One Piece x Reader Oneshots (NO REQUESTS)

Paper Cranes (Luffy x Reader) AU

You had no doubt Luffy had seen enough of hospitals in the past weeks to last him a lifetime. The recovery process was slow enough as it was, it was even slower when he didn't want to be here. When he couldn't bear to be here after all that had happened.

As the nurse assigned to his ward, you had watched over the young man since he'd been admitted. You had seen him be rushed to the emergency room, barely clinging to life, and come out again—alive against all odds. You'd monitored him while he slept as his body recovered from the shock of the car accident and the subsequent ten-hour surgery, a sleep doctors said he might never wake up from. You'd watched him wake two weeks later, as if he'd merely been napping, and immediately ask to see his brother.

And you'd watched him break when they told him his brother, Ace, had been dead on arrival to the hospital.

1. Denial

He didn't believe it at first. How could he? One second, Ace had been alive and warm and smiling right there beside him. And the next he was gone, torn away like an expired month on a calendar.

He had pinched himself again and again trying to wake himself up. It was far easier to just believe that it was all just a dream. Only once he was black and blue, and drowsy from the sedative the doctor had given him did he finally give up the notion. His anguished cries stayed with you long after unconsciousness had finally claimed him once again.

2. Anger

His confusion and pain all too soon turned to rage. It fuelled his strength where his muscles had failed him and soon he was able to stand through pure determination alone. He had only one thing on his mind.

"I need to see him."

"Luffy, he's gone."

"No!" His face was contorted in pain and he swayed on his feet, but still he fought you with every ounce of strength he could muster. "Take me to him! I need to see for myself!"

"Luffy—!"

"LET ME SEE ACE."

"He's dead, Luffy!" You heard your voice crack but remained firm. "The funeral was yesterday. He's gone."

His legs gave out and he fell to his knees. You caught him before he could hit the ground but his weight only dragged you down with him and you held him close, feeling him struggle weakly against your hold as you both cried, kneeling together on the sterile linoleum floor. You stayed there with your arms around him until the orderlies came to take him away and ushered him back into the arms of on unconsciousness where he could forget, just for a little while, that his whole world wasn't collapsing around him.

That day left you shaken. It was something you had come in contact with a lot in your time at the hospital. It was something you just had to get used to. But no matter how prepared you thought you were, there were always still those cases that hit you harder than you ever expected.

From that day forward, you made it your mission to see Luffy smiling again.

3. Bargaining

"Do you know how to make paper cranes?"

His odd question didn't faze you. You were used to him asking the strangest things. "I've made them before. I'd have to refresh my memory though. Why?"

"Could you teach me?" His tone was urgent.

"Sure, if you like. I can bring in some paper in the morning."

Then there it was—a smile. Small and fleeting, but sincere. And suddenly you realised you would do anything to see that smile return for good.

"Thanks, [Name], you're the best!"