"Luffy! We see an island!"
I was lying on the Sunny's figurehead, hat pulled low over my eyes, my favorite spot on the ship. At Nami's call, I jolted upright, jumping down to stand beside my crew. The island was growing larger on the horizon, our faces lighting up with excitement—especially mine.
I was always excited for adventure.
And to see him.
It had been months since I last saw him. I missed his grumpy face, the way he always listened to me, even when pretending not to. How, even while reading, he'd wait to turn the page until I finished speaking. And how, no matter where I was, I could always feel his eyes on me.
I missed his rare, real smile—the kind that made me grin even wider. I missed his tattooed, muscular body, his rough hands that always held me like I was something precious.
God, I miss his kisses.
"Luffy?"
I blinked and turned to see Sanji and Zoro staring at me, eyebrows raised.
"What?"
"You're quiet."
"I'm excited, duh! Shishishi!" I laughed, stretching my arms behind my head
Zoro squinted at me. "You gonna disappear for a week again?"
I felt my face heat up. Damn it.
"Maybe," I said, forcing a wide grin. "Or maybe I'll come back early to hang out with you guys!"
They seemed satisfied with that answer, thankfully. I wasn't ready to tell them yet. I was... nervous.
Not that they wouldn't accept me, but what if they didn't want me to be with him? And besides, it was my personal life. I didn't have to explain anything.
"Luffy-kun, if you don't mind me asking, why do you always stay away so long?" Jinbe asked, his deep voice calm but curious.
I flinched.
"Uh... exploring and stuff," I mumbled, turning my head away as sweat dripped down my temple.
Usopp leaned in, his long nose practically poking my forehead. "You're lying."
Brook sipped his milk. "Yohoho~ Luffy, you really can't lie."
"Just tell us," Nami pressed, shoving Usopp aside to stand in front of me, arms crossed.
Usopp yelped, rubbing his shoulder. "Agh! You witch! Are you a gorilla?!"
Nami's eye twitched. "What did you just call me?"
Usopp threw his hands up. "I'm sorry, madam!"
I took my chance to run.
"Bathroom break!" I yelled, escaping before they could question me further.
Shutting the door behind me, I let out a sigh of relief. Geez, they're too nosy.
Pulling the small Den Den Mushi from my pocket, I pressed the button. He had gotten it made just for us, encrypted so even the Navy couldn't listen in.
Purururu... Purururu...
'Gacha.'
"Strawhat-ya."
His voice was husky, groggy—like he had just woken up. A shiver ran down my spine, heat creeping up my face as memories of the last time we were together flashed through my mind.
"Stop your dirty thoughts, Strawhat-ya," he said lazily, amusement clear in his voice.
I scowled. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh? So I don't know my own boyfriend?"
I could hear the rustling of sheets. Yep, just woke up.
"We're approaching an island, and your Vivre Card is pointing there," I said, glancing at the small piece of paper in my hand, its tip angled toward the land ahead.
"Follow it. I rented a cabin in the woods for us. Been here for two days now."
My heart thumped a little faster. "Okay. I miss you."
"I miss you too. Even though you're annoying."
I grinned. "You love me."
"I do. And your ass."
I choked. "So you're after my body?"
"Tch. Don't act like you don't love mine. You're crazy about my dick."
"Shut up!" I hissed, face burning. "I gotta go, so I'll see you soon."
"Okay. Bye."
I was about to hang up when his voice softened.
"Oh, and Luffy?"
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
Damn it. He always knew how to make my heart skip a beat.
I smiled. "I love you too, Torao."
Stuffing the Den Den Mushi back into my pocket, I took a deep breath, splashed water on my face, and stepped out of the bathroom.
"SANJI, I'M HUNGRY!" I yelled, beaming as I skipped to the kitchen.
The others were already seated when I walked in, which was weird—but then again, my crew was full of weirdos. I had a skeleton, a fishman, a pervert, a fantasista, a thief, a devil child, a robot, a deer, and a pathological liar for nakama.
Usopp eyed me. "You seem happy."
I plopped into my seat next to him, still grinning. "Of course! It's a new island! New adventure! And it looks dangerous! Shishishi!"
Chopper frowned. "Geez, don't do anything reckless. We need our captain."
I flashed him a peace sign. If getting my guts rearranged by my lover isn't reckless enough, I don't know what is.
"LUNCH BEFORE ADVENTURE!" Sanji called, bringing out plates of food with Zoro behind him.
Drool dripped from my mouth. "Food!"
After stuffing myself, I was about to leave when Sanji called out, "Oi, aren't you taking any clothes?" He handed me a large bento box. "Here. Take this, too."
I sniffed the food, practically drooling all over again. But I resisted. I promised Law I wouldn't eat everything instantly.
"Nope! Don't need clothes! Thanks for the food!" I yelled, bolting off the ship and into the island.
I started singing loudly as I ran:
"Minami no shima wa atakai~
Paina-puru-puru,
Atama boka boka, Aho baakaaaaaaa!"
___
The Straw Hats watched as their captain bolted for the bathroom, sweating bullets.
They exchanged glances, knowing that if they pressed him hard enough, he would crack. But at the same time, they held back—if Luffy wasn't talking, it meant he had a secret, and sooner or later, they would find out.
Sanji exhaled a plume of smoke and stretched. "Well, I'll go finish cooking. Oi, Marimo, come help me." He reached over, yanking Zoro by the ear, ignoring the swordsman's protests.
"Oi! Curly-brow, stop pulling!" Zoro grumbled, batting Sanji's hand away. But despite his complaints, he followed without resistance, yawning.
Nami clapped her hands together, a devious glint in her eyes. "Alright, everyone, let's have a little discussion in the kitchen."
At the mere sight of her scheming expression, Usopp and Chopper gulped. Jimbei sighed knowingly, while Brook chuckled and Franky struck a SUPER! pose. Robin simply smiled, already aware of where this was going.
As soon as they were all gathered inside, with Sanji and Zoro working on lunch, Nami smirked. "Let's make a bet."
"A bet?" Chopper tilted his head, still playing with the toy Usopp had made for him.
Nami nodded. "Luffy's been disappearing on almost every island we stop at. He always comes back looking... well, like he's been through something." She raised an eyebrow. "I say he's got a lover. Who's in?"
Robin raised her hand immediately. "Iagree."
Zoro hesitated for a moment before raising his hand as well. "...Yeah. Something's up."
Sanji sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Damn, I guess I'll go with yes, too."
Usopp, Chopper, and Brook exchanged glances before shaking their heads.
"No way," Usopp argued. "This is Luffy we're talking about. He barely understands the difference between liking someone and liking meat."
"Exactly!" Chopper nodded rapidly. "If he did, he would've told us! ...Right?"
Brook chuckled. "Yohoho~ I also doubt it. Besides, can a skeleton really bet? I have no pockets!"
Franky and Jimbei took a more neutral stance.
"He's probably just out exploring," Franky reasoned, crossing his arms.
Jimbei nodded. "Aye. Luffy has a free spirit, and romance isn't usually on his mind."
Nami grinned, rubbing her hands together. "Alright, then. We'll follow him."
Zoro snorted. "Tch. That won't be easy."
"Oh, don't worry." Nami turned to Sanji. "When you pack Luffy's bento, slip a piece of your Vivre Card in there."
Sanji blinked before smirking. "Heh. Clever."
Zoro rolled his eyes but smirked at her tactics. "Damn witch."
The plan was set. Just in time, too, as they heard Luffy's footsteps racing toward the kitchen.
⸻
"You seem happy," Usopp remarked as Luffy waltzed into the kitchen, practically glowing.
"Of course, I am!" Luffy beamed. "It's a new island! A new adventure! And it looks dangerous! Shishishi!"
Zoro and Sanji exchanged knowing looks.
Chopper pouted. "Geez, don't do anything reckless. We need our captain."
Luffy flashed a peace sign, his cheeks slightly red.
"LUNCH BEFORE ADVENTURE!" Sanji yelled as he and Zoro set down trays of food.
Luffy practically drooled at the sight and immediately dug in, stuffing his face at an alarming speed. The crew kept a close eye on him, looking for any signs of odd behavior. But aside from his slightly giddy attitude, he acted like his usual self.
After eating, Luffy stretched and stood up. "I'm heading out!"
Sanji handed him a large bento box. "Here. Try not to eat it all at once."
Luffy took it with a big grin. "Thanks!"
Nami narrowed her eyes. "Aren't you gonna bring extra clothes?"
"Nope! Don't need 'em!" Luffy called as he bolted out the door, singing at the top of his lungs.
The moment he was out of earshot, Nami turned to the others. "Alright. Everyone ready?"
Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Usopp, Chopper, and Nami nodded.
Franky, Jimbei, and Brook stayed behind, watching them with amusement.
Brook chuckled. "Yohoho~ I suppose we'll learn soon enough if our captain is in love."
⸻
Luffy slowed his pace as he ventured deeper into the forest, pulling out the Vivre Card in his pocket. The small piece of paper pointed straight ahead, leading him toward a stone pathway.
His heartbeat quickened.
The path ended at a secluded cabin nestled between the trees.
A grin split Luffy's face as he ran to the door and pounded on it. "Torao!"
From inside, footsteps approached. The door creaked open slightly, revealing a very barely dressed Trafalgar Law—shirtless, wearing only gray joggers slung low on his hips. Luffy's gaze shamelessly raked over his lean, tattooed torso, the way the muscles flexed as Law adjusted the door.
A smirk tugged at Law's lips. "My eyes are up here, sweetheart."
Luffy tipped onto his toes, grabbing Law's face and pulling him down into a kiss. Law let out a low chuckle before tugging him inside, kicking the door shut behind them.
⸻
Meanwhile...
The Straw Hats crouched in the bushes outside the cabin.
"...I knewit," Nami whispered excitedly.
Usopp's jaw dropped. "No. Freaking. Way."
Robin chuckled. "Quite the unexpected pairing."
Zoro crossed his arms. "...Huh."
Chopper's face was bright red. "D-Did Luffy just—did he kiss someone?!"
Sanji exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "I can't believe that idiot found himself a boyfriend"
Nami rubbed her hands together. "Alright, everyone, pay up."
Usopp groaned as he and Chopper handed over their money.
Inside the cabin, completely unaware of his spying crew