Maelstrom

Chapter 21

Ruse's POV

You awoke to the waves gently rolling under you, your chest nuzzled snuggled against another body. Your nose is tickled by a vibrant lock of crimson hair, as you grin tiredly. Shanks was wrapped around you, no longer resting in the lounge, instead in his quarters, tucked against a larger cot, blankets wrapped around the two of you. You scoff, laughing lightly as his sleeping face, a small lopsided grin on his lips, murmuring something incoherent before he pushes further into your embrace, seeking warmth. What a captain, you sigh as you card your hands through his unruly red locks, waiting for him to awake.

"Morning brat." You hear him grumble, voice husky with sleepiness as you shove him, grinning lightly.

"Morin Captain Idiot." You reply, earning a chuckle from said idiotic captain, helping you to your feet from his bed.

"What's on the agenda today huh Red? We're about two days out now from Foosha." You ask, eager to hear his response.

"Well.." He drawls, leaning against the door frame, "I'd figure you would be eager to jump ship, but not this eager." He teases you as you scowl, you really did enjoy his company, along with the rest of the Red-Haired crew, but you did need to eventually leave the nest. Find nakama of your own, start your own voyage. Of course you would come back, likely to challenge the redhead, but also because you knew you'd grow to miss him, not that you would tell him that. Smug bastard would probably have his ego swell.

"Shut up Red, you know I'll miss your pretty face. Though Mihawk was a close contender, maybe I'll run into that pretty swordsman again soon." You tease, seeing him frown with slight irritation before shooting you a lazy grin.

"Aww kid, nice to know you'll be thinking of me after you go your way. Ya know you can always come back anytime ya feel...lonely." He purrs, as you blush slightly, before you swat his reaching hands away.

"C'mon Red, you're the one that'll miss me the most, anyways, you didn't answer my question." You reply, making your way over towards him, resting an arm on your hip.

"Aye, we're gonna be arriving back at Foosha soon, but before that we were gonna make a stop at Shimotsuki Village on the way." He replies to you, pouting slightly as you swat his hand away from your reach, before you begrudgingly let him run his fingers through your unruly white mane, his trademark grin sliding back on his face.

"Aye, aye Red. Sounds like a plan to me." You drawl, leaning into his larger frame, enjoying the warmth that he radiated.

He grins back at you, as you set sail for Shimotsuki Village, waves rolling gently underneath the hull of the Red Force, wind at your back, blowing the sails in guidance.

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