The Heart and Soul of Monkey D. Luffy: One Piece (Luffy x OC)

Chapter 10: If There are Storms, There are Stars Too

**WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SPOILERS FROM THE MARINEFORD WAR ARC**

Author's Note: This chapter takes place immediately following the events at the end of the previous chapter.

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Luffy stood there for a long moment, staring at the ground until a single tear rolled down his cheek. "Damn it..." He muttered to himself, the word coming out in a hoarse whisper.

He had known that things with Aria were different from the beginning. Something about her was special to him, and he felt himself drawn to her. He had written it off as just a strong friendship, but deep down, he knew it was more than that. He had tried to deny it, tried to push away the feelings, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't deny the feelings that had slowly formed in his heart.

It terrified him, the intensity of his feelings for her, but he couldn't help it. She had a way of reaching deep into his heart and touching him in a way that no one else ever could. And yet, he had just pushed her away. He had rejected her without even realizing it. He had told her that it was just a dance, that it meant nothing, when it couldn't be further from the truth.

He had lied to her, and he didn't know why. Fear? Insecurity? A deep-rooted sense of unworthiness? He couldn't explain it, even to himself. All he knew was that he had hurt her, and the look on her face before she walked away was like a knife through his heart.

"Damn it... dammit, dammit..." Luffy muttered again, the curse word sounding angry and bitter in his ears. He felt his fists clench tightly as he continued to utter the words to himself.

He wanted to hit something, to punch something, anything. He wanted to break something, destroy something. Anything to release his frustration, anger and self-loathing. His fists were trembling from the intensity of his anger, his whole body shaking with the adrenaline of it. He clenched his teeth as he stood there, trying to get himself under control. It took every ounce of self-control he had in him to prevent himself from smashing the wood of the deck with his fist.

He was mad at himself, mad that his own fears and insecurities had led to this moment. He was mad at himself for pushing Aria away, for lying to her. And he was mad at himself for falling for her in the first place. He had never wanted to fall in love. He had never planned to fall for anyone. It just... happened. And now, here he was, standing alone on the deck, feeling like he had just made the biggest mistake of his life. He didn't know what to do, except stand there and hate himself.

Just then, Aria returned from the women's quarters, her long hair blowing gently in the sea breeze. She couldn't bear the thought of going to bed and leaving things uncomfortable and tense between her and Luffy. It didn't feel right. She knew she had to put her emotions in check and talk to him. So, she came back.

Luffy didn't notice her approach. He still had his back turned and head bowed as he leaned against the railing with his fists clenched. He was lost in his own world of anger and self-loathing, his eyes burning with tears that he wouldn't let fall.

Aria could tell by his body language that he was upset, and she knew it was because of what had happened between them moments ago. She approached him slowly, stopping several feet behind him. "Hey." She said quietly, her voice barely carrying over the sound of the wind sweeping across the deck.

Luffy stiffened as he heard her voice behind him. He had been so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't even realized that she had returned. Now he felt a rush of conflicting emotions as he heard her soft voice: embarrassment, guilt, anger, fear – all of it swirling together inside of him like a tidal wave. He didn't turn around. He didn't trust himself to look at her. He swallowed hard, feeling his heart throb painfully in his chest. "What do you want?" He asked, his voice rough.