Computer Crashed So Have This Platter Of Old Toshinori Cringe

𝕕𝕒𝕪𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜.

summary: lazy. morning. sex. pairing: zoro x afab!reader cw: mdni, established relationship, creampie, cockwarming an: wrote this after a concert, while hella drunk. might have to proofread 🫡 i am putty in this man's hands wc: ~1.5k

the observation deck is quiet, almost still except for the occasional sway from the crashing of waves against the hull of the ship. it’s the only place where the two of you got a slice of privacy, so for now, the wooden floors would do.

zoro lays out on his back, one of his arms resting behind his head while the other curled around your sleeping form. your back was pressed to his side, the muscle of his bicep acting as the perfect pillow for you to rest on.

the sun had yet to rise, the sky painted in hues of purple and blue. in time, daybreak would be upon you. for now you eagerly relished in the warmth zoro had to offer you.

the swordsman’s steady inhales are interrupted by a hitched breath, followed by a tired groan. he tugs you closer, a rasped exhale rattling in his chest as he did so.

his tongue swipes across his lower lip before he swallows and lets out a sigh.

slowly, he turns over. you can feel his weight roll over onto your back and you let out a small whine in protest. it doesn't take much to pin you to the wooden floor. he’s all consuming and captivating. even when he’s drowsy and half asleep, he somehow manages to remind you that he’s capable of decimating entire empires.

the next thing you register is the feel of his teeth against the nape of your neck. with a subtle undulation of his hips against your ass, you can tell what he’s in the mood for.

a shiver runs down your spine, your back arching slightly. “zo’…” you whimper, eyelids still heavy with tiredness. “thought you were gonna train.”

he grumbles a curse against your flesh, his hips slowly grinding against the curve of your rear. his breaths are heavy, the scent of sake lingering from the night before. while he loves how adamant you are on making sure he stayed sharp and disciplined, he finds that your words do little to change his mind.

“s’just a warm up.” his tongue licks at the sensitive flesh of your neck, his lips sucking light marks into your skin. he emphasizes his point by grinding against you a little harder, his already hard cock rubbing against your ass with a delicious friction.

he knows you won’t deny him. it’s not like he’d ever deny you, either.

your twitching muscles and hushed gasps only spur him on. he slides a hand under your shirt, groping at your tits before rolling a hardening nipple between his fingers.

the action has your back arching, pressing your ass to his clothed cock in a desperate attempt to find reprieve.

with a kiss to your shoulder, he lifts himself off of your vulnerable form and kneels behind you.

his calloused hands gently tug down your pajamas and panties, tossing them to some random corner of the room. he takes a moment to rub his palms up and down your thighs, squeezing and kneading at the softness.

all he needs to do is feel.

one of his hands guides your leg outward, hiking it up into a nice ninety degree angle which opens you up for him perfectly. your other leg remains straightened out, flat against the wooden floor. he slides his hand upwards, grazing the skin of your inner thigh and letting out a satisfied grunt once his fingers make contact with your soaked cunt.

he tugs down his sweatpants and boxers, just enough to let his cock loose. a few solid strokes to relieve the tension is all he needs, before he guides the head of his arousal right to your entrance. his hand guides his cock up and down your slit, coating it in your wetness before rolling his hips forward.

he shudders, he always does, when he enters you.

it’s like his body isn’t used to experiencing such pleasure. he’ll never fully get used to it. he’ll never get used to feeling so damn good.

the moan you let out might as well have been a sigh. it’s so light, nearly breathless, and your head spins.

he buries his head into your back, suppressing a guttural growl. his hair feels soft against your skin, both of you coated in a light sheen of sweat.

“fuuuuuuck.” he gives a few lazy strokes, his cock twitching at the warmth of your cunt. it hugs him in a velvety embrace, soft and spongy walls seeming to pull him deeper and deeper. “i swear this pussy was made f’me.”

beneath him, you mewl. your eyes screw shut, his hips rocking into yours with purpose and passion. he puts his whole weight behind his thrusts, the floor creaking with every movement. it's almost overwhelming.

his face buries into the crook of your neck, where he kisses and licks and nips at your flesh like a beast in heat.

cheek pressed to the floor, you can’t focus on anything other than the feel of his cock splitting you open. you’d beg him over and over again to wreck you. he'd do it without hesitation.

for a few moments, the room fills with echoes of soft, wet slaps, sharp gasps and restrained groans. it's an exchange that goes beyond words. daybreak brings with it a surge of emotion, beams of sunlight exposing the emotions usually tucked away in the shadows.

his breath hitches, jaw going slack as pleasure begins to claw its way up to his chest. “play with yourself, doll.” he growls, burying his face into your hair. he breathes in the scent of your sweat and natural fragrance, wanting each and every one of his senses to be attuned to you.

wordlessly, you obey. using almost all your might, you push back against him just enough to wedge a hand down to your puffy clit. your knuckles graze uncomfortably against the rough floor, but that doesn’t stop you from rubbing small, fast circles against your sensitive bud.

a lazy smirk makes it’s way onto his face when he feels you start to tighten around his thick cock. it feels so damn good, his hips picking up their pace. his heart is pounding in anticipation, knowing that he’d spill the sloppiest load of cum right into your aching pussy.

it's all for him.

just for him.

the groan he lets out against the back of your head is shaky, the rough timbre of it reverberating down his chest. he lowers his head a fraction, until his lips just barely grazed your ear. “y’gonna take it all?”

your mouth falls open, a whirlwind of pleasure blooming in your navel and spreading to every inch of your body. “uh huh!” you pant, brows furrowing as you maintained a steady pace on your clit. “all of it, zo’!”

he grunts in satisfaction, one of his hands gripping onto your hip to keep you in place while he continued to plow into you. "atta girl." his breaths become heavy and ragged, spine curling in a way that allowed his hips to hammer into yours at a deeper angle. "fuckin' take it, babe."

you burst, the coil finally snapping.

a deep moan tears it’s way out of your throat, your cheeks burning with satisfaction and an immeasurable amount of lust towards the demon above you.

your walls flutter and squeeze his cock, each nerve in your body overwhelmed and alight with pleasure. the scent of steel and sake fill your senses, along with the smell of sex. everything is hot and raw, desire presenting itself in its most primitive form.

he follows suit, his whole body seeming to vibrate in total bliss. his cum gets pumped into your womb, cock dragging against your pulsating walls with great fervor. his teeth find purchase on the skin of your shoulder, canines digging into the soft flesh to keep you from squirming.

his thrusts start to even out, his tempo slowing as he rides out his orgasm. his cum coats the inner walls of your cunt, once again claiming you as his and his alone. being dominated by him never failed to make your stomach flip.

he relaxes against you, a low groan tumbling past his chapped lips. not bothering to hold himself above you, he allows his body to rest against yours. his strong chest presses into your back, his breaths heavy against your skin.

a smile graces your features, the full weight of his body serving well to secure you to the present moment. once your wits come crawling back into your head, you let out a sigh and shrug your shoulders.

“okay, zo’, you should get to it.” you hum, chest swirling with delight.

when you try to sit up, you find that you’re anchored to the floor. your brows furrow and your eyes hesitantly open, the rising sun pouring light into the observation room.

“zo’?” you call again, tone a bit more serious. “zoro?”

above you, cock still stuffed into your cunt, the swordsman’s back rises and falls in a steady rhythm. his muscles are pliant, buzzing with lingering bits of ecstasy.

the sound of his soft snores ring in your ears and you huff slightly as you attempt to get his weight off of you.

deciding that it was futile, you simply succumb to him as you always do. his strong heartbeat against your back acted as a grounding force, each thump lulling you further and further into a deep slumber.

in his sleep, he nuzzles his face into the smooth skin of your back and, ever so slightly, the corner of his lips quirk up into a lazy smile.

fuck. he loved mornings with you.

@eelnoiz this is the blurb turned fic i was talkin' about!!

When you kiss them in places they don't expect

Didja miss me? Hehe, yeah a lot of things happened emotionally and otherwise. Enjoy! And seriously. Give me more requests. I love those.

Crocodile

The man is private for goodness sake. Why would you kiss him in public unless it's warranted? Because you damn well love him too fucking much that's why. How can you not want to kiss him when he looks so beautiful to you? If you could you would compose poems, carve his face into marbles, paint him in likeness even when no one else will buy or care about them and because you couldn't care less. You love him after all. Even if he has his own rules of what to and not to do in public or in certain spaces, you'd happily follow them regardless. Anything as long as you could stay next to him after all. Anything in the four seas if it means staying in a relationship with him.

But, there are times where you bite your lip and have to stop from actually drowning the poor man in kisses. This is one of them, where he's walking with you and he's kneeling down letting a tiny puppy lick his fingers as he scratches it's belly. Seas, you shouldn't. You shouldn't. Don't focus on how cute he looks, don't focus on how adorable this is, don't-

"Aren't you a cute thing?" He coos and fuck it.

When he looks at you, you press a kiss to his lips. Out in public. Hands cupping his face. He pauses, then raises an eyebrow at you, a slight frown on his face. The crowd which was slowly forming is now filled with 'aww's and 'that's so cute!'

You huff, leaving his face. "Don't blame me here, you usually aren't like this." There's a grin on your face you can't seem to remove though.

He rolls his eyes, and then comes to his full height as the owner of the puppy -a young child- comes for it, picking it up and looks at him, thanking him for finding it. Giving a vague, single nod he whisks you two away in a cloud of sand, reforming at the doors of Rain Dinners.

"Brat. Think before doing that again." He ruffles your hair. You grin. Looks like he didn't mind so much, maybe you could do it again....

Corazon.

To be clear, you don't know much about the man more than he lets you know. You know him as 'Corazon, Younger brother of the Warlord Doflamingo' but tonight when you two met in the same inn, he sat on the edge of the too-small bed, spreading his legs and letting you stand in between them, close to him as he rests his hands on your hips. He writes to you that he has a secret, you loop your arms around his neck and let one hand play with one of the tails of his hat. You're reassuring him both in speech and body language that you'll listen and you'll keep it to yourself. His amber eyes search yours for a moment more, before leaving one side of your hips to snap his fingers, saying, saying, "Silent."

The noises around you quieten. You don't hear the vendors downstairs bark their wares, you don't hear the chatter and sound of the inn below you two. You don't hear the slight moans of the couple opposite to your room. But you do hear him speak. "My name is Donquixote Rosinanate, Marine Commander code 01746 on a mission from Fleet Admiral Sengoku to stop operations of Warlord and pirate Donquixote Doflamingo."

Your jaw drops, and you stare at him in surprise as he holds your hips again, telling you the story of how he came to be in this wretched situation. Of how his heart holds so much rage and hatred, of his worry and sadness. He tells you in that low, melodious voice of his and you just stand there starstruck as you picture the unwoven scroll of the man you love's past as he tells you. As soon as he's done, he has a mixed picture on his face, of weariness, and exhaustion. So of course you pull his head to your chest, to your heart, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"You brave, wonderful man" You mumble. Your heart is breaking and mending itself, newfound love, appreciation ,and fear now entering with the new information he gave you. "You strong, handsome, perfect man"

He freezes, but soon comes to hold you tighter against him, tension seeping out of his body, as he listens to you. One or your hands goes up his hat, fingers tangling within the strands as you hold him tighter. "Loverboy, look at me please"

When his eyes meet yours you smile, pressing a kiss to his nose. "I'm so proud of you." You whisper, watching his eyes grow wide, a goofy smile blooming on his own.

That night, you two don't do much. You talk some more, and fall asleep, his much larger frame curled around yours, your hands holding his head close, tucked under your chin, face buried in his hair.

Sanji.

It's late, and you wake up with your hair mussed, with the sad, miserable feeling that it's too cold and where the Hell is your warm, snuggly lover coupled with a scowl on your face. So you stumble to the one place he's most likely to be. The kitchen. There have been times when you've genuinely been looking for him because you thought he was not in the kitchen only to find out that he is, in fact in the kitchen, he was just looking for something in the lower cupboards and couldn't hear you. Hell, you've chided him a few times for working in the kitchen even after a big fight, so it's safe to assume that really, the blonde would be in the kitchen. You once sat and watched him, wondering that if it was legitimate, would he be this planet's greatest cook in the world, would be allowed to show at competitions? Would he be sought after then? But oh well.

When you finally get to the kitchen, you see him, baking. Uh oh. Now see, baking at night isn't the issue here. You've helped him make croissants and all sorts of stuff in the dead of night. The real issue is that he's doing it alone, at.....you spare a glance at the clock, 4:45 AM. By the four seas......so yes it's an issue. So yes, it's bad, when it isn't baking before he went to sleep. It's bad when he went to sleep in your bed, all snuggly and warm, and woke up in the ass crack of dawn to bake. Hell, it's even worse than in the ashtray next to the knives, it's filled. That means it was something he was terrified of, or something that came to him and he couldn't shrug off.

You run a hand through your hair and enter. Neither of you says anything just yet, and you take your time settling comfortably into the chairs in front of the counter, hand supporting you head as you watch him do his stuff. Your eyes fall onto his frame where you can see some tension in his movements, a slight jitter to the usual grace which he does his job in. Your eyes move to the tiny snail in the corner which plays music. You switch it on, and watch as the music ebbs and flows. And with it, so does the tension, the stress emanating in the gallery.

Some time later which could have been hours, or even minutes later you get up and come behind him, looping your arms around his hips from behind. "How're you feeling, sunflower?" You murmur.

He pauses in his work, most of them done anyway, and takes a drag from his cigarette, blowing out smoke. ".....Better"

"Wanna talk about it?"

"Not really"

"Okay. Wanna take a break?"

"....Fine. Let me just pop them into the oven"

30 minutes later, Robin walks in as per her usual timing to see him, head pillowed on your lap snoring softly, one of your hands in his hair, and the other holding one of his to your mouth, pressing a kiss to his palm. You smile slightly at her arrival and point at the oven. "Could you take them out? Blondie here wanted me to wake him up when they were done but...."

She chuckles, nodding. "I'll handle it. Want some tea?"

"That sounds lovely"

Shanks.

Shanks was open about a lot of things. Laughing, being an oaf, and acting like a goofball, many things. Another thing he was very open about was his relationship with you and the affection he showered on you just so. He would give kisses, hugs, and even random spanks on your ass when he could. He would laugh if you threw a fit but you couldn't help but also want to trip him up just so. Just once.

Your chance finally came when he got injured in battle, causing Hongo to order bed rest and STRICTLY bed rest "No leaving the bed for at least a WEEK, captain. That's an order"

"What? Nooo, I can't!" Whined your boyfriend

Hongo sighed, looking like he was ready to strangle the man based on what shenanigans he would probably start to pull to get out of bed. "Captain, please. Just a week. 5 days is all I'm asking here."

"3!"

"5"

"4!"

"5. No more, no less"

The redhead huffed, turning over in bed "Awful doctor, no man should ever treat his captain this way"

Hongo now looked at you, looking three seconds from yanking his hair out and with desperation. You sighed, sitting on the bed next to him and trying to reassure him.

"Come on, Shanks. Listen to the poor guy. I'll be here helping when I can anyway."

He shifted. Gave you a look. This dumbass.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Shanks, I swear to-"

And that was that. You'd help him when you could, not that you minded. However, when he tried to do anything with you, kissing, hugging, you'd pull away, a grin on your face. In fact, you'd end up giving him kisses where he didn't expect it. Is he leaning in for a kiss on the lips? You kiss the bridge of his nose. He wants to hug you? Lean away and a pat on the head. He tries to kiss your cheek? You move and kiss his ear. It drove him nuts.

"Aw c'mon, not again! What did I do to deserve this!" He complained after you had successfully dodged his attempt to kiss you on your lips. Only to be thwarted when you kissed his jaw instead.

"This is payback baby." You grin, sly and fun.

Then it clicks and he laughs that full, happy, lively laugh of his.

"Awright. But as soon as I'm rested up and good to go...." His eyes gleam with a spark of mischievousness. "You're gonna get it, babe"

True to his word, as soon as Hongo says the word "okay", Shanks leaps out of bed and starts running. You were in the fields of the island, looking around and wandering. You flinch as you feel a familiar presence behind, and you've barely turned your back to see who it is, before he crashes into you, scooping you up and lifting you in his arms.

"Caught you!" He yells with glee and all you can do is laugh and squeal with joy, before curling into him and kissing him on the lips.

Get To Know Me - One Piece Edition

[5] male characters ↳ [1/5] Shanks

Oh btw! I did the redrawing of my favourite Shanks moments from the newest episode as well ☺️☺️☺️

Why did I waste 2 hours of my life making this video? Because I can. BEHOLD.

A Public Performance [ Julius Novachrono]

Oct. 15 - Julius Novachrono x female reader

A certain Wizard King thinks he can evade his own birthday celebrations, but little does he know that you are already onto his plans and will track him down at all costs. You'll give him his birthday kiss and more, even if it's out in public!

warnings: public sexual acts, slightly sunny Julius because I love him like that, handjob, cumplay (a lil)

Masterlist

A suspicious eye cast over the assembled guests; the Magic Knight Captains, members of the royal households, specially invited guests and the ‘other’ King that didn’t bear thinking about or even mentioning.

Julius was not amongst them and your gaze narrowed. He’d snuck out of his own damn birthday celebrations and although you were irritated, it also brought a smile to your lips. 

How very Julius.

It was just as well you had planned for this eventuality, knowing your husband as well as you did. The rustle of your elegant ball gown echoed through the hallways as you dashed as inconspicuously as possible towards the room at the end.

The door was in sight when a frantic and somewhat haggard-looking Marx barred your way. 

“He’s disappeared, hasn’t he? Even after he promised - promised me he wouldn’t this year.” 

You couldn’t help but feel sorry for Marx, the poor man must’ve had the worst job in the entire Clover Kingdom. Tasked with keeping tabs on the Wizard King and ensuring his paperwork was completed on time. Marx was ageing well before his years, and the lines of strain showed around his eyes.

“Calm yourself, Marx. Go enjoy the festivities and I will ensure Julius is back where he should be before it is time for the speeches and cake-cutting. Alright?”

Steering him towards the grand hall you had just left, you patted him on the shoulder and offered a sincere smile. His brow lowered but he nodded firmly.

“Make him pay,” he growled before striding away with his head held high.

It took all of your restraint not to fall into laughter at Marx’s parting words but you didn’t have time for that. You slipped inside the bedroom and glanced in the mirror at the opulent gold dress that adorned your frame. The very dress that Julius had admired hours earlier, yet you knew he preferred things a little less fussy.

Your thread magic wove in the air, removing the tulle skirts, the puffy capped sleeves and the extra detailing that was all much too over the top.

It left you in a simple golden slip of a dress, to which you added a generous thigh slit just because you could. This was more like it, and most definitely the correct weapon of choice to bring your husband into line.

Now it was time to find him.

~

It didn’t take long, you recognised the disguise immediately as you scanned the crowded courtyard. The celebrations of the Wizard King’s birthday were spread throughout the city and of course, he would prefer to be out here amongst the real people rather than with the stuffy royals and nobles.

You eyed the darkly-haired gentleman with a smirk, mere steps away from him before his gaze slid to you and his eyes widened. He swallowed thickly, trying to stand in a hurry but you were quicker than he, for once.

“What a handsome older gentleman,” you cooed in his ear whilst depositing yourself upon his lap and crossing your legs.

An arm wound around his neck as you leaned in even closer, close enough to lick a wide path up the side of his neck and watch the hairs stand to attention.

“I wasn’t - I swear I wasn’t staying long. I was coming right back…”

“Mhmm. A likely story.”

Sat at a table at the very back of the festivities, no one noticed as the dark-haired man with the twitching moustache and majestic purple cloak returned to his natural state. 

Wary purple irises scanned your expression, hair the colour of wheat fields under a summer sun, and even the cloak was now a deep red and trimmed in gold.

“And here I was trying to find my beloved husband to give him his birthday kiss.” You pouted for added effect, enjoying the glossy shimmer to coat his eyes and the droop along with it.

Julius’ touch was hesitant, his palm skimming your hip on its way toward the bare thigh on show. He bit his lip, a strangled noise sounding from the back of his throat.

“I’m sure he’d be happy to receive it now?”

You chuckled at how his voice rose to turn what should have been a statement into a question as if he weren’t completely convinced that he was allowed to make such a demand.

“Oh? Out here where anyone turning their head could see? My my, such a naughty husband I have…”

Pressing your lips softly against his cheek, you sensed the acceleration in his heart rate. The hand that had been so hesitant became firmer as it ventured over your naked thigh and knee, fingers turned to your inner thigh and gained new ground with each second that passed.

The familiar wave of mana washed over you, the warmth of it tickling your skin as if receiving a million butterfly kisses. You looked round to find the courtyard suspended in time, a bubble protecting the happy citizens and preventing them from witnessing how debauched their beloved Wizard King could be.

“Someone is eager,” you purred. His bulge was prominent by this point, your hand tracing the straining ridges of his cock and Julius whimpered in response.

“Really don’t think you should be rewarded for ditching your own party, but I’m in a generous mood.”

His breath was hot and heavy on your neck, burying his face into the crook as you pulled him free from the layers that constricted his cock. A blushing pink tip shone from the slick of precum, the thick vein on his underside pulsing beneath your fingers and you gave a lazy pump of your fist.

“My - my love, please.”

Your thumb swiped into his slit, drawing a hiss and a gasp that sounded strangled as they mingled. One hand tried to press between your thighs but he halted at your abrupt click of teeth.

“It’s your birthday, Julius. Let me do this for you,” you whispered. His lips tasted like honeyed wine, sweet and spicy, they moved in time with your own but left you leading the dance. 

The first meeting of your mouths always left you dizzy, it never ceased in feeling like the very first kiss each and every time. You had half a mind to rip at your tight dress and straddle him fully. To bounce yourself on his cock with reckless impunity, but you restrained yourself for now.

Instead, here you were stroking the Wizard King’s cock in the middle of the Royal Capital, protected from prying eyes by time magic but it still felt dirty and sinful. Most definitely not an act that the most powerful man in the kingdom should be engaging in.

It was obvious he was fighting to halt the buck of his hips, and it made you smile into his kiss. Your tongue stroked along the front of his teeth, twisting your palm as you received the tip of his cock on every subsequent tug on his dick.

It turned you on to see him so responsive, how heat cascaded over you both and the twitch and fidget of his limbs. Lust-blown pupils pulled back from your face, and his mouth popped open in a pretty ‘o’ as the blush on his cheeks deepened.

“Such a pretty birthday boy, are you going to cum for me, darling?”

He nodded, whining and trembling. A hand digging into your waist and the other gripping his thigh as if he warred between wanting to let go and not wanting it to end so soon.

“Be a good boy and cum for me and I’ll let you tear this pretty dress from my body later. Cum for me now and you can fuck me seven ways til Sunday. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

On command, you felt the surge of pressure shoot up the length of his cock to spray thick ropes of sticky seed all over your hand and arm. It went on and on, Julius’ head tipped back and you grabbed him by the hair to kiss him soundly.

Swallowing his mewls, your fingers tugged on his roots and your lips devoured his mouth. You knew you were soaked beneath your dress, the damp sensation of your arousal sticking your thighs together whilst you let Julius rock you on his lap. Kissing him through his high and watching the light return to his eyes as they adjusted on your face.

“That - that was quite the performance,” he huffed, sounding breathless and so very pleased with himself. You licked your fingers clean of his release, wiping away the rest with a handkerchief from Julius’ breast pocket.

“A very public performance,” you giggled, enjoying the embarrassment that painted his complexion. 

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry, it was all getting a bit stuffy up there and I needed some freedom just to enjoy the evening,” he admitted with a sigh.

“I wasn’t worried, Julius, but you could have brought me along for the fun. I am your wife, after all.”

His forehead came to rest against yours, fingers interlocking and basking in the comfort of being settled against his broad chest.

“You’re right, it won’t happen again.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep,” you teased, flicking the end of his nose. “Anyway, I promised Marx I’d have you back before the speeches…”

Julius cut you off with a look of downright indignation. “You said I could tear this gown from you!”

“And you will, but speeches and cake come first. Happy Birthday, Julius, I love you.”

“Have you ever removed your helmet?”

“No.”

“Has it ever been removed by others?”

“Never.”

“This is the way.”

bonus “I am not a living thing”

Distraction or Devotion (Zoro x Reader)

_____ Pairings: Roronoa Zoro x Female Reader Summary: You think your love is one-sided, but is it? Warnings: Angst, Fluff, Jealous Zoro, Soft Zoro, Alcohol A/N: Been obsessed with Zoro lately 😅 [One Piece Masterlist] _____

You were transfixed by him.

Roronoa Zoro.

He had found his way into your heart and had taken the undue liberty to consume all of its devotion. You didn't know how friendship had morphed so suddenly into the hopes of something more, but that was the predicament you found yourself in now.

What had started as general respect for the other had turned into sparing sessions, light bickering and laughter, drinking and confiding in the other. The days spent at sea spared you much time to get to know the green-haired swordsman, no matter how rigid he stood behind his walls. You chipped and chipped away at them until he let you in on small details, let you pull laughter from him and let you linger in his presence.

The bond you both shared was built on loyalty and an undying trust forged through time and trial. You knew to him, you were a rare individual: one he trusts, one he protects, a comrade and a friend. But to you, the more you chipped away at his walls, the more you got to know the man, stoic and strong and silent, the more he crashed through your own borders and delved straight into your heart.

To you, he was everything, but everything you were so sure you could not have.

"Oi, [y/n], you're zoning out again."

Your eyes snap upwards, and you are met with the sight of Zoro, his sharp eyes on you as he lifts an ungodly amount of weight back and forth over his head, mimicking the movements of his swords. Both of you were out on deck, the only crewmembers that lingered outdoors apart from Luffy, who was somewhere on the figurehead.

"I'm sorry, were you desperate for my attention?"

You tease as you go back to the duty of polishing his swords, a frequent task you found yourself undertaking, but one you did not take lightly. You knew how much Zoro treasured his swords, how much worth was forged upon their blades. They lay heavy in your hands: heavy with responsibility and the weight of Zoro's trust. You didn't know of anyone else he would allow to even breathe near his swords, let alone touch them.

The thought of that made your heart warm.

"Shouldn't you be focusing on your training?"

"Tch, whatever woman, I only said something cause you looked like you were about to fall asleep on the blade. Next time I'll just watch it happen."

You roll your eyes, but a smile lingers on your face as your eyes meet his. The sun had fallen, just mingling with the ocean as it delved deeper into the Earth, bringing forth warm lights that traced the muscles on Zoro's skin. His irises swim in the fervour of the lights, and you swear you see something deep within as he abruptly breaks away from your gaze, the pink on his cheeks surely from his workout and nothing more.

Nothing more, right?

There is more silence as Zoro shifts his focus to his weights once more, the rhythm of his training the only sound that touches the cooling air, until you decide to break the quiet.

"Hey, Zoro..."

You murmur, eyes locked on the blade carefully placed in your lap and the cloth that delicately traces it until you see your own unwavering reflection.

"Yeah?" Zoro grunts as he brings down the weights towards the deck.

"Have you ever thought about love before?"

There is abruptly the seizing of movement, but when your eyes travel upwards again to meet his, he merely looks at you incredulously.

"What kind of question is that?"

You grin at his expression, but continue on, nonchalantly, despite the way your heart pounds against your chest at your own boldness.

"Oh, come on, Zoro. You've never been tempted? I can't count on my hands the number of times women have literally fallen at your feet. Beautiful women, too good for you, of course, but nonetheless."

A beat of silence, and he answers.

"Nope, never thought about it."

His words are blunt, and he continues his training as though nothing was said. You can't deny the slight disappointment that filled you at his abrupt words. But you decide to push a bit more. You want to know more, more of what he thought about you. If you had a chance, if another claimed his heart, if his words were true.

"Really? What about Tashigi? She even knows her way around a sword, you know-"

"Nope."

"Perona? You guys literally spent two years together-"

"So? Still no."

"Hiyori? You two seemed all cosied up-"

"No."

You roll your eyes, unsure as to why your heart starts to feel heavy even as he rejects women you were so sure he could sweep off their feet. Maybe it was the lack of interest in the topic of relationships. Maybe it was the voice in the back of your mind mocking your hopes that he would turn around and say he would choose you instead.

"Nami, Robin??"

You ask, a teasing tone in your words despite the smile that strains on your cheeks.

"What? No way, they're crewmates-"

"You've actually never been tempted? They're literally all so perfect."

You sit in slight disbelief, analysing his expression, but his gaze does not falter, and he reveals nothing. If anything, you witness the tightening of his jaw as he moves to a silent rhythm. You wonder if you have pushed the topic too far.

"It's nothing against them, I have a responsibility and a goal. To become the world's strongest swordsman and to see Luffy become the pirate king. I don't have time for distractions."

His words are blunt to you as they are confirming. You allow the silence to consume the space between the two of you for a moment longer, and yet your heart twists unbearably.

He doesn't have time for distractions.

Of course, he doesn't.

You had witnessed more than anyone the way he trained from daybreak to sundown, every minute for the dream he held, and in support of Luffy's ambitions. What time could he spare for relationships, for women? He already had so much on his mind, so much responsibility on his back. And yet, a question leaves your lips before you can stop yourself.

"Not even time for me?"

You whisper, but Zoro misses your words, his eyes trained on his weights, the crease between his brows a show of his concentration, but the glint in his eyes, one that unravels frustration.

Why? Maybe this conversation was one he did not wish to partake in.

"Did you say something?"

Zoro's words touch the air once more, as sunlight travels his face until it lies static as he meets your gaze again.

"Nothing," you say, more dejected than anything else, despite knowing you should feel unsurprised. You watch as he continues his workout, the air solemn as you let out a quiet sigh, unsure why your heart feels so heavy despite a lack of rejection.

You supposed it was the lack of recognition that had done it.

In-tune crew members had already witnessed your gravitation towards the swordsman, but it was clear to you that your affections were not recognised, nor could they be considered anything beyond friendship by Zoro. Though stupidly relieved to know that he did not have a favourite among the women you listed, you felt stupid in your hopes that maybe, just maybe, you were his favourite.

That he recognised that the way you polish his swords as you do now wasn't out of mere generosity but deep-rooted admiration and care. The way you saved a seat for him beside you at dinner wasn't out of mere friendship but out of hope to get to know him more. The way you seek him out and spend hours by his side, even when there is nothing to be said, was from a yearning to be beside him for as long as he would let you be.

You loved him.

Roronoa Zoro.

Loved the way he would smirk when he teased you to the point where you were sure to combust. Loved the way he is so protective of crewmates in battles, his strength and loyalty unmatched. You loved the way he was so unwavering in his values, so predictable in the best of ways. Loved the way that he cared and was kind, no matter how hard he tried to keep up the tough-guy facade. You loved the quiet moments stolen with him, the way his eyes would soften in the presence of you and the presence of crewmates, the faint smile he bears when he has had too much to drink.

Loved the way he would listen quietly.

Loved the way he ruffled your hair.

Loved the way he searched for you after battles.

You loved him.

But as you watch his devotion to his swords, to Luffy and to his crew. Deep down, you had resigned yourself to knowing that you could never be anything more than a friend. No princess, swordswoman or model could turn his head. How could you?

What did you offer that they didn't?

Emotion fills you suddenly, but you force it away, scolding yourself and quickly finishing off the last of your task. Zoro releases his hold on his weights, stretching lightly as he readies another workout, but he is surprised as you stand and go to walk away.

"Hey, you okay?"

He asks, and you hate the way your heart lurches at his concern, the way you can feel his eyes burning into your back.

"Yeah, I just promised Sanji I'd help him for dinner, I'll see you later!"

Your words are as cheerful as you forced them to be, wandering towards the kitchen unseeingly. You don't see the way Zoro's brows furrow in his confusion, the twitching of his hands as though he wants to stop you and ask why you would indulge in the cook's company over his own. But he merely nods and continues his training.

You merely walk away.

.....

A week has passed, and you didn't know what you were doing.

Were you moving on? But from what exactly?

Exploring other opportunities? Maybe, but why?

You weren't rejected.

Didn't have the hammer beat down on your budding devotion to the swordsman. You were just provided an unspoken resignation by his words.

"I don't have time for distractions."

Like, ever? Was that long-term, short-term, or were you even a card in his hands that he would play?

You were confused and downtrodden, but you were also tired.

One-sided love.

So focused on possibilities and what-ifs, you had forgotten how exhausting it can be. How burdenous longing can be. How the dichotomy of your mind and of your heart can feel like you're being torn in two. Was that dramatic? Maybe a tad. But you now realise how long you have loved Zoro, the years you spent by his side. How can you teach yourself to let go, even a little bit, to seek distance so that if he does choose to reject you in the future, you are not utterly shattered?

You hate that you still hope.

Hope that because you had not named yourself, and because he had not rejected you, that you still had a chance, even if it was years down the line. You grit your teeth as you take a rough swing of your beverage, alcohol burning as you force it down your throat, trying to quieten your mind, trying to forget your feelings.

"Hey, slow down, it's not water, you know?"

And there it is, the provocative tone in his words. The glint of amusement in his sharp eyes as he catches your gaze. The swordsman laughs at your distasteful expression as he downs his second bottle of the night.

"I know that, but do you? You're downing that like it's nothing."

You ask incredulously, deadpanning at the way liquid disappears from bottles. He smirks, much more at ease next to you and with his sake, though he couldn't let you know that. Couldn't let you see how you have him so wrapped around your finger. Couldn't let you know that the smile you bear had him fighting to remain nonchalant, to remain strong in the face of temptation. The temptation in your lips, in your gaze, in you.

"I know, but I can handle it."

You roll your eyes at that.

He notices, but you turn away quickly, hiding your gaze in the dim light of the bar the two of you found yourselves in. Zoro can hear his Captain laughing with a stranger, can hear the love-lorn cook as he talks to Nami and Robin, can hear Brook chatting with the musicians in the bar, and yet he finds himself next to you. He always finds himself next to you. Always you he looks for after battles, always you he sits by when he naps, always you who lingers when he works out, always you he celebrates with, always you.

He wonders why you have been acting strangely this week.

Recently, it hadn't been you who lingered, or you he sits beside. You hadn't been saving the seats you usually do for him, with your bright eyes and wide smile. More often, you had been absent as he worked out, left wondering why the empty space you usually sat in was left cold and dull without you. More often had he taken notice of the unspoken things you do - reminding him of dinner, polishing his swords, filling the quiet in between - disappearing. He wondered if he had taken you for granted.

Even now, as he sits next to you, the closest he has been for days. You are quieter, more sullen, more lost in your mind. The heart in his chest that he didn't know could fluctuate in the face of another, missed you. God dammit, he missed you. And he didn't know what he had done wrong.

You take a glance to your side, only to see that Zoro was now lost in his head, drinking from bottles, with thoughts behind his eyes. You are about to ask what burdens him, but your pursuit is interrupted by that of another.

"Excuse me, love? Can I buy you a drink?"

Your gaze snaps upwards when you meet the eyes of a stranger who has approached your side without your notice. He hadn't been the first to approach you tonight; in fact, you were used to men approaching you with hope and admiration and lust twisting in their irises. It had been so easy before to brush them off in favour of Zoro's company, so easy to say no. But you find yourself considering the offer. Zoro is still distracted by a thought you cannot see, and this man was charming and attractive.

What harm was there really?

"Okay," you say, your words more unsure than you hoped they would be, but the man does not care nor seem to notice, all too pleased to have you on his arm. That is, until you feel a sharp tug on your other hand that lies limp to your side. Your gaze snaps to your left, and you are met with sharp eyes you have memorised all too well.

"Oi, where are you going?"

Zoro's voice is low, protective, his hand lingering on his swords. But his irises betray confusion, and was that hurt that lingered on the crescent edges? Zoro's insides twist uncomfortably at the sight of your hand on another man's arm.

You never indulged in the company of such men; why now?

"I'm just getting a drink, Zoro."

You say confusedly, missing the smirk on the man beside you, missing the tension in Zoro's jaw as he meets his cocky gaze. You feel Zoro's fingers twitch against your skin, his grip not painful but sure against your skin. He didn't want to let you go. But you were now confused.

Why was he acting this way?

But before you can say anything, Zoro lets you go silently, and the man next to you takes you to the bar for a drink.

.....

When you make your way to the Sunny, the sun has touched the horizon, leaking light onto the earth.

Your eyes were trained on the pavement, steps slow and deliberate, but your mind was churning. Along the way, you had seen crewmembers sprawled together on the streets and in bars, but paid them no mind, knowing it was merely a symbol of them having had a good night. Happy to see them indulge in an evening of laughter, drinks and food and each other. You hadn't expected to be out so long, but you found the need to wander a little.

The man who had taken you to the bar was okay at first, that is, until you saw the lust that travelled his features, move to his hands. He had mocked your crew and Zoro in his drunkenness. Had earned himself a good slap to the face and your swift absence, only for you to find that Zoro had left the bar already. You had only been gone for an hour at most, but following everything you had walked the length of the island several times, leading to the sun rising, signalling the beginning of another day.

You travel up the steps and onto the deck, expecting silence, expecting nothing. But you are surprised to see the swordsman, your mind had lingered all night on - had lingered years on - sat looking to the horizon with a pile of bottles scattered around him. Your heart picks up pace quickly, both in concern at the sight of him so adrift he does not notice you and of the devotion you still try to bury. Approaching hesitantly, you are met with the strong scent of alcohol, a sign that he has drunk too much, despite himself.

"Zoro?"

You murmur, nudging his shoulder gently, unsure of his reaction. He turns to you slowly, eyes masked in rare emotion, bottle clunking onto the deck from his grasp, spilling its contents. You furrow your brows, but his voice is low as he speaks to you, avoiding your gaze once more.

"How was he?"

You are taken aback, shocked that despite his inhibited state, that is what he suggests to you. Though you suppose that is what conclusion you would come to if Zoro disappeared with a woman, only to return to the Sunny in the daybreak.

"What's it to you?"

You ask lightly, watching the way his grip tightens on his own skin, sharp eyes on yours as he watches you closely. He is about to bite back until he watches you sigh and pick up the bottles that have been scattered and some shattered, cleaning the mess he has made. He meets your eyes that are on his, and he sees the concern you bear. His heart twists painfully against his chest as he pictures you with the man he left you with.

You.

You were meant to be his.

You were his angel, the one he protects, the one he looks to in quiet moments and laughs with in the confines of the other. He was meant to be the one you adored, the one who came first, the one you sought out. He was the one you were meant to nudge teasingly and drink with and celebrate wins and comfort losses with. He was the one you were meant to grace your presence with. Not some leechy stranger, not some unworthy man he can only now picture in your bed, in your arms, in your heart.

"I asked first." He says, voice quiet, tone low, eyes adrift again.

You smile half-heartedly at his stubbornness, but as you brush away bottles and put them away, you let the silence linger for a while. Once you are done you sit by his side, Zoro hates the way his heart spikes just by your warmth, you hate the way your heart does the same.

"He was an asshole."

You say, feeling Zoro's gaze meet the side of your face as your voice touches the air, but you do not turn yet, admiring the sun as it rises higher. "Wanted me in his bed long before our first drink, talked shit about me, talked shit about our crew..." You feel as Zoro tenses at your words, and that is when you meet his gaze, his eyes widening at your gentle smile, at your adoring eyes, at your proximity.

"... talked shit about you."

You grin as you see his eyebrows twitch, but you don't move, overindulgent in his presence. Yes, you might not be his, not now or ever, but you would take what you got, even if it was the show of his protectiveness from time to time. But to Zoro, he was fighting so hard not to allow his hands to travel to yours, to spill the words he constrained. You turn away quickly before you get too lost in his gaze, though he is already too far gone in yours.

"That was the last straw, you know," you grin teasingly at the sun, "had to give him a good slap to the face to bring him back to reality, then wandered around the island for a good few hours because somebody decided to leave early."

Zoro's gaze widens a fraction of a millimetre, but you do not catch it, yours still to the sky. You don't notice how his chest loses the tightness that had plagued him the whole night. The way he had used the alcohol he usually loved to force an escape from thoughts of you and the man he had regretfully left you with. He couldn't handle it, the thought, the sight of you with another. Couldn't handle another day where you continued to place distance between the two of you.

Then it comes to Zoro so clearly, after so long in despair.

He loved you.

He can't let you go.

There is a warmth on your hand, and it takes you a while to realise that it is Zoro's hand over yours, hesitant, hovering. Your eyes snap to his so fast, he is almost taken aback. He fights the blush on his cheeks as he lowers his calloused hands onto yours, pulling warmth to your own face.

"Zoro?" Your words are hesitant, but his are blunt and unwavering.

"Don't do that again, woman," he says, voice even, eyes far from yours. Two beats pass in silence until his voice reaches the air again, in turn, rendering you temporarily speechless.

"I think I like you."

There is no teasing in his words, no underlying joke. He is vulnerable under your gaze, touch faltering on skin, uncertainty clouding his mind. But to you, a wave of shock travels through your system, and you can't help but let out a yell of surprise.

"What?!"

Zoro winces as he squeezes his eyes shut, not used to the effects of too much alcohol.

"Damn woman, do you have to be so loud?"

You hurriedly silence, before returning to your spot next to him, mind buzzing. Is this a dream? Did you hear correctly? Have you gone and lost your mind? You quickly come to your senses, gathering thoughts that have scattered, until one question clouds your mind.

"But I thought- I thought you said you didn't have time for distractions?"

Zoro pauses, his mind travelling to the conversation the two of you had a week ago. A week ago, when you named women, he could never have considered that way. The frustration he felt when it sounded like you were writing yourself off the list of options, forcing people onto him when all he wanted was you. Was that why you put distance between the two of you? Was that the question that plagued your mind? Was that what you thought?

You hear him sigh, but he pulls you into his side, still a mixture of drunkenness dictating his movements.

"You're not a distraction, just another focus, a vulnerability maybe, that I choose to have," he smirks slightly at your surprise spilling into your stare. "But you're mine, or I want you to be."

Silence touches the air, but Zoro takes comfort in knowing that you have not moved from where you sat, have not moved from his touch, have not wilted under his vulnerable words. In a movement, he feels your hands touch his face, a shine to your gaze that has him blushing to his ears. A hammering against his chest like he has never known.

"I want to be yours."

And somehow, that was all he wanted to hear.

His lips touch yours, in a mix of warmth, of roughness and of the taste of too many drinks. But you feel his hands, strong, secure against your skin, pulling you closer. Your mind is a haze as he moves, still tipsy off of alcohol, still stumbling with nerves, but lost in the place you have wanted to be for so long. He growls low under his breath, his hands moving as though to erase the touch of any other. When you pull away, you are breathless, and so is he. You sit on his lap, and he holds you closer.

A moment of bliss travels the two of you, and yet a yawn comes through your system, exhausted emotionally, of the time spent last night wandering, of the thoughts that raged through your head. And yet now, next to him, you can't find the courage to drift asleep, afraid to wake to your bed and to harsh reality. Zoro seems to be having the same thoughts as you, but in the caress of soft hair, he murmurs against your skin.

"Sleep, woman. I'll be here when you wake up."

Your eyes meet his hesitantly, and though you know alcohol is still in his system, you don't think that is the reason why his eyes soften when he meets your gaze. No, you knew that look, it was familiar, shining with care and softness and that unspoken emotion you had seen all too much before. That unspoken emotion, now free of its speechlessness, is only for you to know. You nod to him, surprisingly comfortable, like everything was how it was supposed to be.

When sleep consumes you, it takes only a beat more for it to consume Zoro, too. Finally free of his burdenous thoughts, of regret, and of needing alcohol to erase his feelings. Zoro now indulges your warmth, the softness of your skin, the weight of you against his broad chest. As a smile lingers on his face, it is then he realises how often you pull the corners of his lips upwards, how often you bring him to a place of peace in a world clouded with anything but.

A distraction? How could you ever be?

He was utterly devoted to you.

And you were now his.

When both of you wake the next day, it is to the incoherent screaming of Sanji, the laughter of your Captain and the agape expressions of Chopper, Brook and Ussop. Nami, Franky and Jimbei look on, unsurprised and grinning. But Robin looks to the two of you asleep in the arms of the other knowingly.

"Finally..."

Pietro tattling to Magneto about Wanda and Vision

Pietro: Daaaaaad, Wanda is dating a robot!

Magneto: Haha, very funny.

Pietro: His name is the Vision and he is an Avenger.

Magneto: ... WANDA!!!

Waking up next to Julius is always unpredictable. Is it going to be at 2 AM when he comes back from his office whining about paperwork as he burrows in your arms, sighing contently as you whisper sleepy assurances into his hair? Or is at 10 AM, way past your alarm, with a foot on your cheek and your lover hugging your leg? You never know if you have to wake up a second earlier and grab him before he can leave you to look at magic, or with his face buried between your legs. Is it kisses you’re going to wake up to? Or is it tickles? But no matter how you wake up to him, you both never neglect to shower the love and attention you need from each other. You tell him to relax his shoulders as you massage the shampoo into his hair. “Sorry” leaves his lips as he works through the knots in your hair as you hiss and grumble about getting a bonnet. And no matter what time of day, Julius is very unpredictable. Because hours later, he holds up two satin bonnets, one for you and one for him. You laugh as you kiss his cheek, thanking him and telling him that he doesn’t need one for himself. He pouts as you laugh harder into his cheek.