hello!!! I’ve never asked for a request before so this is so strange but I love your writing ❤️
I was wondering if you could write something with Zoro X Reader where the reader gets injured badly in a fight and zoro is also too injured to carry her back to the ship. So he has to entrust Sanji to carry her back for him. Maybe there is a light bit of teasing between the two men but ultimately they care about their crew mate more than petty fighting. Hope I explained that well and once again love your work.
zoro x reader
a/n: thank youuuu!! hope you'll like this eheh
words count: 2.2k
tags: hurt/comfort, sanji & zoro friendship (reluctant), established relationship, injured reader, protective zoro
masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi
The smoke clears just enough to make out the wreckage of the battlefield. Bodies lie scattered, groaning or out cold. Blood paints the ground, most of it not yours, but the gash across your side is too deep for pride, and you’re only staying upright because Zoro’s shoulder props you up.
“Shit…” you breathe, slumping “That bastard nearly cracked my spine.”
Zoro hisses through clenched teeth “You shouldn’t have taken that hit.”
You try to laugh, but it catches in your throat, half cough, half whimper “Wasn’t trying to. Thought you had my back.”
“I did have your back,” he growls, voice low “He just went through me first.”
You look up. Zoro’s bleeding from the temple, his shirt ripped, a deep fresh cut across his chest. One arm hangs limp at his side. His swords are sheathed, but his breathing’s all wrong. Shaky. Strained.
You know that look.
“Zoro… you can’t carry me.”
“I’m not leaving you here.”
“And I’m not walking. I can’t feel my legs, babe.”
His jaw tightens. You see the war happening in his head. His pride screams to fix it himself, but his body’s failing. You lean your forehead against his, voice soft.
“You gotta call someone to help.”
Zoro’s silent.
Then a voice cuts through the haze like a damn knife.
“Ohhh no. No, no, no. This is bad. This is very bad.”
Sanji.
His boots skid to a stop in the dirt, one sleeve torn, bruises darkening his jaw. He crouches beside you, worry etched across his face “Ma chérie, what the hell happened to you? You’re—you’re—”
“I’m not dying” you murmur, almost amused.
“She’s not dying,” Zoro snaps, shooting Sanji a glare “But she can’t move. I can’t carry her.”
Sanji’s brows shoot up “So you’re actually asking me for help?”
Zoro doesn’t respond. He just glares harder.
“Oh my god,” Sanji gasps theatrically, placing a hand over his heart “Roronoa Zoro, Pirate Hunter, is entrusting me with his precious, injured girlfriend. The world is ending.”
“I will end your world if you drop her.”
You groan, head lolling back “Guys. Not the time.”
Sanji immediately sobers “Right. Sorry.” He leans in, his tone gentler now “This is gonna hurt, but I’ll be careful.”
Zoro grabs his wrist before he touches you “If you get weird, even a little, I’ll know.”
Sanji rolls his eyes, but there’s a flicker of something honest under the dramatics “She’s hurt, moss-for-brains. Not my type when she’s bleeding out.”
You snort despite the pain “Wow. Thanks.”
Zoro lets go of Sanji’s wrist, reluctantly.
Sanji carefully hooks his arms under your knees and back, lifting you with surprising steadiness. You flinch, but he adjusts, murmuring apologies the entire time. You can feel Zoro’s gaze burning into the both of you.
“Hey” you whisper to Zoro, reaching your hand out.
He grabs it instantly, squeezing it tight “I’ll be right behind you.”
Sanji shifts your weight, starting toward the ship “Take your time, mosshead. Wouldn’t want you to collapse on the way and make me carry you too.”
Zoro mutters something under his breath that sounds a lot like “dead chef walking.”
But you hear it too, beneath the insults, under the tension, is trust.
And for now, that’s enough.
“Chopper!”
Sanji’s voice bounces off the twisted trees of the island interior. He cradles you tighter against his chest, eyes scanning for movement “Come on, little reindeer, now’s not the time to play scavenger.”
Zoro limps behind, every step deliberate. He’s pale under the dirt and blood, his knuckles clenched tight. He hasn’t spoken in minutes, not since you stopped answering him.
You groaned once. Then your head lolled against Sanji’s shoulder. And now nothing.
“She’s out cold,” Sanji mutters, almost to himself “Breathing’s shallow. I don’t like this.”
Zoro stops walking “Let me see her.”
Sanji glances back “We don’t have time to switch carriers, dumbass. You can barely stand.”
Zoro doesn’t budge “I said, let me see her.”
Reluctantly, Sanji kneels and shifts your weight slightly so Zoro can crouch beside him. Zoro brushes hair away from your face, his hand trembling just enough to notice.
“Hey. Y/N.” His voice is low now, barely audible “You with me?”
Your eyelids don’t flutter. Your lips are pale.
Sanji watches him, surprised at the way Zoro’s hand lingers on your cheek.
“She’s tougher than she looks,” Sanji offers gently “She’ll pull through.”
“She better,” Zoro mutters, eyes locked on your face “I didn’t fight off three of these monsters just to watch her pass out in the dirt.”
Sanji lets him have a moment before standing again “Let’s move. We’re no good to her like this.”
Zoro stands too, but he’s slower now. His entire right leg is dragging slightly.
“You’re falling apart,” Sanji notes, voice tinged with both sarcasm and concern “Need me to carry you next?”
Zoro snorts “I’d rather be buried.”
“Wouldn't be the first time I carry you... But suit yourself, marimo.”
Sanji adjusts his hold on you again, but more carefully this time. You’re burning up now, your body swinging between chills and heat.
“You’re holding her like she’s made of glass” Zoro points out.
“She is right now,” Sanji snaps “You want me to drop her?”
“You’d be dead before she hit the ground.”
“Romantic,” Sanji mutters “Just say you love her and let’s go.”
Zoro doesn’t answer. His silence says everything.
They stumble into a clearing and Sanji spots Chopper.
“Chopper!” Zoro bellows.
The doctor turns, eyes wide “What happened?! Oh no, oh no—is that blood?”
Sanji doesn’t waste time. He kneels, laying you gently on the nearest blanket “She passed out a few minutes ago. Deep gash on her side. Internal bleeding, maybe. She hasn’t opened her eyes.”
Zoro drops beside you, his whole body stiff with tension “She was conscious right after the fight. Talking. Then she just… went quiet.”
Chopper’s already on it, gloves on, stethoscope out “Stay back, both of you. Let me work.”
Sanji pulls Zoro a few steps back. They both stand in silence for a moment, watching Chopper work with rapid, practiced hands.
“She’s gonna make it,” Sanji says quietly “She has to.”
Zoro glances at him, exhausted “If she doesn’t, I’ll kill you.”
Sanji rolls his eyes “You really know how to make a guy feel comforted.”
Zoro’s lip twitches, and for a second, just a second, Sanji sees something close to gratitude behind his usual scowl.
You stir, faintly, the barest motion of fingers twitching.
Zoro immediately drops to your side “Hey. Hey, hey—look at me.”
Your lips move, dry and cracked “…Zoro?”
He exhales like he’s been holding his breath for an hour “Yeah. I’m here. You fainted like an idiot. Don’t do that again.”
Chopper’s already at your other side “She’s stable now. But she needs rest. And stitches.”
“Ugh,” you murmur “Don’t let Sanji near my stitches.”
“I would never,” Sanji huffs from behind you “Though I was tempted to draw little hearts around the bandages.”
Zoro glares “Try it. I dare you.”
You crack a weak smile “You guys are… the worst.”
But your voice is soft, and your fingers curl weakly around Zoro’s sleeve. And that’s enough to keep him from collapsing himself.
You dream in flashes. Smoke. Pain. Arms under you. A soft voice murmuring apologies. The scent of cigarette smoke and flour. Something warm against your forehead.
Then everything fades into darkness.
When you wake up, it’s to the low creak of wood, the soft hum of the Sunny rocking beneath you. The room smells like clean linen, alcohol, and the ocean. You’re warm, safe. Your side aches like hell, but your brain is clear enough now to register that you’re alive, and tucked neatly into the infirmary’s bed.
Your fingers twitch. A shadow stirs beside the bed.
Zoro.
He’s slumped in a chair, arms folded across his chest, chin dipped low like he fell asleep mid-glare. One foot taps slightly, and there’s a fresh bandage wrapped around his bicep.
You blink slowly. Then whisper, hoarse, “…Zoro?”
He snaps awake so fast the chair nearly tips backward “You’re up?”
You nod, barely. Your throat’s dry, but you manage, “Feels like I got hit by a sea train.”
“You did,” he grumbles. He leans forward, his hand gripping the edge of the mattress like if he doesn’t hold on, you might disappear “Don’t scare me like that again.”
“You were scared?”
He looks away, cheeks faintly tinged “No.”
You smile weakly.
There’s a long pause. Then you whisper, “Can you… get Sanji?”
Zoro freezes “What?”
“I wanna thank him. I just remember… being carried. He was gentle. He smelled like pastries.” You grin sleepily “Like a knight or something.”
Zoro stares at you. His eye twitches “A knight.”
“Mmhmm. My… chevalier in shining apron.”
“Oh, hell no.”
You giggle weakly, and he scowls even harder.
Zoro mutters something about “damn curly-brow” and “should’ve let me carry her and pass out instead” but he gets up anyway, muttering all the way to the door. He yanks it open and yells down the hall:
“HEY, LOVE-COOK! YOUR DAMN PRINCESS WOKE UP AND WANTS HER SHINING FRENCH-FRIED KNIGHT!”
You wheeze a laugh and immediately regret it as pain lances up your side.
“Ugh—ow. Ow. Okay. Worth it.”
Zoro glares at you “Not funny.”
You grin “A little funny.”
Moments later, Sanji slides into the room with a flourish, one hand to his heart, the other holding a steaming mug of tea.
“Ma belle, you called for your humble rescuer?”
Zoro groans “Kill me.”
Sanji kneels beside your bed dramatically “I brought tea, special blend for pain and recovery. Also, you’re glowing even with dried blood and stitches. How do you do it?”
You take the tea, sipping carefully “Thanks, Sanji. Seriously. I don’t remember much, but I remember you carrying me. You felt safe.”
Sanji softens instantly, all flair dropping “Any time. You’re our crewmate, our family. I’d carry you through a burning building if I had to.”
Zoro mumbles, “Burning kitchen, maybe. Not a building.”
Sanji ignores him.
“Still,” you murmur, “you were… really sweet. Thank you.”
Zoro groans louder “That’s it. I’m throwing myself overboard.”
Sanji smirks “What’s the matter, mosshead? Jealous?”
Zoro doesn’t answer. He just sits back down and crosses his arms, glowering at the wall like it insulted him.
You reach out with a small smile, grabbing his hand. He looks over, still sulking, but your fingers tug his down.
You mouth, thank you.
He doesn’t smile, but his thumb brushes across your knuckles. Just once.
Sanji rises “Alright. I’ll let you two lovebirds bicker in peace. But next time she needs rescuing, I’m bringing rose petals.”
“I’ll bring my swords.”
“Romantic!”
The door clicks shut behind Sanji.
Zoro sighs, muttering, “Chevalier my ass…”
You smile and lean back “You’re still my favorite swordsman.”
He grunts. But his hand never leaves yours.
You watch him in silence until he speaks.
“Still thinking about your chevalier?”
You smile faintly “Still sulking about it?”
He glances at you “I’m not sulking.”
“You’re absolutely sulking.”
He scowls “I just don’t like the way you looked at him in his arms.”
“I was out of it. I don’t even remember much. But something about the way he held me felt safe. And soft. And dumb, and warm. I was so out of it that at some point I even thought for sure it was you.” You smirk “Turns out it was the one who wears suits to jungle battles.”
Zoro huffs “You’re comparing me to that frilly cook?”
You nod slowly, eyes closing for a moment “Mhm.”
Zoro grunts “Tch. Dumb.”
But then he leans forward, and you feel his callused hand brush your arm, slow and deliberate. His voice softens, just a little.
“You scared me, you know.”
You open your eyes again “Yeah?”
“You dropped so fast. One minute, you were teasing me. Next… nothing. Just a dead weight in curly-brow’s arms. I couldn’t do a damn thing.”
His hand closes around yours. Not possessive, just grounded. Steady.
“I thought maybe I’d lost you.”
You shift your fingers to lace with his “You didn’t.”
“I almost did.”
“But you didn’t...” you repeat gently, tugging his hand until he leans a little closer “You were there. Even if you couldn’t carry me, you stayed. That means more to me than anything.”
Zoro stares at you, unreadable. Then, slowly, he leans in and presses his forehead to yours.
For a long, quiet moment, you just breathe each other in.
No bravado. No teasing. Just warmth. Just him.
Eventually, you murmur, “You know… I might ask Sanji to carry me again.”
Zoro pulls back with a look.
You smir “Kidding.”
Zoro shakes his head, standing up with a low groan, but he doesn’t let go of your hand.
“You’re lucky you’re injured,” he mutters “Or I’d drop-kick you off the deck.”
“Romantic” you whisper.
He smirks, just slightly.
Zoro pulls the chair closer to your bedside, sits again, and this time, he doesn’t fold his arms or pretend he’s not watching you sleep.
When your eyes finally drift closed, his hand is still wrapped around yours. Firm. Protective. Unmoving.
Sanji might have carried you.
But Zoro never let go.
mon ster trio ~ !! kissing their scars.
warnings: a bit suggestive on zoro's.
masterlist and rules || have fun reading!
Monkey D. Luffy
He was lying on the deck.
Arms behind his head,
His shirt hiked up just enough to reveal the x-shaped scar on his chest.
You sat beside him,
Watching the way the sun caught his skin.
Without a word,
You leaned down and placed a soft kiss right on the center of the scar.
Luffy blinked.
“Huh? What was that for?”
You smiled.
“For being strong.”
He stared for a second…
Then grinned that big goofy smile.
“I didn’t even feel it! Do it again!”
You rolled your eyes and kissed it once more.
Just to see him laugh.
“Does it heal faster with kisses?”
he asked,
Clearly considering the science.
You giggled.
“Maybe.”
“Well then—”
He flopped dramatically onto your lap.
“Kiss the rest of me too! Just in case!”
Roronoa Zoro
He had his shirt off after training.
Sweat clinging to his body,
Swords resting by the wall.
You stepped behind him,
Fingers ghosting over the long scar down his chest.
Zoro flinched.
Not from pain,
But from surprise.
“…What are you doing?”
You didn’t answer.
Instead,
You leaned in and kissed the base of the scar.
Your lips lingering softly.
He tensed,
Silent.
Then..
“…That’s not gonna help me train, you know.”
You smirked.
“It’s not for training.”
When you kissed higher along the scar.
He caught your wrist gently.
“You’re gonna make me forget what I was doing.”
His voice was low and rough.
But he wasn't stopping you.
You kissed once more,
Mear his collarbone.
“…Too late,”
He muttered.
Vinsmoke Sanji
He was rolling his sleeves up,
Forearms bare,
Cigarette resting between his lips.
Your eyes fell on the old burn scars near his hands.
The ones he never talked about.
“Sanji?”
“Hm?”
Before he could react,
You brought one of his hands up and pressed a soft kiss to the scar.
Then another.
And another.
He froze.
The cigarette dropped.
“Mon dieu…”
You looked up,
Worried for a second.
“Too much?”
He cupped your face with his free hand,
Eyes a little glassy.
“No one’s ever… done that.”
You kissed the scar again gently.
“You deserve it.”
Sanji didn’t say anything.
He just pulled you in close.
And held you against his chest for a long, quiet moment.
And yes, his hands trembled just a little.
facial feature headcanons part 5: usopp!
We’re doomed oh I mean good morning. I guess
BE QUIET BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
wait i updated it lmao sorry
Franky grabbing Robin in the middle of the battle and kissing her
Robin pulling back smiling "Franky. This is hardly the time t-"
Franky grinning with confidence "What can I say? When I see something worth fighting for, I go all in."
Robin raising an eyebrow "And here I thought you were all about the explosions."
Franky smirked"Well, you’re an explosion I’m happy to get caught in."
……..the facial hair is growing on me.
Shirtless version on Patreon 🫠
law x fem!reader
you’re a psychologist who can spot any lie and that makes law keep his distance, afraid you’ll see how he truly feels. but when a mission forces you to pose as his lover, the lines between act and reality blur fast.
a/n: this was a request but since it's really long I summarized it
words count: 3.9k
tags: slow burn, mutual pining, undercover couple, spicy but not smut, fluff, tension, crewmates being chaotic
masterlist || ao3 || ko-fi
“You want me to do what?”
Your voice slices through the meeting room of the Polar Tang like a dagger, sharp, pointed, and just a little amused.
Penguin holds up his hands, grinning like he’s already imagined you and Law making out in a booth “Not my idea! Bepo came up with it.”
Bepo, ever innocent, blinks “It’s logical. Varrick lies constantly. You can tell when people lie. Captain’s the one meeting him. It’s simple.”
You stare “You want us to act like a couple.”
“Just for the night!” Shachi chimes in from where he’s stuffing chips in his mouth “The place is a casino-slash-brothel. No one goes in there looking like a business partner. You show up all cold and stiff, he’ll know something’s up.”
Law hasn’t said a word.
He sits at the head of the table, arms folded, expression blank. But you know that face. He’s thinking. Calculating. Fighting something.
Then, flatly “Fine.”
You blink “Fine?”
“You’ll have to stay close,” Law adds, eyes flicking to yours “I can’t talk in code around Varrick, and I doubt we’ll get a second chance if he feels like we’re onto him.”
“So, what, I sit on your lap and play with your hair while you ask about Navy routes?” you ask, raising an eyebrow.
Penguin snorts soda through his nose.
Law doesn’t miss a beat “If it gets us the truth.”
You swallow hard. Because that should not have sounded that smooth.
Later, in your room, you stand in front of the mirror, pulling on the final piece of your dress, a deep red number that hugs your waist and legs and dips dangerously low down your back. You smooth it down, checking the slit up your thigh, the way the silk shimmers under the ship lights.
“You don’t have to look like a goddess,” you mutter to your reflection “You just need to catch a liar.”
But damn it, the dress works. And the second you step into the hallway, you hear Shachi’s voice echo from down the corridor “Caaaptaaaain!”
You freeze.
“Don’t be mad when she looks hotter than you, bro!” Penguin adds, loud enough that it bounces off the steel walls.
“Stop yelling” Law says from somewhere out of sight. His voice is tense.
You round the corner and stop dead.
Oh no.
Law... Law is in a black suit, crisp and clean, no tie, the top buttons of his shirt undone. His hair’s slicked back just enough to make your throat go dry. Tattoos peek out at the edge of his collar. He’s leaning against the wall, looking at his den-den mushi, but when he looks up and sees you his fingers still. His eyes trail down, slow. Too slow.
You hear Shachi whisper “damn” under his breath and fist bump Penguin like they just won a bet.
Law clears his throat “You’re… ready.”
You tilt your head, smirking “You look nice too. Didn’t know you owned a suit.”
“It was a gift” he mutters.
You take a step forward “From who? Someone who wanted to see you flustered?”
His jaw ticks “I’m not flustered.”
You do notice the slight red creeping up the back of his neck. Just a little. Enough.
Before either of you can pretend to be normal, the rest of the crew crowds the hallway behind you.
Bepo holds up a little camera “Say cheese.”
“We’re not taking pictures” Law snaps.
“Oh come on,” Penguin grins “Look at you two!”
“You’re never letting this go, are you?” you ask, eyes narrowing.
“Nope.”
Shachi elbows Bepo “Ten bucks says they come back married.”
Bepo nods solemnly “I’ll take that bet.”
Law groans and starts walking past them, ignoring the chaos.
You trail after him, heels clicking on the metal. As you pass the guys, you whisper, “Try not to blow our cover.”
Penguin winks “Go get that intel... and maybe some action.”
You don’t answer but your cheeks are hotter than they should be.
And the second Law opens the hatch to the upper deck, the cold sea air hits you and so does the reality of the night ahead.
The casino is loud. Velvet-lined walls drown out the outside world, while gold lights glint off dice and crystal glasses. Somewhere near the back, a piano plays slow jazz. It’s all soft temptation and sharpened edges.
You walk in beside Law, his arm around your waist. His fingers rest against the small of your back like they belong there, not too tight, not too loose. Just… there.
You can feel the heat of his palm through the silk of your dress. You can feel everything.
Stay focused.
Varrick is waiting in a private corner booth, exactly where intel said he’d be. He’s slouched in the plush seat like he owns the place, surrounded by too many drinks and not enough class. Rings clink against his glass as he lifts it.
“Trafalgar Law!” he says, standing with a grin too wide to be real “Wasn’t expecting you to bring arm candy.”
Law’s arm tightens around you. Not protectively. Possessively.
“She’s more than that,” he says, calm as ever “But she doesn’t like to talk much.”
You smile politely at Varrick, then glance at Law from the corner of your eye.
Smart. That gives you the freedom to observe.
You slide into the booth beside Law, close, but with just enough space between you to keep your focus.
Varrick leans forward “So, you wanted info on that Navy ship?”
Law nods “I heard it was seen heading east out of Ivona Port last week.”
Varrick shrugs, swirling his drink lazily “Could be. Could be west. Hard to say.”
You place your hand lightly on Law’s thigh. Barely a touch. Just enough.
Lie.
Law’s eyes don’t move. His posture doesn’t change. But his fingers tap against the glass in front of him once, acknowledging you.
Varrick chuckles “You know, these Navy guys come and go. They don’t tell me everything.”
Your fingers slide up, brushing over the inside of Law’s wrist as you reach for your own drink.
Another lie.
Law hums “Then tell me what you do know.”
“I know they’re not looking for pirates right now,” Varrick says “Some big job further north. Something to do with weapons.”
Your nails gently press into the back of Law’s hand, slow and deliberate.
Lie.
You feel him tense slightly. Like he’s thinking.
“Do you want something in return for this info?” Law asks coolly.
Varrick grins “Only a little favor later. Nothing serious.”
Even now he's lying.
This time you run your fingers slowly down Law’s forearm, letting your touch linger like a lover’s caress. But it’s all code. All signal.
Law shifts beside you. To anyone watching, it just looks like he’s turning toward you, lips brushing close to your ear.
“You’re sure?” he murmurs.
You nod “Three lies so far.”
“Mm.”
Varrick raises a brow “You two are cute, y’know that? Real cozy. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re actually into each other.”
Law leans in, his lips grazing the edge of your cheek as he speaks “We are.”
Your heart skips.
You almost miss the way Varrick’s mouth twitches at that. A little wrinkle in the corner of his eyes. Something flickers. Jealousy?
“Lucky guy then...” Varrick mutters.
Law’s arm moves from your waist to your lower back, pulling you closer. Not fake this time. Not calculated. His hand is warm, firm, fingers curling possessively.
You’re practically in his lap now.
You keep your eyes on Varrick “So what’s the Navy doing near Blue Rock Island?”
He flinches.
Small. Quick. But you see it.
You drag your hand up Law’s chest like you’re playing with his shirt but your fingers dig in slightly at his collarbone.
That’s the truth. That’s the target.
Law tilts his head slightly, voice low and smooth “Blue Rock, huh?”
Varrick blinks, caught off guard.
You glance at Law just for a second and see it.
His eyes are calm. But his pulse at his neck is faster now. You shouldn’t be this close. He shouldn’t be looking at you like that. You’re supposed to be watching the informant, but now you’re catching the way Law’s lips part ever so slightly when you shift in his lap. The way his breath hitches.
He’s too good at hiding. You never have a baseline for him and suddenly, you realize you do now. You’ve been close enough tonight to read him. Feel him.
So when his ears turn red the moment Varrick leaves the table you finally know what his tell is.
“You’re enjoying this” Law mutters as Varrick disappears into the crowd.
You swirl the last sip of wine in your glass “Enjoying not getting stabbed in a double-cross? Sure.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
You turn your head slowly toward him, lashes low, a smirk threatening at the corner of your mouth “No? Then clarify, Captain.”
His jaw clenches.
You lean in “Or are you upset I figured out your tell?”
Silence.
Got him.
He doesn’t move. Doesn’t look at you. Just sips from his glass like he’s trying not to set it down too hard. You watch his throat bob, slow and tight. He’s flustered. Controlled but clearly struggling to keep that control.
Which is dangerous and tempting.
You reach out, brush something “imaginary” from his collar, letting your fingers drag across the base of his throat. He stiffens just slightly, and you swear under that cool expression, his eyes darken.
“I’m not ready to leave” you say casually, turning away to scan the floor “We did the job. Got the truth. Maybe we deserve a little fun.”
Law doesn’t argue. That alone is suspicious.
So you both stay. You drink. You people-watch. You flirt, just enough to be part of the act. And he plays along, letting his hand rest low on your back, murmuring sarcastic commentary about the drunk nobles and sleazy gamblers, voice low and rough in your ear.
But then Varrick returns.
You’re seated now in a more open lounge, a couch near the roulette tables. Varrick walks up with a drink and a too-easy smile.
“Forgot one little detail,” he says, tone casual “Seems like the Navy isn’t after pirates right now because they’re meeting with one. Some kind of alliance. Dunno who.”
Lie.
You shift against Law and drag your fingers along his inner thigh, too slow to be innocent.
Varrick talks more, and you let your hands wander. One arm over Law’s shoulder, the other toying with the fabric of his jacket. A fingertip gliding along the inked edge of his collarbone. Every time Varrick lies, you punish Law with a new touch.
You want to see how much he can take.
When you trail your hand up to the side of his neck and run your thumb along his jaw, you feel it. That little twitch. A shiver. His hand slides up your waist and grips tight, like a warning.
You lean in, lips brushing his ear.
“He’s lying again.”
Your voice is barely above a breath.
“And you’re pushing it” Law growls, so low only you can hear.
But you just smile and press a kiss to his cheek, slow and lingering “Don’t lose your composure, Captain. Someone might think you’re affected.”
Varrick finally gets bored and excuses himself, clearly thinking he’s dropped enough bait.
The second he’s out of sight, Law stands.
“You come with me. Now.”
You blink “Excuse me?”
He doesn’t even look back. Just starts walking toward the upstairs hall of the casino. Like he already knows you’ll follow.
Which… you do.
Up the stairs, past the velvet curtain, through the dim corridor lined with private doors. He finds an empty suite with a key card left in the slot—probably reserved for VIPs or those with a winning streak.
He opens it.
You step inside, the door clicking shut behind you.
And then he pins you to the wall. Hands at your side, like blocking you. Eyes burning.
“You’re playing a dangerous game,” he says, voice rough “Do you even know what you’re doing?”
You pretend to think “Touching my captain in public? Flirting with a man who’s obviously holding back? Yeah. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
His gaze flickers from your lips to your eyes and back again. His breath is hot against your face.
“Tell me if you want to stop.”
You grab his lapel and pull him down.
“I’ll tell you if you lie.”
For a few long seconds, Law doesn’t move.
His fingers flex on your hips, like he’s debating whether to pull you in or push you away. His eyes are on yours, unreadable to anyone else but you can see it now. The cracks in that cold, calculated shell. The tension. The restraint.
You’ve spent months trying to get a baseline on him. To decode his behavior. Now? You are the baseline.
And he’s struggling.
“I should let you go” he mutters, voice low, more to himself than to you.
“But you won’t” you whisper back.
His eyes drop to your lips “No.”
He steps closer. Your back is fully against the wall now, your breath tangled with his. You tilt your chin up, almost daring him.
“What’s holding you back?” you ask.
His mouth twitches “You.”
A beat.
Then “You’re too good at reading people.”
You grin “So are you.”
His hand slips to the back of your thigh, just under the slit of your dress. Not high, but enough to make your pulse skip “You’ve been testing me all night.”
“Guilty.”
“You think it’s funny watching me lose control?”
“I think it’s hot.”
That does it.
He lets out a quiet, sharp breath, like he’s just given up fighting gravity, and leans in until your foreheads are pressed together. His hand stays on your thigh. His other lands on the wall beside your head.
You whisper, “You’re not usually like this.”
“No,” he says “You bring it out.”
You stay like that for a moment, so close, heat radiating between you, neither of you quite touching where it counts. The tension is unbearable in the best way. It’s not just attraction. It’s months of silence, near-misses, unsaid things finally rising to the surface.
Law is still Law, he's collected and composed, but now you know what it costs him. You feel the restraint humming under his skin like electricity.
You reach up and slide your fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. He shivers.
“Stay” he says. It’s not a command. It’s almost… a request.
You nod, slow “I’m not going anywhere.”
He finally steps back, not far, just enough to breathe, and moves to the bed. Sits on the edge, running a hand over his face like he’s trying to reset.
You take the moment to look around. The room is warm-toned, elegant. One massive bed in the center. Silk sheets. Balcony window cracked open to let in the sound of crashing waves and soft jazz from below.
You sit beside him, gently bumping his shoulder “So. What now?”
Law doesn’t look at you “Now, we sleep.”
You raise an eyebrow “You’re going to act like none of that happened?”
“I didn’t say that” he replies, voice quiet.
He leans back, hands braced behind him, eyes finally meeting yours “I’m saying we don’t have to rush it.”
Your heart stutters.
He adds, almost awkwardly, “This isn’t just the mission. Not for me.”
You don’t tease him this time. Instead, you smile, warm and soft.
“Not for me either.”
He pulls off his jacket, tosses it over the chair. Starts unbuttoning his cuffs. You stand and go to the bathroom to remove your heels and freshen up, giving him space, and maybe yourself a moment to breathe.
When you come back, Law’s already under the covers, shirt slightly open, tattooed chest half-visible in the low light. He’s facing the wall.
But when you slip in beside him, he immediately turns over and pulls you in, an arm draped over your waist, forehead pressing into your shoulder like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
The room is quiet now.
The casino noise is a distant hum through the balcony window, soft music, muffled laughter, the whirl of spinning wheels and shuffled cards. But inside, it’s just the sound of two hearts beating faster than they should.
You’re lying on your side, Law behind you, one arm slung around your waist like it belongs there. His hand rests just beneath your ribs, warm and heavy. Not demanding. Just… steady.
The silence stretches. Not awkward, but charged. Comfortable, yet not quite safe.
Your voice cuts through it, soft and curious.
“If we’re just gonna sleep… then why here? Why not go back to the ship?”
You feel him pause behind you. Not tense but thoughtful.
He exhales through his nose “Because.”
“Because?”
His voice drops, rough like he hasn’t decided if he wants to answer honestly “Because if I took you back to the ship, I wouldn’t be able to do this.”
He shifts slowly and pulls you in tighter, chest pressed to your back now. His nose brushes your neck, and his breath sends a shiver down your spine.
You barely manage a whisper “This?”
He hums “Stay close. Let myself… feel something.”
You blink. That wasn’t what you expected.
He continues, quietly “On the ship, I’m your captain. In control. Always thinking. Always five steps ahead.”
You glance over your shoulder, catching the faintest edge of vulnerability in his eyes.
“And here?” you ask.
“Here,” he says, “I get to be a man lying next to someone who makes him forget all of that.”
You don’t answer for a moment.
Then, deliberately, you reach back and trail your fingers down his forearm, slow and gentle.
“Good,” you whisper “Because I like this version of you.”
You feel his smile against your skin.
He doesn’t say anything else. Just tucks his face into your neck like he’s finally allowing himself to breathe.
You shift slightly.
Not much. Just enough to test the space between you.
He doesn’t stop you.
So you turn.
You roll slowly to face him, your knees brushing his under the covers, your chest barely touching his. The low golden light from the hallway filters in through the crack under the door, just enough to catch the edge of his face, his jaw, his eyes, that small crease between his brows.
He’s watching you. Carefully. Quietly.
You speak, low and honest “You’re not the only one who forgets how to breathe around the other.”
His expression flickers. Just a second. But enough for you to see hope, doubt, desire. Then gone again.
You lift your hand to his cheek, gentle.
Then he kisses you.
Hard.
There’s nothing hesitant in it. No more caution, no more reading cues, no more pretend. Just heat, and months of tension finally snapping. His hand slides to the back of your neck, pulling you in deeper.
You kiss him back with everything you’ve been holding in.
Your hands move instinctively, one gripping his shirt, the other slipping around his waist. He shifts, pressing you into the mattress, his knee between yours, his breath shaky against your lips.
When he finally pulls back, just an inch, his forehead rests against yours. Both of you breathing like you’ve just surfaced from underwater.
You whisper, “That didn’t feel like something we’ll forget in the morning.”
Law shakes his head slightly, lips brushing yours.
“It’s not.”
Another beat.
Then you add, teasing, “So much for just sleeping.”
His mouth curves into a tired smile, eyes half-lidded “You started it.”
You laugh soft and warm and tangled in sheets and tension.
And when he pulls you close again, one hand splayed across your lower back, your smile fades into something quieter. Something real.
Because this time, neither of you is pretending.
The next morning, the sun isn’t even fully up when you and Law leave the casino.
No one says anything at first. You walk side by side, close enough that your arms keep brushing, but not close enough to make it obvious.
At least, that’s what you tell yourself.
But the second the Polar Tang comes into view, the nerves hit you like a cannonball.
You’re holding your heels in one hand, the other arm looped awkwardly around your waist to keep Law’s massive coat closed over your dress. Your own shoes were giving you blisters, so somewhere between the casino lobby and the harbor, Law, annoyed and muttering, slipped out of his and made you wear them.
Now here you are, flopping around the deck in his too-big shoes while he walks beside you in his socks, lipstick faintly smudged across the corner of his jaw.
You don’t look at each other. You cannot look at each other.
And then just as your foot slips slightly in one of his clunky boots “Well, well, well… Look who finally decided to come back.”
Shachi.
Leaning on the railing with a bowl of cereal and way too much smugness for six in the morning.
You freeze.
Penguin appears from the stairwell, blinking at you both. His gaze travels from your tousled hair to your crooked dress zipper, to Law’s missing shoes, to your very obvious lipstick on his jaw.
He lets out a slow, exaggerated whistle.
“That,” he says, pointing his spoon between the two of you, “was not part of the mission.”
Law doesn’t even flinch. Just keeps walking, face unreadable except for the ears burning red.
You try to look casual. Like you didn’t just sneak off a casino floor at sunrise “We, uh... we stayed for surveillance reasons.”
Penguin snorts “Yeah, I bet you were surveilling something.”
You shoot him a glare, still wearing Law’s boots “My heel broke.”
“Sure it did. And your lipstick broke too? All over the captain’s face?”
You reach up automatically to touch your lips, and groan when you realize he’s right.
Law growls under his breath “Enough.”
But Shachi’s having too much fun “Man, I thought you’d at least try to sneak back on like it didn’t happen. This is so much better.”
“Do you want to swim today, Shachi?” Law deadpans.
Bepo pops his head out of the hallway “Did you two share a bed? Was it part of the act or did something actually happen? Because you both look like—”
“Bepo.” Law cuts him off like a gunshot.
You turn to face Law, trying so hard not to laugh because the man looks like he wants to teleport to another planet. His hair’s still a little messy. His collar’s open. And he’s got the exact same expression he had when you kissed him: that barely-holding-it-together calm that only you can see cracking.
You mutter under your breath, “We should’ve never come back.”
Law nods “Agreed.”
Then, just when you’re about to make a break for your quarters, Law stops and turns.
He grabs your hand.
The crew goes dead silent.
He lifts your fingers to his lips in one smooth motion. Kisses them.
Soft. Deliberate.
Then walks off with all the calm dignity of a man in socks who’s still the most dangerous person in the room.
Your brain short-circuits. The crew loses their minds.
Penguin lets out a strangled “WHAT—”
Shachi screams “HE’S IN LOVE!!!”
And you’re just standing there, one hand in the air, heart about to burst out of your chest.
You finally bolt down the hallway toward your room, calling back “I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS!!”
Bepo shouts after you, “CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR EMOTIONAL MATURITY!”
You slam your door shut, cheeks on fire, heart racing, and a stupid smile you can’t shake no matter how hard you try.