nest and sit under the stars together. He likes to sit with you, arm wrapped around you as you talk or just enjoy the silence together.

O = Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Shanks is generally an open book, but as a pirate captain, and an exceptionally powerful one at that, he’s learned that revealing too much about himself too quickly can be a danger to him and his crew. He likes talking about his experiences and sees life as a series of lessons to be learned, and he enjoys sharing that. In the early days together, you’ll get all the surface-level stuff, but after some time he’ll tell you his deepest thoughts and motivations.

P = Patience (How easily angered are they?)

It takes a lot to really anger Shanks. Usually when he’s angry it’s tied to fear that something or someone he cares about will be taken from him. He doesn’t lash out often, and lets most things roll off his back. But sometimes, like anyone, he gets pushed to the edge, and that’s when the sword comes out. 

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

Shanks has a mind for broad strokes and not fine detail, but he remembers what’s important to him. He’s not forgetful, necessarily, but sometimes it takes a minute or two for things to come back to mind.

R = Remember (What is their favorite moment in their relationship?)

Shanks’s favorite moment in your relationship was when the crew was docked on an island in the New World and there was a festival in town. He loved watching your reactions to the lights, the dancers in the street, and the delicious local food. You were thrilled, and he was thrilled because of that.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect their partner? How would they like to be protected?)

Shanks can be overprotective of the people he loves, sometimes annoyingly so. He knows his own strength, and sometimes he feels it's his duty to personally keep you safe - almost like because he’s so strong, no one else is really capable of doing so. It definitely makes him anxious. Whether you’re his friend or his lover, he values your life immensely and it would break his heart to lose you. Regardless of your background, you may need to prove yourself as a fighter before he feels comfortable not being your personal bodyguard. Or maybe you’re okay with him being your protector, and that’s cool too.

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

Shanks wants to celebrate every day that he gets to be with you. Being at sea can make it hard to find special things to do, and the privacy with which to do them, but he’s rarely not thinking of something for you. Your birthday will be a huge celebration every year, if you want (if you don’t, you better make sure he knows that!). If you both choose to celebrate anniversaries, he’ll make them special, but more personal - he’ll probably have Lucky cook up something fancy and close up the mess hall for a few hours so it’s just the two of you. If you’re on his crew, he’ll be very careful not to show you any special treatment when it comes to your duties, but he’ll also do little things to make your life easier or just make you smile, like drawing you a bath if you’re sore or buying you small things at port that he thinks you might like.

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

Shanks is, ummm, a little on the ADHD side. While it has its benefits, sometimes you might have to fight to get him to focus on the things that are necessary but he’s not particularly interested in. He also gets carried away sometimes, and relies on Beckman, the rational brain in his life (and you if you’re that type) to bring him back down to earth.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Shanks knows he’s hot as hell. He gets enough attention, he’s had people tell him they have his wanted poster in their bedroom. He also puts next to no effort into his looks aside from basic hygiene. He wears the ugly pants for absolutely no reason other than because he knows he’s attractive enough to get away with it. He doesn’t even like them that much, but he’s been wearing them too long to stop now. He likes to joke that if he wore socks under his sandals no one would even look at him weird and it would probably be suddenly in style.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without their partner?)

If Shanks is going to fall in love, he’s going to love hard and with his entire soul. He feels like the right person is actively meant for him, out of all the people in the world, and if they’re gone permanently from his life, whether through circumstances out of his control or because it just didn’t work, it’ll take a lot to feel like himself again. He’ll get there, but he’ll also feel permanently changed.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon for them.)

I’ve got two: 1) Before he lost his arm, Shanks was a decently skilled guitar player. 2) Shanks is an organized chaos kind of person. His office is a huge mess, but he knows where everything is, and that’s what’s important.

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

In a partner, Shanks doesn’t want someone who’s controlling. For him, being a pirate is about being free, and while he’s certainly willing to compromise some in a relationship, he still has to be free to be himself. In general, Shanks strongly believes that nuts of any kind do not belong in cookies, brownies, or other baked goods. The only exception to this is peanut butter, but it’s gotta be the smooth kind.

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

Shanks snores, but it’s a sort of quiet, cute snore most of the time, unless he’s been drinking a lot. He sometimes talks in his sleep, but it’s entirely nonsense and you enjoy telling him about the stuff he said the next day. You have occasionally woken him up from laughing so hard, and sometimes tell the whole crew if it was particularly funny.

Previous: Shanks NSFW Alphabet

Up Next: Law NSFW Alphabet

[danwhobrowses]

One Piece Chapter 1099 - Initial Thoughts

And we're back

After a week break it's time to see if One Piece will take the lead in emotionally devastating me for this week, given how other things are leaving me on 3 week breaks of ship-based anxiety, not that you could tell of course I've kept it sooooo well-hidden

Anyways, it's time for more One Piece and so, more Kuma backstory, let's see where we go from here

Spoilers for the Chapter, Support the Official Release also

Oden cover this time, Tanukis are giving him a makeover

We pick up where we left off two weeks ago, King Becori has returned and has been burning down the south

Kuma though is fighting through the fire to save people

Becori got the idea from the Goa Kingdom fire, figures

The people though are a lot more resistant to the act than the Goa Nobles were, so Becori orders a few to be killed to silence the mob

Kuma is here and he is fucking pissed

The church is being used as a shelter, as Bonney worries for her dad

Despite Becori's threats, Kuma lays out the entire castle, the One Man Revolution of Sorbet

News travels to Marejois about a new king in Sorbet, as Saturn learns that the people voted Kuma to rule

Kuma though says he's just a figurehead, since a previous king, Bulldog, is actually running the country

A much more adult looking Bonney is running laps in the church though, surprising everyone in how much she looks like Ginny

Seems she somehow ate a Devil Fruit, but also wasn't aware of it, since her aging up was unintentional and she was just trying to up her stamina

As the others try to see how much control Bonney has over the fruit, King Bulldog arrives at the church

Hey it's that old version of Bonney she used in the Reverie, but also Bonney here...

Turns out Queen Dowager Conney was an actual person, explains some things at least in how she made it to the Reverie in that disguise

Kuma yelling at Conney at the back thinking it's Bonney XD

Conney is Bulldog's mother, and Bulldog as Kuma's advisor has come with news

Becori's still about, running a smear campaign on Kuma, thus the moniker of 'The Tyrant'

The propaganda means he's still backed by the World Government, and thus it's only a matter of time until they come back to finish the job

Wanting to protect Sorbet, Kuma leaves it in Bulldog's hands, and goes out to confront Becori again at sea, this also means Bulldog and Conney will take care of Bonney in the meantime

'But I'll be so lonely' welp that's another knife in my riddled heart right now

Alas, Kuma does confront Becori, sitting pretty on a Navy ship and accusing Kuma of usurping him and being a corrupt dictator

Kuma sunk the armada, which got him a bounty (Carrot meanwhile sinks a bunch of Yonko ships and doesn't even get one bounty...yes I'm still sore about it the anime did not help validate her conclusion in Wano)

'He was a hero' 'I don't care, he was my dad first' - Oda please my heart doesn't have room for all these knives

Bonney also wants to be a pirate when she's 10 and cured

Kuma journeys out for info on Sapphire Scales, traveling to all the places he sent the Straw Hats to

He first goes to Chopper's island, since they had vast medical information

Then to Mihawk's island, doesn't look too occupied back then

Oh hey it's those Grand Fleet guys, Jeet and Abdullah

The bounty hunters of course fail in trying to claim Kuma, this was very pre-Dressrosa

Vegapunk's old home is next but they don't have answers

Tequila Wolf is sailed past again (Kuma and Oden have now sailed past it), I don't know what the next one is but it looked like Kuma helped it out, maybe it was Brook's island?

Then Weatheria (Nami's island) and the Boin Archipelago (Usopp's island) with Heracles'n

The stress is creeping up on Kuma though, dead ends and Bonney's 10th birthday is getting closer

Now that's a draconic ship there

The Revolutionaries have found Kuma, Morley has joined and Betty is still looking way different to how she does now

Dragon has a drink with his old Comrade, Ivankov and Inazuma are in Impel Down at this point, but despite all the news around Kuma he doesn't listen to media

Betty also gets Kuma's blessing to lead the Eastern Forces, since Dragon wouldn't allow anyone to take Ginny's position without it

Sabo and Koala also wanted to see Kuma, if only Dragon showed this much pride in his biological child

But he does give Kuma some intel, Vegapunk is moving labs and security is lax, good time for an audience

I think the move is implied to be the Punk Hazard incident too

Kuma is more than willing to rejoin the Revolutionaries once Bonney is cured, and Dragon is more than willing to welcome him back

Back at Sorbet, Bonney is learning how to fight, the scales are still spreading slowly though

Kuma takes Bonney to Navy Science Division Lab 08, which will later be where Egghead Island is, telling her it's a check-up

Got a little box for her like Nezuko

Everyone's surprised about how weird looking the other is

Vegapunk CAN cure Bonney, so clone theory might be done now

Bonney is playing with Sentomaru at this moment so she's not privy to the conversation

Stem Cell Treatment will be the method, real life solutions being thrown in there

The price is exorbitant though, equivalent to building a cyborg

Vegapunk also learns that Kuma's a buccaneer, even though his association with the WG would make that dangerous information

Vegapunk can't explain why Buccaneer blood is special, but he'd like more of it to clone him

Kuma is of course concerned about the idea of clone soldiers, but with Vegapunk using it as a form of payment he's more than willing to do it

Vegapunk hoped at least that the clone army's ability to deflect bullets and shoot lasers would scare evil pirates into submission, having watched Oppenheimer I think the sentiment is meant to be similar

But Kuma does like the idea of robots bearing his likeness protecting the innocent

Saturn meanwhile though has other intentions for them 'a weapon's worth is defined by how many it kills'

The bots are named Pacifista after Kuma's proclaiming himself a pacifist, two men looking to do some good without the hindsight of what damage they will wrought

This was a steady chapter really, could've been a lot more devastating for sure.

We've slowly built up again to all the stuff leading to Kuma's affiliation with Vegapunk, as well as his brief run as a pirate. Much like Corazon it seems most of his travels were fuelled by trying to find a cure for Bonney. A lot of blasts from the pasts this chapter too, though I suppose it makes sense that Kuma visited the places he sent the Straw Hats to, given how them being sent there was tailored for their skills or what they needed to improve on.

The Bonney Clone theory is likely dead, but I still can't put it past Oda to pull the rug, especially for Chapter 1100 - Oda and round numbers after all.

But yeah, it seems a brief alleviation for the moment, before it likely goes to hell again...

[ideas-4-stories]

I create a interesting AU, who is focused on Mihawk and TransFem! Buggy

Silvers was a ‘king’, and after knowing Roger, he let the status behind and start to be a pirate. But, in the time, he was on a relatonship and the women was 2-3 months pregnant.

At first, everything was fine. Rayleigh give his house and almost all his money to her, so she and the baby can live okay before he leaves. What he don't expect was the women to die some time after giving birth to the boy named Mihawk, receiving the lastname from her mother, Dracule.

So, the boy was raised by the employees of the house, until he was 4 years old. When his father come, surprised and sad to see that the boy was alone, deciding to drag the kid with him. Mihawk is kind of happy, but after going to the Oro Jackson, he discovers that him have a little sibling, a little boy named Buggy with strange blue hair and a big red nose.

At first, he's mad about having a brother, but Dracule ends up creating a strong bond with him. Mihawk is pretty much here all the time, when the annoying little red head Shanks come to the ship and started to want praticaly all the attention from Buggy, when his young brother discover his love for making bombs, encouraging him to go against his fears even if he's a ‘crybaby’.

Dracule is here when Buggy start to question his gender and when Buggy discovers that he is actually she. And he helps her to tell the crew and accepts this.

He's also there when Roger is executed, comforting her and being mad about all that happened between she and Shanks (because it's obvious how much she loves the red head bastard). Letting she go to her own journey while he go on his own, but always aware if she's needing a hand from him.

They meeting from time to time, Mihawk always secretly pround about how good her transition was going and how a strong, amazing and beautiful women she's turning herself. And also being happy about how much Buggy shows her pride about him.

Can you imagine the Cross Guild with Buggy & Mihawk being sibling? And even worse, if Crocodile ends up falling in love with the clown? And how caotic the rivarly between Shanks and Mihawk will be?

And yes, Mihawk is as protective as a hawk with his sister, thank you very much.

To tell you, I think Mihawk and Buggy are more romantic than siblings. I like the idea of Shanks and Buggy being siblings. But I really like the concept of this.

[chromatic-lamina]

Episodes 5 & 6 of OPLA! I think that anyone who comes to the manga or anime after watching OPLA might be disappointed. I mean, it's kinda genius for Arlong to have Buggy's head, and then for Luffy to steal Buggy's head when the Arlong Pirates attack the Baratie, but, like, none of it happened in canon. The one piece wiki is gonna need a separate wiki for OPLA, I guess.

I liked, nay loved, that they kept the fact that Zeff ate his leg in OPLA, to save Sanji. Love that Sanji is foul-mouthed from the beginning and that the love-hate relationship is there from the beginning. The oregano thing is fun, but, really, Sanji? I doubt a chef or cook anywhere would hold that opinion, so I want Sanji's backstory on it. Maybe it was Judge's favourite spice!

The Sanji and Zeff story packed a lot more weight than Kuina and Zoro, although it shouldn't have. Maybe it's just that adult actors have a much better handle on their craft than child actors (although child Sanji, and child Kuina were pretty good,

but child Zoro was a bit lacking). Or they should have maybe started Zoro's story a little bit earlier, with him being a child and coming across Koushiro Shimotsuki's dojo.

When the fishmen appeared at the Baratie, and when Nami didn't secure passage with the guy she'd organised to go away with, I thought they were going to water down her story somewhat. But the way they did it still smacked of betrayal for those who don't know her story, and it was a nice touch to have her read the North Blue stories to Zoro. Nice way to plant future arcs and chances to expand. Also good to also seed viewer sympathy when she kinda explains her actions to the supposedly unconscious Zoro.

Luffy seems a little too self-aware, maybe, but it was the first season without guarantee of season two, so I guess the Zoro and Luffy bond needs to be laid on a bit thick at this point. I kinda remember from the manga that Zoro was badly hurt, of course, but I can't remember the angst. I'm sure parts of it are there. It'll be interesting to see how that kinda thing contrasts with Ace's death in the future (if the series gets that far), cos' that's when Luffy canonically and importantly really goes deep.

Mihawk was camp and wonderful as fuck. Those golden eyes pretty freaky, but definitely hawk-like. Really leaning into that whole thing. Our boy's pretty pasty, but that's fine. I also would've liked to have seen Zeff fight a bit more. He did a good job of that in the manga, as I recall, and I understand missing out on the Luffy and Zeff conversation about Sanji, but I liked that in canon too.

Also, I'm glad that Gin appeared, considering Mihawk took out Don Krieg off screen-ish. Series shoring up against possible future inclusion, although we're still waiting. Very cool to have Zeff help Zoro too, and the way it was done with the fish skin (and that Sanji cooked that yellowtail soon after, I think!).

I think Zoro was shown plastered in bandages, right, and that was the extent of his recovery process in the manga? Again, could be wrong. He was in pain, and took on more, up to Thriller Bark and Sabaody.

Also, practically, I understand why Sanji needs to strip in a live action to save Luffy in the water, and I'm not complaining, but just a difference. I did like Taz Skylar! (I love all of the actors). Love Usopp's stories, that he has his slingshot with him, but is also cowardly (at the start) as in keeping with his canon character. It's funny that Luffy seems to understand that they're stories, but it's true, I think he only believes some of Usopp's stories in canon (like Sogeking)

I'm wondering if Jinbei will sound like Arlong if we get that far. It was probably very pointed, but the Arlong exchange with the fishman waiter carried a punch.

RIP Johnny and Yosaku! The live action is doing a good job of condensing the arc. They really would've had to have done their homework.

[ofallthingsnasty]

this is an embarassing and weird ask but seeing your last ask, who in one piece (or whoever you would like to talk about really) do you think would use enemas? whether it be for their amusement or to punish you. piss enemas or the more traditional kind- anything you want to talk about. i want to hear it!

it's definitely a weird fantasy kink of mine. it's not practical and irl it'd be kind of a squick but in fiction i love it. for me i like forced ones in medical situations or being forced to hold more and more water as a humiliating punishment the best.

Okay, first of all you're going to come closer because I have something to tell you: This is neither weird nor embarrassing and you don't ever have to justify your fantasies on here😭💕Honestly, I love all things anal, it feels good! There is nothing freaky about it, really...

tw. enemas and everything they can include, some noncon, minors dni

Let's start off with Mihawk. He strikes me as a very classic dom, one who really shapes you to his liking, trains you thoroughly, top to bottom - and something like this sounds right up his alley. It's about endurance for him. I would argue that he doesn't find the enema in itself attractive, that it's really all about you showing your devotion for him, to labor through all of that discomfort and sweat to please him. Never mad when you need to break away from the scene - you call the shots, you set the rhythm. But if you do manage to get through your sessions successfully, he'll be more than pleased. He likes his home quiet and you obedient - so to have you sit by his feet while you have to hold it for the amount of time it takes him to either finish his current chapter or his glass of wine is immensely satisfying to him. It's all about obedience and control, in the end.

Then there's Doflamingo. At this point, I'll have to put him into every list I compile because he will force anything on you that has the potential to be fun. For him, at least. He's a piss fiend, largely into making you hold it until you pee yourself - and what aren't enemas if not omorashi with higher stakes? You think pissing yourself is bad, humiliating? Try submitting to that pressing feeling that gets worse and worse and even more tingly while you're well aware of the fact that there will be more than just fluids leaving you if you give in. While he doesn't mind it if you piss yourself on his lap, enemas are a little different - but he'll watch you all the same. It's not going to be consensual and it's not going to be a nice experience for you - imagine all three meters of that man focused on you and your discomfort and desperation, smile taut as a bowstring waiting for you to slip up. You can beg all you want, this little stint ends when you've soiled yourself and he'll get to tut about what a messy little creature you are. And how embarrassing this all is... he thought you were an adult, maybe someone needs to put you in diapers?

And, because you mentioned piss enemas, we'll have to talk about Kid and Arlong. When it comes to this, they're pretty much the same - an enema is both parts laziness (because why use a toilet when they're already inside of you?) and degradation/punishment. There is nothing more to it than that. And if you can't hold it until you can either make it to the next toilet or are allowed to use it, you don't want to know what they'll cook up as means of discipline. (Hint: It's going to make you puke and cry. You better clench as though your life depends on it, trust me.)