#i am sorry sanji i know you love women but have you considered that your captain being the concept of freedom an a man is very poetic

[beanghostprincess]

I headcanon Sanji as bi but somehow he seems gayer in my Lusan fics than what he actually is and I think I'm projecting my internalized homophobia and comphet too much on this poor boy

[radio-fmm]

The phrase “silence is louder than words” never meant anything to Sanji

Until now

You have been quiet. Terribly so. For the last 20 minutes and it’s driving him insane. Somehow he has missed you during this time, even if you’re sitting just a couple steps away

Your eyes are glued to your notebook, a steady hand that clenches at the poor pencil glides thorough the page. Usually, you enjoy this activity, a twinkle in your eye that hangs brightly illuminating the room. But now… you wear a pout, a scowl, eyebrows looking down in anger. Steam almost comes out your ears

You’re upset

I mean, clearly, but Sanji still hasn’t build up the courage to ask what’s going on. Because he knows the answer

When you started dating the cook, you knew his tendencies with women wouldn’t just disappear. But it didn’t made you happy either

You had talked about his behavior several times, asking for nothing more than respect which is the bare minimum really. Sanji had dramatically stated that he had no eyes for no other than his sweet angel which, was true in a way

So when you turned around in the market and spotted him salivating at a belly dancer that just happened to be nearby you weren’t surprised

But you also weren’t thrilled

Sanji adores you. You’re his light, his angel, his rock, his goddess, his life . He would do anything for you, hell, he’ll bring down the stars above if you just asked. But who wouldn’t feel insecure after their partner looks at another woman like that?

He hates himself for it, he’ll allow you to spit and step on him like gum if that’s what grant him your forgiveness. He needs to change. He knows it, he will do it a thousand times over, just for you

Slowly, he makes his way to sit in front of you, your movements come to a halt as you heard him plop down onto the chair, but you don’t spare him a glance

Ouch

“Hi” his voice comes out strained, frightened

You remain frozen, thinking on what to do… lash out? Curse at him? Stay quiet for another hour? Leave?

You just answer

“Hi”

A shiver runs down Sanji’s spine at your answer, the sound of your voice making him giddy, oh how has he missed you

“You’re mad”

“How observant”

“At me”

“Clearly”- finally, your eyes leave your page and find Sanji’s. He looks pale like a ghost, breathing irregular as he awaits his destiny

There’s another silence, this one is different, your annoyed tone sits on top of it leaving a sour taste behind your tongues, a silence that resembles a ticking bomb

“I am sorry” the cook fidgets with his hands, eyes pooling slightly at the thought of what will you do

“Your apology means nothing to me, actions speak for themselves Sanji…” your gaze is heavy, nothing like he usually meets it. You’re so light like the sea breeze, like a fresh lemonade drink on a sweet sunny day. Right now? You burn, hot like a spicy hot sauce that makes your nose run

You shake your head and sigh, a long tired one that makes Sanji’s heart tear at the seams

“I just don’t understand you Sanji… I would never do that to you”

This, this is the moment where you defeat him. Your sad puppy eyes looking up at him, the hurt behind your voice and the truth. Oh the truth of it all breaks him completely, of course you wouldn’t do that to him, you’re the most loyal kindhearted beautiful human being on earth

He swallows

Sanji considers throwing himself overboard for the sea kings to devour him whole, and that still wouldn’t be enough

He suddenly gets up and holds both your hands with such tenderness as he kneels before you

An offering at your benevolent temple

“My love, I know I did wrong and disrespected you and our relationship. No fancy sweet words could ever make a difference. So now I promise you, not empty promise but real this time, that I will change to he the man you deserve”

You shake your head once more. You don’t believe him? Are you finally done with him? There’s nothing he can do I if you decide to do so because he messed up big time

“I know I deserve better” Sanji closes his eyes and scrunches his nose at the statement, your voice drilling through his head and making him dizzy

It hurts, because it’s true

“But I don’t want better on anyone else but you”

His head that had dropped raises to find your face, you’re still mad, but even mad you offer him another chance while holding his hand through it all. Because that’s who you are, you believe in him, you trust him

“This is the last time-“

“Yes! Yes! I promise you my angel, you can kick me out of the crew If I ever even glance at the opposite direction of you, I will be better”

“Sanji” another shiver runs up and down his form, he loves the way you say his name

“Hurting my feelings and getting my forgiveness every single time is not okay. I would only continue to be with you if you show me change”

His golden locks rise and fall rapidly as he shakes bis head up and down. Carefully, he takes your left hand and kisses the promise ring atop of one of your fingers, a reminder of his undying love and devotion

A reminder that your love is stronger than anything else. Even jealousy and disrespect

The cold material meeting his lips makes him giddy. You’re way too good, he’ll spend the rest of his life making it up to you

“I am sorry, so deeply sorry sweetheart, and I’ll repay you being the best man, your man”

A giggle scapes you at the absurdity of it all. You don’t know when had Sanji wrapped you around his finger. If it were anyone else you would’ve walked a long time ago

But you know him, at his core, he needs you

And you love him, and he does too

Nami scoffs loudly making Robin laugh covering her mouth as to not drawn any attention, they can’t see your face but they can imagine both of you on the other side of the door

“I swear she forgives him too easy”

“Love is work” Robin says, whispers to the wind and Nami hates it

Because it’s true

[sanjiafsincedayone]

Hello !! I really admire your theories and perspectives of Sanami . I'm your fan !! Would you mind if i ask about your thought about how different in relationships between Sanami and Luna are..... and what make you choose Sana over Luna. I would really like to see your perspective about them. Thank you very much 💙🧡🌈🌈✨✨

Hi and thank you so much for you kind words. :) Sorry that I haven't answered sooner.

I feel I have talked about this subject in various posts of mine (like SaNa is a good ship or Why SaNa over other ships?), so I hope it's ok if you feel I might be repeating myself. ^^''

I don't really want to start ship wars so before anything I just want to say that people can enjoy whatever ship they want and everything in this post is just my view.

First of all, most shipping is based on preference to some degree, and for me I simply enjoy Sanji and Nami as a romantic option more. I also don't ship Luffy with anyone, because I don't really see the appeal of romance with his character.

Maybe because so many have the idea that romantic love is superior to other kinds they feel like it's needed, but I really don't think Luffy ending up with a romantic interest is necessary for his story. I also think that pairing Luffy with one of his crew members feels a bit off. Especially after such a long time without any interest from either party. (I don't feel like Oda will make Luffy pick "favorites" amongst his crew explicitly).

As for the general relationship between Luffy and Nami I've talked about it a bit in my two posts Luffy – A “Brief” look and Nami – A “Brief” look. I think they have a great bond and that it is one of the ones Oda have given more time to show. But that kind of just makes me think a romance is even less likely, considering how he has written them so far basically without any hint of romantic coded moments at all.

In contrast I also think despite Luffy being the Main character the fact that Oda keeps giving a lot of moments between Nami and Sanji in particular instead of between Nami and Luffy makes them a better bet for romance. Just from a storytelling perspective I think some of Oda's choices with SaNami could be intentional setup for romance towards the end of the story. Even in the way Luffy and Sanji leave Nami to someone else is a rather big contrast. Like how Luffy tells Sanji to save Nami in Thriller Bark, and now more recently how Sanji told Usopp "I leave MY Nami-san to you."

A writer rarely adds story for no reason, and we already know Oda is very good at foreshadowing. If he has a plan for any romance to happen by the end I am sure he already knows who and has an ideal of how it will happen.

The thing is that I don't expect romance to happen until the end, mostly because it's kind of a distraction from the adventure. However, to me it seems implied that for Sanji love is something that he wants and dreams about. If Oda gives Sanji a happy ending I think it's possible that romance will be included.

With both Viola and Purin it seems to me that Oda has shown that love is something that Sanji does want and also does take seriously. It's not just lust, there is romance there too. I think the fact that a big part of the fandom shifted from Sanji will die alone to seeing potential in romance for both Viola and Purin shows that Oda can shift the narratives if he wants to. Though it's been a rather slow change.

With both of these women Oda also showed them actually falling for Sanji to some degree, and seeing his good sides despite his pervertedness. In fact WCI was a whole arc to show what a great person Sanji is.

What we also got was Sanji clearly putting Nami above these two women and even both of them reacting to Sanji and Nami. Something that Oda has shown consistently over many years in the manga is that even though Sanji flirts with all women, Nami is his number one.

I think with Sanji and Nami what we lack is mutual interest from Nami's side and that is something I think Oda needs to address properly if SaNa is to make sense as an ending pair. The point is that we are already halfway there because we know that Sanji loves her. With Lu/Na we have no interest at all, not even a one sided one. Even though they for sure have a strong bond.

Again, in Wano we got Sanji saying "My Nami-san" for the first time in the entire manga. I don't see why Oda would suddenly add that for no reason when he hasn't before. At the very least it makes it more difficult for other characters to end up with Nami, unless Sanji ends up with someone.

Basically Sanji loves Nami and if Nami ends up with someone else Sanji also needs a happy ending first. And if that someone is Luffy it's kind of just gonna be more of a slap in Sanji's face. (Obviously he loves them and would likely want them to be happy, but from a story telling POV.)

Oda has used Nami and Sanji together many times for character moments, fights and even romantic looking scenes or themes. I don't see why he would bother to go out of his way to highlight Sanji and Nami together so often if he plans for Nami to be with Luffy. Because Luffy is the main character, putting him and Nami together is easy and he does it a lot. But writing moments like Luffy leaving Nami to Sanji or Nami and Sanji having their own separate conflict on WCI etc. are choices Oda didn't have to include but did anyways. You can also see a clear difference in how Sanji treats and how often he ends up with Robin vs Nami. There just seems to be this idea in Oda's mind that Sanji goes wherever Nami goes and thus their storylines often include each other in various ways, big or small.

Maybe it will just be an unresolved thing where nothing really changes. But I have a hard time seeing Lu/Na happen with the way Oda writes SaNa. If Sanji gets a happy ending with someone else, then maybe Lu/Na could happen, but even then I don't personally see the point of it. Neither do I think we have seen the buildup necessary for it to work at this point.

Thank you so much again! I am glad you enjoy my content and that you decided to leave me an ask.

[myonepiece]

Natural Yanderes in One Piece

description: characters who are yandere without an au!

warnings: yandere, mentions of mental/emotional & physical abuse, mentions of sexual assault

a/n: I wanted to write down my thoughts on the natural yanderes in One Piece. this is probably a pt. 1 because I have a lot of thoughts about other characters too :3

I did some research to find out the “actual” names for the different types of yandere, but most of the characters are similar to multiple types so I just put down the definition/example of the type(s)

disclaimer: I didn’t sugar coat anything so just stay with me- and you might not agree but I’m just trying to explain my thoughts

- when I say darling I am referring to crush or S/O 

Doflamingo

yandere rating: 10/10

obsession, violent, removal (”you don’t need anyone else”), training (trains S/O to love him)

Doflamingo is the whole yandere package- mental & physical abuse and manipulation, stalking, obsession and infatuation, kidnapping, locking away, gaslighting, torture, possessiveness, aggression and violence, toxicity.

Doflamingo’s obsession with his darling rivals Hannibal Lecter’s obsession with eating his victims. I often like to compare Doflamingo to Hannibal Lecter, with his manners, intelligence, and sophisticated taste, and niether hold remorse for their victims- now back to the topic.

Doflamingo can be as stealthy and unnoticed as he wants to be. when he sees someone who specially catches his attention (a future S/O per say), he likes to observe them first and understand them and their thinking, especially if this person is a future lover because he’s already planning what fun he can have playing with their mind, what gets under their skin and gets a reaction.

Doflamingo knows that his actions aren’t “normal” or healthy, or safe, but he doesn’t care. he developes a fetish-like infatuation with his S/O and simply has to have them, no way of getting them is off the table. abuse is an occurrence that happens naturally, rather it be because Doflamingo is angry, at his S/O or at one of his subordinates, it doesn’t matter- because his darling disobeyed him, because he is trying to prove a point, because he wishes to see his partner in pain, or simply because he is bored and torturing his lover is much more enjoyable than torturing his enemies/subordinates.

Doflamingo enjoys a chase and he fancies playing mind games with his S/O, seeing them so distraught and unnerved and fearful is one of his greatest joys, possibly even pleasurable. he likes to make them think they have a chance at escaping, luring them into attempting (and failing) so that he can coo at them and punish them, making them think he’s mad when he’s not, making them think he’s happy when he’s not- their confused expression is remarkably adorable and endearing.

unlike some yanderes, Doflamingo doesn’t try to make his S/O think the world outside is crueler than him, that they’re safer in his arms- while he does tell them they are protected by him, he tells them that he is more dangerous than the outside world, so that they’ll be too scared to leave his side, because he is too powerful to escape.

it slightly hurts me to say this and it might be hard for some to think about, but Doflamingo is not against forcing himself on his S/O- they are merely a tool and a toy for him to use and play with and ruin until it breaks- this symbolizing their will to escape or resist, diminishing and ultimately breaking as a toy would

Sanji

yandere rating: 3/10

harmless (as long as they are happy I’m happy”), stalker, obsession (harmless obsession), wrong idea (”they gave me their eraser... they must love me!”), mild possession

we all know that Sanji has an “obsession” with beautiful women, and when he finds one he especially likes, then it becomes a little more. now Sanji would never ever hurt his S/O, never, I want that to be clear- that’s why he is a harmless type. 

Sanji often watches from afar, and it’s not unusal for him to follow his crush/darling around. he’ll usually ask if he can tag along but if they say no he’ll just linger behind and out of sight, mostly to make sure they’re safe but also so he can observe them. he can be... delusional, take things as what they aren’t (wrong idea type)- if his darling compliments him, even just “good to see you Sanji-kun” he’ll interpret it as they missed him dearly and are so happy to see him again. his head is stuck in the clouds and he’s completely lovesick with a fever of 200°.

for a comparison, his actions before getting together would very similar to those of Anthony Hope’s towards Johanna- Sweeney Todd. Anthony is seen standing by the front of the house watching Johanna while she sits in her window, the song he sings about her “Johanna” (I suggest listening to it) contains lyrics such as “I’ll steal you Johanna... even now I’m at your window... buried sweetly in your yellow hair...” Anthony wants to take Johanna because he is obsessed with her but she is also in danger because she did not choose to live there, she is being “looked after”. 

Sanji’s actions always corroborate to what’s best for his S/O, he only wishes to take care of them and spoil them. he is definitely not the most possessive, but he doesn’t like his darling showing much attention to anyone else, in moments they do, Sanji always becomes clingy and pulls them away.

he’s bordering loneliness induction (”it’s okay I’m here, you don’t need anyone else”) and removal type (you don’t need anyone else when you have me”)

I can not stress this enough, Sanji is a HARMLESS yandere, it’s only the possession and infatuation that gives him the title 

Buggy

yandere rating: 6/10

worship (”I’ll do anything for you, I’ll kill for you!”), dependence (”please don’t leave me!”), monopoly (”who were you talking to”), obsession (”where were you? what were you doing?”), wrong idea (”they gave me their eraser... they must love me!”)

Buggy is a very emotional person, shown multiple times like when he cried when reuniting with his crew and when they told him they waited for him, when he is faced with danger, when he got angry at Shanks because of something that happened many years ago, etc. he craves an actual emotional bond because he’s quite a dependent person. if someone shows him the slightest comfort and attention or sign that they’ll be there for him, he’s in love- but only with that person, the second he falls in love with them they’re the only one for him.

for comparison, Buggy’s relationship dynamic is similar to Peter Pan and Tinker Bell’s (though they aren’t really in a relationship, but you understand hopefully), that is Buggy as Tinker Bell and his S/O as Peter Pan. Tinker Bell is quite obsessed with Pan herself, often trying to get him away from Wendy and going to extreme lengths to do so, she get’s angry and jealous easily, and she is more than ready to fight to defend Peter. Tinker would follow Peter to the end of the world and Buggy would do the same with his S/O.

Buggy craves affection and stability and trust, a ride-or-die, a one and only, a true soulmate. when he finds someone like that, he becomes possessive and obsessed with them, constantly asking to accompany them somewhere or making on of his crew do it- he has trust issues and one of his greatest fears is his S/O cheating on him, loyalty is very important to him. he needs constant reassurance even though he won’t say it out loud. he wants his S/O to depend on him as much as he depends on them so they’ll only need each other (bordering removal type).

Buggy won’t hurt his S/O unless it’s in a moment of overwhelming emotions, anger most often- in those moments he can do anything. he would close his hand around hs S/O’s throat and tell them not to leave, to stay with him, but he’s crying the whole time because the mere thought of his S/O leaving is terrifying, Buggy is afraid of being alone. he’ll slap or shove harshly, insults and praises alike, pleading and threatening. he tends to forget his strength and  sometimes his grip on his S/O’s throat ends up making them pass out then he freaks out and regrets everything, he feels extremely guilty after hurting them and he tries to show he’s sorry with his actions- it’s kind of ironic because even when he causes them though most pain and that’s one thing he never wants you to go through (pain) he always asks you to stay.

because of his fear of being alone he is willing to do anything for you, if you ask him to kill someone or at least step up and battle with another crew, he will. if not being a coward, or at least pretending not to be, for one moment is what it takes for you to stay then consider his cowardness gone, *poof*. ask for anything and this man will give it to you, similar to buying your love and sometimes he realizes that practically what it is- but he doesn’t care, as long as you stay. god forbid anyone try to take you away though, he won’t hold back on someone who. tries to take away his darling, tries to tell them Buggy is dangerous and the relationship isn’t healthy- frankly Buggy doesn’t really notice if it’s healthy or not because he’s not experienced at all, he doesn’t realize his actions aren’t normal, he thinks he’s just in love with you and can’t be without you, he doesn’t even consider it’s an unhealthy infatuation with someone because they showed interest in him once.

[frobin]

Okey serious question here. How much do you actually believe that Oda ships Frobin? Like do you think he actually have like doodles/sketchs of them in a pairing kind of way? like for the strong world film riding the motorbug? (Personally i would love it to be true but he has stated one piece isn't about romance in that way)

Hey there anon! Thank you so much for your question and I hope I can answer it seriously enough. Also once more sorry for the late response. I felt like a question like that needs some research and that is what I did these last few days.

So... I think I'll start with the tl;dr because that way people can read that and ignore the rest.

So, long answer short: I 100% believe that Oda has one or more sketchbooks with drawings of his characters that are absolutely self-indulgent. I am 98% sure that he has drawn Franky and Robin in a romantic way at least once (and supported the ship). I am 80% sure he still is shipping FRobin.

Little disclaimer: I actually have no idea if any of this is true. I pull everything in my arguments out of my own experiences and knowledge and since I'm not a 46 year old Japanese Mangaka my perspective might be WAY OFF.

argument - reason- example - conclusion... behind the cut (or in the google doc)

So, why do I think that Oda has a secret sketchbook?

Simple answer is that he is an artist. He is drawing a lot and no artist will publish everything. That can have multiple reasons like imposter syndrome or because the artist thinks it’s not good or interesting enough or they just forget. There are even more reasons I forget and every person has their own.

For Oda I can imagine two big reasons as to why he would keep secret sketchbooks.

First: He is a horndog. You can skip this part if you don’t want to read about it, to the second reason.

Anyway, we know thanks to answers in the SBS, the way he likes to draw big-breasted women and how some of his characters are classified as perverts that he can be considered one too.

Let me show you a few of a few lewd SBS questions he likes to answer in a funny way:

Chapter 228, Page 46

D: How are ya, Odacchi? I know how much you like getting butt-naked, so this must be a favourite season for you. <3

O: Yes, yes. I just LOVE getting completely naked. In the summertime, after I take a bath I just run STRAIGHT OUTSIDE!! And when the girls' softball team running on the sidewalk looks over at me, they say, "Yup, it's really summer now!!" ... AS IF!! I'D GET ARRESTED!!!

(x)

Chapter 433, Page 68

D: If Lady Robin can use her Hana Hana Powers to make any part of her body sprout somewhere else, does that mean she can do it with her ample bosom as well? "Nyurin-zaki" (Breast Sprout) Boy, I'd like to take a hit from that sometime... P.N. Ero Ero no Mi Devil Fruit User.

O: "Ichirin-zaki" (Single Sprout) "Nirin-zaki" (Double Sprout) "Nyurin-zaki" (Breast Sprout) Very clever!! NO IT'S NOT!! STOP THAT!! I'm sure she CAN do it though ♡

(x)

Chapter 798, Page 64

D: Oddachi, I'll give you a pornographic book, so please answer my question. Sanji won't allow anyone to waste food, but what will he do if a woman does so? P.N. Smoker's Cigar

O: I think he would grab the plate and eat it up. Now please give me the pornographic book.

(x)

Nowadays I’m sure there is a focus on those lewder questions compared to the beginning because that is what 13 year old boys laugh about and we all know that is Oda's main demographic (of course).

I think a very good picture of that is given by Tekking101 in his breakdown video of SBS Volume 100.

“Let’s get diving into these questions (...) now, this is a huge moment. I mean, not many Manga manage to reach 100 Volumes, Okay? Now I know Oda usually starts these off with questions relating to boobs and things that don’t really… you know, aren’t really relevant but you know, this is a big celebration so we’re gonna dive right into it. I bet the most important things that we need to know about the One Piece Story are right here in these pages, okay? I printed them out. That is how important this is. So let’s start off, shall we? Epic voice, Barry!

‘Mister Oda, there is a UFO over there with huge big-breasted beauties on it. That memorable 100 Volume of the SBS is about to begin.’

[pause] Yeah, like the first five of these are all related to boobs in some way. You know what Oda? Sticking true to your guns! Godspeed, Sir Oda. Godspeed.”

(end at around 2:30)

So, Oda is a man who likes beautiful women and who draws.

Coming to the conclusion that he will draw his own characters in suggestive poses, naked and even doing adult stuff is not hard.

Obviously he would not show these sketches just around. He would probably keep them in a secret sketchbook that he keeps at a safe location. Maybe his wife and some close friends know about it? Maybe it is his and only his little secret.

I don’t think it would be unlikely to learn about this years into the future, maybe the next generation of Anime Fans will hear about this.

And it would not be the first time that something like this happened.

Not that long ago the daughter of Osamu Tezuka - groundbreaking Mangaka, known for his works of “Astro Boy”, “Kimba the white lion” and many more - found his adult Furry art. Source; Japanese article;

It’s a fact that many Mangaka did indeed start their career with art of the more risque kind and/or as doujinshi artists.

So again, I have no doubt that Oda, a known pervert, has one or more secret sketchbooks with „the p0rnography“ in it. Is there only hot stuff in there? Not necessarily.

The second reason to keep a secret sketchbook would be to collect information in there, that could be considered canon but he is not willing to use it in the Manga. Maybe they are not important enough or will be used later.

What am I imagining here? Anything that could be considered too weird for the normal sketchbook but isn‘t too risque. Funny things that might still not be „appropriate.“

Like a sketch of the male Strawhat ding-dongs with the sizes beside it. All the lewd jokes the fans did about Luffy's stretching qualities? I’m sure Oda thought about them too and drew that in the past if he had the time and it made him laugh enough.

But also maybe there are scenes in there that never made it in the Manga. The Strawhats interacting with each other in their daily lives, ideas for colorspreads and maybe chapter-titles. Oda probably has noted/sketched down a lot of unofficial stuff somewhere.

Another example, even an artist like Oda himself would have needed to exercise drawing two people kissing. Why not use Characters he thinks that might work out together?

Why not Franky and Robin? I would imagine he sketched up a few panels of Franky and Robin having a romantic date, going shopping together in Dressrosa, having a conversation that we never got to see because it was too on the nose.

Which brings us to the second point of me being very sure that Oda had drawn FrankyXRobin at one point.

I’m sure in those sketchbooks there is at least one drawing of them doing anything couple-related together. Again it does not have to be downright nasty but it could be them holding hands, kissing or even just Robin leaning onto Franky while reading, like all those fanarts that exist out there.

It’s not hard to imagine. Even for other Characters I think that is possible

And there might even be proof for that idea. The sketch of the Strong World movie you also mentioned, anon. The one movie that can be considered canon is Strong World. It was basically written/directed by Oda. Shiki the antagonist had an appearance in the Manga.

This sketch is drawn by Oda. Robin is holding onto Franky.

Can it be read as romantic? Yes. Can it be read as Robin holding onto Franky because there is nothing else to hold onto? Also Yes. But couldn't she just have used her power to keep herself secured on the bike without holding onto Franky? WELL YES. Could Oda never have thought in these circles like I do right now? I hope he did not because I hate it and I don’t wish it upon him.

In the movie Robin is NOT holding onto Franky. Now the really interesting thing - that is neither proof pro nor anti FRobin - is that we can see the sketch provided by Oda as a “between the scenes”.

In the movie Strong World the old trio is collecting information at the Pirate assembly. The next time we see them they use the Batta GT-7000 to slowly approach the destroyed village, which had been ravaged by the animals, and start to look for their friends. No need to hold onto Franky and no need for Brook to lean back. They are looking around.

The sketch is clearly not the same scene as the one we see in the movie.

In conclusion the drawing is indeed a between the scenes drawing. And yes if there exists one, who is to say there aren’t more?

Talking about Animal-Bikes...

Is there any meaning about the fact that in the opening scene (that is part of the talked intro after the opening ‘We Go’ - a huge thanks to antiherofangirl, ccb0nnet, JFL_Estudios and Maems, over at twitter!) Franky and Robin build another grasshopper-based vehicle? Maybe not but I still feel like it’s quite a callback.

Where did the idea to put this in the beginning come from? a) an editor had the idea inspired by Strong World; b) maybe it’s another sketch that Oda provided.

Neither seems very far-fetched in my opinion.

So yes, I am very sure that Oda has drawn things that we would consider FRobin.

Now to the last point (the first being Oda having a secret sketchbook, the second me arguing that Oda might have drawn FRobin).

As I said in the beginning I’m very sure that at one point Oda did and kinda that he still does ship Franky and Robin. Because even though every Interaction of two characters can be depicted as romantic or platonic, Oda used ROMANTIC TROPES with Franky and Robin.

They have never kissed on screen but we had

finishing each other's sentences

coordinated clothes

one using the others lap as pillow

hand on cheek caressing

and we can’t forget that Robin had answered Franky's invitation to ride on another animal-themed bike with a heart.

Edit: I didn‘t say anything about „no romance in OP“ so ask again if you want me to talk a bit about that. Sorry!

Those are things an author of Oda's level would not write or draw without being aware about how teasing this is. He has to be aware that every single line he draws will be analyzed to the end of the universe and back. People earn money by saying their opinion and interpretations about the Manga on Youtube.

These interactions are not something outlandish like “There was once an Anime Scene in which Robin was wearing something blue and exactly 28 episodes later Franky was wearing something violet and then 39 episodes later they both stood beside each other for exactly 69 seconds.”

Whenever I think about these facts, things that are not about interpreting but are factual, black ink on white paper but also about the little things, about how Frank and Robin help each other to become better, how they support each other… I want to say YES! ODA IS 100% on board! While in reality I’m 80% sure and 20% of me is wondering if I’m not actually analyzing too much into it. If maybe he really is abandoning ship. Maybe I will become the person who will curse his name and throw my Mangas and fanfictions in an active volcano?

I don’t know and it’s impossible to say what is going to happen.

And with that I've concluded this answer, and it only took me around 2k words and four days.

[cheydoesfandom]

ZoSan fic for SetSailExchange

So this is my entry, written for @thisisaonepiecesideblog

I’m posting kinda last-minute bc I was procrastinating. I hope you enjoy it, it’s not exactly what I wanted to write, but... Here it is!

This is definitely pre-ship, I hope you like it!!

zoro POV, 1200 words, I don’t have a title, sorry

Sanji was a flirt, that much was obvious.  Any time a girl crossed his path, he became something like a wet noodle, flailing and tripping all over himself in an attempt to compliment and impress.  Sometimes it was kind of funny, watching the idiot make a fool of himself.  Some women ignored him, continuing on their way with hardly a glance.  Some tittered in an irritating way, allowing him to shower them in pretty words and empty promises, before Sanji was dragged off by one of their own crew (usually Nami, harping about wasted time).

Zoro was decidedly not sociable in the same ways.  He liked to keep to himself most of the time, especially when they made port.  It often resulted in him wandering off alone, only catching up when he was most needed, stumbling upon his friends all but accidentally.  Sometimes he would end up in a bar, drinking the whole time.  Sometimes he wound up in the woods on the outskirts of whatever village they were visiting, and when he could find someone or something worth fighting while he was out, it just made the day better.  Zoro loved a good fight, any chance to test his skills.

But sometimes, Nami would assign partners.  To keep track of each other, keep everyone on task, and minimize what she referred to as “destructive distractions”.  Basically, she wanted them to babysit each other, which never worked as well as she would hope.

It wasn’t uncommon for Zoro and Sanji to be sent to the market together.  Which was fine, Zoro could carry more than the cook, and he enjoyed proving it.  Of course, the moment even a whiff of competition was in the air, Sanji took it as a personal affront.  Yelling and cursing and both of them loaded down with bags, they each forgot about how they usually spent their time, focused entirely on each other and their one-upmanship.

Sanji often went with Chopper, as he could find medical supplies among the food stalls, and could carry plenty on his back, but today the doctor was with Robin, searching the local bookshops for…  Well, fuck if Zoro knew, honestly.  Medical and history books, he supposed, but he certainly didn’t recall any details.  Nami was wrangling Luffy herself, and Usopp was keeping watch on the Merry, patching her up as best he could, which left the swordsman and chef to get the food.

They headed for the heart of town, and Zoro rolled his eyes every time the cook became sidetracked by any remotely pretty face to pass by.  The third time, Zoro finally grabbed his arm and dragged him away.  “We’ve got shit to do, cook,” he growled when the blond finally stopped calling his farewells and turned to complain.  “And it’s not exactly fun to watch you fall apart just because a girl looked at you.”

And then Sanji was off on a rant about how he couldn’t just let a ~mademoiselle~ go without knowing how beautiful she was and Zoro was just a rude, uncultured swine to do otherwise and blah, blah, blah, Zoro didn’t care.  What he really didn’t get was why Sanji insisted on flirting constantly.  What did he even get out of it?

When they got back to the ship, Usopp took the opportunity to explore, Sanji started putting everything away, and Zoro took up watch while starting his daily workout routine on deck.  He might have considered offering to help, it wasn’t like there was an insignificant amount of food to put up, but the cook would just bitch and complain about how he did it before kicking him out, so he didn’t bother.  He was ready for some time to himself, anyway, and figured Sanji would rather do it himself, to make sure it was all exactly the way he liked.

After an hour or so, Sanji emerged from the galley and stood for a moment, stretching in the sun, long arms reaching high over his head.  “Oi, mosshead,” he called, turning in Zoro’s direction.  “I’m heading back out, don’t wander off.”

“Going to bother more innocent ladies?” Zoro asked, putting his weights down.

“I am not bothering them!” the cook insisted.  “I am simply making sure they know how lovely they are, and if that--”

“What do looks even matter?” he interrupted.  “What does telling a stranger how they look do?  Why should they even believe you?”

Sanji seemed flabbergasted by the suggestion.  “Everyone loves being complimented!  What are you talking about?”

“Genuine compliments, sure, but about your looks?”

“Well, you have to open the door somehow!” the cook exclaimed.

“Why are you even flirting with someone you don’t know?”

“Because they’re beautiful!”

“That doesn’t mean they’re nice, or good, or interesting!”

“Well, what do you look for in a woman?”

“I don’t,” Zoro answered with a snort.

“Don’t… what?”

“I don’t look for women.”

“Well…  No wonder you don’t get it!” Sanji cried, waving his hands dismissively.

Zoro rolled his eyes, picking up his weights again.

“What about in men, then?”

Zoro dropped the weight and looked up in surprise.  “What?”

Sanji clicked his tongue and started making his way closer.  “I asked what you look for in men, then.  If the fairer sex isn’t your taste, then what is?”

“I…”  Zoro had never been asked so casually about his taste in men before.  Well, maybe once, but that was in a brothel bar.

“Come on, marimo, it’s not a trick question.  First thing to pop into your head when you think “hot guy”.”

“Strong,” Zoro blurted out.

“Okay, okay, that’s something!  What else?”

“...Brave?”

Sanji sighed, dropped to sit beside him.  “Okay, that’s good, but not exactly what I was looking for.  Looks, Zoro.  What does a hot guy look like?”

Zoro wrinkled his nose.  “I don’t know.  That… that doesn’t have that much to do with it.”

“What?” Sanji chuckled.

“It’s more important that he’s smart and strong and brave than how he might look.”

Sanji narrowed his eyes at Zoro, leaning in for a moment.  “You do know the difference between beautiful and ugly, right?”

Zoro scoffed, shoving his hand into Sanji’s face.  “I’m not blind, I just don’t care.  But get your ugly mug outta my face!”

“I am not ugly!” Sanji shrieked, kicking back, but with hardly any force.

Zoro laughed.  “Oh no?”

“No!  What sort of insane standards could you have if I’m ugly?”

“Nonexistent?” Zoro replied, shrugging.

“You are impossible!” Sanji shouted, throwing his hands in the air and standing up.  “I’m trying to help you out, here!”

“Help me what?  Flirt?”

“I…  Maybe!  I don’t know!  I don’t know why I bothered, either!”  Sanji turned and started off across the deck to head out.  “I’m leaving, you keep watch!”

“Okay,” Zoro called after him, shaking his head.  It was really too easy to work him up, half the time he didn’t even have to try.  Watching him go, Zoro had to admit to himself that Sanji really wasn’t that bad looking.  And he was strong.  And brave.  And smart, too.

But he was also a pain in the ass, so what did any of that matter?

[alkhale]

Memos Age Swap AU (ko-fi request)

If I was reading your post correctly I can request a snippet? If that is correct I am a tad bit desperate for more of the age swap memos au with the younger Shanks and Mihawk~~~~~

(You guys spoil me with some of these requests.)

“Sorry, brats, I know it’s a bit uncomfortable but just bear with me for a bit.”

I could bear with this for an eternity. Shanks thought amiably, calmly, almost saying the words just as pleasantly. I can even make this a lot more bearable for the both of us.

The heavy tromp tromp tromp of marine issued boots forced small rocks and pebbles to come raining down onto their heads. Soldiers shouted left and right above them, running like chickens without heads as they searched fruitlessly for the dangerously high bounty wielding pirates they’d happened upon.

They really think they can catch me? Shanks grinned a bit at the thought. They can’t even catch Buggy! Admiral Koby was a different matter, but with these new rookies and soldiers, it was a cake walk in the park. Honestly, they didn’t even really need to be hiding.

So why were they hiding?

Because Shanks was one lucky sea dog, that’s why.

I don’t know what I did in my past life. Shanks thought belatedly, smiling so hard his cheeks hurt. But I’m glad I did it.

The particular town they’d happened upon for restocking supplies had become swarmed with marines all following the rumor that the Pirate King himself would be stopping by just because this town made a particularly amazing dish of charred sea king. Sure enough, Monkey D. Luffy had come, sending people screaming for the hills and marines quaking in their boots because Monkey D. Luffy was not a man who hid what he did and could care less about what anyone thought of it.

“I wanted some good meat!”

The news of their arrival had sent shivers down Shanks’ spine, a rolling, buzzing hum of excitement in the presence of the man he wanted to become. The man he sought to climb towards, higher and higher and—the thought of seeing his beautiful crewmate.

Shanks was another year older, of course, and another year wiser. He was handsome and charming and he was a son of the sea. He’d had his romp in the hay with several beautiful women in his time so far, had his little flings, his little moments of adoration over lovely, fearsome ladies but, but, but.

He spent nights in his bunk haunted by ocean eyes.

Shanks and Buggy had split down the middle of town, Buggy hauling the rest of their provisions while Shanks shook the marines off their tale in a classic little game. What he hadn’t gambled on was running face-to-chest first into mounds of soft flesh and muscle, accompanied by a short, rough ka!

The two of them had smashed into one more thing, bowling over and knocking into two wooden doors, holding closed an old ale cellar. Just before they’d all toppled head first, Hoku’s boots had smacked outwards, her sword hitting the side of the cellar tunnel and then they’d been left, suspended mid-air, squeezed so tightly together they had wedged themselves in.

Stuck.

“Why am I always running into you,” Hoku had wondered, not at all annoyed, almost playful amused as always, though a bit strained from the tight space. “You’ve got some bad luck, Red Hair.”

Shanks thought the absolute opposite. He had some damn good luck.

“Beautiful as always, dove,” Shanks purred, a bit of a wheeze to his words from their tight proximity. “You’ve been gone too long.”

Very good luck because here Shanks was, his back pressed flat against cobblestone and dirt, wedged from falling down some long tunnel cellar. Here he was, the smell of the ocean and perhaps copper and something else winding all around him, bright, paper white hair pulled into a wispy bun atop her head. Hoku’s toned, powerful thighs wrapped around his hips as her boots braced them against the wall behind them—God, he could feel her sitting on his thighs—her chest pressed close, close, close to his face, one arm grabbing her sword, the other wedged tight in-between them so she couldn’t move it.

Keep your head in your heart, Shanks, buddy, you can do it. He was about to lose his mind, to be perfectly honest.

But there was only one small hiccup to this little rendevouz. Small, miniscule and unnecessary.

“Sorry,” Hoku apologized again, turning her head a bit. “I know it’s tight. You alright?”

Dracule Mihawk, currently wedged into the other side of the cellar tunnel, also supporting Hoku’s weight over his thighs, hands settled calmly onto his legs, dangerously close to Hoku’s hips, chest pressed tight to her back—simply nodded.

The three of them.

“Why the hell are you here?” Shanks mouthed over Hoku’s shoulder. Mihawk stared dully at him. “When’d you even get here?”

Mihawk blinked once, slowly, giving Shanks a moment to consider.

Shanks made shush motions with his head, jerking rapidly with his finger to Hoku who was more focused on how she was going to haul herself out of this little tunnel—the two brats should be fine on their own. Mihawk continued to look at him as though he were no more than a bug before calmly moving his lips.

“Followed her,” Mihawk mouthed. “To find him.”

Memories of bright spearmint and a wandering hand placed firmly on the hilt of Hoku’s sword made Shanks sour a touch. Mihawk leaned his head back against the wall, calmly waiting.

I should just make the most of this wonderful situation. Shanks thought, leaning a little more forward. Hoku didn’t seem to mind, his head resting in the soft dip of her collarbone, above her chest. “Dove, where’s your crew headed off to next?”

“Hm?” Hoku glanced down at him, moving awkwardly to shift her head. “My crew? What’s it to you?” Her eyes sparkled dangerously. “Your captain looking to cause some trouble?”

“Of course not,” Shanks said, lips curling upwards. “Not yet at least. I just want to know where I can find you next. My heart can’t take these yearly meet-ups.”

“Be glad it’s only a year,” Hoku said. “Nothing good could come of anymore than that.”

Shanks frowned, “Dove! I’d see you any—”

“Hey, brat,” Hoku said. Shanks looked up obediently and she rolled her eyes. “The other brat.” Mihawk blinked his eyes open. “Can you move that arm?”

Mihawk wordlessly raised his left hand. Hoku grinned, “Good. I’ve got a brush right here,” she motioned with her chin to her breasts and Shanks blinked, mind halting. “Think you can reach it?”

What?

“What?” Shanks squawked. Hoku glanced to him and Mihawk simply kept his hand raised, expressionless. “Wait a minute, I can—”

“Your hands are stuck there,” Hoku said, motioning to where his hands were wedged between her back, cradling the dip of lean skin and stuck against Mihawk’s chest. “He’s got a free one. If you can get it free, pass it to me and I’ll get us out of this. Goddess knows the marines would have a field day with us.”

“I’ll use my mouth!” Shanks offered.

Hoku rolled her eyes at him, “Don’t make it more complicated. It’s just right there, alright? Can’t miss it.”

Mihawk’s hand raised itself from Hoku’s hip, reaching over her shoulder and brushing against her chin. Shanks watched his fingertips, souring and glowering, but unable to stop the transfixed, almost magnetized way he watched. Hoku tipped her head to the side, exposing a column of soft tan, lined with an array of thin, unhealed scars that stood out unsightly against her skin. Unsightly to anyone else. The kind that didn’t heal in a smooth little line, but stood out ragged, as though she’d been burned.

What stories you must be able to tell. Shanks swallowed, a hard bob against his throat. His hands pressed a little harder into her back. Mihawk’s golden gaze flickered to him once, his hand slowly brushing past Hoku’s collarbone, pulling the top aside.

Shanks’ breath caught in his throat.

Mihawk’s fingers dipped. Soft skin exposed, the soft mound of flesh. Shanks’ hands pressed a little harder into Hoku’s back, his hips fitting a little more snug. Hoku shifted, looking back to them from where she’d been watching the mouth of the cellar.

“Sanji! I think I smell her over here!”

“Over there? In that dirty cellar? Hoku Honey, where are you?”

Mihawk’s hand paused. Shanks blinked, looking startled and Hoku’s eyes brightened, a happy grin curling over her lips.

“Sanji!” Hoku shouted, uncaring for any marines that might hear. At Mihawk’s unsettled look she added, “None of ‘em will be coming this way if those two are up there. Sanji! Chopper!”

A shadow fell over the three of them as Shanks looked up in shock. Golden blonde hair fell in a heavy lock over one eye, the strands pulled back into a small ponytail at the base of his neck. His suit jacket left a few buttons undone, a neat, even trim on his chin. Rolling muscles and—

“Hoku Honey!” Vinsmoke Sanji cried, smoke trailing up from his lips as he peered down the tunnel. “What are you doing down there, my love?”

“Love?” Shanks repeated.

“Got a bit stuck,” Hoku called up sheepishly. “Lend me a hand?”

“Of course my—who the hell are those beasts?” Sanji barked out, nearly throwing himself over the side of the cellar. “What the—get your grimy paws off Hoku, snot nosed brats!”

“Ah! That’s the scary kid who’s been fighting Zoro! And that’s eek! Hoku! That kid’s traveling with that scary rookie!” Chopper’s snout peeked over the rim of the cellar. “Are you hurt?”

“Peachy,” Hoku said. “We just ran into each other. No harm done.”

She flashed Shanks a look filled with fonder amusement, “Too much these days though.”

“Not enough, dove,” Shanks murmured, eyes trained on her lips and the rise and fall of her chest. Hoku frowned, arching a curious brow.

“No harm done, huh?” Sanji said darkly, eyeing Shanks and Mihawk’s hands and their compromised position. Shanks frowned, flexing his fingers against Hoku’s back with a pout. “Alright, Hoku Honey! Give me just one second~ I’ll get you out right away!”

His words finally slapped hard into the side of Shanks’ head, breaking him from his daze. Mihawk remained silent, leaning his head back against the wall behind him as his hands returned to Hoku’s hips. She shifted, leaning more of her weight onto Shanks’ thighs and he cursed under his breath, mind racing to figure out someway to make this last a second longer—

“When can I see you again?” Shanks murmured.

“Me?” Hoku looked back to him. “You’re better off not seeing me again, brat.”

“I want too,” Shanks said. “I’ll die if I don’t.”

“Still talking sweet,” Hoku said, a bit soft. Shanks shook his head. “Listen, kid, you ought to just—”

“I really,” Hoku froze, she leaned back on instinct, resting against the warm press of Mihawk’s open chest. Shanks pressed forward, his forehead coming to rest on the bare skin of her collarbone. “Really want to see you again, dove.”

A moment. A beat. Shanks raised his head, eyes swimming, the smell of her, the feel of her, the press of skin and the too tempting touch making him feel drunk on bravery, on the slim chance he could sneak off with—

“Here I am, Hoku Honey!” Toned, suited legs came down, polished loafers effectively smashing into Shanks’ cheek and nearly Mihawk’s forehead. Sanji had been lowered, all cologne and cigarette smoke by one arm as he stretched out his other.

“Sanji,” Hoku said, happy and light. “Thanks.”

She promptly shifted her grip on her sword and Sanji’s fingers easily found hers, wrapping tightly and weaving through as he tugged her arm up and over his neck. Hoku’s weight was promptly ripped from between the two teens, Sanji’s arm snaking firmly and politely over the curve of her hip. Hoku dropped her sword down and Sanji’s waiting hand caught it midair, tucking it snug against her lower back. He swooned, eyes filled with hearts as Hoku freed her arm and wrapped them both around his neck, pressing a light kiss to his chin.

“Anything for you, my love!” Sanji crooned. “Pull us up, Chopper!”

“Aye!” came the muffled reply. Shanks blinked and Mihawk’s legs quickly shot out, the disappearance of Hoku’s weight forcing the two of them to shove both their legs as far as they could reach, smacking into the opposite wall of each other.

“It was nice seeing you again, brats,” Hoku called down to them, a small smile playing on her lips while Sanji glared hot daggers over the top of her head. “Good luck, yeah?”

Shanks’ mouth opened in protest while Mihawk simply inclined his head in a small nod.

“See you on the Grand Line!”

And then just like that, with a muttered curse from Sanji and a soft word, they were gone.

Shanks blinked, a tumble of emotions welling up in his chest until the clearest realization came to the forefront, bringing his attention to Mihawk across from him.

They were still stuck together.

“Okay,” Shanks said. “I’ll tell you what, we need to scream as loud as we can for a guy named Buggy on three, okay?”

Mihawk stared at him as one would a bug.

[leagueofbane]

“I have left her fate up to you.”

Bane tells Talia the results of Nyssa’s DNA test, in this next installment of my fic, THE DEMON’S LEGACY.

This story is also available at Ao3 and FanFiction.net.

Chapter 14

             In the morning, Bane and his entourage left Jaipur. Henri begged to stay longer, particularly to see the so-called monkey temple located east of the city that Abrams had unfortunately mentioned on the drive back from the evening light show at the Amber Fort. To make up for his blunder, Abrams bought a toy stuffed monkey to appease the boy. Though Henri still pouted as he got into the SUV to leave the safehouse, he hugged the monkey close, and soon was happy again as his father distracted him with various sights flying past the windows on their journey.

           On the long drive, Bane kept his phone close in case he received a call with the DNA results. But no call came. Maysam even urged him to reach out to Barsad about it.

           “There is no need, my dear. My brothers will contact me when they have something to report. Besides, you know I prefer to avoid my phone when I am with my son.”

           Bane was just as on edge as Maysam about the test results, but he hid even a hint of his unrest, and Maysam did her best to avoid reflecting anything but contentment to her great-grandchild.

           It was afternoon by the time they arrived at the palace. The day’s heat was in full force as they stepped out of the vehicle in the courtyard. Barsad and Sanjana stood just outside the palace’s main doors, smiling as Henri shouted and ran to them as if he had been away for years. Barsad lifted him up, the boy showing them the monkey and rattling off a disjointed narrative about elephants and light shows.

           Suddenly pausing, Henri looked around and asked, “Where Mama?”

           “Oh, sweetie,” Sanjana said. “Don’t you remember? She is away for a few days.”

           Frowning, Henri seemed to remember. He kneaded the monkey, making Bane recall the comfort his stuffed bear, Osito, had given him as a child.

           “Let us go inside,” Bane said. “We will all have some refreshment. Then you, my little monkey, will take a nap.”

           “No, Papa Baba. I tell Unca John ’bout elephant ride.”

           “You may do that inside while we relax from our interminable drive.”

           “Aunt Sanji, have baby now?”

           “Pretty soon, sweetie,” Sanjana said, her hand brushing his rosy cheek, the other on her belly.

           Maysam led the way inside, followed by Sanjana then the men. Barsad set Henri down, and the boy raced up the broad staircase.

           “How is our guest?” Bane quietly asked Barsad, his words masked from the women’s ears by Maysam asking Sanjana about her health.

           “Getting surlier by the hour. She’s not a fan of her accommodations. I take it you haven’t heard anything yet about the results.”

           “No, but I was assured during my phone call this morning that I would have the results by this evening.”

           “I hope you managed to enjoy yourself while you were gone. Sounds like Henri did.”

           “Yes. It was a valuable trip. He is no longer upset about his mother��s absence, though he is certainly eager for her return.”

           “If Nyssa is who she claims to be, are you going to tell Talia right away, or will you wait for her to come back?”

           “I have given it much thought. I still believe I should tell her right away. She would want me to.”

           “I agree.” Barsad grinned. “I think she’d rip you a new one if she found out you did otherwise.”

           “You and I know, brother, no one is capable of that, not even my beloved.”

           “I’m not so sure; I’ve heard you two fighting before.”

           “We never fight, Barsad. We discuss.”

           They fell silent as they climbed the stairs, and Bane noticed Barsad’s attention on Abrams as he followed Maysam. Barsad gave Bane a significant look and nodded toward Abrams and Maysam, eyebrows raised in curiosity.

           Bane smiled slightly and spoke in an undertone, “I will tell you later, brother.”

           When Bane’s cellphone rang during supper, conversation at the table stopped, and all eyes turned to him except Henri’s, for the toddler was blissfully concentrating on building a fort with his mashed potatoes.

           “Excuse me,” Bane said, pushing his chair back and heading out to the veranda. He answered the call. “You have the results?”

           “Yes, sir,” one of his brothers on the other end of the line said. “The results confirm her claim.”

           Bane’s heart seemed to stop. He stared into the twilight over the compound, across the near courtyard and over the gardens to the guest house where he used to stay when visiting. Talia used to sneak out of the palace at night and come to him there, before Maysam knew of their physical relationship.

           “Sir? Are you there?”

           “Yes. Thank you.” He disconnected the call, looked toward the distant brown hills, which were in the process of being turned a dark bronze by the dying sun. Pocketing the phone, he gripped the decorative railing of the veranda, breathed deeply to collect himself, to think. But only a moment, for he knew the others were waiting in tortured suspense.

           When he returned to the dining room, only Henri, who sat to Maysam’s right, did not turn. The strain on everyone’s face was palpable.

           “Haris,” Maysam managed. “Was that the call you were expecting?”

           Bane was glad to know his face had not given away the emotions that swirled within him.

           Henri looked up from his potato sculpture. “Mama come home?”

           “No,” Bane said. “That call was not from your mother; you spoke with her earlier, remember? Now, finish your food instead of playing with it. If you do, then you shall get dessert.” He returned to his chair, placed his linen napkin back in his lap. “The call confirmed Nyssa’s lineage.”

           Maysam and Sanjana gasped. Barsad and Abrams muttered curses.

           “Unca John said a bad word!”

           “Are you sure there couldn’t be a mistake, Haris?” Maysam asked.

           “Our resources are infallible. In this case, I wish they were not.”

           Barsad asked, “Are you going to call Talia right away?”

           “Yes, I shall do so after supper.”

           “Will you tell her over the phone?” Maysam wrung her hands in her napkin. “Or will you just ask her to come home?”

           “Mama come home?”

           “Soon,” Bane answered Henri patiently with a forced smile. Then to Maysam, “I prefer to tell her face to face. I have considered going to her, but I don’t want Henri to be without both of us, and I don’t feel it prudent to take him with me. I hate to cut her retreat short, but I know she would be resentful if she later found out that I kept this from her until she returned at the end of her holiday.”

           “She would,” Barsad said.

           “So, I will tell her it’s important League business that I need her counsel on. Obviously, we don’t speak of such things over the telephone, so she will be compelled to return. And couching it thus is not a lie.”

           Barsad nodded. “Good idea.”

           “Mama come home?” Henri cocked his head hopefully.

           “Probably, my cub. I will soon find out.”

           “Yay!” Henri flung up his hands, sending his mashed potato-filled spoon flying, nearly hitting his father with it.

           “Jin,” Bane scolded.

           Hisham, always near to serve during supper, stepped forward from his station behind Maysam to attend to the mess.

           “Apologize to Hisham and Jiddah,” Bane commanded his son.

           “I sorry.” Henri meekly took a clean spoon offered by the servant. “Thank you.”

           Bane nodded his satisfaction to Henri, and the boy’s smile returned.

           Hisham picked up the dirty spoon and cleaned the mess off the floor.

           Maysam, sitting at the head of the table, seemed not to notice any of the incident, a hand to her mouth, meal forgotten, eyes distant.

           Abrams gently spoke her name, drawing her back to the moment.

           “If you prefer, I could give her the news, Haris.”

           “That will not be necessary, Maysam, but thank you for the offer.”

           “How do you think she will react?” Abrams asked.

           “It is difficult to say. This is all so unexpected.” Bane sighed and picked up his fork, forcing a lighter tone. “Well, let us enjoy our supper. There is no sense in worrying about the situation.”

           Though all agreed and went back to their meal, a pall of uncertainty hung over the room. Only Henri, ignorant of the somber atmosphere, could change the mood, soon cheering them all with his amusing description of Abrams riding the elephant. No one laughed harder than Maysam and Sanjana, and for a short while Bane could set aside his concerns.

           “Hello, my love,” Talia’s musical voice rang in Bane’s ear. In just these few short days, she sounded so much better than before she had left on her trip.

           “Good evening, my dear, or afternoon, rather, where you are.”

           “How is Henri?”

           “He is well. He is with Jiddah right now, taking his bath.”

           “Oh, I’d hoped to speak with him.”

           “Of course, you shall, but first I wanted to talk to you without his chatter in our ears, if I may.”

           “What is it, habibi? Has Henri been misbehaving?”

           “No, he has been amicable.” Bane hesitated. “Something has come up concerning our brethren. I seek your counsel. In person, of course, per usual.”

           “Has something gone wrong?”

           “I wouldn’t say that, but it is a serious matter that I desire your feedback on. I’m very sorry to cut your holiday short. I considered coming to you, but because of our cub, I thought it unwise.”

           “Well, I certainly agree with that. No need to apologize, Haris. I certainly understand. I’ve had a wonderful few days here. It’s enough. I feel quite renewed, thanks to you. I miss everyone terribly, though. I will arrange my departure as soon as possible.”

           “Thank you, my love.”

           “How is Sanjana?”

           “She is well.”

           “Any progress in the way of Jiddah and Abrams?” There was a teasing smile in her voice, as there had been yesterday when he had told her about the change in Jaipur.

           “You will be amused to learn that we now have a new seating chart at the dining table.”

           “Oh? Do tell.”

           “Barsad has been forced to relinquish his seat on Maysam’s left, to Abrams.”

           Talia laughed.

           “Needless to say, Abrams did not look comfortable with the change. Sanjana, however, seemed most pleased. She spoke more during supper than I have ever heard her speak at a meal before.”

           “I’m happy to hear that.”

           “Well, we will speak in more detail once you are home, my dear. I will walk the phone to the bathroom now, so you may speak with our little one.” He got up from the sofa, glanced at their bed. “I look forward to your return, habibati.”

           Talia landed mid-morning, Yemi and the security detail driving her in from the airstrip some thirty kilometers away. Bane had refrained from telling Henri of her impending return until she had landed, for he had not wanted the child to remain awake all night in anticipation. Now he ran around their room in a happy frenzy, waving his monkey and shouting, “Mama, Mama!” until Bane swept him up and flew him like an airplane throughout the suite, much to Henri’s delight.

           Maysam accompanied them to the front door to greet Talia. Henri ran to the elevator and bounced up and down inside as they descended to the second floor, but Bane carried him down the main staircase to the foyer. There he set him on his feet and held tightly to his hand, Henri holding his monkey in the other as Talia’s vehicle rolled into the courtyard.

           “Mama! Mama!” Henri waved the monkey over his head and squealed. “Lemme go, Papa Baba.”

           “You stay right here with your father,” Maysam scolded, “so you don’t fall down the steps.”

           Bane’s heart swelled as Talia emerged from the car. She wore a small white hat at a stylish angle and dark sunglasses. Over a red and white blouse, a gauzy white, short-sleeved shrug billowed in the breeze that swirled a fine twist of dust around her. The wide legs of her pants waved about her like the tall, narrow prayer flags in the Bhutan of her youth. She called to her son and rushed forward. Henri pulled against his father, but Bane anchored him. Talia flowed up the steps to them, arms open, then she crouched down to enfold her exuberant child against her bosom and shower him with kisses.

           “I was good, Mama! I was good!”

           “Of course you were, my sweet. Oh, how I’ve missed you.”

           “Look at my monkey. Unca Abrams got him.”

           “Yes, you told me about him on the phone. It was very nice of Uncle Abrams to buy it for you.”

           “Uh-huh. I say thank you.”

           “That’s my good boy.” Talia hoisted him onto her hip and received Bane’s kiss.

           “Welcome home, hafida.” Maysam kissed Talia’s cheek. “Come inside. Have you had breakfast?”

           “I had a bite on the plane. I’ll be fine until lunch. The time difference, remember.”

           “Yes, of course.” Maysam ushered them inside, as Hisham hurried past with Talia’s luggage. “Would you like me to unpack for you while you rest?”

           “No, it’s fine, Jiddah. Thank you.”

           “I will have the kitchen send up some fresh-baked fatayer jebnah and coffee to your room, in case you change your mind.”

           Bane had his arm lightly around Talia as they ascended the grand staircase, passing some of the El Fadil children racing downward, a couple who welcomed Talia back. One of Nashir’s sons, a seven-year-old, stopped to ask if Henri could come outside.

           “Would you like to go play, habibi?” Talia asked.

           Henri hugged his monkey. “I stay with you, Mama.”

           “Very well.” Talia kissed her son’s cheek in gratitude. “Perhaps later, Ahmed.”

           Nashir’s boy shrugged and rushed after his cousins.

           Henri put one arm around his mother’s neck. “I was good; Mama come home.”

           “That’s right, darling,” Talia said.

           Bane raised an eyebrow at Henri. “And perhaps if you continue to be good, your mother will stay.”

           Henri nuzzled Talia’s hair, whispered loudly into her ear, “Mama stay.”

           “I will, baby.”

           “Let me carry him, my dear. You have had a long journey.”

           Henri tightened his grip on her, dropping his monkey.

           As Bane bent to pick up the toy, Talia said, “It’s fine, habibati. I’ve missed my boy.” She grinned at Bane. “Both of them.”

           Though Talia was pleased to be home with her family, she had to admit she already missed the green beauty of France. The tawny colors of Rajasthan and the hot breath of the Thar Desert could not match the towering, snow-capped Pyrenees with their purple slopes and exhilarating clear air. No dust swirling about, finding its way into everything. Shimmering lakes and streams that spoke to her in a special language, a language that soothed her. She remembered springtime in the Himalayas with her father, when they would have picnics in the valleys and listen to the rush of water in streams swollen from the snowmelt.

           As soon as they reached the suite, Talia set Henri down, and he had bolted for the living area where his building blocks littered the central rug.

           “Mama, come play with me!”

           “I will play with you, ya habib alby,” Maysam said. “Your parents need to discuss something right now, so let’s give them some privacy. We’ll play in your room.”

           Bane nodded his appreciation to Maysam. His desire to discuss business first thing surprised Talia. Her concerns about what this problem could be had nagged at her ever since his phone call. It had to be of the utmost importance for him to recall her from her mandated vacation. Though she had wracked her brain all the way here, she had no idea what this could be about.

           “Wanna stay with Mama.”

           “She will come to join us in a few minutes.” Maysam held out her hand to the boy where he sat on the rug, already engrossed in stacking his blocks.

           “Henri,” Bane rumbled. “Go with Jiddah.”

           “But, Papa—”

           “Henri Jin, I will not tell you twice. If you force me to, that monkey will be going to live with Ahmed.”

           Henri gasped and swept his monkey into his arms, keeping his back to his father as if to protect the toy. Scrambling to his feet, he took his great-grandmother’s hand and started to tow her toward the hallway.

           “Hurry, Jiddah!”

           Talia suppressed a laugh as she watched the two leave. “If only he would obey me like that.”

           Bane lumbered up behind her and slipped his arms around her, drew her back against the length of his hard body. She closed her eyes in bliss and relaxed, responding to the magic of his protective touch, like the security of her mother’s old blanket. All her worries seemed to leave her, as if his body purposefully pulled them away from her, took them on.

           He kissed her ear through her hair and murmured, “Our cub will obey you, my love. I think these past few days have truly made an impression on him.”

           “Is that possible with a two-year-old?” She rested her hands over his where they overlapped her flat belly.

           “It is with ours. You shall see. You know I never fail to successfully complete a mission.”

           “True.” Talia turned to face him, still in his embrace. “But being good parents is our toughest mission yet.”

           “Agreed. But have faith, my dear. I think you will see a change in our boy. I wish you could have been in Jaipur with us. I took many pictures and videos to share with you.”

           “I can’t wait to see them, especially his elephant ride.”

           “He cannot stop speaking of it.”

           Talia chuckled and received his kiss, long and sensual, his arms bringing her even closer. Yet he surprised her when he drew back with a new seriousness to his dark gaze, one that told her he would refuse his lust for now.

           “Come, my love, let us sit and talk,” he said.

           She followed him to the loveseat, enjoying the happy sounds of her son from his bedroom. Chateau Blanc had been so quiet! Almost too quiet, especially the first day, until she gradually had grown accustomed to the absence of Henri’s constant babble.

           They sat close, facing one another, Talia’s legs tucked up on the rich upholstery, her shoes having been discarded the minute she had entered the suite. She was disturbed by how Bane avoided her gaze. She could see him gathering his thoughts, a frown drawing familiar lines across his sloping brow. To encourage him, she gently took one of his hands in hers.

           “What is it, habibi?”

           Bane hesitated a moment longer before speaking, and when he did, his tone was gentle, solicitous, not straight forward and business-like as usual when he discussed League matters. Talia’s worries increased.

           “You may recall Abrams’s concerns about a woman in the village bazaar shortly before you left for France.”

           “Diya Panjabi’s daughter, you mean? The one Abrams said is a mercenary?”

           “Yes.”

           “What of her? Has she proven to be a threat?”

           “Perhaps. But not in the way we may have suspected.”

           “Perhaps?”

           “We apprehended her here in the palace, just outside our very door, in fact.”

           Talia felt the color drain from her face. “How did she get into the palace? Was she trying to reach Henri?”

           “No, Henri was nothing more to her than a curiosity or, as she called him, a breadcrumb. Because of his appearance and his closeness to Maysam, she had a hunch about his lineage. It made her want to find out if her hunch was correct.”

           “And her hunch was?”

           “That Henri is related to Maysam. And because she knows Maysam had but one child and that Henri could not be that child’s offspring, she wondered if perhaps you had survived Gotham. We both know it’s easy enough to see you in Henri.”

           “But how did she get into the palace?”

           “She duped one of Nashir’s men, one she has a personal relationship with, a sexual relationship. He brought her to his room. She got him drunk and slipped out. Davos was surveilling her the whole time, though, hoping she would be foolish and make a move. He had a gun on her as she listened outside my door.”

           “Listened to what? Was Henri with you?”

           “Yes. He had awoken from a bad dream; he was missing you. I was consoling him.”

           “She heard the two of you together!” Her cold hands withdrew from his, gripped her knees. “Tell me she is dead.”

           “She lives, as our prisoner. I have left her fate up to you, and with good reason.”

           “What possible good reason? She has to be eliminated—”

           “Talia.” He reclaimed her hand. “You must hear me out. What I must tell you will not be easy for you to hear or perhaps to understand. I am still trying to wrap my head around it myself.”

           So agitated by this potential threat to her family, Talia wanted to get up, to pace, but she could tell by the sudden iron strength in Bane’s grip that he wanted her close and focused for what was to come next. What on earth could be so important that he had not instantly killed the intruder? Their son had been within the mercenary’s reach!

           “Who sent her?” Talia demanded. “Who does she work for? Who would be foolish enough to threaten the League?”

           “Talia,” he said in the voice of her protector, of the young man who had raised her in the pit as father, brother, friend. The man who gently demanded her obedience as no one else could. “Listen to me, and you will understand.”

           She forced herself to settle, to sink deeper into the loveseat, to relax her rigid muscles, to breathe. To wait.

           “When I interrogated her, she made it clear that she is working for no one.”

           “You believe her?”

           “Considering what I have learned since, yes.”

           “And what have you learned?”

           Bane hesitated.

           “Tell me.”

           Another long moment of painful suspense as she watched him struggle with the answer, then finally it came: “She is the eldest daughter of Rā’s al Ghūl.”

[plume8now]

I don’t need your opinion

Fandom: One Piece

Ship: ZoSan

Prompt: "I called the wrong number and started talking about my life and you only interrupted me after a few a few minutes of me revealing some pretty personal stuff and now youre invested in my life troubles" AU. OR When Sanji thinks he's calling Usopp (... but we all know it's not Usopp.)

Warning: AU, Humor, Romance, Relationship Troubles, Rivalry, Stupidity, Dealing with different pictures of love, Bored!Zoro, Sanji being Sanji, Ero-cook, Mention of Sanji/Conis, Bet, Foolish behaviors, They are children seriously.

Chapter 1/3 - chapter 2

A/N: You can also find it on AO3 or Fanfiction.net! This is a gift for my friend @junko-chan !

Sanji looked at his phone, sitting on his bed, thoughtful.

Should he call Nami? Should he tell her what was currently happening? He knew she had said she wouldn't mind a phone call from him, as long as it wasn't for flirting. Of course, the latter would always fail when Sanji did call her – using tons of excuses, by the way. Just hearing Nami-swan's voice was so great and such an honour for him! But... right now, he wouldn't call for that.

He'd been thinking about it for weeks, even months.

Things weren't getting better with Conis, and he couldn't let this relationship fade away just like this, without even trying to fix it. But talking about personal problems to Nami? Bothering her? Taking her time and patience for insignificant relationship issues? No, it wasn't that important. Plus, Conis and him weren't even in a relationship. Or were they? He didn't know. They'd been dating for a while, yes, but were they together? As a couple?

Maybe he was overthinking it. Conis, in love with him? Damn, she was a true angel, no way he could deserve her! (But that would be Heaven if she actually felt something for him)... though that wasn't what he needed to talk about. Was it? No need to talk to Nami about it. Actually, that would be a wrong path, as Nami was a Saint and a woman, and he, was only a man. For that, he needed to talk to another man, who had experience with women. Not that women were hard to understand or anything, not at all. On the contrary, they were flawless – actually, Sanji needed help for himself.

That was it. He couldn't bother Nami. Luffy wasn't even an option, he knew his answer would be something about meat or going on an adventure and then everything would be okay. Last option was Usopp. After all, Usopp was in relationship with Kaya, and everything seemed to go perfectly well.

Yes, he should definitely call Usopp for this kind of matter.

The young cook reached his phone, and dialed Usopp's number. When he heard his friend answering his call, he just couldn't help but let go of his feelings immediately. As in a "Now or never".

“Hey Usopp, it's- well you know it's me. And before you ask-”

“I-”

“-Before you ask,” he repeated nervously, “yes, I need your help. Well, not exactly your help, but your opinion- about something. Alright, this is about Conis-chan and I. I know that between you and Kaya-san, everything's going fine and I am glad for you – Kaya-san deserves everything in the world and you know it. Every women deserve the world. That's also what I want for Conis-chan. I've...”

“Hm-”

“I've noticed Conis-chan was being quite distant lately. Of course, this is not her fault. As you know, we've been on several dates for weeks, I cooked for her, I sang for her, I offered her flowers, serenades on the balcony – the perfect scene of Romeo and Juliet, even Shakespeare would have been jealous! I'm trying to be the gentleman she needs every single day. I've been in love the moment I met her. I'm only a man, and she's an angel, fallen from Heaven...! Usopp, I need your advice, now. Wh- What should I do to please her?”

After this long speech, Sanji paused for a moment, waiting for his friend's answer.

“Have you tried talking to her about this, in the first place?”

The young man's heart froze, and he opened his mouth, and closed it very slowly.

“Who are you?”

“Oh so you noticed?”

“You're not Usopp,” he whispered.

The stranger – as it appeared, he was absolutely not Usopp, his voice was far too deep.

“Yeah, you probably got the wrong number dude, sorry.”

Speechless. He was speechless. Had he- had he talked about his whole sentimental life to this man? Oh, merde.

“Fuck, I'm- damn, I didn't know, I'm really sorry, you should have said so-”

“No worries, it's okay. I was bored anyway.”

Bored? Sanji frowned. He had put his feelings down here, that wasn't supposed to be an entertaining discussion for some 'bored' guy, but a very important and serious one! Was he- was he mocking him?

“Anyway, I'm gonna leave you now,” he declared drily, slightly vexed.

“Wait,” the voice said calmly. “Before you hang up, what are you going to do?”

Curious, uh? Even though Sanji wanted to hang up right away with all his heart, his manners prevented him from doing so. This man – whoever he was – had listened to him. And he could have hanged up in the middle of his monologue, but he hadn't. Maybe it was to avoid boredom for some time, yes, but still. He had said he needed someone's opinion. Even from a stranger. Conis was worth it, he could forget his pride for this time.

“What should I do?”

He instantly regretted his question.

“What about you start considering women as they are and not as you think they are?”

Damn, yes. He regretted his question so bad now. This guy was a jerk, and Sanji wouldn't mind kicking his ass for being so rude.

“That's actually what I do,” he still replied, patient.

“That's actually not what you're doing. Not right now.”

That was it. This man was pissing him off.

“I know you're messing with me just to kill your boredom man, but if you actually knew me, you'd know I treat women better than anyone and would die for them any day, any time.”

“No need to know you, mate. You certainly see yourself as a gentleman... but from what you said? You've only depicted aesthetics, romantic stuff nobody cares about, superficial stuff. Basically, you're not loving your girlfriend for who she is, but what she looks like.”

“The fuck makes you believe this?!”

“Do you even know her?”

“Are you kidding me?”

“You didn't talk about her personality or feelings, not even once. You just said 'I' all along, on a genuine 'me, myself and I' novel.”

“Not true!” Sanji spat out. “What about everything I've done to make her happy, to please her?!”

“Oh, you mean the 'I cooked her something', 'I gave her flowers' and all that crap?”

“That's not crap. I'm a cook.”

Unimportant information, but nevermind. One couldn't just say 'cooking' and 'crap' in the same sentence, especially if that was about him.

“That's what you like to do to women, Dom Juan,” the man continued. “I might be wrong, but have you ever had a real discussion with her, deep and profound, not about one those stupid subjects like the weather or a dress, but more like a debate?”

A debate? With Conis-chan? Not really. Hell yeah he discussed stuff with her, but did you have to have a debate with someone to prove that you loved them?

“Your vision of love completely sucks,” he let out.

Surprisingly, the other genuinely laughed on the other end of the phone.

“I'll kick your ass, shithead!”

“Well bring it on. Maybe then you'll realize how much of a jerk you are.”

Jerk? He was the jerk? Consumed by raged, and completely vexed, Sanji pressed the red button of his phone and hung up. In a gesture as simple as this. He then threw his phone on the mattress, and stared into the void.

What was this man taking him for? Why the fuck had he even asked for his opinion? He didn't need his opinion. Conis was worth more than a stupid stranger's advice. He could deal with his situation himself. He didn't even know if Conis and he were a couple. Were they? Were they a couple? They didn't talk about it. They had dates, yes. Several, even. But were they dates, too? He personally considered them as dates. What about her? He never thought about that.

Damn. That was it.

The stupid wrong-number man was right. And now that he did think about it, Nami had talked about this “problem” of his too. How had that stranger pictured him so easily?

Fuck. He hated him.

His phone vibrated twice for a new text, startling him.

“Keep going like this and you will ruin your relationship, ero-cook.”

What was the guy thinking about to send him a text ? They were friends now? What was he, a psychologist? A very bored man?

He hesitated two seconds before replying. But damn, he couldn't let him have the last word. Childish, maybe, but he couldn't resist the urge.

“It will not.”

“Oh well, we shall see.”

“I'll prove you wrong.”

“Will you? How?”

Sanji looked at this conversation, thinking carefully about what he should say to this guy. This discussion was nonsense. Where was this going? Putain ! He couldn't help it. The man was challenging him, and he couldn't run away from it.

“In one week, it'll get better. You're bored? How about we get a drink so you'll see by yourself?”

… And so he could see the face of incarnated stupidity to kick his ass? He honestly had nothing to lose.

Ten seconds later, the answer arrived:

“Deal.”

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