Dont Go

Don’t go

In the poll, Ace got the most votes so I will be writing this and the others will come soon! This story will be a two shot.

Please support me by liking, reblogging and commenting on this! Also please follow for more content!

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Pairing: Portgas D Ace x Y/N

Dialogue: “Don’t go. I don’t even know who I am without you.” 🔥🏴‍☠️

A/n: I hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing this! <3

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"Ace, are you finished warming the buns," you asked, mixing the baking mix for the next batch. As the delicious smell of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen, you couldn't help but anticipate the mouthwatering treats that were about to come out of the oven.

"For the last time, I'm not an oven," Ace grumbled yet still used his devil fruit to heat up inside your cast iron stove. As the temperature rose, the buns began to brown and release their irresistible aroma, signaling that they were almost ready to be devoured.

Ace took them out and placed them on your table before leaning against the counter and looking in your direction, a mischievous grin on his face.

"I hope you're ready to indulge in some of the most delectable buns you've ever tasted," he said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"You know they're for the village, right?" you added, finally turning around to see him with the buns.

Ace's mischievous grin widened as he replied, "Oh, I know. But who says we can't have a little taste test of your delicious buns before sharing them with everyone else?"

Blushing at his flirtatious remark, you quickly refocused on the task at hand. Pouring the remaining mixture into the bun tray, you couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement as you imagined everyone's delight when they tasted your homemade creations.

That was until your hair started to get in the way, you were busy making the buns and forgot to wear a hair net.

"Um, Ace," you started, questioning if you should ask him for a favor.

"Yeah Y/N?" Ace replied.

"Do you think you could lend me a hand and help me find a hair tie? I don't want any loose hairs getting into the buns."

You heard footsteps approaching, but there was no answer.

You then felt a gentle hand push your hair behind your ears, and when you turned to look slightly, you saw Ace standing beside you with a hair tie in his hand, a warm smile on his face.

Your heart skipped a beat at seeing him so close, and you couldn't help but blush.

You felt your heart flutter and you felt your breath catch in your throat. You felt yourself relax as you looked into his eyes, your heart still pounding in your chest.

In that moment, you realized that Ace's presence had a powerful effect on you. His warm smile and close proximity made you feel a whirlwind of emotions, from excitement to nervousness to joy.

It was as if time stood still, and you couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between you than just a love for baking.

"Hey! Are you two finished? The villagers are getting hungry!" A voice yelled out of nowhere, belonging to Marco.

Startled, you quickly snapped out of your daze and realized that you had been lost in the moment with Ace. With a sheepish smile, you turned to Marco and replied, "Sorry, we got a bit carried away. The buns are ready, we'll bring them out right away!"

Ace quickly tied your hair with the hair tie, making sure no loose strands would get into the buns. Afterward, he stationed himself back by the cast iron stove, ready to assist with the final preparations before bringing the delicious buns out to the hungry villagers.

Unbeknownst to you, Ace's face was as red as a tomato, his whole face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly looked away, hoping you hadn't noticed his blushing. . . .

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As you walked in front of the large group in which they called themselves the 'Whitebeard Pirates', holding nothing while they carried all of the buns, you couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

You had never heard of the 'Whitebeard Crew' before, but perhaps that was because news from the outside world rarely reached your secluded island.

In the midst of your island being destroyed, the 'Whitebeard Crew' arrived just in time to save all of the villagers.

Ever since their arrival, the Whitebeard Crew had been tirelessly working to rebuild the island, restoring it to its former glory. Their dedication and hard work were evident in the progress that had been made, and you couldn't help but feel grateful for their presence and the impact they had on your life.

"Hey, did you hear that there are some pirates around?" you heard a villager say to another frightenedly.

You were shocked when you heard that there were pirates nearby.

Your heart started to race, and beads of sweat formed on your forehead as you tried to process the news. The thought of pirates being nearby filled you with a mix of fear and terror.

You couldn't help but wonder what their presence would mean for the island and its inhabitants. Again.

"What are you thinking about?" Ace's voice interrupted your thoughts, making you jump.

You turned to him, trying to hide your worry, and replied, "I heard there are pirates nearby. I can't help but worry about what that means for our island and everyone here."

Ace's jaw clenched and his eyes darted around nervously, betraying his unease. He took a deep breath before asking curiously, "Why are you so terrified of pirates?"

You let out a deep breath, saying, "They destroyed the village and killed my parents," the words caught in your throat as memories of that fateful day flooded back.

The pain and loss were still raw, and the thought of encountering pirates again brought back a wave of fear and vulnerability.

The screams of the villagers echoed in your ears as the pirates raided the island, their ugly laughter filling the air. The cries of pain and fear, mixed with the sound of gunshots, created a haunting symphony that still haunt your nightmares. The trauma of that day was etched deep within you, fueling your terror at the mere mention of pirates.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Ace muttered as he walked by your side.

Guilt filled Ace's body as he realized that he had not told you that he was a pirate himself. He understood the weight of your fear and the pain you had endured, and he knew that revealing his past would only deepen your wounds.

He felt like a coward for not being honest with you, but he also knew that it was the only way to protect the people he loved. He knew that you needed time and space to heal, and so he kept his secret.

The rest of the walk was silent for the both of you while the rest of the crew were chatting between themselves. Each step carried a heavy weight, burdened by the unspoken truth that hung in the air. Ace's heart ached, knowing that the longer he kept his secret, the harder it would be to reveal it.

Taking a deep breath, you pushed aside your fear and plastered a smile on your face as you all finally arrived at the hall where everyone was gathered to get their afternoon snacks before going back to rebuilding.

The sight of the resilient islanders, working together to rebuild their lives, gave you a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that lingered in your heart.

"Hello guys!" You said excitedly as you walked into the room, trying to hide the lingering fear and pain that still haunted you.

As you helped the islanders in their efforts to rebuild even by baking them food, you couldn't help but be inspired by their resilience and determination to create a better future, despite the horrors of the past.

Their faces lit up with gratitude and joy as they saw you enter the room, carrying trays of freshly baked food. The islanders, weary from the hardships they had endured, found solace in the simple act of sharing a meal together, and their appreciation for your presence was evident in their smiles and expressions of gratitude.

As you distributed the trays of freshly baked food, the islanders couldn't help but gush over the delicious treats. "Wow! They look so good!" exclaimed one islander, while another chimed in with, "I didn't think that you were going to pull this off!"

Even the children couldn't contain their excitement, as one of them eagerly asked, "Mummy! Can I have one!"

Their comments brought a sense of warmth and satisfaction, reminding you that despite the pain and fear that still haunted you, you were making a positive impact on their lives.

As soon as the group set the trays down, the villagers ran over with excitement, their eyes lighting up at the sight of the freshly baked food. They eagerly reached out, their hands grabbing for the treats, their expressions filled with gratitude and anticipation.

You stayed back, watching them devour the buns made you smile with joy. Seeing their hunger satisfied and witnessing the happiness on their faces was a powerful reminder of why you had chosen to stay and help rebuild their lives.

"You know, you should join our crew," Marco said to you as he stood beside you, crossing his arms. "With your baking skills and the positive impact you're making, we could really use someone like you to help us while we're at sea."

Even though you knew he was serious, you chuckled at his comment. "What do you guys even do for a living?" you replied with a smile.

"We're pirates," Marco answered as serious as possible.

You quickly looked at him and didn't see any mischief on his face, but you couldn't help but wonder if he was joking. Pirates?

Quickly, you glanced at Ace, how he nicely chatted with the elderly with a smile on his face.

It was as if the thought of being a pirate had corrupted his once pure aura, leaving you with a sense of unease. . . .

Part 2?

This is not including all the children who are lifeless underneath the rubble and not including the ones that were obliterated to the point where they cannot be identified. Free Palestine

Video: X: FisunGuner

Song @iamkarimmm

mise en rose.

Pairing: OPLA!Roronoa Zoro x Reader Word Count: 3,806 words Warnings: Swearing, alcohol use

The tune that your father used to whistle now leaves your lips the same way it left his.

Notes skip offkey across the water as your boat rocks gently, waves lapping up against the wooden sides. The moon shines brightly overhead. You shift in place and wait for a tug on your fishing line, the basket at your feet waiting patiently for its first meal.

Archy will be happy if you actually catch something for once. There’s not a lot of fish around here, and you’re not exactly sure why; something about the aquatic plants in the area, or if you were to believe the old man in the village square, a curse that swallows anything with fins that swims too close. The last time you caught something was months ago, and it was tiny and more bone than flesh.

You don’t really care. It’s enough to just sit out here and feel the waves.

Cheeks puffing up with air for another round of music, you let your gaze drift out towards the ocean and abruptly freeze.

There’s something floating in the distance.

A piece of debris. Wood from a hull, a scrap of sail perhaps?

The thought that it may be the remnant of a ship destroyed at sea is enough for you to reel in your line and start rowing towards it, anticipation bubbling up and drowning out any thoughts of a midnight snack.

You get close enough and your anticipation gives way to shock.

“Oh, shit.”

The guy clinging to the chunk of wood stirs and lifts his head, and you almost hit him upside the head with your oar.

“Oh, shit. You’re alive.”

—

“You say you’re going out fishing and you come back with a half-dead man with three swords?” Archy looks like he’s about to have an aneurysm, but this time, you don’t blame him. This is certainly uncharted territory and your older brother is hopeless without a map. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“What was I supposed to do, leave him to die?”

“I dunno! Yeah!” he gestures to the waterlogged man lying halfway on the living room couch, one arm and leg hanging off the side. “Look at him. He’s probably a pirate!”

“Damn, you think?” Crouching down, you drag your eyes across Swordsman’s ragged clothing and grin. You might’ve just rescued someone with a bounty on his head. “That’d be so cool.”

“That would not be cool.”

You shrug. “Well, I brought him in already, so you might as well help me unless you want a dead body in our living room.”

“You little –” Taking a deep breath, Archy pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a long, loud groan, and you know that you’ve won once more. “Fine. But as soon as he’s even a little bit better, we’re calling the Marines.”

“Okay,” you agree amicably. “So, what do we do first?”

“We have to undress him and warm him up.”

“Got it.” Your eager fingers go straight for the swords.

The man comes to life without warning. Seizing your wrist, he cracks one eye open and speaks in a low and rasping voice.

“Don’t. Touch. My swords.”

“Uh,” you say.

“We got to get everything off, mate,” Archy grumbles, and your guest turns his glare onto your brother. “I know how to clean swords and scabbards. I’ll dry them off and put them under the couch afterward.”

“I’ll do it myself.”

With a grunt, Swordsman pushes you away and attempts to sit up. He struggles for a full minute, jaw clenched and muscles trembling; his arms, strong and sturdy as they are, look like they’ll buckle at any moment.

Your eyebrows shoot up to the ceiling when he actually manages to prop himself up.

“Well, that’s impressive,” you mutter, making eye contact with Archy. He rolls his eyes. “Can you remove your clothes and wrap yourself up too?”

It takes a few moments before Swordsman has enough breath to respond. “I’m fine,” he says once he can.

“You’re really not,” Archy replies.

“You’re probably really dehydrated,” you say. “How long were you out there?”

The man stares at you, opens his mouth, pauses.

“Three days. Maybe.”

You gape. “You spent three days floating in the East Blue and you’re not dead?” You look at his neck for gills. “Are you a fishman or something?”

“No.”

“Really? I mean, I never met any fishmen before, so …”

His eye twitches. “I’m not a fishman.”

“Well, okay, if you say so.”

What a weird guy. Then again, you’ve heard that all sorts of characters traverse the Blue Sea. Devil fruit users, talking animals, clowns. A person who can survive the ocean for a couple days on a piece of wood is hardly out of the question.

“You’re dehydrated, in any case,” you conclude. “I’ll get you some water.”

—

After gruffly accepting a glass of water and putting on some dry clothes, Swordsman proceeds to “sleep it off” for the next twenty-four hours. When he finally wakes up, it’s in the middle of the night and you’ve just started rereading your favorite book.

“Oh, he’s awake,” you say when he stirs, swinging your feet off the coffee table and leaning forward in your chair to observe.

He grimaces under the dim light of your lamp, lifting an arm to press it over his eyes. “How long was I out,” he grouses.

“’Bout a day.”

“Shit.” He wriggles around in the fuzzy blanket you’ve wrapped around him. Once he’s loosened its hold enough, he sits up slowly and looks around, expression equal parts drowsy and wary. “Where –”

“Archy took your swords and cleaned them. They’re under the couch.”

“I told you not to touch them.”

“I didn’t. My brother did.”

Casting you the most unamused glare, Swordsman bends over to look underneath the couch. He pulls his swords out and places them in his lap, inspecting the white one first with a care that makes you rest your chin in your hand, curious and charmed. His brow furrows and you know that he finds your brother’s work to be satisfactory when he moves on to inspect the other two.

“Our uncle was a bladesmith in Loguetown. He taught Archy a thing or two before he passed.”

“You’re bladesmiths?”

“Coopers. Uncle was the rebel, I guess.” You close your book and stand up. “There’s leftover soup in the fridge. I’ll heat up the broth for you.”

This time, the man does not refuse your help and only nods. As you head to the kitchen and start to reheat the soup, you glance over and catch him sipping from the glass of water you’d topped off while he was asleep. Somehow, even that small action intrigues you. You smile.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Ladling the steaming broth into a small bowl, you stick a spoon in and walk back to where Swordsman is, sitting beside him. “Here you go. Don’t drink it too fast, and all that.”

He takes the soup, blows on a spoonful, tastes it. His eyes close, and something funny happens in your stomach when he opens them again to look at you.

“’S good.”

“Really?” He nods and puts the bowl to his lips to drink directly from it. “Thanks.”

You let him finish the miso broth in silence. It gives you time to stare at him some more; even with the horrible sunburn and petroleum jelly smeared everywhere, he’s a very handsome man, that much you can tell, with broad shoulders and a pretty face and hair as green as forest moss. The three earrings on his left ear gleam gold and sway with every movement he makes.

“Are you gonna keep staring at me, or are you gonna ask me questions?”

“Hm? Oh!” Shaking your head in slight bewilderment, you smile. “Yeah, I guess it would be good to ask some questions … so, what’s your name, anyway?”

“Roronoa Zoro.”

You tilt your head with a frown. “Roronoa Zoro.” You taste the name in your mouth. “That sounds really familiar. Are you a pirate?”

“No. I hunt them.”

“You hunt them?”

“That’s what I said.”

You look at his swords again. His earrings. Three and three.

Shooting up from the couch, you dash to Archy’s room and slam the door open.

“Archimead! Wake up!” You grab your brother’s shoulders and rattle him.

“Shit – what?!” he gargles, pushing your face away with one meaty hand and sitting up. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“It’s Roronoa Zoro!”

“What?”

“The guy in our living room,” you shriek at him, practically shaking, “is the Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro. I fished Roronoa Zoro out of the fucking ocean.”

Archy stops rubbing his eye. “What.”

Soon enough, Zoro faces both you and your brother in the living room once more.

“You’re Roronoa Zoro? For real?” Archy asks him.

Zoro blinks up him. “Yeah.”

“Can you prove it?”

“‘Can you prove it’ – Archy, look at him. He’s got three earrings in his left ear and three fucking swords.”

“He could be some sort of copycat. We have no idea what Roronoa Zoro actually looks like.”

“You’re such a pessimist. Nobody would lug around three swords if they couldn’t use all of them at once.” You turn your attention back onto Zoro. “How the hell did you get stranded out there?”

He looks between the two of you, waiting for a moment before crossing his arms. “I was headed to Mirror Ball Island, but the boat I was on got caught in a whirlpool,” he says, displeased. “Then I got separated from the rest of the crew. Don’t know if they survived or not.”

“Mirror Ball Island?” you repeat. “That’s a three-day journey from here, at least.”

“Where’s here?”

“Dokusha Village.” You open one of the books on the table and point to a tiny strip of coast you’d labeled on the edge of the East Blue map. “Right there. You could buy a boat and sail west, straight to Mirror Ball Island.”

“I don’t have any beri on me right now,” Zoro says.

“Oh, yeah. Of course you don’t.” Archy puts his hands on his hips. “Well, the merchant ship is coming by in two weeks. If you’re all good by then, you can hitch a ride.”

“I’ll be fine by tomorrow night.”

You snort, closing the book and reclining back. “The rate you’re going, I don’t doubt it. Does that mean you want to leave earlier? You’ll still need a boat and supplies. Food, water, towels, sleeping gear. That all costs money. I mean, we could lend you some, but still.”

“I’ll work for it,” Zoro replies. “I don’t take and give nothing in return.”

Both you and Archy give a hum of approval.

—

True to his word, Roronoa Zoro is up and off the couch by the fourth day.

He doesn’t have a clue as to how to make barrels or buckets, which is expected, so he ends up helping with the grunt work of carrying staves into the workshop and stacking finished barrels. Other than that, there’s not much for him to do.

“Sorry if it’s boring,” you apologize during lunch, speaking through a mouthful of sandwich. “You’re kind of just hired muscle.”

Zoro shrugs, chewing on his own sandwich. Two girls walking by – Phoebe and Iris, the blacksmith’s daughters – spot him on the bench and giggle, hurrying past with glances over their shoulders. He appears not to care. “It’s fine.”

“I think you’re even stronger than my brother. Is it because of your training as a swordsman?”

“Probably,” he says.

“When did you start?”

“When I was eight.”

You nod sagely. “Not surprised. I’ve been helping around the workshop since I was a kid, and I only just finished my apprenticeship a few weeks ago. It’s good to start young.”

It seems that Zoro agrees by the way he grunts, stuffing the last piece of crust into his mouth.

When he’s done, you muster the courage to ask, “What’s it like, being a bounty hunter?”

Zoro raises an eyebrow at you. Then he gazes back out at the street. “It’s fine,” he responds. “Makes good money.”

You sigh exasperatedly. “Yeah, but, like, is it fun? Do you spend a lot of time at sea? See a lot of different places? Stuff like that.”

“I don’t do it for fun. My only goal is to become the world’s greatest swordsman.” He leans back and puts his hands behind his head. “It’s a shitton of traveling, both on ships and on land. I’ve been all over the East Blue.”

“Wow.” The word comes out as a sigh. You crunch longingly on a carrot stick. “That sounds amazing. It’s my dream to travel all over the world on a ship.”

“How come you’re here, then?”

You wince, hushing him hastily. Glancing behind you, you clear your throat and lean in to speak softly. “Archy hates the ocean. He worked on a merchant ship for a few months when he was eighteen and got super sick.” Upon reading Zoro’s blank expression, you clarify, “I can’t just leave him. I’m the only family he’s got now, and his younger sibling to boot. So Dokusha Village it is.”

“You’re staying because of your brother.”

“Yeah. I love him, so it’s fine.” There’s a familiar ache in your chest, but you push it down and elbow Zoro’s ribs in jest. (He doesn’t even move a muscle. Geez.) “Makes okay money. I got a bunch of adventure books to live through, anyway.”

It’s a little hard to meet your lunch companion’s eyes after that. You eat the rest of your carrots in silence, pretending to be occupied with finishing them. Zoro doesn’t utter another word.

But as the two of you get back to work, he seems a little warmer, a little less stiff. You make a silly joke and Zoro huffs out something that almost sounds like a laugh while Archy threatens to stick you in a rum barrel and roll you down a hill.

Perhaps you’ve made another friend.

—

“What are you making?”

You blow off the wood dust, closing one eye to cut a fin just right. “Shark. See?”

The bonfire you’d made crackles just a few feet away as you place the half-finished carving into Zoro’s palm. He picks it up with his other hand and twists it around, touching with intention, and you almost feel self-conscious with the way he’s examining it.

“Nice,” he finally says, and the praise makes you giddy. He hands the shark back to you.

“Thanks. I had a lot of practice.”

Zoro rests his elbows on the rock behind him and takes another swig of sake. You resume carving the shark’s fins, bare feet buried in the cool sand.

Archy’s on a date for once, so he left the two of you to your own devices for the night with a distracted wave goodbye and a warning that he’ll be back late. You took that as a chance to break into the alcohol after supper and drag Zoro down to the beach. The swordsman was willing to come along, though you suspect it was mostly for the sake.

“Ain’t that your third bottle?”

“I can hold my liquor.”

You stick your tongue out at him. “No need to brag.”

He wipes his mouth, dark brown eyes black in the firelight. They glint like steel when he looks over at you, but he doesn’t say anything – not that you’re surprised; sometimes Zoro just looks at whatever he wants without any reason. He’s not particularly complicated in that sense.

(You like that. Too many things in life are complicated.)

“Hey, Zoro.”

“Hm.”

Your lips purse. “Do you think my brother will get married one day?”

“How am I supposed to know?” His tone is flat.

“Well, I dunno! It’s just a question.” You frown, slowing in your work. “It’s just that after our parents died, he’s been too busy looking after me and the shop to court someone. He’s turning thirty next year and most people his age have settled down already. I feel kind of bad.”

“It’s not your fault,” Zoro says. “Wouldn’t he have more time now, anyway, since you can take care of yourself?”

“I think he’s been out for so long he doesn’t know how to date anymore.”

Zoro downs the rest of his sake. You know that there’s no advice he can give you regarding Archy’s marriage prospects, which doesn’t surprise you either. You suppose you just need someone to listen. It’s not like you can talk to Archy about it.

“Hell,” you remember, “I’m expected to be married by now, too. I’ve never even been on a date.”

“Really?”

“Nope. Why, are you surprised?”

Stretching his legs out in front of him, Zoro yawns and closes his eyes. “You just seem like the type.”

“What do you mean?”

“You talk a lot,” he says.

You burst out laughing. “Yeah, I do. Would that make me a good date?”

“How am I supposed to know?”

“I’m guessing you’ve never been on one, either?”

Zoro shrugs. He doesn’t look too torn up about it. “Waste of time,” he mutters.

Your grin widens. “Figured you’d say that,” you drawl, digging your blade into the shark’s mouth. “Dating doesn’t really help you become the world’s greatest swordsman, does it?”

“Nope.”

“I still think it might be fun, though. If you’re with the right person.” With that, you brush away the last curl of wood from your carving. After admiring it for a few seconds, you offer the shark to Zoro, bumping the nose softly against his cheek. He opens his eyes and turns his head to squint at it. “Here you go. All yours.”

His brow furrows as he takes it.

“It’s a going away gift. Since you’re leaving tomorrow,” you say. Folding your knife and putting it down beside you, you grab your bottle of sake and gulp down half of what remains. “Don’t forget it.”

One of the logs in the bonfire crumbles, falling into the coals. Orange sparks fly up into the smoke and disappear just as quickly. You poke at the fire with a stick, trying not to think about how sad you’re going to be tomorrow morning.

“I won’t forget,” Zoro says.

“I know.”

—

It’s almost dawn, and the family boat is packed up and ready to set sail.

“Got everything?” Archy asks, lowering into a squat to scan over all the supplies.

“Yeah.” The swordsman drags a hand through his hair. “Thanks again for the boat.”

“It’s nothing.” Your brother elbows your arm, and you sway. “Oi. He said thank you.”

“I know,” you mumble. For the first time this morning, you spare Zoro a glance and smile at him, but it’s shaky and fake and you really hate how your voice wobbles when you say, “You don’t have to thank us. Just have a safe – have a safe –” Your voice cracks, and you look down at your feet, eyes burning. “Have a safe trip,” you finish quietly.

You can feel two pairs of eyes on you as your vision goes blurry. Shit. This is so embarrassing.

The fact of the matter is that Roronoa Zoro has been in Dokusha Village for only a week, and you’re already missing him like he’s been in your life for years. You’re going to watch him get into your family’s fishing boat and sail away, the wind at his back, the East Blue before him, and you will remain on the dock with your big brother beside you and your dream in your head.

You’re being selfish, but it’s not … it’s not fair.

Archy puts his hand on your shoulder and says your name.

You wipe your nose. “What?”

“… I’ve been thinking.” He sounds hesitant, taking in a deep breath and letting it go slowly, carefully. “You’ve always wanted to travel the world on a ship.”

It’s like the world tilts on its axis.

Rigidly, you look up at your brother, eyes wide.

“I’m not dumb, you know. You’ve only stayed here because of me,” Archy says. “I’m the one who’s supposed to look after you and protect you. But you’ve been able to do that for yourself for a while, now. Right?”

“Archy.” You swallow. “What are you …?”

“I talked with Zoro last night. He’s willing to take you to Mirror Ball Island, if you want.” His smile is crooked, but it trembles at the corners as he continues. “You know how to sail, how to navigate. We’ll just have to add some extra stuff to the boat.”

You can barely breathe.

“There’s plenty of merchant ships there,” Zoro adds, leaning on his sword. “Your skills are valuable. Just be willing to pull your own weight, and they’ll take you on board. If not, I’ll tell them to.”

“You don’t have to –” Now you’re full-on bawling. You throw your arms around Archy, who wraps you in a bear hug, and then around Zoro, who stiffens. “Thank you so much. Thank you thank you thank you.”

“No problem,” Zoro mumbles, patting you on the back. When you let go to beam at him, he averts his eyes and rubs the back of his neck. “Just hurry up.”

Nodding, you dash back up to your house, Archy following close behind. You grab your bag, throw what you need into it, snatch your hat from your bedpost. Less than twenty minutes pass before you’re all ready to go.

“Got everything?” Archy asks once more at the dock. You nod and look at Zoro, who nods as well. “All right.”

You hug Archy for the last time. Tears spill over and down your cheeks. “Thank you for everything, big bro. I’ll miss you.”

“I’ll miss you too, kid.” His voice is rough and trembly, muffled against your head. “Come back to visit sometime, okay?”

“Okay.”

Getting into the boat with Zoro, you help him check the rigging and hoist the sail. Archy unties the vessel and pushes the two of you off. As you float away, he waves, and you wave back, staring as he gets smaller and smaller.

“I’m not turning back,” Zoro tells you as you eventually settle in your seat. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

Is it?

You cast one last glance back at Dokusha Village, at the small point of your brother. Then you look out at the broad expanse of the ocean. And you feel many things – joy, sadness, apprehension – but above all that, you feel –

Free.

“Yes,” you say firmly. You push your hat down and smile at Zoro, and this time, it’s genuine. “It is.”

Zoro smiles back. And as the sun begins to warm your face, you whistle your father’s song and think about the journey to come.

This is such beautiful and accurate fan art!! Thanks for sharing it was a serotonin boost!

Morning routine ☀️

@theonepiecewriter brings you:

Riding the striker for first time.

A fluffy Ace drabble for my wonderful readers! Ace doesn’t let just anyone on the Striker, so you must be someone special.

“This is it.” Ace said walking backwards, his hands spread wide, he stopped before the ocean, grinning excitedly. “The Striker.”

The striker was a long yellow raft with a motor on the tail end and a sail, brandishing the Whitebeard Pirates flag. You had asked Ace what it was like riding something like the Striker and to that he said, “When I take you out, you can decide for yourself.” Then he smiled and answered the question anyway, saying, “It’s super cool though. You’ll like it.” His enthusiasm around the Striker was infectious and had you buzzing, but it fizzled slightly when you got closer. The Striker didn’t have any seats and was narrow, could you even fit?—just like that you were uneasy.

Ace finished unhooking his make shift anchor and glanced up at you, you rushed a smile he returned, but it was knowing.

“Nervous?”

You nodded, there was no point in lying. “A little. Are you sure it can hold two people?”

Ace shrugged and hopped onto the Striker, it shook violently. “I’ve never tried it, but I guess will find out.”

“Ace, that wasn’t funny!”

Ace laughed out loud and you tried not to smile because it wasn’t funny, it wasn’t. Well, maybe a tiny bit.

“I’m sorry, I was teasing. Here, I’ll help you in alright?” Ace offered his hand and you took it firmly, he smiled at how tightly you held him. He led you onto his raft. It rocked slightly with the new weight and you cried out grabbing onto Ace’s arm, it was strong and solid and shook from his laughter.

“Your mean and I’m sorry, for grabbing you.”

“I’m not mean babe, I’m just fun, and why are apologizing? You can hang off of me all you like, actually I think you don’t do it enough.”

“Have I ever told you that your needy?”

“Uh huh, pretty much the whole duration of our relationship.” Ace said cheerfully, You two had been going together for a couple months now, your relationship fairly new, even still, it brought him extreme happiness anytime he thought about it.

“Well, you are.”

“I love your friendly reminders.” He kissed your cheek and pushed off the side of the bank. The Striker floated steadily out into the sea, the island becoming distant.

“You ready?” Ace asked against your ear, you shivered. You wished he wouldn’t be so distracting.

“Yes, I’m ready. Nervous but…excited.”

“You’ll be fine, I promise you. Now, the real fun begins.”

Ace held you to his side, dropping the sails and aiming his fire into the motor.

The Striker shot foreword so fast that you didn’t even have time to scream, Ace whooped and you clung to him watching everything speed by, Ace brushed his thumb over your shoulder in soothing motions in an effort to comfort you, which warmed your heart.

“Doing okay?” Ace murmured into your hair after a few minutes. “your really quiet.”

In the beginning the Striker’s speed had shocked you, but once you had the time to adjust, you really enjoyed the wind against your skin, the fresh saltiness of air but above all the alone time with your boyfriend.

“It’s just, You were right.” you said turning to Ace smiling.

“You like it?” Ace said grinning, happy to add this to the list of things you two could do together.

“I love it, but I think part of it is because I’m with you.” Ace smiled and kissed you, he couldn’t help it when you said such sweet things.

“Funny, I was just thinking how I was going to continue riding this thing by myself, now that I’ve done it with you—I’m just going to miss my passenger princess.”

Don’t go

In the poll, Ace got the most votes so I will be writing this and the others will come soon! This story will be a two shot.

Please support me by liking, reblogging and commenting on this! Also please follow for more content!

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Pairing: Portgas D Ace x Y/N

Dialogue: “Don’t go. I don’t even know who I am without you.” 🔥🏴‍☠️

A/n: I hope you enjoy this as much as I did writing this! <3

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"Ace, are you finished warming the buns," you asked, mixing the baking mix for the next batch. As the delicious smell of freshly baked bread filled the kitchen, you couldn't help but anticipate the mouthwatering treats that were about to come out of the oven.

"For the last time, I'm not an oven," Ace grumbled yet still used his devil fruit to heat up inside your cast iron stove. As the temperature rose, the buns began to brown and release their irresistible aroma, signaling that they were almost ready to be devoured.

Ace took them out and placed them on your table before leaning against the counter and looking in your direction, a mischievous grin on his face.

"I hope you're ready to indulge in some of the most delectable buns you've ever tasted," he said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"You know they're for the village, right?" you added, finally turning around to see him with the buns.

Ace's mischievous grin widened as he replied, "Oh, I know. But who says we can't have a little taste test of your delicious buns before sharing them with everyone else?"

Blushing at his flirtatious remark, you quickly refocused on the task at hand. Pouring the remaining mixture into the bun tray, you couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement as you imagined everyone's delight when they tasted your homemade creations.

That was until your hair started to get in the way, you were busy making the buns and forgot to wear a hair net.

"Um, Ace," you started, questioning if you should ask him for a favor.

"Yeah Y/N?" Ace replied.

"Do you think you could lend me a hand and help me find a hair tie? I don't want any loose hairs getting into the buns."

You heard footsteps approaching, but there was no answer.

You then felt a gentle hand push your hair behind your ears, and when you turned to look slightly, you saw Ace standing beside you with a hair tie in his hand, a warm smile on his face.

Your heart skipped a beat at seeing him so close, and you couldn't help but blush.

You felt your heart flutter and you felt your breath catch in your throat. You felt yourself relax as you looked into his eyes, your heart still pounding in your chest.

In that moment, you realized that Ace's presence had a powerful effect on you. His warm smile and close proximity made you feel a whirlwind of emotions, from excitement to nervousness to joy.

It was as if time stood still, and you couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between you than just a love for baking.

"Hey! Are you two finished? The villagers are getting hungry!" A voice yelled out of nowhere, belonging to Marco.

Startled, you quickly snapped out of your daze and realized that you had been lost in the moment with Ace. With a sheepish smile, you turned to Marco and replied, "Sorry, we got a bit carried away. The buns are ready, we'll bring them out right away!"

Ace quickly tied your hair with the hair tie, making sure no loose strands would get into the buns. Afterward, he stationed himself back by the cast iron stove, ready to assist with the final preparations before bringing the delicious buns out to the hungry villagers.

Unbeknownst to you, Ace's face was as red as a tomato, his whole face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly looked away, hoping you hadn't noticed his blushing. . . .

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As you walked in front of the large group in which they called themselves the 'Whitebeard Pirates', holding nothing while they carried all of the buns, you couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

You had never heard of the 'Whitebeard Crew' before, but perhaps that was because news from the outside world rarely reached your secluded island.

In the midst of your island being destroyed, the 'Whitebeard Crew' arrived just in time to save all of the villagers.

Ever since their arrival, the Whitebeard Crew had been tirelessly working to rebuild the island, restoring it to its former glory. Their dedication and hard work were evident in the progress that had been made, and you couldn't help but feel grateful for their presence and the impact they had on your life.

"Hey, did you hear that there are some pirates around?" you heard a villager say to another frightenedly.

You were shocked when you heard that there were pirates nearby.

Your heart started to race, and beads of sweat formed on your forehead as you tried to process the news. The thought of pirates being nearby filled you with a mix of fear and terror.

You couldn't help but wonder what their presence would mean for the island and its inhabitants. Again.

"What are you thinking about?" Ace's voice interrupted your thoughts, making you jump.

You turned to him, trying to hide your worry, and replied, "I heard there are pirates nearby. I can't help but worry about what that means for our island and everyone here."

Ace's jaw clenched and his eyes darted around nervously, betraying his unease. He took a deep breath before asking curiously, "Why are you so terrified of pirates?"

You let out a deep breath, saying, "They destroyed the village and killed my parents," the words caught in your throat as memories of that fateful day flooded back.

The pain and loss were still raw, and the thought of encountering pirates again brought back a wave of fear and vulnerability.

The screams of the villagers echoed in your ears as the pirates raided the island, their ugly laughter filling the air. The cries of pain and fear, mixed with the sound of gunshots, created a haunting symphony that still haunt your nightmares. The trauma of that day was etched deep within you, fueling your terror at the mere mention of pirates.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Ace muttered as he walked by your side.

Guilt filled Ace's body as he realized that he had not told you that he was a pirate himself. He understood the weight of your fear and the pain you had endured, and he knew that revealing his past would only deepen your wounds.

He felt like a coward for not being honest with you, but he also knew that it was the only way to protect the people he loved. He knew that you needed time and space to heal, and so he kept his secret.

The rest of the walk was silent for the both of you while the rest of the crew were chatting between themselves. Each step carried a heavy weight, burdened by the unspoken truth that hung in the air. Ace's heart ached, knowing that the longer he kept his secret, the harder it would be to reveal it.

Taking a deep breath, you pushed aside your fear and plastered a smile on your face as you all finally arrived at the hall where everyone was gathered to get their afternoon snacks before going back to rebuilding.

The sight of the resilient islanders, working together to rebuild their lives, gave you a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that lingered in your heart.

"Hello guys!" You said excitedly as you walked into the room, trying to hide the lingering fear and pain that still haunted you.

As you helped the islanders in their efforts to rebuild even by baking them food, you couldn't help but be inspired by their resilience and determination to create a better future, despite the horrors of the past.

Their faces lit up with gratitude and joy as they saw you enter the room, carrying trays of freshly baked food. The islanders, weary from the hardships they had endured, found solace in the simple act of sharing a meal together, and their appreciation for your presence was evident in their smiles and expressions of gratitude.

As you distributed the trays of freshly baked food, the islanders couldn't help but gush over the delicious treats. "Wow! They look so good!" exclaimed one islander, while another chimed in with, "I didn't think that you were going to pull this off!"

Even the children couldn't contain their excitement, as one of them eagerly asked, "Mummy! Can I have one!"

Their comments brought a sense of warmth and satisfaction, reminding you that despite the pain and fear that still haunted you, you were making a positive impact on their lives.

As soon as the group set the trays down, the villagers ran over with excitement, their eyes lighting up at the sight of the freshly baked food. They eagerly reached out, their hands grabbing for the treats, their expressions filled with gratitude and anticipation.

You stayed back, watching them devour the buns made you smile with joy. Seeing their hunger satisfied and witnessing the happiness on their faces was a powerful reminder of why you had chosen to stay and help rebuild their lives.

"You know, you should join our crew," Marco said to you as he stood beside you, crossing his arms. "With your baking skills and the positive impact you're making, we could really use someone like you to help us while we're at sea."

Even though you knew he was serious, you chuckled at his comment. "What do you guys even do for a living?" you replied with a smile.

"We're pirates," Marco answered as serious as possible.

You quickly looked at him and didn't see any mischief on his face, but you couldn't help but wonder if he was joking. Pirates?

Quickly, you glanced at Ace, how he nicely chatted with the elderly with a smile on his face.

It was as if the thought of being a pirate had corrupted his once pure aura, leaving you with a sense of unease. . . .

Part 2?