One Piece Oneshots (Whumptober 2022)

Day 27 - Pushed to the Limit (Bartolomeo x Reader)

"This doesn't look good, Meo," you said checking your inventory for another health potion, you were down to the last one. "I don't think we can defeat the boss at this rate."

"We made it this far, Ms. [Y/n]," Bartolomeo reminded you, shielding the two of you with his magic shield. "And his HP is just past the halfway point, if we back out now, we'd have to start over again."

"We can go up level doing some side quests then rematch the boss later," you tried to reason with him, placing the potion back into your inventory. "But we can't take him down in our current state."

Barto frowned and popped open his spell window, all the spell slots were used up. Barto sighed, closing the window and turned to you. "Alright, let's book it, Ms. [Y/n]."

He grabbed your hand and took a running dash to the exit of the dungeon's boss room. You stumbled, not expecting the swift action, though you picked up the pace quickly knowing death will pounce if you don't haul ass.

You looked ahead, you could see the tall steel doors. Almost free, you could feel the handle in your hand. With all your strength, you pull the door. It would've easily opened if you didn't freeze up, but how else would respond to seeing your companion being impaled by the beast?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"Hey, you're pretty good with that sword," a green-haired man complimented you. His hands were stuffed in his pockets and tilted his head. "How come you're out here fighting monsters all by yourself?"

"No one wants woman front fighter," you simply stated, cleaning the blood off your sword. "Whether they think women are too weak or they should do something with more grace, parties only want females playing healers or sharpshooters on their team."

"They're a bunch of stupid jackasses then," he scoffed, one of his hands leaving his pocket. "Their loss but I'm not going to miss an opportunity." He held out his hand to you. "The name's Bartolomeo."

"[Y/n]." You smiled, warmth blooming in your chest as you shook his hand.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

"MEO!" All instincts of survival abandoned you as you cried. 

You retracted your hand from the handle and swung your sword down on the monster's arm. Blood splashed on your face and the part of the arm that penetrated Barto fell to the ground. You strike your blade at the beast once again, soul focused on taking him down. You didn't care if you were already pushed to the limit. 

Bartolomeo was the only one who treated you as human. He let you fight however you wanted to and he shared rewards equally with you, even if he made a lame excuse of why he did it. How dare this monster take him from you.

"I'LL MAKE YOU PAY!"