COAST - Luffy x Reader

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Hihi

Been working on a new schedule for updating, still not super consistent but as long as I chip away at chapters y'all shouldn't have to wait a whole month each time. Holiday season combined with college can be busy af tho, so it'll be interesting!

On another note, since we hit 100k reads would you guys be interested in an event of sorts? I'm thinking a DTIYS, but I'm not sure yet. Lmk if you have any ideas!

Enjoy the chappy! This arc has been fun to draft up so far :)

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It didn't take much for the man with the thick mustache to board the both of us on the little dingy, and then we were on our way to marine headquarters... or at least that was what I had assumed it was as I plodded behind him through the barren hallways.

Everything here was clean, too clean, and it all looked the same. White-steel walls that swerved and winded to create the confusing, complex structure that I was now trapped inside. There were no signs indicating locations, and only closed doors without any windows to see into the rooms behind them. Was this what every marine base was like?

The younger men, assumed as cadets, all gawked and gaped as we walked past; but only if they weren't already busy saluting the man before me. I wasn't sure what garnered that sort of reaction from them, but I wished I had put up more of a fight rather than willingly subjecting myself to the attention, a twinge of embarrassment settling as a rosy-blush over my cheeks. I was soaked to the bone, water trailing with each and every hobbling step taken. It felt humiliating to be in their ever-watchful gaze.

Of course, that didn't matter so much as the issue currently at hand: How this man had actually known who I was, despite the fact that I hadn't originated here, nor had I been here for very long, a couple months at best. Being held captive, while all of these marines knew something that I didn't, settled poorly with me.

But, was I really being held against my will? Despite supposedly knowing me by name after sighting me, the man hadn't bothered to detain me whatsoever. No handcuffs, no rope, only a brief request to follow him that felt more like a suggestion than an order. His lack of hostility was one of the reasons I hadn't bothered to retaliate in the first-place, and I couldn't dream of escaping, having already half-drowned with my broken leg... what other choice was there?

Still, it didn't make any sense. The sense of unease never went away as he wordlessly rowed us to the marines port, barely offering any explanation before we were on our way once more. He still hadn't spoken even as we walked up to a set of large doors, where they would open to reveal another very important-looking man already standing in the room.

"Commander, where have you–" The new face, adorned with grayish-brown mutton chops and a strong jaw, falters as his sight flicks from his commander and onto me. These eyes felt different than the ones in the hallways, and I timidly averted my vision to somewhere else, rooted by the entrance of the room even as the commander moved forward. The higher-up waltzes by the second presence without acknowledging the others' surprise, thrusting his fishing gear into the man's hands, and then opens the curtain to peek out at the Going Merry on the waters below.

"I caught a rather big fish today." It's a simple statement, one that doesn't harbor any ill-intent or malice, not quite like Eneru's or the priests. The other man assesses me wearily, before clearing his throat with thin lips.

"Understood, sir. She'll be detained in the brig straight away." He salutes, clutching the fishing gear with tight-knuckles.

"Bring our guest a fresh set of clothes, lieutenant. Whenever the next meal is being prepared, ask my wife to cook something for her as well." This, I realize, is a demand. The commander is leaving no room for argument, and the clear-cut edge in his tone is enough to make me feel scolded, though the words aren't actually directed at me.