Daughter Of The Sea || One Piece

Chapter Twenty: Hugs everyone?

Ace

Ace was glad to see his baby brother thriving with the crew he always wanted. That smile on his face was all the reassurance he needed.

But what he didn't expect was seeing her after all these years

Standing beside his silly little brother, her (braids/locks/anything atp) tied back away from her face, quirking a questioning eyebrow at him. He didn't know if he was dreaming but the way the sun hit her skin made her look like an angel.

No, something far more divine but he couldn't quite place it.

He felt that aching feeling in his chest that he thought he'd forgotten years ago when he had met her.

He watched as her lips went to the cup of water she was drinking, taking in careful sips. Of course, he understood the words she'd said. Chasing after Blackbeard might have been a dangerous mission to do alone. But he couldn't let what that man did go unanswered. He was the reason he lost one of his closest friends. That was never going to go unpunished.

Y/n's gaze went to him. there was a certain kind of melancholy with the way her lips uttered more of her concern ''...darkness can.'' and maybe for the first time he might have felt his body grow cold for a second even when he could feel flames surge through his veins.

The smile he let out was a confident one, playing off the nerves. ''Maybe you could join me then. Sail by my side for as long as we live after I'm done with Blackbeard. It'll be fun.'' he spoke with a lilt, subtly tilting his head.

She chuckled, and the warmth all over his body returned tenfold. He felt more eyes on him in that instant. ''Don't steal my crewmate Ace!'' Luffy yelled, a frown on his face as he circled his arms around Y/n as though he were staking a claim over her. Holding on like a panda. Nami, the orange haired woman beside him placed her cup on the floor, her arms crossed as she gave him a cocky smile to hide how she was ready to kick his ass.

''You're not taking her away from us just yet fireboy.''

Ace smirked at the way almost everyone aboard had their eyes on him, their looks were threatening. That, he had to admit. He took a sip of his drink, ''If she wants to. There's enough space to join the Whitebeard Pirates.''

''There's enough space to join us too, Ace. You'd love it here.'' she said as she walked toward the rails, leaning against them. Luffy had long let go of her when she stood back up. The sea breeze blew over her dress, almost giving her a timeless look with the way the colours matched her personality. Black and white, she was neither good nor evil, she was herself. Or maybe she was in between. A mysterious grey.
Maybe he'd one day tell Marco he was tempted to do as she said with the way she was looking at him. Days spent living off her beautiful smile and her breathtaking laugh- make no mistake it wasn't "lady-like" as society would deem laughs- it could make anyone else laugh if they took the moment to hear every note to it.

Everyone else eased, realising that their homegirl wasn't planning on leaving their crew.

''Fair enough. We both love our crews too much to leave 'em.'' He nodded at her words, crossing his arms as he adjusted the way he sat on the barrel. He could feel her eyes roaming over his body. taking him in like never before. Thats why he was sitting properly, so her eyes could take in all of him just as he was taking her in.

"Ain't that right."

Nami

'The flipping tension going on right in front of me is unsafe' Her eyes met with Ussop as they watched the two infront of them. These two have met each other before. That's what she could guess from the subtle flirtation. Luffy looked upset from beside Ussop and Nami could easily figure out why.