Coast - Reader x Luffy

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Kinda filler. Not sure how I'm feelin about this one, but we'll run with it!

My goal in this story is to capture the essence of Hozier's Work Song in Luffy's feelings for the reader. 100% believe he would eventually embody this song for his soulmate / significant other / whatever you wanna call it, idc. I fuckin' love that song.

Anywho,

Happy reading!

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Luffy bolts over the edge of the island like a hound on a trail. With every bounding stride over the more hazardous sections of the land, his hands squeeze tightly at my waist and thighs, ensuring he won't drop me as we speed toward the Going Merry. The sun has risen past the border of the glistening sea, and I knew for a fact that we were going to be late.

Still, it amazed me how Luffy had managed to stay on such a steady pace whilst holding both me and the sack of gold. The bag had to be weighing heavily on his back. I had told him a number of times that I could run too, but he wasn't having it.

"I told you it's fine. We're almost there, anyways!" He huffed out happily, not stopping. I looked at him in disbelief. His stamina must've been insanely high.

"If you say so." I force myself to relent, clutching at the red vest as he vaults us over another pile of rocks.

"I say so!" He laughs, "Wait! Do you still have him?"

By him, he meant the Hercules Beetle that we had spent about forty-five minutes trying to catch after I had initially spotted it; the whole reason we were late in the first place. Now, the large insect was in my hand, nestled safely after Luffy had asked me to carry it, since he would be carrying me. The creature didn't fuss or bother me much. Honestly, I was much more worried about Nami's wrath when she found out how long it took to find the bug in question.

"Yeah, he's fine." I nodded, lifting it to show him. The bug stared vacantly, not a thought behind those eyes; reminding me much of the way my own soulmate looked at me sometimes. I furrowed my brow at the resemblance.

"Sweet! I can't wait to show the crew." He giggled, and I grimaced at the idea.

"Maybe we shouldn't," I started hesitantly, "After all, Nami is going to be so mad, and--"

"Hey!" Luffy interrupts with a long, drawn-out greeting.

I turn to look, and as the trees curve from our view, and the crew eases into our sight. I feel a sense of relief wash over me to see them with the Saruyama Alliance, who are standing and well.

"Luffy, hurry up! We're already behind schedule." Sanji urges as Luffy laughs the whole way, dashing over.

Finally, he screeches to a halt, and I would've fallen out of his hold from the movement if he hadn't been gripping me. I wouldn't be surprised if he left skid marks from his sandals with how forceful the stop was; and I tilt my head up to see the reason why he looked so mesmerized.

The Going Merry was completely revamped; patched up in all the right places, and was now adorned with a pair of white wings, white tail feathers, and a red rooster comb. The top half of what seemed like a cracked egg surrounded the base of her figure head.

Our ram had been reformed into a rooster.

Luffy was dazzled by the new changes, sparkles in his eyes. I couldn't deny that I was also impressed by what they had gotten done in the span of a few hours; even though the design was just a tad funny-looking.

After taking my fill of the 'rooster-ized' Going Merry, my ears perked at a soft sound from behind us. I turned, albeit a bit awkwardly in Luffy's arms, and was immediately taken-aback.