#punk hazard my beloved

[halacska-fins]

got suggested this punk hazard volume cover to redraw. gave it my best try x)

[sanjiafterhours]

being a sanji fan is an intense experience because it takes you like 200 episodes to finally understand why sanji's eyes turned lifeless for a flickering moment at those words

[zzzeit]

canonically Zoro is taller? then Oda pls explain yourself??

taller Sanji my beloved <3

[supernowa-art]

fellas is it gay to ✨️sit✨️

[beanghostprincess]

since we were talking about headcanons, i once said this would be namivivi as moms but i can see them being moms of daughters more. i KNOW they’d be the best moms on earth

this is so fucking hilarious. thank you.

nami's motherly energy throughout the series is so real i wouldn't be surprised if they actually adopted a kid instead of having one of their own. you know. following her mom's steps and all. anyway! if they were to have a child, though, this would definitely happen to them and it would be so funny, lmfao. they want a lil girl!!! let them be a girl trio!!!

and yeah, both vivi and nami would be the best moms in the world. they'd be so caring and sweet but also they would teach their kid (they'd have a daughter, i completely agree btw) how to defend herself. if somebody catches nami teaching the girl how to steal, nobody tells vivi. that being said, vivi isn't any better because she's forgetful af and she'd probably just be all over the place sometimes. chaotic af but sweet moms.

tbh namivivi and sanuso are like, the only ships i see having kids. like, actually having kids forever and not just taking care of a random kid for a few episodes the way it always happens in this show bc oda loves the crew taking care of children (me too). and also frobin, but they have enough children already (-> the children being the crew).

and and and!!!! the crew with that kid??????? even when i daydream about sanuso having kids i always end up thinking about how the crew would react and interact with them, and namivivi's daughter would be so so so loved by the straw hats, arabasta as a whole, and the cocoyasi village. girl would be protected even without needing it to bc she'd be just like her moms. lil manipulative girlboss with a dumb but royalty-like side. cutie patootie. baby girl. and also, sanji would love her to death but i'm not gonna go into detail about what i think of every strawhat with the kid.

aghhh this is so cute!!! thanks for making me think about this, you made my day <3

[eternalmoonlight18]

Please Please Please (Don't Prove Em Right)

Trafalgar Law x afab Female!Reader

Next Chapter

Summary:

You are the Heart Pirates' beloved cook and sniper. However, you were also an insufferable troublemaker who always seemed to get on Law's nerves. He swears he's going to get rid of you one day, but as much as he hates it, why does he find you fascinating? Was it because you reminded him of someone he was greatly fond of?

As your relationship with Law grows, he only hopes you don't fucking embarrass him. After all, he has an image to uphold as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

This story starts off as short stories between (Y/N), Law and the Heart Pirates, then picks up into the One Piece canon timeline, starting from Punk Hazard. This is a slow-burn Law x Female Reader story!

Updates every Sunday!

Cross-posted in Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/57651295/chapters/146705491

Notes: This is my very first fanfiction!

As you would have guessed, the title is based on the song Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter. It's like a more lighthearted reimagining of the song!

I'm mostly writing this for self-indulgence but I hope you guys like it as well :)

Chapter 1: Ice Water Poker

Chapter summary: you thought playing Ice Water Poker was a great idea until you injured yourself and almost damaged the Polar Tang. Law decides that he's almost had enough of your shenanigans.

You hated the infirmary.

The bleak walls, the soft crinkle of the paper on top of the infirmary bed, and the fact that all of the medical equipment was just lying out in the open made it uncomfortable to be in the room.

You hated the infirmary, but you were there every day because of your endless carelessness and schemes against the Heart Pirates.

But you weren't an enemy to them, you in fact, were their beloved cook. You became the Heart Pirate’s cook just over a year ago, and it wasn’t because they loved your cooking. It’s because none of them can cook for shit and you felt bad for them. When you first met them, they were eating overcooked rice and burnt fish. You soon learned that those were Law’s favourite foods, but by great Neptune's Beard, it tasted terrible. So you decided (forcibly) to join the crew out of pity, out of Law's dismay.

However, you weren't new to the pirate life. You were a pirate before you met them, as you used to be in Kidd’s crew as their cook. But things got complicated so you ditched them. And by complicated, it meant that you accidentally food-poisoned Kidd and he was going to kill you the next time he saw you.

And so a year later, you were with the Heart Pirates. You loved it. You had a great kitchen to work with, and the crew loved every meal you made. Law was a great captain and you greatly respected him. You eventually gained his respect since you always cooked what he requested. And not only you were a cook, but you were also a decent fighter. You specialized as a sniper, which Law saw as a great asset to the crew.

You were a great cook, and you loved what you did, and you wouldn't trade it for anything else. 

But the only issue was that you got bored when you were not cooking. And so, you cured that boredom by doing what you do second best: being a gremlin.

At least that’s what Law called you. You would say it’s more like being the only sole entertainer in this damn submarine. The Polar Tang was so boring sometimes and you decided that a little fun might cheer things about around the crew. But as often as you did ridiculous stunts in the submarine, you also often found yourself sitting in the infirmary bed with your captain tending to your injuries.

And that’s how you found yourself in the infirmary for the 5th time in a week. And Law was not amused at all.

“So tell me,” Law said while he calmly walked in front of you as you were sitting on the bed. He stopped to face you. “Why the FUCK do you, Penguin and Shachi all have large gashes on the forehead?!” he yelled. He glared looked at you, then whipped his head to glare at the two men beside the bed. 

The scab on your palms suddenly became very interesting so you decided to stare and pick at it. To your left were Penguin and Shachi standing nervously next to the bed and both faced opposite ways, away from the doctor.

Law started to get irritated. “I asked you a question (Y/n)-ya,” he instructed.

You let out a small nervous laugh and looked up at the doctor. Penguin and Shachi also laughed.

“Well you see captain, we were all playing strip poker.” Penguin started. Law’s eyes narrowed at the man. Shachi continued after Penguin, “B-but instead of stripping, we had to dump a bucket of ice water whenever we placed the wrong bet. But then (Y/n) got mad because she was losing and filled up two buckets of ice water to dump on us, but she ended up slipping and hit both Penguin and me on the forehead with the bucket as she fell.”

You suddenly froze and realized you just got snitched on. You glared at the two men who for some reason also suddenly realized that they snitched, and they both quickly looked away from you.

“You fucking snitches!” you exclaimed. “You are so getting burnt food tonight.”

"But that's not fair..." Penguin and Shachi both mumbled. 

Law sighed heavily. He rubbed his temples with his tattooed fingers, most likely out of annoyance. “Shut up, all of you. So let me get this straight, all three of you decided that it was a good idea to dump water onto my submarine’s floors because of a card game. And I don’t care that you idiots are injured; have you considered the fact that the water can leak into the boiler room?!”

And as if on cue, the Polar Tang started to make a strange groaning noise. The four of you in the infirmary froze. A vein popped on Law's head as he suddenly began to shake in anger.

Seeing your captain angry, Penguin, Shachi and you all looked at each other. You were all thinking of the same thing. You all made a run for it. All three of you dashed for the door and ran out of the infirmary.

"Hey!! You bastards better come back here!!" Law shouted as he realized his troublesome crew left.

“Oh, we’re so dead! Captain is going to kill us!” Penguin exclaimed as he ran.

"Forget captain, I think the Tang is going to explode and kill us!" Shachi argued.

"Both of you shut up!" You shouted. "Let's hide before-" You were cut off because you and the two men were suddenly transported into the infirmary. A large thud was heard when you three landed on your asses on the feet of a very angry sea captain. All three of you groaned in pain from the impact. You slowly looked up and saw the death glare of your captain, staring down at you. You felt uneasy shivers down your spine and heard the two men gulp behind you.

"You all had the stomach to run away from me huh?" He darkly chuckled.

The three of you started to shake with fear. For the first time, you genuinely pissed the man off and you instantly regretted it.

"Hey captain, don't worry! We'll fix the boiler room right now!" you said shakily.

The raven-haired man raised his eyebrows at the comment. "Oh? And how can you do that with your current state?" he questioned you.

You were wondering why he gave you a strange look until you felt something wet and cold on your forehead. You instantly brought up your left hand to touch it and saw that you started bleeding from the gash. Then you blacked out. The last thing you heard was Penguin's unusually high-pitched scream before your head hit the floor.

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

You woke up to the smell of black tea. You slowly opened up your eyes and felt disoriented and cold. When you fully opened your eyes, you found yourself staring at the mute grey ceiling above you. You were still in the infirmary.

"Fuck." you thought. "This might be the worst day of my life."

You slowly got up to sit. You groaned in pain as you felt a sharp pain on the side of your head. You glanced at the table in front of you and looked at the steaming mug of hot tea. Then as you turned to let your legs down on the side of the bed, you glanced to the right of the bed and saw your captain sitting in his examiner chair with his legs crossed. While he looked at you with a neutral face, his eyes were unreadable.

"So you finally decided to wake up (Y/n)-ya. I was starting to think that we needed to find another cook," he said, dripped with sarcasm.

You squinted your eyes at him. "As if you could find one, I'm sure no one wants to cook for your shitty crew." you retorted.

Law ignored your comment and got up from his chair to walk towards you. You noticed that he was getting closer so you scooted back further into the wall behind you. The doctor placed both of his tattooed hands on the bed, trapping you in the box of his arms. Never breaking eye contact, he leaned his face into yours and stared at you with an annoyed smirk. "I usually don't mind your antics on my submarine but you have gone too far this time." he lowly said.

You ignored his words. Instead, you scrunched your nose. "Your breath smells like grilled fish captain," you said.

Law was suddenly taken aback by your random comment, his face twisting into an irritated scowl.

"The next time you pull another stunt like this, I'm throwing you overboard. I don't care if we're eating rocks for weeks."

"But I don't know how to swim."

"I don't care. Why are you out at sea then if you don't know how to swim?"

"But you can't even swim either captain, you'd sink like a rock if you fell in. I wouldn't talk if I were you."

Law scoffed. He couldn't argue with that comment. You were pushing his buttons and he didn't know whether to laugh or throw you out of the submarine.

Law kept staring into you and you kept staring back. This was the first time seeing his face up close and you saw how handsome he was for the first time. His small sweep of bangs along with his sideburns perfectly shape his rugged face. But what caught your attention was his grey eyes. You observed how tired his eyes looked, but your intuition told you that it was more than physical tiredness that was getting to him. You could feel the unknown emotional battles he was facing through his stormy grey eyes as if he was looking for answers he could not find. You found them unusually beautiful.

You broke the silence and suddenly blurted out;

"You have very pretty eyes, captain."

This time he was completely bewildered by your comment. Law blinked at you and his eyebrows slowly relaxed. His eyes slightly widened and he took a small step back. His mouth suddenly gaped slightly open and he felt his ears heat up.

"What are you talking about (Y/n)-ya?" he coughed. He completely broke out of his stern and facade and turned into a flustered mess.

However, you remained oblivious to the consequences of your words. You tilted your head to the left curiously.

"Why are your ears red? Are you getting a fever?" you questioned. The doctor stepped back even more but straightened up his composure. He was the captain of this crew and a feared pirate in the seas. He was not about to lose his image over his subordinate. Realizing that he was flustered, he quickly became angry again.

You'd think that a 25-year-old man would know how to properly regulate his feelings, but Law's display of emotional confusion would prove otherwise.

He finally blew up. "Enough! You caused too much chaos today. I'm punishing you for being reckless again." Law ordered.

While his tone of voice was stern, his face said otherwise. "Are you going to throw me overboard?" you teased. "Or are you going to make me fix the boiler room with Penguin and Shachi?"

You snickered and started to grin. You didn't care at all because you always got out of trouble. Penguin and Shachi said it's because the captain had a soft spot for you, but you think that Law accepts the fact that he has no choice but to keep you if he wants to eat edible good food.

Law placed two fingers on his chin and put some thought into the question. Then he smirked mischievously. "No. I got something worse."

There was a pregnant pause. Then he spoke again; "You're going to make me a week's batch of rice balls for me." he proclaimed.

The colour drained from your face. You hated making rice balls. It may be the captain's favourite, but it took forever to prepare and make. Now he wants you to make a week's batch worth of it? You understood that he was mad but he was taking his anger too far.

"I'd rather jump out and drown!" you protested.

"I'd like to see you try." Law retorted. "That's what you get for damaging my submarine!"

The man did have a point. You admit that sometimes your escapades can be too. much.

You pouted in defeat. "Fine. I'll do it," you said. You hopped off the medical bed and proceeded to walk out of the infirmary. You were in a bad mood, and you were going to beat the living hell out of Penguin and Shachi for snitching on you.

"I'm going to put flour and bread in those rice balls," you mumbled as you walked out the door.

"What was that?" Law asked. "Nothing!" you said out of fake cheer. You stomped away and headed to the kitchen. The captain extinguished your playful spirit in the meanwhile, but you'd be back.

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

Back at the infirmary, Law sighed. He took off his hat and placed it on the bed, then sat down in his chair. He brought his left hand and combed through his hair as he leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. Today's set of events was just too much for him.

As he closed his eyes, your previous words rang in his ears.

"You have very pretty eyes, captain."

The tattooed doctor's ears turned red again. "What am I going to do with you (Y/n)-ya?" He sighed.

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

EXTRA SCENE

It was midnight in the Polar Tang. Everyone went to bed. It was one of those few moments when the submarine was quiet enough to hear the hum of the sub's engine.

While everyone was asleep, the captain was in his quarters, wide awake. He was finishing up his crew's recent medical reports and your medical file. He was always stressed about updating it because you were getting injured every single day.

Law stacked up the final pages of the report and set them aside. He got up from his desk and stretched. He let out a big groan, a signal of his tiredness. Then he remembered that you were making his favourite food, rice balls, as a punishment and grinned. He was looking forward to eating a good snack before he headed to bed.

He carefully and quietly made his way to the submarine's kitchen. As he entered the room, he saw that you laid out a plate of 3 rice balls on the dining table. The doctor excitedly walked up and grabbed one of the rice balls. He eyed it for a second, like it was the last meal he was ever going to take, then took a big bite of the food you prepared, expecting to be thrown into a world of indulgence.

However, he instantly regretted his actions. He turned blue, spat out the food and coughed like he had the flu. He should've known better than to take a very inviting plate of rice balls in the kitchen that you prepared. It was like luring a fish with bait and the great Surgeon of Death, Trafalgar Law, fell for it.

He was so going to throw you out to the sea in the morning.

[biscuitboba]

I will never be normal about how zoro can't seem to take his eyes off his captain like even though luffy is stronger than him?? Like i've talked about this many many times before (probably) but the way he keeps an eye on luffy, making sure that luffy is okay??? Zoro and his luffy-oriented brain i swear... like how he is always trying to make sure that his captain is fine 24/7, i'm just-

Like for example, when he is waiting/looking out for luffy's arrival in jaya arc. (Also happened in adventure of nebulandia!)

Or him keeping an eye on luffy in punk hazard. Watching his captain from a perfect & safe distance.

Or it's also about how zoro likes to check on his captain. Voicing his concern, making sure that nothing is wrong with his captain by directly asking luffy about it (if he notices anything unusual from luffy)

Also thinking about zoro and his priority when it comes to luffy (luffy aka his number one priority, really)

Zoro and his worry wart side when it comes to his 'idiot' captain (tbh if i have to put all the panels (from the manga) for every time zoro worries about his beloved captain here, i don't think i can, cause it's zoro)

Like i just think it is crazy how much he cares for his captain, like yeah every single one of the strawhats are like that too, but with zoro it is very visible every. single. time. Like oda really shoved it into our face?? like yeah, zolu my absolute beloved<333

bonus, lil sanuso in the corner<3

[ratkingsocks]

Misc. Heart Pirates Head Canons

So, when I'm bored out of my brain at work I've been thinking about my silly little beloveds the Heart Pirates! So here are some thoughts I've had about them and the crew structure! Crew Structure

Not a traditional first mate or incredibly strict hierarchy. I figure Law's authority issues extend to how he runs his crew!

There's four "departments" basically where one of the core-four preside over.

Bepo is in charge of all the helm stuff: navigation, steering, general operations (maintenance of equipment, engineering)

Penguin is in charge of personnel: finances, crew schedules, supplies (clothes, food, yatta yatta)

Shachi is on weapons: armory & procurement of, training the crew, and any like recon they do is planned by him

Law handles all the medical stuff: yearly exams, extensive charts/notes on the crew, any on-going treatments, and the supplies for this specifically goes through him

As captain, Law does oversee/supervise the others if he feels it relevant but after like 13 years he's pretty confident his favorite idiots can handle themselves!

The tang runs on two shifts so someone is always around to keep the sub running in case of emergencies, as such there's often multiple crew members capable of a job (ex chef, helmsman, engineering, nurses)

All the crew knows how to handle alarms, any gauge or sonar readouts, and just generally keep everyone from dying

Most of the crew knows basic triage and first aid

Any Big Decisions (TM) are normally talked over. The crew has a lot of say in most scenarios... One of the few times this was not the case was Law ordering them to Zou when he went to Punk Hazard.

It was an intentional choice on Law & the crew's part that none of them were spotted on jobs and don't have bounties. A lot of the crew's work, especially early on in Law's plotting against Doffy, was gathering information and other covert work. Them being well known or recognizable would've made it impossible for this to get done... It also would've made hiding from Doffy that much harder.

The crew splits proceeds evenly! 50% goes to the Tang's upkeep and supplies, 50% is split equally between everyone else.

Named Crew Jobs

Law- Captain, Doctor

Penguin- Quartermaster

Shachi- Armsmaster

Bepo- Navigator

Jean Bart- Helmsman

Ikkaku- Head Engineer

Uni- Head Nurse

Clion Chef

Hakugan- Helmsman

The unnamed crew I do plan to flesh out eventually, but I haven't made a whole lot of headway in that direction yet... Some day I shall!

Silly HCs

Other than Bepo, everyone is older than Law

Penguin likes to sing

He also has collected rocks & shells from every island they've stopped at to make a living map of their travels.

I personally like to think of Shachi & Peng as some sort of fishman-human hybrid or perhaps a few generations removed from a fishman ancestor? Not super sure on how it works exactly, but I think they both look a lil odd and that's why they hide their eyes and such with hats.

Ikkaku handles Law 2nd best only to the Core 4. She knows when he needs space and when he needs to be pushed pretty well, and so they're pretty close.

Uni loves to sew; it's how he relaxes and passes time while they're underwater for long stretches of time. He is also the person who customizes most of Law's clothes with their jolly roger

Law did said customization before they recruited Uni and still helps, but Uni shoves him off often and says this is his therapy time alone

Clione takes to new members the best

He's also a great fighter and definitely yeeted Shachi into a wall one day; Shachi was delighted with this

He can drink most of the crew under the table

Hakugan is enby! And uses they/them pronouns

They also communicate with sign language, so the entire crew is relatively fluent

Hakugan is never lost; they have a 6th sense for where north is at all times

Much like their namesake, Hakugan is a volatile creature prone to violence

Shachi likes to keep up with psychology journals in his free time, so sometimes he & Law will have a little "medical journal book club" to hang out

Bepo is more an astronomy & weather guy... there was, however, a tragic mix-up with the news coo one time that resulted in Bepo getting an astrology magazine.

He likes to torment Law by teasing him with a well placed "That's so very libra of you, captain."

Law actually likes his coffee absurdly, disgustingly sweet

Penguin, however, takes his coffee black

Shachi & Bepo are 2 of 3 members of the Hearts without a caffeine addiction. Hakugan is the third

Penguin has given up trying to get Law on a schedule... It has never worked in their 13 years sailing together

Law had to implement a "no gambling on the tang" rule shortly after Hakugan joined; They were absolutely taking everyone else's money

Law does, however, actively encourage fleecing marines & rival pirate crews

The crew has picked up some Mink social behaviors! As such they're very physically affectionate... Yes, even Law. Though he tends to contain his affection to when they're in private or on the Polar Tang

It's super common to see the crew swap undershirts, jewelry, or other accessories

Bepo has a collection of his crewmates' shirts! Uni made it into a quilt for him since he can't exactly wear them properly

Everyone else has a "Bepo shirt"

Ikkaku tends to forget she's wearing hers while working on the Tang or to sleep then walks about. Whenever Bepo sees this he gets all flustered & teary-eyed

Law, similarly, wears his to sleep in regularly. He would rather be caught dead than wearing though. That's way too mushy for him.... but if there are days where he's still wearing it when Bepo comes to check on him in the morning, well, nobody has to know but them right?

Shachi & Penguin one time wore their Bepo shirts and attempted to force Bepo into their shirts which... obviously did not fit. Undetered they stitched the two together to the ultimate-bros-shirt. Bepo loves this shirt & wears it regularly.

Shachi & Penguin remake this shirt whenever the old one starts wearing down or falling apart every few years

(I took this one from a fic cuz I thought it was just so good) Between more junior members of the crew, it's a running gag that Law, Shachi, & Penguin are more "lesser mink" than "human" after 13 years with Bepo.

Law finds this absolutely hysterical, Bepo says they're all lesser minks

Law is, in fact, capable of a variety of animal noises such as growling, hissing, or purring. He normally makes this noises on accident when startled or particularly relaxed. He did not intentionally learn to make these noises. He was just an incredibly weird child and like many weird children before and after him, mimicked animals

Shachi & Penguin may or may not make fun of him for this

They may or may not have started the rumor that one of Law's parents was a mink; a rumor that Law has unintentionally perpetuated with his general wet cat behavior

Penguin's family were whalers! He uses a harpoon & is a fantastic fisher as a result

The above makes him Clione's favorite

Penguin often threatens Shachi with the harpoon so he may join his bretheren. Shachi shrieks back that orcas are not whales but dolphins. This is a near weekly song & dance.

Each of the "core four" have a way to show they accept a newbie into the crew!

Shachi carves a little wooden animal

Penguin embroiders their name inside their boiler suits

Bepo trades clothes with them

Law procures a custom mug decorated to their taste

Law normally gives his first, actually. Firstly, if he invited you to his crew he already likes you well enough. Two, he knows he can be an unapproachable dick and sees it as a bit of a peace offering. Three, to show the rest of the crew this new person is approved!

Shachi & Penguin gives theirs whenever they feel the new member has "earned" it. Normally 2nd/3rd in whatever order they deem.

Bepo basically always gives his last. He's a very anxious lil guy and doesn't want to disturb or weird anyone out.

Jean Bart is, ironically, the only crew member to not have concussed himself on the doorways in the Tang

Law had a few problem years after his sudden growth spurt, but it hasn't been a problem since he got used to being taller

After reuniting on Zou there was a crew wide cuddle puddle

Law is surprisingly tactile so long as it's on his terms. A head pat there, brushing his hands against a cheek or shoulder there... That kind of thing

This is generally the best indicator of how much he actually likes you

Law often stims using Bepo's fur or paws. Bepo loves this very much

[andreawritesit]

Punk Hazard my beloved, thank you for giving us so much Zoro x Tashigi content. I love you.

[axcel-lucci]

Support

Trafalgar Law x reader (fluff? Angst??)

A/n: it's currently 12:47, idk why but I can't sleep lol. Prolly because I need to write 200 word essay for mon- oh wait, that's today.

My masterlist

Upon the crew hearing about their captain's plan of infiltrating dress Rosa and possibly die in it, they were totally against him to the point that NO ONE entered the navigation room to drive the sub.

So they just... Floated around for the time being.

Law was getting frustrated more and more as he packs his bags and orders the crew to do as he says, if they don't, they get dismembered.

It doesn't matter though, the crew was willing to get their hearts taken away than their captain being away for good.

The crew's scribe, (y/n), is entirely unaffected by the news. In fact, they support him.

Not because they don't care, but because they know that he won't die. He can't.

(Y/n) has always been distant and cold to the crew, it's just something they got used to as their mannerism since their work as a scribe is rather gruesome and even tiresome.

Them and Law work closely together, usually for reports and documenting.

Law was grumbling to himself in his room after having another argument with the crew about his plans, he heard someone knock on the door.

"If you're going to convince me to stay, dream on because I am standing my fucking ground!" He yelled out of frustration

"How rude, captain." He heard their voice, slightly muffled by the door.

"Oh... It's you... Come in..." He muttered before seeing them open and close the door behind them.

"Look, captain. Find a common ground with them... Do you know how annoying it is when you guys scream? I can't do my work properly" they scoffed

"I know... It's just..."

"Captain." They called as he looked at them, "they're worried. They're just worried for you. Assure them you'll come back, give them something to hold on to. It's not practical, sure, but... It's the only way for them to let you off. Give them a run down version as to why..."

(Y/n) knows the reason, of course they do considering Law vents to them a lot in the day as they work together.

He sighed softly, "it's just... I don't want them to see me weak..."

"Captain... Your past is not a weakness, if anything, bearing yourself open to them is a sign of strength. You are willing to open yourself to the people you protect... Maybe then they'd realize that it's alright. That you'd be alright..."

Law seemed to think it over just a bit before getting up from the bed with a grunt, "you're right..."

"I'm always right."

"Yeah, yeah... Whatever... But still... Thanks..."

They nodded slightly, "you're welcome."

After that, he told them the run down version, sure a few tears were she'd, but the crew finally allowed him to leave.

So much for being a captain.

But in the end, Law is able to leave for punk hazard while (y/n) and the others stay at Zou.

It was hard for a couple few days with no contact from their beloved captain, but when the news finally reached them, they were overjoyed.

Of course (y/n) was no difference, but they just knew he'd be alright. As if they're proud that he's THAT strong to face the man he vowed to destroy.

Once Law was back into the crew, everyone showered him with tears and even a few threats were made that if he does that again, they'd have no choice but to chase him.

(Y/n) only shakes their head at the childish remarks, but then again, this is now Law's only family since then. A found family.

Once they were alone, (y/n) and Law finally had a peaceful talk without the snots and tears of the crew.

"That was tiring..." He muttered

"I can tell... That... Strawhat kid, he's gotten stronger since we last saw his scrawny ass, huh?" (Y/n) says with a slight amusement.

"True... He has gotten stronger... But he's still so annoying." Law grumbled

"You speak as though that kid didn't help you achieve your goal, no?"

Law could only chuckle, "yeah... Right."

Silence fell between them as they admired the beauty of Zou's forest.

"Say... (Y/n)-ya..." He called as they looked at him, "wanna watch the fireworks with me? I heard they'll set it up for tonight."

"What a selfish request, but since it's the captain's special request, I cannot refuse."

It made him laugh a bit.

It felt... Good to Law... To be able to laugh again... He looked at (y/n) with such adoration that he didn't notice they were calling him, "what...?" He muttered as soon as he snaps back.

"Daydreaming? Seriously dude? Sheesh..."

"My bad"

"Yeah, sure"

....

"Everyone's here, huh?" (Y/n) hummed softly as Law powered up his devil fruit and transported them somewhere excluded.

Shachi and Penguin saw him do this and knew his plan. Actually, they were actively looking for the two as soon as they disappeared into somewhere.

"Ooh, fancy." (Y/n) hummed softly, "clear view of the sky."

Law nods slightly, "hey... Uh..."

"Hm?"

Law looks back at (y/n) as they stare back at him with wonder

"Don't be mad, okay?"

"Uh... Sure...?"

The fireworks set off, momentarily replacing (y/n)'s attention to watch the colorful bursts of different elements in the sky resulting into blasts of colours.

"(Y/n)..." Law called as they turned back to him.

And with a blink of an eye, as well as Law letting his instincts take over, he grabbed her tightly and pressed his lips against theirs as if they've both done this before.

(Y/n) couldn't help but melt into the kiss softly and kiss him right back.

The background noise of others cheering and the fireworks blasting off into the dark sky was now just a muffled mess as the two had their attentions on one another as the kiss eventually deepened before pulling away for air.

The both turned away, embarrassed at what just happened while panting breaths.

They both eventually looked back into each other's eyes, before laughing softly at how absurd the situation just has been.

"I... Wanna do that again..." Law muttered

"Oh yeah? What's stopping you?" They smirked

"This long ass speech I prepared"

"Oh wow. You came prepared? Let's hear it."

He could feel himself laugh again before composing himself, "(y/n)... This may be cheesy or corny but... Ever since I met you and worked with you, I can't help but feel comfortable and lightheaded in a good way... You're always there for me... You... Support me... I can't thank you enough for that... It may be a shallow reason but... Will you be my partner...? Hopefully for life...?"

They smiled at him and kissed the tip of his nose, "fine... That speech was long as fuck."

They both laughed eventually.

[purplehairedwonder]

2023 Fic Recap

This was quite a productive year for my writing! I contributed to multiple zines, continued working on my ongoing stories, and took part in several events. I wrote 157,450 words!

Here is a recap of my writing for the year:

One-Shots

One Piece

Gen Fic

"Summer Nights and Festival Lights" (PG | 1,200 words): On their trek across the North Blue, Rosinante and Law come across a town having a summer festival.

Written for the One Piece Summer Festival Zine.

"Heartfelt Welcome" (PG | 2,700 words): Jean Bart could see why the young captain was beloved by his men. He’d been on the man’s ship for less than a day and already felt a sense of loyalty toward him—and not just out of gratitude for freeing him. Yes, he was more thankful than he could ever put into words to Trafalgar Law for severing his collar, but it was the kindness and humanity he and his men had shown him since then that truly touched Jean Bart. He was quite aware of how rare such traits were among pirates.

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 1 Prompts: Jean Bart and Scars

"Heart With Its Hands Full" (PG | 2,445 words): Shachi barely had time to register the blue dome spreading over him before he found himself face-down in a pile of snow several feet from where he had just been standing. He sat up, sputtering, while Law laughed. Shachi felt his own lips turning upward as he pushed himself to his feet; he liked the sound of Law’s laugh and wanted to hear it more. He was far more familiar with the sound of Law’s whimpers and gasps from nightmares, and if it took being the butt of a joke or two to get the kid to laugh, Shachi could handle that.

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 2 Prompts: Shachi and Snow

"Restless Hearts" (PG | 2,568 words): "When I couldn’t sleep, I decided to come outside and just… see what it felt like. Being safe.”

“And? How does it feel?”

Law shook his head. “I don’t think I’m quite there yet.” He gave Penguin a wry look. “Besides, how safe can you feel when you’re on the way to take on an Emperor?”

It was not lost on Penguin, though, that Law seemed significantly less stressed on the way to Wano than he had before Punk Hazard. That, more than anything, was indicative of how Doflamingo had haunted Law. Still, Penguin hated the thought that Law, after finally putting his demons to rest, didn’t feel any measure of peace. If anyone deserved that, it was Law.

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 3 Prompts: Penguin and Submarine

"A New Heart" (PG | 2,933 words): “What’s with those looks? You think I can’t do it because I’m a girl?”

Law rolled his eyes. “I don’t give a shit that you’re a girl,” he said. “I want to know what your angle is.” There was a small twitch in the girl’s eye, and Law knew he was on the right track. “Or maybe, more accurately, what’s your price?”

She glanced between the four of them before settling her eyes on Law. “I want to come with you when you leave.” Law raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want charity or nothing. I’m the best damn mechanic on this island. I’ll be your shipwright.”

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 4 Prompts: Ikkaku and Repair

"Touch-Starved Heart" (PG | 2,464 words): Law was incredibly touch-starved. He had a limited tolerance for physical contact with other people, and he would remove himself—or someone else’s body parts—with his devil fruit if those limits were breached.

Yet the Hearts were an incredibly affectionate—and tactile—crew. Over the years, it had become something of a competition to see who could touch Law with affection the most frequently or for the longest without being dissected.

Clione first became aware of the competition about two weeks after joining the crew.

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 5 Prompts: Clione and Touch

"Home Is Where the Hearts Are" (PG | 2,011 words): Law survives Dressrosa and comes home to the Heart Pirates.

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 6 Prompt: Home

"Hearts Adrift" (PG | 3,163 words): Over the years, Law became Bepo’s compass, pointing him in the right direction. Bepo might be the navigator of the Heart Pirates, but Law was his North Star. Standing next to Law as the captain ordered the launching of the Polar Tang, watching their crewmates hustle about doing their duties to put the submarine in motion, had become home, and Bepo finally understood why Zepo had gone out to sea.

And that’s why it was so hard to watch Law’s form grow smaller and smaller as the Polar Tang sailed away from Punk Hazard. For the first time since Bepo had left Zou, he would be sailing without his trusted compass guiding him, his North Star keeping him on track.

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 7 Prompts: Bepo and Lost

"Of Hearts and Broken Trust" (PG | 2,495 words): “I know it’s been tense on here the last few days, and that’s my fault.”

“It’s not—”

“Captain—”

Law raised a hand, cutting off the protests. “I get it. I left, and no one, not even me, knew when, or if, I’d be back. I put my own personal vendetta ahead of all of you, and you have every right to be angry with me.” He looked around the room. “I broke the trust you have in me as your captain, and for that I’m sorry. What we’re going to do in Wano… it’s going to take all of us trusting each other without reservation. So, I know it’s going to take a lot of work, but I intend to earn that trust back. And to start to repair the trust I’ve broken, I have to tell you why I left.”

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 8 Prompts: Hakugan and Broken

"Heart Affords a Smile" (PG | 4,757 words): Contrary to popular belief, Trafalgar Law does smile. Sure, he’s more apt to smirk, and he doesn’t smile often or widely, but he does smile.

Or, five times Law smiled and one smile that inspired him.

Written for Heart Pirates Week 2023. Day 9 Prompts: Law and Smile

"Aftermath" (PG | 1,122 words): The aftermath of the fight at Winner Island.

"To Prove Worthy" ( PG-13 | 3,004 words): Drake met Sengoku’s gaze. “I want to become a Marine, like my father.”

“Your father, huh?” Sengoku murmured, his gaze going distant for a moment before he shook himself and focused back on Drake. “That’s a big decision to make, son, especially so soon after what you’ve experienced.”

But Drake was shaking his head before Sengoku finished speaking. “I’ve wanted this for my entire life. I’m more certain now than ever. Please, let me enlist.” Now that he’d started talking, the words wouldn’t stop tumbling out. “I know what my father was at the end, but he was once a good man. A good Marine. Let me honor that legacy.”

Or, after the events of Minion Island, a grieving Sengoku takes in the orphaned Drake.

Written for the Dark Waters One Piece Angst Zine.

"A Fall in the Woods" (PG | 1,497 words): While on their trek through the North Blue, Rosinante trips and sprains his ankle in the middle of the woods. It's a good thing he has a doctor as a companion.

Written for The Corazine.

Lawlu

"The Heart Is a Thing to Be Broken" (PG-13 | 5,514 words): The Straw Hats learn about Winner Island.

"Hold Fast to Dreams" (PG | 3,073 words): Law was nine the first time he had a dream that wasn’t his own. He was in a forest on an island he’d never seen before—the plants and trees were the wrong color for one thing—and he was running from an old man he called Gramps, only the man had looked nothing like either of Law’s grandfathers.

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 1: Soulmates.

"A Fleeting Moment (When the Sun Can Kiss the Moon)" (PG-13 | 4,356 words): Once upon a time, the Sun fell in love with the Moon.

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 2: Sun and Moon.

"The Heart Asks Pleasure - First" (PG-13 | 2,022 words): When Luffy was certain Law was looking at him, he said, “Take my heart.”

“What?” Law asked dumbly. There was no way he’d heard that correctly.

“Take my heart,” Luffy repeated, leaning forward. Though they were still a few feet apart on the balcony, Law suddenly felt like Luffy was looming over him. “And I’ll take yours.”

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 3: Promise

"Hurricane Heat in My Head" (PG-13 | 2,916 words): Five times Luffy didn't like the way someone was looking at Law and one where he did something about it.

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 4: Possessive

"Healing Hands and Healing Hearts" (PG | 1,488 words): Law might be a doctor, but Luffy, Law realized with a sudden flash of clarity, was a healer. Law had put Luffy physically back together after Marineford, but Luffy had put his own soul back together. And, two years later, he’d taken one look at Law’s pain and had extracted the poison from the wound that had been festering in Law’s soul for the last thirteen years.

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 5: Healing

"My Heart in Your Hands, My Hands around Your Heart" (PG | 1,908 words): In Luffy's lowest moment, Law takes Luffy's hand and promises that his story will not end.

In Law's lowest moment, Luffy takes Law's hand and promises the same.

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 6: Hand Holding

"Your Heart, Broken in My Chest" (PG-13 | 3,661 words): Luffy was far from an expert at having someone else’s heart in his chest, but he was pretty sure what was happening with Torao’s heart wasn’t normal.

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 8: Hurt/Comfort

"My Heart, Fragile in Your Hands" (PG-13 | 2,380 words): “I failed them,” Law whispered, and it felt like a confession—like at church in Flevance. Confession was supposed to absolve someone of their sins, right? He doubted there was a god anywhere who could absolve him of his. And yet, he confessed at the altar of Luffy. “They were my responsibility, and I failed them.”

Or, Law wakes up in the Sunny's infirmary after Winner Island.

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 9: Reunion.

"Our Hearts, Made Whole in Each Other" (PG-13 | 2,312 words): Luffy cupped Law’s cheek with his hand, softly grazing his thumb over a yellowing bruise. “Torao is so pretty,” he said quietly, a note of awe in his voice. Law flushed. “Torao’s heart is beating so fast.”

“Yeah,” Law agreed, swallowing. “It is.” Luffy’s, despite a few flutters, was beating steadily in Law’s chest. Law, on the other hand, felt pinned to the spot, one hand holding Kikoku and the other in Luffy’s grip.

“You should stay.”

Law blinked. “What?”

“You should stay,” Luffy repeated. “On the Sunny. With me."

Written for 10 Days of LawLu 2023 Day 10: Confessions.

"Amid the Falling Snow" (PG-13 | 6,672 words): During a supply stop on the way to Zou, Luffy convinces Law to join him in looking for a local legend. But when their search is interrupted by a blizzard, they're forced to ride out the storm together.

Written for Truffyfest Secret Santa 2023

Dark Rise

"Remorse Is Memory Awake" (Will/James, Sarcean/Anharion | PG-13 | 1,740 words): Sloane’s head hadn’t even hit the ground before James was dropping to a knee, Ettore’s sword slipping from his grip. He screwed his eyes shut as image after image flew across his mind’s eye, overwhelming him, entrapping him in a whirlwind of sensation, every sense assaulted at once. He threw his hands over his ears as if he could block out the sudden onslaught, but it made no difference.

He gasped as he realized what he was seeing—not images. Memories.

Anharion’s memories.

His memories.

Multichaptered (Complete)

"To Call Myself Beloved" (Lawlu | PG-13 | 13,202 words): Betrothal Chase: A longstanding courting tradition between pirates in which a pirate who wants to marry another must catch the object of their desire.

Now Pirate King, Luffy declares that his next order of business is getting Law to marry him. Law drunkenly snaps that Luffy will need to catch him first, thus unwittingly setting a Betrothal Chase in motion. While Luffy is all-in, Law is, unsurprisingly, a bit of an idiot.

Written for Truffyfest 2023

WIP

"Hearts With(out) Chains" (Dubcon Doflaw, Eventual Lawlu | PG-13 | 24/? | 3,223 words written in 2023): Law is reclaimed by the Family when he’s 17 and, with Doflamingo holding the lives of his crew as collateral for his good behavior, eventually becomes the third Corazon. Years later, trapped by his impossible situation, Law finds a strange connection to Monkey D. Luffy, which offers a glimpse of something he’s repeatedly had ripped away from him: hope.

"(I Made My Mind) A Sunless Space" (Dubcon Doflaw, Eventual Lawlu | R | 13/? | 38,080 words written in 2023): In another life, Minion Island goes a bit differently: a gravely wounded Corazon is recovered by the Marines while Law is taken back into the Family. Years later, Rosinante teams up with Monkey D. Luffy to rescue Law from the clutches of his brother and set him free for good.

"From the Ashes" (Gen | PG-13 | 3/? | 10,811 words): Blackbeard takes Law and the defeated Heart Pirates captive after their defeat at Winner Island.

"The Night Is Darkening Round Me" (Lawlu | R | 5/? | 21,728 words): After Law purchases a house sight unseen, he starts experiencing things he can't explain: footsteps when he's alone, a coffee mug falling from the middle of the counter, flickering lights with no electrical issues. He's a skeptic, but his friends convince him to call in a group of paranormal investigators: the Straw Hat Paranormal Group.

Of course, nothing is ever what it seems, and Law is haunted by more than just spirits in his new house.

[takaraphoenix]

Can I have Law for your ship game?

I am gonna assume you mean the character ask game? Since the ship ask game I'd reblogged was fandom centric and not character specific? ^^

My first impression of them: I'm sorry is that a polar bear sitting next to this guy? Tell me MORE???

When I think I truly started to like them (or dislike them, if you've sent me a character I don't like): when the three captains teamed up outside the auction house that was like "Oh HELL yeah"

A song that reminds me of them: I got nothing xD

How many people I ship them with: one, honestly, just this one, very OTP

My favorite ship of them: Luffy :3

My least favorite ship of them: Law and Robin is a thing and I don't get it

A quote of them that you remember: sorry I don't do these

Your favorite outfit of them: I MISS HIS ORIGINAL HAT!! ;-; but also Punk Hazard coat my beloved

Your least favorite outfit of them: stupid timeskip hat with the weird cap :/

Describe the character in one sentence: traumatized surgeon who gathers misfits in his crew and is weirdly obsessed with Luffy

What’s the first thing you think about when thinking about the character?: Bepo. Sorry. Just. THIS character, with everything else given his design, to get a bestie polar bear is so wild I love it

Sexuality hc!: gaaayyyy

Your favorite friendship they have: BEPO

Best storyline they had: for sure Dressrosa, the background the angst the awesome

Worst storyline they had: incapable of bad storyline sorry

A childhood headcanon: he loved his sister so much

What do you think their first word was?: no

How do you think they were as a kid? (Like, were they shy, noisy, wild, etc): a bit too serious but still so adorable

The most random ship you've seen people have with them: I just still think Robin like where what

A weird headcanon: I don't think I have a weird hc for him

When do you think they were at their happiest?: when his family and country were still alive and he was just a happy child, beloved by his parents and sister

When do you think they were at their lowest?: RIGHT after he lost everything like holy shit he was so small, and deadly sick and everyone else was dead damn I can't wait for OPLA to let me introduce him to my bestie

Future headcanon: he names his daughter after his sister

What do you think is a secret they have that they never told anyone?: I don't know

When do you think they acted the most ooc: got nothing sorry

When do you think they were being "themselves" the most?: I... don't know?

If they could meet a character from another show/movie/etc, who would be the most fun for them to meet?: I really want to say some doctor/surgeon but deadass I can not think of a single one right now

The most unnecessary thing they ever did?: his stupid ass disguises. so bad. I love him

How do you think they would be as a parent? (and if they are a parent, how do you think they would be if they weren't?): strict but loving

The funniest scene they had?: When he got carried around like a sack of potatoes by Luffy. But also when he proposed the alliance to Luffy and thought Luffy would take that as a serious actual alliance and not as a "oh we're besties now ur gonna tag along to all my bad decisions like my nakama do <3" that was so funny of him nooo

Character Ask Game

[grandlinedreams]

i’ve had a hectic week at work and your fics have been getting me through it everyday😭🙏🏻 thank you for sharing your writings!!! sending virtual hugs to you (づ￣ ³￣)づ

also random question - what would you rank your favourite law outfits? 😆 i personally always loved his cozy punk hazard look but after seeing his raid outfit in the anime??? 😍 that man just looks great in anything��👉🏻👈🏻 but i’m curious to hear your thoughts!! ☺️

Hiya papaya!! I'm glad that I can help w my writing, it's an honor!! 🥺💖 and I gladly accept virtual hugs and send some in return!!

Ooh, his raid outfit does make him look really good and I'm a big fan of the fluffy feathers bc it's very Cora-esque so that's definitely in my top 3!

Fishman Island Law!! My beloved for the bucket hat 'n the general asshole-y attitude god i love him,,,the sleeves,,,god holy shit gimme a sec

Next is absolutely the pre-raid outfit w the kimono(i say that bc it wasn't super patterned like a yukata)/haori combo mostly bc the colors are nice but it makes me also giggle bc how,,,does the haori stay on when he's fighting w Hawkins bc his arms aren't even through the sleeves??? But also i laugh bc his and the trio's all have the heart pirate insignia on them ㅡ do they just have those stored somewhere on the polar tang?

The short sleeve shirt he wore briefly post-Dressrosa was also a good one bc arm tattoos,,yum

Next would probably be what he wore for Stampede? The jacket w the fuzzy hood was also a good look and I'm not a fan of the pants bc they're like a burnt orange/sienna, but they're growing on me 😔

After that the fit for Dressrosa should be higher bc of the slap to the face it was for Doflamingo w the jacket having 'Corazon' on the back 'n everything, but every time I think of him wearing it i think abt the fact he thought sunglasses and a mustache made for a good disguise. Love him, but he's a lil dumb

And at the bottom as for what we've seen him in so far (ODA I WANT HIM IN A COOL FIT LIKE ZORO N USOPP'S EGGHEAD ONES), the outfit for film Red,,,like baby, honey, my love...the tits out is a GREAT CHOICE BUT THE SHIRT. THE. SHIRT. And the like, sweatpants-ish shorts,,,gkkgkg man looked like a walking disaster but god if i'm not so obsessed w him anyways

[itsyaboy-mars]

HAIII MOOT UM . i was curious on if you were gonna cover or reference any filler arcs or movies in the fic series, assuming they change in this continuity, or are we going by the manga timeline? either way im very excited !!!!! your writing always bangs 🧡🧡

HIII i will be so real i had not! thought about that like at all so it may be a case by case basis :3

like i love the g-8 arc (jonathan and jessica my beloved extremely obscure side characters) and think its super fun so its probably getting in there but like. the weird pet play filler right after punk hazard i Do Not want to write so i wont

i also havent seen any of the movies, so probably nothing from them unless that changes!

ur hype is always so so lovely in fact im goin to go write now 💕🏃‍♂️

[p2ii]

REITASHI PRINCESS AND KNIGHT… yessss very good…

Nami’s ever growing polycule is my favorite part of one piece. She even pulled Uta in the new colorspread. Sanji could never pull girls the way a navigator lesbian can /j

YESS and I fully believe Reiju can be such a great partner for Tashi the second she gets out of Germa. Reiju has so much amazing potential that’s forcibly hidden away… Maybe Sanji would even teach her how to cook so she can try and make meals for Tashi hehe. Reitashi could trade sword + poison knowledge… Reiju fully supportive of Tashigi’s goals and cheering her on when she fights Zoro… Reiju getting the help of the Marines, who have turned their back on Germa after WCI, in order to abolish it… eee I think Tashigi really would love having someone around who genuinely cares about and supports her. Reiju would probably be more gentle with reminders (like when Tashigi loses her glasses that she’s also wearing) and less inclined to taunt her or call her stupid for it.

IDK if you’ve noticed yet but I am very big on the Vinsmoke siblings also 😭 they do so much to my brain I hope their sperm donor dies a horrible death one day after losing everything he owns <333

luffy after that colourspread:

dude can't take it anymore after his whore brother ace </3 😔

I bet sanji too is kicking himself because his sister gets so many more bitches than him while. nami too picking up a girl every arc XD. Zoro is just proud of his rival tashigi. (mlm/wlw solidarity/hostility)

post germa reitash can be so personal actually Ur so right. they would make a killer battle couple OMG. poisons and swords.... (poison coated swords? 👀). also reiju as being so isolated and independent getting to be saved and vulnerable/cared about, and tashigi being underestimated and undermined getting to feel like she's doing something (we see with the kids at punk hazard, she's in it for the people that are helped), that she's STRONG.

also you saying that reiju would be gentle with her reminders and care did something to my brain because remembering how she's also a massive flirt (her picking tashigi's glasses of her head and onto her face, pushing the hair out of her face, listening to her ramble about sword lore asggdjdgdkbfjf ミ⁠●⁠﹏⁠☉⁠ミ ) they make me insane OMGGGG

yea lol Ur blog title is so incredibly based for that <3 I am too though not to the same extent. but I'm OBSESSED with everything wrong with them (esp 124ji, sci-fi themes and human experimentation my beloved <3. they suck ass n balls but they're also so deeply tragic in their own right) the family dynamics are insane and soso interesting. hope judge gets hit by a looney-toons esque gavel and dies yesyesyesy.

[raine-kai]

Thank you for a memory like sea breeze, luffy and jinbei are my favorite boys, have been since post war because a caught up friend chose he been offered a spot on the crew (I was offered a happy spoiler and agreed to it) having zoro who been there for everything else be the other was very sweet trying to protect the crew and let luffy Greive himself (the vice captain comment made my heart happy ♥️) glade to see you have other stories I'll check them out 😊

I'm so glad you enjoyed that fic!! I wrote it like a compulsion 😂

In the post-Marineford manga, it has always struck me how much Zoro's agony at not getting to be by Luffy's side seems to take center stage over all the others... And it's fitting, I think, in the wake of how much Zoro had taken on to keep Luffy safe--the secret as well as the pain.

Luffy was ready to die when we woke up--post-timeskip we see Luffy turn *terrifying* eyes on his enemies, but looking back now, the only moment I was truly scared pre-timeskip was the ghostly look on Luffy's face when we woke up in Law's ship. Without Jinbe there, I'm not sure he would have lived, and for that alone, I adore Jinbe so much.

As a person who has gone out of his way to make sure Luffy doesn't know how much he's sacrificed for Luffy, I do think Zoro would be able to recognize how much Luffy owes to Jinbe and Rayleigh. I don't necessarily think in canon he would talk to them about it, since Zoro and Luffy seem equally comfortable in the idea that nobody needs to talk about stuff after it's done, ever....but I think there isn't a moment in Zoro's life when he isn't aware of the magnitude of what Luffy has been through in his absence. It's so apparent in Punk Hazard, that moment when he yells at Luffy because they all got knocked out by the poison gas, that he is terrified that the crew could go through another Sabaody if Zoro and Luffy aren't in top form.

Now that they've had enough victories together for Zoro to stop being so anxious, I do wonder if he and Jinbe ever talk about it....

Which was the starting point of that fic, which then slid sideways quite a lot when I started writing and realized that from Jinbe's perspective, Ace is a huge part of the reason why he's with Luffy now. And I can never resist adding Ace angst.

I will insist to the death that nobody loved Luffy more than Ace (though I'm sure several characters would argue the point, Luffy being as widely beloved as he is), and nobody saved Ace by simply loving him and needing him more than Luffy (not to discount the value of Whitebeard and his crew on Ace learning that his own life was worth living, that he was loved and deserved to be, but I read a lot into the fact that even surrounded by his crew, when he saw Akainu go after Luffy, he forgot everything else except the need to keep Luffy safe).

All this is to say, I love these characters and the complex interwoven love and loyalty, and I had fun with that fic. :D