#let zoro bottom you cowards

[greyskyflowers]

Soft Zoro brought to you today by greyskyflowers

Yes, hello. I have decided that I will not rest until the world has more soft Zoro.

I'll start with this.

Zoro is not soft.

For the sake of this I'm going to run with the whole tiger vibes Zoro thing.

Tigers are friend shaped. They have the cutest little ears and they're so pretty that I just want to squish their little faces up and call them baby. It's a tragedy that I will not be able to do this. It's also a tragedy that if I ever get a chance to squish a tiger's little face up and call it baby that I will die happy as soon as I try to do so.

I love when I see videos of caretakers for wildlife being reunited with the animals they once helped take care of. Not zoos, the perserves and sanctuaries and stuff like that.

I love it.

But...

Tigers are wild animals. I would not encourage anyone to go up to a tiger, squish it's little face and call it baby. Even those people who have the great relationship with them are alway a misstep away from being a chew toy.

To me, this is Zoro. This is what I want people to get from my stuff about soft Zoro or submissive Zoro or whatever else I spit out on here.

Soft is not weak. Submissive is not weak. Allowing yourself to be weak, is not a weakness.

A tiger is not any less of a tiger because it allows someone it knows and loves to pet it. It will take your fucking arm off if it wants to. It will kill you and then go take a nap.

Zoro is terrifying. He's strong and incredibly talented and he adapts to his environment very quickly. Him and Luffy should honestly scare the absolute shit out of people.

Plus he was a bounty hunter, and the demon stuff or whatever that is, I bet Zoro can be uncomfortable to be around. He probably has that predator vibe to him, gives you the feeling that something big and scary is watching you. Peacefully, for now, but that can very easily change.

I love the idea that Zoro is brutal and bloodthirsty and unhinged during fights.

I love the idea that he's intimidating and unnerving if you don't know him very well.

I love the idea that Zoro is none of those things with the crew.

I like him having a place where he was be relaxed, soft, open, and 100% accepted as he is.

So yeah, I want to see him napping in little puppy piles with the crew. I want to see him letting himself relax around them. I want him to let himself experience the beauty of loving someone enough to allow yourself to be vulnerable around them. I want him baring his throat and back and belly to them, comparable to a animal rolling over to show trust. A tiger showing it's belly for it's favorite humans.

Does that make him any less terrifying? Fuck no.

It should actually make him more terrifying. He is not a mindless violent entity, he is fully aware of everything and chooses to absolutely fuck people up.

There's always an awareness that he's letting them see him when he's soft. He is not the one powerless in a situation like that. At any moment he could snap at all of them and he probably has. I can very easily see him building up those walls again when someone does something stupid. Leaving the crew, fighting Luffy, or just being a dumbass.

He goes back to defensive, unsettling, distant. And that might be worse than Luffy's anger or disappointment, dealing with Zoro's distance. Especially after having it. No more naps with a always warm swordsman. No more easy affection or privilege of being one of the people to see a fully relaxed and soft Zoro. No more touches to surprisingly soft skin, and no more easily given vulnerable spots.

I said at one point that Zoro gave me tiger on a gold leash vibes and here it is.

He may call Luffy captain and follow him willingly but tame is not a word that should be used to describe Zoro.

Let him be soft and terrifying.

Let him rip apart a battle field and drop bodies like gifts at his crews feet. Let him go back home bloody and feral, and angrily headbutt them like a cat when they refuse to touch him until he's cleaned up.

Let him come back clean, blood and wildness washed off and wisked away down the drain. Let him lay over their laps, cuddle up, or anything else like that.

And someone write me a submissive Zoro fic, god damn, I'm dying over here.

[snowywolf1005]

JOYBOY LUFFY X LUNALA READER VS KAIDO PT4

Okay... I think this is the final one!

Previously, you and luffy use maximum power to defeat kaido, but kaido has an idea, covering himself a gaint fire of himself.

And you with your shadow monster form:

And you use your ability called Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom:

"Let's fight it out! Straw Hat!" Kaido yelled, he Flys toward Luffy metal hand by opening his jaw. "Are they going to destroy onigashima?!" Momonosake yelled.

"Create Flame Clouds! Or we'll all... be swept up!" Yamato yelled. "Take this!" Luffy yelled. "I haven't had enough fighting yet!" Kaido yelled.

I'm gonna skip kaido past cause I really fucking hate him so much.

"You'll be betrayed because you two are so weak. I'll form the strongest group in the world and turn this boring world into a world of violence. I'm the strongest!" Kaido yelled.

"The way you unified those samurai with the help of your crew was impressive. You're a star of hope that the cowards of the land of wano seized upon! They entrusted their future to you, but what's your goal? Straw Hat!" Said kaido

You and luffy try to push back kaido. "You two did great." Says kaido, then he blasted a fire ball at you two. Luffy is getting burned, and so are you!

"Well done fighting to this point! But..."

Luffy screamed in pain, and you screamed too (like mothra sound). "You can't change the world!" Kaido yelled, "luffy!" You scream.

Luffy smiles, "Of course, We're gonna win!" He yelled, making his hand bigger, and you making yourself much bigger! Onigashima began falling apart, "AAAAAHHHH!!" You and luffy scream.

"I don't know where they got it from," Kaido thought, and he remembered something.

'But Yamato mentioned joyboy and lunala name.' Said kaido.

'Oden wanted to open the borders to welcome lunala and joyboy... if he is the same guy you're waiting for, King, then I know exactly who joyboy, lunala is.' He said, King was surprised.

Luffy punch kaido really hard, that he almost so close to hit him. "Go luffy! (Y/N)!" Momonosake scream, "get the hell out of wano!" You yelled.

The onigashima is falling on the bottom. "Do not lose heart, Momonosake! They will win! Luffy (Y/N) will win! They will... surely defeat kaido! I can do it!" Said Momonosake. "That's the spirit! You'll save the people of the land of wano! Create them, Momonosake-kun!" Yamato yelled.

Momonosake tried to make the flame clouds, and he finally made it! "Come out, Flame Clouds! Heed my call!" Said Momonosake.

Then, a hole of full of water burst out inside the onigashima, Momonosake was surprised. "Hurry up! Onigashima's gonna fall at any minute! Please, luffy (Y/N)... finish this battle as soon as possible!" Said yamato.

"Don't give up! Fight until the very last minute!" Hyogoro yelled, "No, on in this world... can beat me!" Kaido yelled.

"What's this noise?" Kid asks, then a big rumble causing everybody to shake and almost losing their balance. "What is it this time?!" Nami ask.

"This doesn't look good!" Said Chooper, "Robin-san..." said brook, Robin is in the water not moving. Brook swims toward, "Don't give up, everyone! I'll make it reach you!" Said raizo.

"Bring the fire under control!" Jinbe yelled. Everyone is sucked into the water, and the fire is put out. "Save everyone!" Jinbe, raizo yell. And a huge wave burst out. Everyone was surprised and shocked, Law was surprised, too.

Nami, tama, and Chopper were scared, "Water," they scream. "Everyone's raining down!" Said tama, then Nami saw something, "look! Is that...".

"We'll make it back alive!" Usopp yelled. "-Usopp?! Kin'emon! Okiku-chan!" They yelled. The water wave towards Nami, tama, and Chopper, and they're pretty scared. "No!" They yelled.

More water came and made it to a flood. "I'm sorry, zoro... hey, don't get washed away, guys!" Said Franky. "Where did the water come from?!" Said sanji, the water started to push sanji away.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!" He screams, "sanji-san!" Osama screams, "Osama-chan!".

The onigashima began to flood, "What is happening on onigashima?!" Momonosake question. Then the onigashima started to titled, "the Flame Clouds are disappearing! Too late! Onigashima's gonna fall!" Yamato scream.

You and luffy try your best, but you're too tired, but you can't give up now! "Momonosake-kun! We gotta stop onigashima! You wanna save the Flower Capital, right?!" Yamato question.

"I will stop it! I will not allow people to suffer anymore! Come out, Flame Clouds!" Momonosake scream, he use all his strength to make the flame clouds. A huge line of flame clouds hoops.

Yamato was amazed, "That's amazing! That's great, Momonosake-kun! Stop onigashima!" Yamato yelled, "Got it! Count on me!" He yelled. Momonosake grab the flames clouds hoops.

And Momonosake Flys toward to onigashima, "go!" Yamato scream. Momonosake warp around the onigashima and pulled as best he can.

"Violence will dominate the world! You two are gonna fall victim to it!" Said kaido, "shut up!" Luffy yelled. Then luffy punch kaido cheeks, and you use all your strength to push kaido back, too.

And a bright light show inside the onigashima. Kid and Law saw the bright light of kaido, "Straw Hat! Shape girl! If you lose, you'll pay for it!" Kid yelled. "Go, Straw Hat-ya! (Y/N)-ya!" Said Law.

"The strong will live, and the weak will die! I'm gonna bury you along with your friends! And your girlfriend will be my pet!" Kaido yells, those words made you and luffy pissed. "Shut up! You're not taking (Y/N) away from me!" Luffy yelled.

"Starting with the land of wano, I'll take over the world! What kind of world can you create?! Straw Hat!" Kaido yelled, luffy scream, Flys back.

"Luffy!" You yelled, then kaido hand grabs your body, and you scream in pain. "(Scream like mothra) Aaaaaaaaaaaa!!!" You scream, luffy watches kaido grabs you and started screaming. "(Y/N)!" Luffy screamed, "Do you see this! Straw Hat! This is what happens when you can't protect someone who you care about!" Kaido yelled.

Then, a huge bright light shoots out, and everyone watches the light. And tama, remember something.

'Tama! Don't set the bar too low! I'll make it your everyday life!' Said luffy, tama was amazed his words.

'By the time we leave this country, we'll make it a place where you can eat as much as you want! And I'll teach you how to dance!" You said.

"Big sis! Big bro!" Said tama, luffy Hand, became larger, kaido was shocked, "let (Y/N) go!" Luffy commend. You try to get free from kaido Hand, and you have an idea. You transform your human self.

And free from kaido hand. Kaido tried to grab you, but he was too distracted from luffy large fist. "Luffy!" You cried, luffy see you free. "(Y/N)!" He yelled.

And you transform to legendary form. This is your form:

Luffy loves it so much, like he wants to hold you, but he can't. "Now! Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom!" You yelled, and six laser been shoots out in different eagle and started to hit kaido.

Now, kaido thinks he's about to lose.

"We want..."

"(Y/N)! Luffy!" Momonosake yelled, "Charge!" Kin'emon yelled, all the samurai held their sword up and screamed for victory.

"...to create..."

Kaido fire form is starting to disappear, turning him back to his blue dragon form.

"... to create the world..."

Then, kaido fire form blown away.

"...where our friends can eat..."

"As much as they want!" You both scream. And use all your power to defeat kaido, you laser, hits kaido body every each. Luffy fist hit kaido face.

Kaido was wide eye to see your ture powers, remembering his past and remembering oden face screaming his name.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" You both stared screaming so hard, and kaido fell back, getting knocked out, falling down to the sky.

You and luffy sigh, catching your's breath, luffy smiles. You saw a bunch of sky boats with letters saying to defeat kaido, then luffy laughs.

'King.'

'I know exactly who joyboy and lunala are.'

'Who is it?'

'The ones who will defeat me!'

'Then I don't think they'll appear.'

Momonosake falls down, stressed out, and finally placed onigashima safely. And luffy began falling down, you transform back your human self.

And flys down to reach luffy, you grab him. Luffy body transforms back his original self, yamato runs towards you both. You landed carefully, placing luffy in your arms, and you kissed his lips.

You saw Yamato. "(Y/N)?!" She asks, you nodded your head, "Yep that's me, but you have to quiet, luffy is sleeping," you said. "So it's really you, in the bats form," said yamato.

And you felt something, you turnaround to see luffy holding you, warping around you. You smile and you transform back your original self.

"I think he doesn't want to let go," you said, laughing. "Well done, Momonosake." You said, "Yamato...".

Yamato, look at you. "Can you hold me pls, I going to take a nap..." You said about to close your eyes. "Don't die! (Y/N)!" Yamato screamed, shaking your body.

"I'm not gonna die! I just said I'm going to take a nap!" You yelled, "and while you hold me, I'll hold luffy cause he starts getting worried about me." You said. "Luffy really in love you." Said yamato, smiling, you smile back.

You pat luffy head.

THE END!!!!

I'M DONE!!!!

[thychesters]

#wipwednesday! more like well-this-sucks-for-zoro-day, but that's just about every day for him when i start writing again. (except for the maybe the one or two fics i wrote where he was having a pretty okay time?) without a lot of context i think this could verge a little on spoilery, but i'll let you all guess what's going on here! / text under the cut:

He descends from the crow’s nest with a little too much haste, almost tangles his foot in the rigging and sends himself ass over tea kettle to the deck below. Something Sanji would give him shit for if he saw it. The wind is gentle, the sea is calm, and a quickly tempered rage rises at them both as he reaches the bottom. Luffy meets him there, quiet, for once, watching him, and they level their gaze with one another. His gaze flicks from one eye to the one missing, down his torso, and then cocking his head just so as their eyes meet again, sharing a gaze like the prickle of ozone before a storm. Luffy looks at him and then Kuina blinks back, her head tilted and brow furrowed in the way it used to get when he bested another student but not her, never her. The air tinges with the scent of metal and polish, and her gaze nails him to the spot. He raises his chin and Luffy continues to stare at him. “We should go,” he says. Luffy tilts his head back with a crack, and somewhere in there Kuina’s snaps, and he says, “I think you’re a coward, Zoro; you should be better than this.” His tongue flicks out against his canine and Zoro want to rip it out of his mouth. Wants to crush his skull. Wants him to crush his. Luffy scratches his nose. “You’re pretty weak if you think about it, even with your cool swords.” He giggles a little. “You wouldn’t have those scars otherwise.” “Are you going to kill me?” Zoro asks. Luffy smiles. “Do you want me to?” “Do you think you can?”

[gildedmuse]

Anonymous asked:

do you like any of the one piece manga colorspreads? if yes, which ones?

(Apparently you cannot answer questions more than once which seems like a flaw. People can always change their mind.

Let's see, where did I leave off? Oh that's right. the Strawhats are a acid punk rock band now . So the obvious next step is...

Devil Fruit's Angels

That's right, in this universe the Strawhats aren't marauders of the sea. They're marauders of the open road.

Look at this badass biker gang. And I'm not abbreviating for motorcycles. Luffy heard there were such a thing as a biker gang and took it very literally. Best of all, he got eight people to go along with this.

Eventually, he accidentally tore the bottom wheel rim from his bike, the Going Merry, but then they met Franky and since he was unaware of Luffy's stupidity innocence at this time, he built him an actual damn motorcycle. Zoro painted the sidecar to look like a shark (okay technically Usopp did the painting and Zoro bitched about it but he loves it if anyone scratches that paint job they immediately find themselves with their blades in their face). He just lays there, sleeping, sometimes doing weights while letting Luffy drive a fucking motorcycle.

Love that Nami weighed up her choices and her and Robin decide to ride with Usopp. Let's face it, he is easily the most responsible rider. Well, that's why Nami choose him. Chopper has two designated seats: Usopp's basket and Zoro's lap. So of course Robin has to sit where she can see Chopper.

Also, LOOK HOW FUCKING CUTE CHOPPER IS IN A BASKET.

Brook seems to be riding a penny farthing which is pretty amazing. He probably just had one in his garage from his youth. Sanji has wisely decided to ride backwards bitchseat so that smoke doesn't fly back in his own face. I am unable to see what Franky is driving. I assume his bottom half turns into a motorcycle. I mean why not?

The Strawhat Gang does pretty much the exact same shit they do as Pirates. I mean, Luffy even falls into water just as often. How? It's Luffy that's how.

Law's little group of anarchist ride around in a yellow Volkswagen Beetle. Fight me.

Winter Wonder Island

IS THAT PENGUIN WEARING ZORO'S HARAMAKI? HOW DID HE GET IT? DIES ZORO KNOW? DID HE GIVE OT TO HIM? DID ZORO THINK THE PENGUIN'S BELLY MIGHT BE COLD?

I love Nami and Chopper playing, though Chopper looks less pleased. Plus the polar bear and Luffy are just the same person/bear. And nothing can convince me Robin isn't currently getting a back massage by a walrus. That is how my bitch roles.

The Straw Helmets

And we're back to the AUs.

Total honesty time: I picked this less put of love (though I enjoy most the AU ones) and more to annoy a friend.. See, I know many a Norwegian. They are a super nice country, you guys.

Who get super pissed at popular depictions of Vikings. Which are wrong.

And yet this particular reimagining is so wrong it's like gone full circle. I mean it's still nowhere near accurate but damn is it awesome. Are they riding walruses? Oda knows the Vikings had horses, right? And reindeer?

And yet he's gone with the well known domestic walrus. Huh. It's a choice.

Honestly, Franky and Usopp's costumes look more gladiator than Viking (also, I know you are a pervert Franky, but you literally gonna die of hypothermia.) Chopper is apparently one of those famous Japaness Vikings based on his costume design while Luffy is wearing something I can 100% imagine Doflamingo owned at some point. And Zoro....

Well, there is a reason I have a tag called Zoro's sense of direction and/or fashion. Look at that thing. That is a mess. I love it.

Get Wet

Nami, babe, me, Brook, Sanji, and apparently Robin a appreciate how sexy you're being right now.

But all I see is Zoro's damn fine back with water forming little riblets around his muscles. Also, love the boy's smile as he watches Luffy. He totally knows what's about to go down and thinks it's fucking hilarious.

They Call It The Grand Line

Every member of the coward trio (plus guest member Brook) is freaking the fuck out and I love it. Chopper and Nami are cling to one another, Brook's soul has left his body, and I'm pretty certain Usopp has half climbed into the seat in front of him to grab Zoro. Which I cannot blame him for.

Meanwhile, Robin is watching this whole spectacle with mild amusement, Sanji is straight up grilling... While on the back of a rollar coaster, Franky is chowing down on some of that food and Zoro... Zoro is getting drunk. On a rollar coaster.

The only one who seems to be having any fun is Luffy, sitting, of course, on his special seat. Look at that kid, he's having a blast. Well now we know how all the other Strawhats ended up here.

A Game Of Chicken

There's a lot I could say about this picture, but all I'm going to say is this: Zoro is clearly riding a weird ass chocobo.

What else can beat that?

Pirate Olympics: Where Everyone Is Winner Wanted Man

Oh, look, it's another AU one!

Look, over all, everyone has a sport that is either well suited to them (except maybe Brook. I mean soccer? Really? Not, like short distance sprinting since he's the fastest strawhat or fencing? If it were winter he could participate in the skeleton - yohohoho!).

Let's just amire Zoro playing baseball THREE BAT STYLE. LIke a goddamn boss.

You Know What's Awesome? Drugs.

It doesn't even matter what's going on in this one, it's goddamn beautiful.

Just Another Sunny Day

[You know when I said I haven't read the manga yet? Well, also terrible with visual images - the world should be in words in my opinion. So this, it turns out, is not a colorspread but fanart by the very talented Frayten who I deeply apologize to for not crediting earlier. I'm keeping it though, because it's amazing art, it's been reblogged and at least now it's properly credit on the main post. Many thanks to @blueriza to for being a better fan than I am.]

I really enjoy this little switch up. I want to believe it isn't just Law fucking with them but they've all inhaled some kind of mind switching pollen of something. So one day Law just came out to find Robin making breakfast and heart eyes at all the men, Sanji eating nothing but meet and bouncing around like he was made of rubber, Franky trying to play the violin, Chopper taling wild stories about when he was captain, Usopp training for a couple hours before passing out, Brook worrying over everyone's health, Nami striking posed while talking about how SUPER it all is, and Luffy, for once in his life, perfectly calm as he sits there reading.

That would be hilarious but, yeah, obviously it was Law. Look at how Nami Zoro is threatening him. She know exactly who pulled this shit. And look at Law's smug little smirk.

Hey, you suppose Law flirted with Nami Zoro? I know it's Nami but she's still got Zoro's abs and ass. Just throwing that out there.

[madlymiho]

Also can I ask you for a scenario in which zoro is gathering up his courage to confess his feelings to the woman he's in love with and he ends up doing it mid battle? Thank you my darling I'm so glad you're back 💚💚💚

Hello my sweet darling! I'm sorry it took so long for me to write this one, and I hope you didn't wait for too long! 😞

I'm very happy to write about the mosshead hehehe! I hope this scenario will suit you! It's slightly angsty! 😁 thanks for asking me this one 💙

Words : 2172

Zoro scenario : Something I should have told you before (read after the cut)

He loves her. He knows it for a long time, a very long time. He knows that there’s something different within him whenever she’s around. The way she smiles, dances, the way she simply looks at him. There’s something deeper than a regular friendship, and Zoro is deeply insecure because of his deep obsession with her. He thinks about her all the time, even during his trainings, where his brain is supposed to shut for good, the pain of his muscles becoming the only music he hears. Yet, he can’t shut his heart. He can’t pretend anymore, and it affects him deeply. How he’s supposed to confess feelings he’s so afraid of? He feels blocked by his own brain. Each time he’s seeing her, there’s something invisible which shuts his mouth. Despite his cruel need to say out loud how much he loves her, and how deep he wants them to be together, there’s nothing coming out of his throat. 

“Zoro?” 

He blinks and turns his head to gaze at her. There are both walking to meet powerful enemies, his fingers strongly crushed around the handles of his swords. He shakes his head and offers his best cocky smile, hoping that she wouldn’t notice his silent inner torture. 

“Afraid?” He asks, avoiding her stare. His heart is already too much painful at this particular moment. 

She pinches her lips together, somehow slightly disappointed to feel that everlasting coldness and distance coming from him. She’s not an idiot, she knows him. For a few weeks, she has the sensation that he’s keeping something from her. If usually Zoro is pretty honest and direct, this time, he’s clearly hiding something. And she hates it. 

“Why would I be afraid of them? You’d be around, and the others are not so far,” she shrugs, looking at the road.

“Hey, I’m not here to fight for you.” Zoro snaps coldly, clicking his tongue. 

“You don’t have to be so mean.” She answers sadly. 

It hurts Zoro right in the chest. Once again, he’s so clumsy with her, it’s almost unbearable. He suddenly grabs her wrist and forces her to freeze. Anxiously, she looks up at him, eyebrows furrowed. He feels his mouth becoming dry, the words still stuck inside his throat. Why does it feel so hard to speak out his feelings like this? Each time he meets his eyes, he feels terribly numb ; and idiot unable to talk. He wishes that he’d be like Sanji sometimes, extravagant et ready to always share his feelings loudly. He wishes that he’s not that cold heart man. The tension in his arm becomes even more painful. She’s waiting, her mouth slightly open, her tender stare mapping his features. She doesn’t seem to know, and yet, she’s patient, silent, offering him enough time and space to muster up his courage and talk. 

But Zoro turns his head, and looks at the ground. Why? He doesn’t know. He wants it to feel easy and natural, yet his brain refuses to let him tell those forbidden words. 

“Just watch your sorry ass. I don’t know if I’d be able to rescue you.” He lies, and immediately walks again, abandoning her on the road. 

She remains silent, and terribly upset. She brushes her wrist, where a second before, Zoro’s hand was circling her skin. She bites her bottom lip and prevents herself from shouting terrible words. That man is a catastrophe, an impossible idiot. Yet, she wishes deeply that one day, finally, he would be brave enough to tell the truth, for once. 

So Zoro runs, enraged. He runs and attacks the first enemy he sees, his frustration and disappointment becoming a new strength driving his every gesture, giving im even more power. It feels easy to cut enemies, to hurt them. There are just pack of meats, and nothing else. Walking bags with blood inside, no more, nothing useful, nothing he would care about. Yelling, growling, Zoro keeps attacking his many opponents, unable to stop the boiling feelings inside his brain. He can’t help but think of her. He left her on the road, somewhere behind and he clearly doesn’t know where’s she at the moment, and how does she feel. He can’t even know if the distance between them is long or not. He can’t even tell if he saw her five minutes or two hours ago, times itself becoming blurry. In her eyes, he has perfectly noticed that she was hoping for someone else ; something more. But again, he gave up on her. He’s good at fighting, good at drinking his sake and have fun with his friends. Yet, revealing the deepest part of his heart seems just like an impossible quest to achieve. What a pitiful man. 

“Idiot.” He growls for himself, slashing another man with his sword. “You’re just a fucking idiot!” He snaps again. 

Slowly, he feels that he’s about to lose control. His entire mind is poisoned by the fact that he can’t confess his love to the only woman in the world he’s in love with. He hates himself for being such a coward. She deserves to know after all? He tried many times before… Over and over again, clumsily trying to make her guess his feelings. He can’t bear the look in her eyes anymore. She must despised him now. And it would be normal. He doesn’t deserve to love someone so kind, and patient, when he’s just a pill of insecurities and cowardness. 

“Zoro!” He suddenly hears from across the field. 

Name. 

He can perfectly recognize her voice, despite the cloud of dust in front of his eyes. There’s something wrong, he can tell. He pushes on of his opponent to make his way through the battle, cutting more enemies whenever one of them tries to stop him. 

“Name!” Zoro shouts desperately, stopping his race to listen to his environment. 

He’s lost. He doesn’t know where he came from earlier, and he can’t be sure to follow the right direction. Fuck, he’s even more useless. 

“Zoro, here!” She suddenly appears in the middle of the chaos. 

She’s hurt. Drops of blood are running down her cheek, dripping from an open wound on her forehead. She looks tired as well, as she’s barely able to maintain her sword between her fingers. Toddling in his direction, she manages to grab his arm when Zoro quickly crosses the distance between them. Zoro still feels the presence of her enemy behind her back, and immediately decides to react. If she can’t fight anymore, then he’d be the one to rescue her. 

“Stay here!” He orders, helping her sitting down on the ground, her back resting against a pill of rocks. 

“Zoro, please don’t leave me…” She mutters, her weak fingers grabbing his collar, a bit desperately. 

He puts her hand down on her thigh, ignoring her plea, unable to think about anything else but revenge, rushing into the dust and the broken buildings to find the man he’s looking for. He has to avenge her. In less than a second, he finds the enemy he’s looking for, a deep growl escaping from his throat. He wants to spit how much he hates him. How hard he will make him suffer for what he done. But instead of talking, Zoro jumps forwards, one of his sword trapped between his teeth. He’s enraged, out of control. He has never been like this before, it’s the first time ever he feels so violent. He wants to make them pay, twice the price. Each cut on her skin must be payed the double by him. He can’t let them escape, nor live after what they did to her. The enemy is strong and powerful, Zoro can perfectly sense it thanks to his Haki. But he also knows how much he’s far more precise and deadly. After several minutes of an intense fight, the man finally falls on the ground, eyes blank, unable to lift his sword anymore. Unconscious, his head hits the floor in a loud and almost pitiful crack, as Zoro catches his breath back. 

Still driven by the adrenaline of the fight, Zoro looks up for her body, and finally recognize her figure in the middle of the rubble. He puts his swords back in their sheaths, walking right to her as if he’s about to lecture her. He clenches his fists, dazzled by his own rage. When he’s finally in front of her, he squats down and grabs her collar. 

“Why the fuck did you try to fight him?” He snaps angrily, his fingers twisting her shirt dangerously. 

“He was the one who attack me first!” She tries to argue, her eyes gleaming and full of tears. 

“He could have killed, you idiot!” Zoro shouts again, furious. 

Her bottom lip is trembling, tears falling on her cheeks. Zoro once again feels the familiar sensation of his heart falling in the middle of his guts. He exhales loudly. 

“Why are you so mean with me?” She finally questions, her voice slightly broken. “You’re always so mean with me!” 

“I’m not!” 

“Yes, you are!” She violently pushes on his shoulders, trying in that desperate gesture, to repulse him. “You’re always cold, and violent. You used to be kinder with me… What the hell is wrong with you?!” 

Tears keep falling on her face as she stares at him with furious and desperate eyes. She needs an answer, and Zoro knows it. He can’t hide himself behind his coldness and distance with her ; he needs to stop being so selfish and coward. He catches her wrist when she tries to push him once again, plastering her back against the rock, his eyes intensely looking at her. She sniffs and looks away, her fingernails digging a bit in his skin. 

It’s now or never. 

Zoro grabs her chin between his thumb and his index, forcing her to turn her head and looks back at him. He clears his throat, the silence surrounding them, and he thinks for a second that if she’s attentive enough, she would definitely hears his intense heartbeat pumping against his chest. He clenches his other fist, mustering his courage up to confess his love. 

“I don’t know how to say it…,” he starts, blinking a few times. “I’m… I hate when you’re around when I’m fighting someone…,” 

“Tst, you really are stup -” 

But Zoro circles both of her cheeks, preventing her to speak anymore. He shakes his head, pinching his lips together, before he continues. 

“I hate that because I feel that I won’t be able to protect you…” He continues, his husky voice slightly broken. “I...I don’t want to lose you.” 

She remains silent, her fingers still crushing the skin of his wrist intensely. She breathes heavily, the tears in her eyes finally drying. Zoro sighs, and closes his only eye for a second. 

“I tried many times to tell you this... But I’ve been a coward,” he feels his voice turning into a whisper as he finally opens his heart. “I’m afraid that I won’t be able to protect you from this cruel world, since the first day I met you. I didn’t want to feel this. I didn’t want to have such a burden on my shoulders...But it seems that fate played with me by putting you on my road, and now I can’t pretend anymore. I can’t lie anymore.” 

“Zoro…,” she calls in a long exhale, unable to move. 

He looks back at her, his thumbs softly brushing her cheeks. 

“I’m in love with you.” 

His all world is spinning while he finally confesses his love, his eyes watching her features intensely. 

“I’m in love with you, Name,” he repeats, once again, to make sure that she understands his statement. “It burns my chest, my soul, my entire body.” 

She softly lets lose her grip on his wrist, her digits coming to brush his face. She skims his features for a long moment, remaining silent. She smiles, at first timidly, until it turns into something solar, enlightening her entire face. She suddenly jumps between his arms, ignoring the blood on her features, nor his. She just crushes her lips on his, closing her eyes, her digits digging in his green hair. He growls, surprised, shocked, until he finally understands that it’s her way to answer to his confession. Intensely, he wraps his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer, answering to her kiss. They both share this moment of a passion for a long time, their tongues dancing, their bodies entirely flushed together. She finally parts her lips, her hands cupping his jawline. 

“You’re seriously an idiot…” She whispers, shaking her head. 

He rolls his eyes, and clicks his tongue. 

“Shut up, brat.” 

And just like that, as if the world around is disappearing, Zoro kisses her again, freed from that invisible jail trapping his heart. He loves her and she loves him back, and for the first time in his entire life, Zoro finally feels carefree and deeply fulfilled. 

[itsthemoofacewriting]

Is it okay if I take my time

Great. So I edited the original post and Tumblr took it out of the search filter it was appearing in. Now I’ve reposted it and it won’t show up. Why do I bother with Tumblr? Maybe I should just stick to AO3 and FFN.

Title is taken from It’s Okay by Clara Benin, I listened to this song a lot whilst I wrote this (Even though I’m 100% sure it’s about the state of the world right now). I also listened to Conversations in the Dark by John Legend, if we all want something a bit more theme appropriate.

I know this has been done a lot since the end of WCI and I’m behind the times, but I finished the arc a couple of weeks ago and wanted a bit more closure between Nami and Sanji. So this is my spin on it and it’s a hot mess! Wrangled with this so many times before giving up and letting it be.

Summary: Because conversations at night are always more intimate and people end up revealing more than they’d expected. Or, Nami and Sanji clear the air after Whole Cake Island.  Rating: T. 

This can also be found on AO3 and FFN. 

Enjoy.

------------------------------

The grass beneath Nami was comforting and soothing as she ran her hands through it. She could have easily sat in a chair; it was within her view, folded in the corner, but laying down gave her a view of the stars above. It was a clear night and a rare moment where everything was calm. There was no crew member to save, no life hanging in the balance or Yonko chasing them. Nami wouldn’t get an opportunity to do this again anytime soon once they reached Wano. There would be lives hanging in the balance and Yonkos chasing them again. So she’d take this moment and run with it, savour it.

A gentle voice interrupted her, “Nami-san, I brought you some tea.”

She sat up with a start. “Sanji-kun! You made me jump. Thank you,” Nami replied, taking the offered teacup. “What are you doing sleuthing about this late at night?” It couldn’t be much anyway, as he was dressed in a pullover hoody and pyjama bottoms. Still, her tone was more accusing than she’d intended

It didn’t seem to faze Sanji though as he smoothly replied, “Carrot just finished her watch, it’s my turn now. I saw you up and figured you’d like something to drink. It’s chamomile, by the way.”

Having a divided crew meant longer watches and it didn’t help that there was no Zoro or Robin. Both of them were night owls (or in Zoro’s case, he just napped too much throughout the day) and normally covered the bulk of the watches. Still, it was difficult and meant they couldn’t afford to lower their guard for one moment. Although they’d escaped Big Mom’s territory, there was still a strained tension in the air as they couldn’t be sure she wasn’t still pursuing.

Similar to the strained tension between the two on deck right now. They were civil and spoke when around each other, but there was still an elephant in the room. Unspoken things that needed airing. It wasn’t clear whether the rest of the crew had realised or not, if they had no one said anything.

Nami hadn’t responded and it didn’t look like she was going to either, so Sanji was left hovering, unsure whether to leave or not, whether to speak.

“Lay down with me Sanji-kun.” She flopped onto her back, not waiting for his response. She knew he would.

Sanji didn’t hesitate, flicking his cigarette over the side of the ship and laying down much closer than she’d anticipating. They laid side by side in silence. Nami didn’t have anything to say but she couldn’t stand his hovering any longer.

But she didn’t need to, Sanji swooped in. “What are you doing out here anyway?”

She shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep and it’s a nice night.”

Sanji seemed to accept that and they laid in silence, observing the stars above them. Except something about this silence was deafening, it wasn’t the comfortable one she was used to, and Nami found herself resisting the urge to fidget under its weight. Her mistake was behaving this way in front of Sanji.

“Is something bothering you?” He looked at her from the corner of his eye and there was something far too knowing there. Damn his perceptiveness.

“No. I can take over from watch if you want to go back to sleep.” He still had wounds to heal and she was starting to get a feeling about where this was going. Probably best to abort.

“That’s not necessary, I can do it from here for the time being and when you’re ready to go to sleep, I’ll move to the crow’s nest.”

Hm, no escape.

Distraction is was then.

“It’s a lovely night, so clear,” Nami said conversationally, “If you look over there, that’s the constellation Aquila-”

“Nami-san,” Sanji interrupted, his voice firm. Normally he wouldn’t press Nami to do things she didn’t want to but, he must know as much as she does that things between them needed to be cleared up.

She didn’t respond straight away. Not knowing how to start or if she even wanted to. Sanji didn’t seem impatient, just waiting. “I’m angry,” Nami said bluntly, she didn’t know whether it was the best way to go about it, but she was sick of thinking.

His voice was soft again, “I’m so sorry-”

“With you and with myself… and, just everything.”

Sanji didn’t say anything. That wasn’t what he was expecting, but she always did exceed his expectations.

“I was ready to leave you behind. I tried convincing Luffy to leave and I took your words at face value. How stupid considering I’ve been in the same place myself; I should have known better.” Nami shook her head at her own words, clearly agitated at the thought. “But after all we’ve been through and you were so willing to sacrifice your life. You treat your life so lightly and I hate it.” She paused. “But it’s silly isn’t it? I know why you did those things; you had such good reason to. But I can’t shake it.”

“My intention was to make you leave. I knew Luffy wouldn’t alone, he’s too selfish and single minded. I was hoping between my words and your feelings it would be enough, but well, that didn’t work,” Sanji said. He was trying to make her feel better about her decision, of course he was. But he dodged the part about his self-sacrificing nature, she noticed.

When they settled back into silence this time, it was lighter, Nami felt like she could breath. She slightly wondered if this was the end of their conversation, that maybe Sanji wouldn’t push it any further.

But she was wrong.

“I missed you.” Sanji’s words were barely a whisper, but Nami still heard.

“Didn’t seem to miss me that much when you proposed to Pudding.” The words were out before she could think about what she was saying, and she cringed at how jealous she sounded.

“I know but I was trying to make the best of a bad situation. Honestly.”

Nami snorted but chided herself afterwards. He had originally refused the marriage and the moment he was on the home stretch he hadn’t looked back. Sanji sighed and Nami felt a bit bad about giving him such a hard time, she knew he was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

“Sorry. I know you refused the marriage before it got so complicated.” Nami was so frustrated.

“You know, I’m happy you’re angry,” Sanji hummed in delight, circling back to their previous conversation.

Nami turned her head to give him an odd look. “Perhaps you should go back to sleep, you’re not thinking straight.”

“No I am.” He smiled happily at her. “It means that you care about me.”

She snorted, feeling defensive about the way he’d phrased that. “Of course I do. Friends care about each other.” That’s right, she could downplay this.

“No, you care about me, that’s why you’re still so bothered by all of this,” Sanji smugly replied, not letting her explanation settle. But then he seemed to do a double take, hesitating at his over-confidence. “But, y’know, if you’re not ready…”

Nami heaved a sigh. He was giving her an out, but she knew if she didn’t do this now, they’d be back here further down the line. There was no escaping this. But did she really want to? Goddamn her for catching feelings. Why did she invite him to lay down? A small part of her knew it was because she wanted to have this conversation. She wanted this.

They’d been so close on Zou. Despite the dire situation the mink people had been in before they arrived, they’d been on the cusp of something. Hands that lingered just a second too long, gazes that strayed to the other when they weren’t around. This wasn’t sometime particularly new for Sanji, but it was new territory for Nami. Sanji wasn’t a fool either, he’d noticed. He’d returned it tenfold and even sought her out more often. And she’d enjoyed that. Then again, it didn’t stop her from setting his head straight when he got a bit too overzealous, but it was there. Subtle and building. Then shit hit the fan and messed everything up.

In her smallest voice, she whispered back, “I missed you too.”

She’d expected Sanji to ruin the moment, to start prancing about and shouting as he declared his love for her and that she returned it. Instead, he remained silent, looking up at the stars, a small smile curling up on his face. She felt his fingers tentatively reach out to hers, brushing against the tips of her fingers cautiously.

After a second, she realised it wasn’t caution, he was letting her make the final move. He’d extended the invitation and was giving her the opportunity to accept or reject it. She could lay here and make a bunch of excuses to not take the leap, Sanji would let her, but ultimately, she felt the same way. Now wasn’t the time to be a coward.

Her fingers covered the last distance, resting over his and curling around them, twining them together. Sanji let out a relieved sigh, for all his talk and prancing about, this meant a lot for him. His thumb traced along her hand lightly, enjoying the moment before his fingers squeezed hers, letting her know of his happiness.

She squeezed back.

“Your family suck by the way.”

“That’s an understatement.” Sanji let out a dark chuckle. “You impressed my brothers by the way, they wouldn’t stop talking about you. It was incredibly aggravating.”

“There’s only one Vinsmoke I’m interested in.”

“Reiju?”

“Oh good, now I don’t have to think about how to break it to you.”

Sanji’s laugh was lighter now and his fingers were squeezing hers again, amused by her words. She joined him, enjoying the moment to laugh with him again.

There was just one thing left bothering her and she’d rather see his face for this. She untangled her hand, his chasing after hers until she used that arm to prop her head on as she rolled on her side. Nothing needed to be said for Sanji to mimic her actions and she was looking into baby blue eyes. She was impressed, his eyes didn’t waver to her chest, staying firmly planted on her face, which she imagined was quite a feat in this position with a flimsy pyjama top on. Then again, this was a serious topic and he was never one to joke around in those kinds of situations. It was something Nami liked about Sanji, he knew when to reign it in and when to joke around. He read her so well. There was something daunting about that as well.

“Look, about Pudding…” Nami started to say but she was unsure how to finish.

“Pudding is a nice, albeit complicated person- probably a bit messed up from Big Mom’s upbringing- and she’s a fantastic baker.” Sanji finished. Nami couldn’t keep the disgruntled look off of her face. Sanji continued before she could say anything, “But she’s not you. No other woman is.”

Nami could feel heat blooming on her cheeks, it didn’t help that they were now face to face and she was confronted by the warm expression on Sanji’s face. “You’re a sap.” She gently pushed against his chest, not knowing how to deal with his adoring look. His hand trapped hers against his chest.

And it was in that moment, when she looked back at his face, that she realised just how close they were. Sanji’s expression was so soft and warm and she could feel herself being pulled in. Her eyes closed as their lips brushed together, feather light against the others and Sanji hummed in content. When they pulled apart, she opened her eyes and felt butterflies erupt in her stomach at the tender smile he gave her. The butterflies were now in a frenzy as he leaned back in, his lips tenderly moving against hers as his thumb rubbed little circles on the back of her hand.

Neither moved away when they broke the kiss, a hair’s breadth apart as their breath mingled together.

“I think I was scared,” Nami whispered against his lips. The darkness providing the security she needed to be honest. “Scared of losing you.”

“I was scared too,” Sanji whispered back, his nose nudging against hers in reassurance. “Being trapped in a place I hated. Having to leave the crew. Not being able see those dumbasses and Robin-chan ever again. Not seeing you.”

Nami’s heart twisted at the sentence ‘Being trapped in a place I hated’. They mirrored her childhood so well and her stomach churned at the thought of what he’d been through. She didn’t know a lot about Sanji’s childhood, he’d never shared, and she was starting to understand why now. Considering what Judge had said when the Straw hats and Vinsmokes had parted, it wasn’t pleasant. And there was that anger again, that anger with everything. Anger for him she supposed.

She didn’t know whether to probe about his childhood or not. They were having a deep conversation, so it seemed like a good time, but what if he didn’t want to?

Sanji interrupted her thoughts, unknowingly making the choice for her and swiftly changing the topic. “But it doesn’t matter, we’re back together.” And he beamed at her.

God it was difficult to be at the brunt of his smile up close. Just because she could, she leaned in to peck him on the lips.

But there was a time limit on how seriously Sanji could behave and it was up.

“And can I just say, your breasts look fantastic right now.”

“Pervert!” She exclaimed, shoving him this time and he rolled onto his back from the force. He was lucky that’s all he got.

His arms wrapped around Nami, bringing her into his chest and she hovered above him to look at his face.

But he hadn’t lost the cheeky twinkle in his eyes. “They look good in this position too. Maybe there’s not a position they don’t look good in.”

Nami’s hand pressed over Sanji’s face, pushing it to the side. “Maybe I’ve made a mistake…” She said teasingly.

“No take backs!” Sanji exclaimed and laughed, tightening his arms around her and coaxing her into his chest as he placed a kiss on her cheeks. “This is it, you’re stuck with me, Nami-san.”

“I could think of worse things, Sanji-kun,” Nami said, resting her head against his chest and listening to his heartbeat. Nami hummed, it was soothing, and she could feel herself drifting, nuzzling into his chest to get comfortable. His hands traced up and down her back and she could feel herself melting. Maybe they should have done this sooner, he was so comfortable. “No funny business,” She murmured sleepily.

“I’d rather you be awake for funny business,” Sanji said, leering down at her.

Nami snorted and felt Sanji press a lingering kiss onto the top of her head before she drifted off.

“Nami-san,” A soft voice coaxed, “Nami-san.” There was a soft hand on her shoulder, gently shaking it in an attempt to rouse her.

Stirring, she looked up, bleary eyed into Sanji’s face. It took her a second to remember what was going on but when she did, she asked, “What time is it?”

“Almost three, you should go to bed, you feel cold.”

Reluctantly she agreed, taking a moment to gather herself, she really was comfortable. Sanji was looking at her fondly and she couldn’t help but feel self-conscious for a moment, she really hoped she hadn’t dribbled. She rolled off of him, laying down on her side next to him and contemplated asking Sanji to carry her to her room. She knew he would, he’d do it in a heartbeat, but she was a grown up, not a five-year-old.

Nami sat up, Sanji joining her a moment after. She was about to leave but turned and smiled at Sanji. The night had shaped up pretty well and she gave into the impulse to lean in to kiss him. She briefly wondered if her breath was a bit gross after being asleep but Sanji didn’t seem to mind as he tilted his head to get a better angle.

She was aiming to keep the kiss light and it started out that way. Small pecks and feathery brushes as their lips met, but to hell with it, she enjoyed being a tease after all. She slanted her lips against his and pressed more firmly. Sanji made a noise of surprise in the back of his throat before reciprocating in kind and wrapped an arm around her to press her up against him.

What started sweet was beginning to turn heated as Nami nipped at Sanji’s bottom lip and he groaned as her tongue soothed along his bottom lip. Her stomach twisted when his free hand reached up to cup her face and his tongue tentatively met hers. He soon gained his confidence when she gave a breathy moan and their mouths met in an open mouth kiss. Nami could feel heat pooling in the stomach and although she was outside, it was all too hot.

Things were starting to get out of control. She needed to reign this in before it went too far.

She pulled away, breathing heavily and the hand on Sanji’s chest was now there to stop him from following after her. He looked thoroughly kissed and she imagined she looked the same. She graced him with a few small, lingering kisses.

“Good night Sanji-kun, see you in the morning,” She whispered against his lips.

“Hrrg,” He replied, before coughing and composing himself. The glassy look in his eye didn’t leave though as he nodded. “Good night, Nami-san.”

He leaned in to kiss her again, but she dodged out of the way. Heaving herself up, she winked and gave him coquettish wave over her shoulder as she walked towards her room. They may be together, but she did promise to make him work after his return.

And he was left watching her leave, waving back at her in a stupefied daze. A satisfied smile spread across his face.

---------------------------

I was so close to writing le sexy times. Sanji just forces my hand but I reigned it in, I’d never planned to and for once, I stuck to it. Also, Luffy almost made an appearance, to obviously ruin the mood because everyone loves Sanji suffering at the hands of his Captain… right?

I actually don’t like that scene they included in the anime, where Nami said about ‘working him like a horse’, it was far too cold for me. But I couldn’t resist mentioning it at the end and this is my spin on how she actually meant it.

As always, please forgive spelling errors.

Thanks for reading.

[agemintherough]

Revisiting Chapters Nineteen, Twenty and Twenty-One of Gems Without Measure; A Pirate’s Treasure

I do apologize for taking so long to do this, but between the holidays, writing final exams, reading over 60 research papers, and getting sick, I haven’t really been feeling up to writing anything of quality. Thankfully, it seems like I can finally breathe. This is a positive thing. Still, it has been three chapters since my last round of chapter commentary, so let’s dive into it:

1) Back when I thought the harpoon was a sword, the gag with Connie quoting Thor was going to be about King Arthur. Instead, I switched it to Captain Ahab from Moby Dick. May I just say that Moby Dick is an English teacher’s nightmare? I am so glad I do not have to teach it, but even I don’t think I could capture an entire class’ attention with that over several weeks.

2) I am unsure at what point I decided to have Amethyst and Petrea become best friends, but I feel like it works. I’d chalk it up to Petrea fighting Miss Doublefinger to save Amethyst, but what do I know?

3) I will never stop quoting the 4kids rap about Usopp doing his “marksman thing.” If I have an opportunity to slip it in, odds are I will.

4) Ratchet and his crew are absolutely terrible at being villains. They pose no threat and really accomplish nothing. When I decided to do this movie, I had not yet viewed it but I chose it for three reasons: to counterbalance the seriousness of the arc that came before it and the arc that will come after it, to have Peridot fight in a giant robot, and Luffy’s finishing move. SecondaryShade pointed out that, by keeping Ratchet and the others pretty much the same, I instantly removed conflict from the arc, thus making it less about HOW the conflict would resolve itself but, rather, WHEN it would. While it is funny to point this out in the story every now and then (which I do a lot, especially in the next chapter), something is lost. This was part of the reason that I am proud of how my version of “Oceans Dream” turned out. It was even suggested that I could have removed the villains and made it a standard treasure hunt and achieve the exact same outcome: a lighthearted calm before the storm. In hindsight, I agree that it could have been a fun time, but I like to think that this arc still had its moments to shine. 

5) I thought it would be funny to have Petrea have a running gag in this arc having the nice dress that she received from Ratchet (her being the only one who seemed to enjoy it without questioning it) constantly keep getting destroyed. I worded that I was making her too petty, but I do not think it came across that way. She is from the world of One Piece, where this kind of gag is considered commonplace.

6) Remember the Talisman of Cloth? I introduced that back in Chapter 38 of AGITR to explain where Steven keeps getting his shirts. It might be odd to think that Gems need cloth, but if you watch the newest set of episodes, it’s not that far out there.

7) This scene presents an example of one of my biggest flaws as a writer: having a giant scene with over fifteen characters and having them talk. Drawing comics or animating a cartoon can show the characters there, even if they are just reacting to the action. Here? I tend to interject a single comment every now and then just to remind the audience that they are there. It is one of my biggest problems and, as such, we are having more scenes of the cast splitting up and getting their own individual spotlights. 

8) Remember kids: Peridot has never heard of Malachite before. Will Malachite appear in this story? Time will tell.

9) Opal’s presence in this story marks the second official fusion appearing in this story. The movie just has them released from the trap by the butler, but I thought this was better suited. I made sure to acknowledge her forgetfulness that is outline in the book Guide to the Crystal Gems.

10) As of this chapter, Peridot’s official laugh is now (and was retroactively changed to “Nyehehehe!” As the Gem who is the most attuned to the One Piece world thanks to Robin’s influence, it makes sense that she would get her own One Piece laugh.

11) As noted, Ratchet’s castle is pretty much taken right out of Scrap Brain Zone or Metropolis Zone from Sonic the Hedgehog or Skull Castle from Mega Man.

12) If I ever decide to pull a Scooby-Doo split-up, you can bet your bottom dollar Greg will call it out.

13) I am proud of the Petrea/ Amethyst/ Maji beatdown. It features some of my better fight descriptions. Kudos to me.

14) Of course, Steven lists off various plots of video games in his rampant speculation about Ratchet’s fortress, including Dr. Robotnik, Dr. Wily, and Bowser.

15) My original intention was to have Zoro and Damian beat the shit out of Honki as a gag, but then I realized Steven would never allow that. Steven might have learned that fighting is necessary some times, but he’s still our boy at heart. If he can find a way around fighting, he will.

16) I drew out a lot of sketches for how I would create Peridot’s robot. I looked up various Gundams and anime designs, but nothing was speaking to me in terms of aesthetics. I did find an AWESOME custom of one of my favorite Transformers (Tailgate) customized as Peridot. Finally, I decided that if this was a video game inspired villain,  I should have a video game inspired boss. I looked up Mega Man Robot Masters and found my inspiration in Astro Man from Mega Man 8 (I have never beaten that one. Just typing this gives me terrible memories of “JUMP JUMP SLIDE SLIDE.” He also appeared in Mega Man and Bass. The cogs connecting the arms might have been an unintended reference to Mega Man 2’s Metal Man (my favorite Robot Master besides Drill Man) but I honestly can’t remember.

17) I was so excited when I came up with the name “Peribot” only to get sad when I found out that was the official name for Peridot’s robot.

18) This fight was truly what sold me on this movie. The idea of Peridot fighting Ratchet because she was offended by him calling himself a genius spoke to me. This is the first time Peridot has actively fought for the crew and is a big step in her development. She might have not fully declared herself an actual Crystal Gem (save cowering at Aokiji), but she is open to being a Straw Hat. She is the only full Gem as of this moment to actually get offered an actual position in the crew as its inventor. Between Steven actually caring about Peridot both before and during this story, Petrea urging Peridot to become a team player, Luffy’s open acceptance of her, and Robin acting as her guide; Peridot has grown to care about this dimension and the people in it. 

The question is if she has worked that part out. Remember: the events of “It Could Have Been Great” and “Message Received” have not occurred…but who knows if those episodes will play out the same in this story?

19) The “I am many things” quote is appropriated from Superman: The Animated Series; specifically, Darkseid in the series finale. God, Darkseid is just a great villain and Michael Ironside is perfect. If I could cast One Piece with anyone, he would be my pick for Crocodile.

20) Peridot comparing Luffy’s new ability (I WONDER WHAT THAT WAS ABOUT. I'M SURE IT WILL NEVER COME UP AGAIN) to soup is a reference to “When It Rains.”

21) Peridot being chosen as the ship’s inventor of course leads to an argument with Usopp, who is the inventor by default. Surely this will have no impact on the upcoming arc.

22) We now have instance number two of Greg playing Avi and Surasshu’s beautiful background music: the fusion theme for Alexandrite from “Super Watermelon Island.”

23) My narration for the Alexandrite scene lifts a line from “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” I’m sure you can pick up on it. You guys are smart. 

24) To end the video game theme, Steven quotes the first ending of Super Mario Bros…though in-story, it would be Super Mueo Bros.

25) I almost named the baby turtles after Ninja Turtles, but I instead chose a Sesame Street reference (that was mainly because the name “Shelly” was too punny not to use) and a Looney Tunes reference that I doubt anyone picked up on.

26) In the movie, the Straw Hats try to drag the eggshell into the ocean and lose it due to its weight. Rather than make this all for nothing, the extra wealth will be used to further the story along. How? Wait and see!

27) Connie was given her bag back in Chapter Eight of AGITR. 

28) Phil, as you may remember, is a character from F*ckthesystem125’s fanfiction Luffy’s Renewed Adventure (which is the story that inspired me to write this story). I got approval to use Phil as a sort of underworld broker, so here we go. 

29) Backslide Island is named after Dan Backslide: Coward-Bully-Cad-And-Theif from the amazing Merrie Melodies cartoon The Dover Boys. Telemachus Island is named after Odysseus’ son from The Odyssey. 

Can you tell I teach English?

30) Spandam: the character I have been the most excited about writing. I have often expressed that Crocodile is my favorite One Piece villain, but Spandam is probably my third favorite right after Arlong. However, Crocodile and Spandam are very similar in my eyes because of one thing: I look at both of them as being like Cobra Commander.

…I have a point to this.

Versatility is very rare when it comes to characters. Typically when you create a character, you have to stick with the traits that make that character well-known. Michelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles might have started out bland, but the second his Microseries came out, he was established as the gentlest Turtle. The second the 80’s cartoon came out, he was established as the “party dude.” From there, his characterization kind of built upon those two key story structures.

But every now and then, you get a character that can transcend that. The best example is Batman, who can be both a grim avenger of the night and a fully-deputized agent of the law and still be the same character. Batman might have his tragedy (even in the Adam West show, where it was mentioned once in the first episode), but he can be anything. I love Batman: The Animated Series just as much as I love Batman: The Brave and the Bold. 

Cobra Commander is similar, but different.

When first developed, Cobra Commander was appearing simultaneously in the G.I. Joe cartoon and the Larry Hama comic book. Both had him as the main bad guy, but holy shit were both of them radically different…and that is not even getting into Cobra-La or the Used Carsalesman Origin. 

This is Cobra Commander in the comics:

In the comics, Cobra Commander was deadly, manipulative, and competent. He created a terrorist organization by using a pyramid scheme and managed to have it grow multiple times. The entire Broca Beach arc right after he came back from the dead shows just how manipulative he could be…just like Crocodile, who manipulated an entire country into a civil war. However, I can’t even claim that the Crocodile I wrote was completely similar to the comic Cobra Commander. To complete THAT comparison, you need to add G.I. Joe Resolute into the mix:

Alternatively, you can add both of them together and produce the G.I. Joe Renegades version, who has manipulated the USA to thinking that Cobra is legitimate while being just as ruthless as the Resolute version. Is it perfectly Crocodile? No, as Crocodile is his own man, but the same sort of tone is there when I write him. Both are ruthless and intellectually brilliant. The difference is one has lost hope in his original dreams and shifted them instigating chaos in the hopes of obtaining military might, the other has never lost faith in their original dream of controlling the world. 

The cartoon version, however, throws that out of the window for what the writers described as “less Adolph Hitler and more Yosemitie Sam.”

Holy crap, this guy is ineffectual as hell, but there is always something slightly threatening about him. Clearly he a large enough threat to warrant the creation of a military mission force, but the man’s ideas in schemes range from creating mind control fast food restaurants to making the greatest rock and roll band ever. When I read Spandam (and if I ever get inspired to record an audio version of this story…yes, I have thought about it, but I have no actresses who could join such an ambitious project), I read him with Christopher Latta’s voice. He wants to gain power, but he is lacking in nearly every department. His minions are all stronger and smarter than him…and yet he still needs to be competent enough to demand respect. Spandam is dangerous and, quite frankly, despicable in how he treats Robin and Franky. He is the absolute worst…and yet is two steps away from being a laughing stock. I love it. I love the over the top antics and how smug he is. The man is deplorable in every sense, which will make him a perfect foil for Steven later on…

To sum up this giant, semi-off-topic post: Crocodile and Spandam are my faves.

30) Pay no attention to the mention of Vegapunk, Spandam picking up something and quickly putting it into his pocket, the mention of CP9 recruits, or the bit about “Gems of myth.” That is just fluff.

31) “Don’t cry for me. I’m already dead,” is from The Simpsons. This is not the last Simpsons reference in this chapter.

32) Steven is imitating Darth Vader from Revenge of the Sith…because why not?

  33) Despite my previous claim, “Pucci” is NOT a Simpsons reference, but was actually from the manga in this section of the story. Since it was explicitly called a city and not an island, that meant I could tie it into my Baroque Works trio’s underworld adventure. Hooray for canon-wielding!

34) It was important to split up the crew at this point. It would be way too hard to juggle around all of these different characters at the same time and still give everyone the proper attention they need. Does this mean I am putting them on a bus for this arc? Not exactly, but what they will be doing WILL be worth waiting for. 

35) Though Pearl is doing her best to fit in and enjoy herself, it is important to remind everyone that the Cluster is still a threat. Think of it as a “ticking clock.”

36) Genevieve remembers Greg’s advice from Chapter Forty-Five of AGITR on how to properly leave somebody for an extended period of time.

37) We now have our second Simpsons reference: the shipwright song. When I started writing down lyrics, I thought I was using the melody of “The Perfect Nanny” from Mary Poppins. Instead, I found myself thinking of its Simpsons counterpart: “Minimum Wage Nanny.” Honestly, I’m just happy I managed to get Luffy’s canon request for him to be five meters tall into the song. This might be my favorite song in this part of the story so far.

38) Why does Garnet want money for a newspaper? The answer may surprise you.

39) I justify Steven taking Connie on a date because they aren’t actually dating for romantic reasons. They are way too young for that. This is for them to have a great time together. Nami recognizes this and is levelheaded enough to properly handle Steven’s request. To be fair, who doesn’t look at those two kids and think they will be a great couple when they get older? If only there were a time skip that could show them that way…

40) Greg is, of course, reminiscing about the events of “Greg the Babysitter.”

41) Greg is my favorite Steven Universe character. He is one of the greatest fathers in television and a man who truly loved his significant other. I kind of used Greg here as a mouthpiece for how I view my relationship with my wife. We love each other for who we are and what we mean to each other, and this was brought about by time and open communication. No topic is taboo…that, in my eyes, is the key to a successful relationship. It is not about lavish gifts or forcing romantic moments, it’s about the times as the end of the day where you just sit and talk. A wife…a husband…a partner…they are your best friend first. It is my anniversary today as I am writing this, so excuse the sentimentality.

As it stands, I was surprised as I watched the newest episodes of Season Four (thank you Xfinity!) and *spoilers* noticed an INCREDIBLY similar conversation to this one in one of the episodes. If that was not prophetic timing, I don’t know what is. I think that is twice now this story predicted things on the show, with the first being Steven greeting every object in his house when he returned to it after a long absence.

42) CP9 was mentioned twice before in this story (Chapter 40 of AGITR and Chapter 21 of GWMAPT)…I am sure it means nothing.

Well, that turned into a giant post. Tune in next time in three chapters! In the meantime, check out @cyanideoreo who is now pretty much this story’s official artist! Now that I no longer feel sick, I will begin writing the next chapter tomorrow so let’s hope I can finish it soon!

[greyskyflowers]

Someone used the tag bloodhound Zoro on one of my posts recently and FRIEND I'm so glad someone else thinks that way.

The guard dog/bloodhound dynamic is one of my absolute favorites when done correctly, especially with characters who are the embodiment of that type of dynamic.

Not sure if I have any leverage fans hanging around but I see this dynamic used with Elliot a lot and it's always really well done in that fandom.

Territorial

Loyal

Protective

Fearless

Alert

Adaptable

A little bloodthirsty

I could point out every instance of Zoro showcasing these characteristics and I could imagine every scenario that could happen for fic ideas.

But my favorite is the side that not everyone gets to see.

Being soft only for the people who matter

Coming back bloody from fighting and patiently waiting for affection

Only being able to relax with certain people

The love and trust needed to allow yourself to be vulnerable around someone

💚

Have some soft, guard dog Zoro brainstorm dust bunnies. Although he's 100% a guard cat if we're being honest.

Petting along his jaw and down his throat in soothing and firm touches.

It takes time but he lets them at his neck, belly, and back. When they grab around his waist they brush fingers against his side, barely feeling ribs under the muscles layered over them. Rubbing his shoulders and down along his spine when he falls asleep around them. The skin of his back so soft and smooth compared to the rest of his body. It's sensitive and breaks out in little goosebumps when they linger.

He's an oversized cat.

He goes from only light napping with his back against something to complete trust.

His head tipped back and his throat is left completely vulnerable. He curls on his side or lays on his front, back fully exposed. He sprawls on his back with arms tossed out to the side or over his head, belly left unguarded.

He doesn't wear shirts as much, skin growing warmer and warmer under all the sun until he's a full canvas of sun kissed skin. It makes his eyes pop, the green of his hair more vivid, and the color of his lips more distracting. The occasional flush that graces his cheeks is harder to spot but they're skilled at looking for it now.

He seeks out affection once he knows he'll get it and he's willing to let them give it.

Sleeping curled against someone's side, face pressed to their necks like he's tucking himself away in them. Draping across their laps like an oversized kitten, blinking up at them slowly until they take the hint and pet at him.

Sometimes when they're somewhere off ship or someone is traveling with them, he gets restlessness in a way that says he wants that affection. It's a way to relax, to uncoil all the tension in his muscles, and a way to show his care for them. He doesn't do well with words, but they all speak love differently and they know what he means.

He doesn't do that in front of anyone other than crew though and they're okay with that. The idea of Zoro being vulnerable around strangers makes them protective and the thought of anyone but crew seeing that side of him at all makes them feel possessive.

Only crew gets to see each other so innocent, vulnerable, exposed, submissive.

So they find work arounds.

Luffy sleeping curled around Zoro's back and possessive arms wrapped around the swordman's waist. Satisfying the urge for closeness and touch but still protected, all vulnerable spots hidden from anyone else's eyes.

After all, no one blinks an eye at Luffy clinging to Zoro.

Luffy presses his face into the back of Zoro's neck and top of his spine, biting marks into the skin because sometimes he's not good with words either. Zoro doesn't even flinch, still asleep and completely trusting of Luffy to do what's best.

Luffy passes it off loudly in the morning with cries of dreams filled with meat and Sanji can they have a bunch of meat for breakfast please?

Zoro doesn't hide it because he doesn't hide anything Luffy gives him and the crew all get stuck on it through the day. Staring at the skin, where the bruising has pulled blood to the surface and painted it different colors. The darker spots where teeth had been pressed.

The only mark anywhere near his back and it was given willingly. He isn't ashamed of the bruises on the top of his spine, almost flaunting them as he trains shirtless in the afternoon sun. Skin glowing with sweat and everyone within eye sight trying to discreetly stare.

It's not the last mark he gets and it becomes common for him to have marks and bruises on his skin. Bright colors and dark hues in shapes of fingers and mouths, usually resting by the hinge of his jaw, the top of his spine, or the top of his hips and lower belly, where there's just the very slightest hint of stubborn softness clinging.

💚

Am I obviously obsessed with Zoro being feral?

Showing his affection by letting people at vulnerable spots they could use to easily hurt him?

Is my soft, bottom, and/or submissive Zoro bias showing?

Yes

[greyskyflowers]

I've had these little partial plot bunnies for a while and have added to them as I think of stuff. I'm going to go ahead and thrown them on here though because they aren't doing anyone any good sitting in my drafts. Maybe it will help inspire someone else.

A/B/O Dynamic ideas with Omega Zoro and background/hinted Poly/QP Strawhats ~

*** :examples, additional info, how it relates to the crew

🌱 :how it relates to Zoro

• Omega are lighter than alphas and betas, that doesn't mean weaker or smaller. They're simply lighter.

*** Ex: If a omega and beta/alpha of the similar strength and build both step in the same puddle of mud, the beta/alphas will sink down further.

🌱 The reason Zoro can push off of Luffy or Sanji without any problems.

• Omega run cooler as a protection against overheating during their heats.

*** Beta and alphas tend to run warmer to provide for omegas if needed.

🌱 The outfit post time skip Zoro wears is due to him running a little cooler.

• Heats are usually a miserable experience. The body hurts like getting the flu, body temp shots up, and other things like headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue, etc.

*** Alphas and betas instinctively know where to press/massage on omegas to help relieve pain. Sometimes, even able to tell things before even the omega knows. Ex: they may get food ready even if the omega doesn't feel particularly hungry, they may know where bruises will form, can tell when a heat is coming, etc.

🌱 Zoro already has chronic pain that flares up during his heats, so the whole thing is usually miserable.

• Omegas have sharp teeth but thinner than betas and alpha. Omega teeth are meant for killing strikes, for ripping at veins and throats. Beta and alpha teeth are broad and sharp, meant for crushing and snapping.

🌱 Zoro doesn't fight with his teeth like some omegas do but he shows them off when he uses three swords. The teeth looking extra menacing when digging into the hilt of sword.

• Omegas require a lot of sleep. It has to do with their hormones and sometimes can change depending on how healthy or unhealthy a omega is.

🌱 Zoro naps constantly

• Omegas also require a lot of food. The same hormones that require a significant amount of sleep also requires a significant amount of energy.

🌱 Zoro doesn't eat as much as Luffy but he's usually not too far off.

• Scent glands are very sensitive, once a pack bond has been established and pack marks have been given/recieved, only pack can touch the scent glands without causing pain.

It's a comfort to have them nipped at very carefully, stroked or sucked on. Sometimes packs will nipped a little harder or dig their nails into scent glands if they're mad at their omega.

The scent gland releases a type of oil that varies on consistency and taste for each omega. Once pack bonds have been established, alphas and betas will seek out the scent and taste. Often when they're anxious or concerned, for affection, etc.

*** Scars on scent glands can cause a lot of problems. Due to the type of tissue that makes up scent glands, damge to it will often scar in a way that traps the oil and can make the scent glands ache.

Oil that's been trapped must be manually released with firm pressure and heat. The oil will become infected if not released correctly or frequently enough. This becomes very painful and the risk of a blood poisoning is high.

The trapped oil will be thinner when freed, often with the consistency of water rather than oil. The smell will also be too strong, like breaking a full perfume bottle. When released it will be mixed with blood and infection, usually a pinkish color or with spots of blood.

*** Omegas cannot scent right if their glands are not taken care of. This causes anxiety and depression since omegas will not be able to scent a nest or pack, leaving them feeling isolated even if they're not.

Trapped oil will also itch. This is often strong enough that omegas will scratch at the gland until it bleeds.

🌱 Zoro is terrible at taking care of himself when it comes to injuries and this includes his scent glands. The pack takes it upon themselves to make sure the glands maintained. The ones in his wrists and necks are the ones scarred.

• Scent glands are located on the neck, wrists and inner thighs.

*** Packs will often touch, bites, rub, etc at scent glands for bonding. Even the inner thigh ones will be caressed, it's doesn't have to be sexual, it's just intimate.

🌱 Usually they go for Zoro's wrists or neck since those are easiest to get too, those are the ones scarred though, so extra care is required when paying attention to them. The ones on his inner thighs are extra sensitive, as common with omegas, and are only focused on once in a while.

• It's incredibly dishonorable to aim for a omegas scent glands. People still do it but it's not something anyone should brag about.

*** Scars on scent glands or over pack marks are insulting to the pack and the omega. It's also incredibly painful to have pack marks or scent glands hurt.

🌱 Zoro has scars on his glands and it's a sore topic for the pack.

• Packs are very intimate, so they can be both sexual and/or platonic. Omegas provide balance for betas and alphas. Their scents and bonds create a healthy and comforting environment

🌱 The crew is very happy and healthy.

• It's a sign of power and strength to have a healthy and happy omega. It indicates the pack isn't worried about most threats, so they're able to take the time and focus required to take care of their omega.

*** Omegas will not go into heat in unsafe areas, it's very painful to withhold heats but it can be done. The body will not allow the heat to happen if it senses danger or feels unsafe.

🌱 Zoro has withheld his heat before and it never goes well. With all the other issues he has, withheld heats are brutal.

• Omegas nest, of course, but they also burrow. A combination of pressure and the instinct to find protection promoting them to create a nest and then cover it.

Pack nests are often bigger, made for the pack to be able to comfortably be near their omega and each other. Larger nests also allow omegas to feel comfortable in the nest with pack but also large enough for them to have a space with enough extra supplies that they can borrow.

*** A room may be considered a nest, filled with nesting supplies and carefully arranged. One corner may have additional nesting supplies available for the omega to cover themselves with if needed, while the rest of the nest remains comfortable and moveable for the pack.

*** Similar to how people find comfort in the pressure of weighted blankets.

🌱 Franky built a nesting room big enough for all of them. It's absolutely filled with nesting supplies. The floor is covered in pillows and mattressss.

• Alphas and betas may experience a type of itching or tingling in their gums when around their pack omega. This is a reaction to the scent of pack and omega. It's just a form of desire or longing meant to keep packs close together. This will often be relieved by biting, scenting or mating.

🌱 Luffy bites a lot.

• Dynamics and the instincts related to them aren't felt by anything but humans. That doesn't mean that others are excluded from the pack or don't feel pack bonds. It just means those instincts are very muted. Everyone can mark and be marked by pack bond marks if they want.

*** Ex: Chopper and Jinbei are pack of the pack but don't have to same desires or instincts as the others. It's more of a family type thing for them.

Brook, however, is a different situation. Since he was human, and is now human bones, he does have those instincts. However, while they are stronger than Jinbei or Chopper's, they are not as strong as they were when he was human.

🌱 They might be a little bias but they all think Zoro is the best omega.

• Omegas bruise easier, however that doesn't mean they're necessarily hurt more than alphas or betas. Hits that would hurt but not bruise on betas and alphas will hurt and bruise on omegas. The additional visibility on hurt spots and injuries is meant to prompt packs into protectiveness and care.

*** Ex: If a omega and alpha/beta both run their hip into the same corner of a table, same speed and force, the omega will get a bruise but the alpha/beta won't. No additional pain was felt by the omega. It's simply a evolutionary feature to prompt protection and care.

🌱 Zoro is almost constantly bruised.

• Omegas will purr when hurt and when happy. Purring can be used to self soothe when injured or hurting, and sometimes happens without the omega even noticing. It's not something controllable, they can not start or stop either instance of purring.

*** Happy purrs will often stay at one consistent pitch while hurt purrs will go up and down in pitch

🌱 Zoro was purring at Thriller Bark when the crew got to him after Kuma, the nothing happened barely understandable with the rough and unsteady purr breaking up the words when he spoke.

He purred when they all met up again after the two year skip, everyone grinning at the consistent sound and the faintest hint of pink on the top of Zoro's cheeks.

[greyskyflowers]

Bringing this one back around because LIVE ACTION ZORO IS SO FUCKING PRETTY

I want to give him all the hurt so he can have all the comfort ♥️

But most importantly

I demand to see more of Zoro's tits

And

I want someone to fuck him until he cries

I've said it before and I'll say it again

Zoro has a great back and should spend more time on it

#letZorobottommoreyoucowards

[greyskyflowers]

I've said it before and I'll say it again

Zoro has a great back and should spend more time on it

#letZorobottommoreyoucowards