|In What Way?| [One Piece x Reader]

Prolouge

Crowds broke up when a woman walked through, whispering about her, judging her.

The woman kept a straight face, merely unphased by the shit that came out of their mouths.

The young adult made her way into the bar of Foosha Village, giving Makino a nod as she sat.

"So, Shanks is stopping by, right?" She asked, and messed with your glass.

Makino nodded, "I bet, he said he'd return...but it's the last time. You may want to ask him now."

"You know I can't do that, poor little luff would be dissapointed if I left too." The mysterious woman mumbled.

"Yes, I know. He's such an energetic one." She giggled, and earned a nod from the woman's quiet form.

This woman didn't like bars, or public places at all.

She'd rather be at home, or on a ship, writing in her journal.

Makino placed some food infront of her.

"Oh, thanks Maki-sama."

Makino nodded, and smiled at the 'sama' The quiet woman respected her alot.

Hearing loud laughter in the distance, the customer perked up, her head tilting a bit.

"I think shanks has arrived." She said to Makino, who nodded, and began breaking out the Sake in advance.

Shanks busted into the bar, "Makino! Its been awhile!"

Luffy ran up to the mystery woman, while Makino smiled.

Shanks gave the woman a double-take.

"Wait a minute, Y/n?"

You looked over, no longer the mystery, and gave him a swift nod, letting the cloak fall from your shoulders, and onto the floor.

Shanks picked it up, and threw it at Benn, who tucked it into a bag.

You gave Shanks a look.

"You're still making my wardrobe, huh?" You asked, and shook your head.

Luffy jumped into your lap, and you let him, hugging the boy close to your form.

Shanks stared, silently wishing that was him, and snapped out of it, nodding vigorously.

"The only thing I haven't gotten yet is your pa-"

"Dont finish that sentence, red-hair."

"Fine...Venus Flytrap."

Your eye twitched as he called you by your other name.

"Thats too far, Shanks." You mumbled as you set luffy down by the Gum-gumm fruit.

Shanks grinned. "I need a fight." He laughed, and cracked his neck.

You sighed, and stood, glaring at him.

"As you wish."

You walked outside, your hands in your coat pocket- how it reappeared, Benn didn't know.

Shanks followed, curious about your abilities.

When the two of you got out there, Shanks tried to kick your legs in.

Your body didn't move.

You turned, slowly glaring at the shorter male.

Your menacing aura grew, as an eye twitched softly.

"BITCH THAT HURT!"

Your face was expressionless as you and Shanks fought eachother, dust flying through the air.

Shanks whole crew were surprised at the outburst, and the slight pain in your eyes.

Yet your face remained the same, and they all wondered why.

By the middle of the day, Shanks had lost his arm, and you sat next to him, everyone gone.

You gripped your pants, looking to the side.

Shanks gently placed his hand on your leg, and patted it.

"I'll be fine, like I said to Luffy, I've got another."

"Yes...but you could've died from that." You mumbled, voice as monotone as ever.

Shanks sighed, and cupped your cheek with one hand, making you look at him.

"Y/n...its okay to cry."

As if those words suddenly turned the valve, tears poured from your eyes, brows furrowed as a choked sob escaped you.

He pulled you in for a hug, wrapping his arm around you.

"Its okay, its okay." He murmured, and nuzzled his head into your shoulder as you racked out sobs.

"You could've died on me! Shanks don't you realize that?!"

<Present Day>

You looked out at the blue sea, and packed up your things.

Luffy- almost 17- was whining as you packed.

"Why can't you wait for me?!" He cried out, and wrapped his arms around your muscular waist.

"I- I have to do something luffy, and its not exactly easy."

You couldn't tell him...not at all.

You'd gotten a message from whitebeard, and he wanted to see his only daughter again.

You looked at luffy. And slipped off a shell necklace, smiling as you placed it on his neck.

The emotions you could show were happiness, and sadness as of now...it was all still new to you, even after 8 years or so.

Your soft expression never faltered, "Luffy, please, wear this necklace with pride, and make sure you come see me. When you find me, then I'll join your crew, I promise."

You held out your pinky to the boy, and he quickly took it, shaking it up and down as he grinned with determination, although you could sense the tears forming in his eyes.

"Luffy...this is difficult for me to say, but I love you."

The waterworks began-

He quickly wrapped his rubbery arms around you, and attached himself to your startled form.

"Dont go! Stay!" He cried, and hugged you tighter.

"Luffy. You're not a little kid anymore." You warned, and got him off of you.

"You face this, head up, and watch me leave, remember the good times, and make sure you come to the GrandLine. I'm counting on you."

Then a questioned filled your mind, in what way did you deserve this boy?