Aria pov
Luffy landed like a human cannonball, face-first in the sand, popped up grinning, and yelled, "ACE!" like the entire desert hadn't already heard him.
It was one thing to watch Luffy do stretchy nonsense from a screen; it was another to witness it up close, live, and aggressively loud. I wasn't sure if I should be impressed, horrified, or mildly concerned for the laws of physics.
Ace, though? Completely unbothered. He just crossed his arms, half-grinning, half-sighing, the picture of an older brother who'd long given up on sanity.
"Luffy," he greeted, voice warm but tired.
Luffy leapt at him like a missile, nearly knocking both of them over. "You're here!"
"You screamed my name across the entire island, of course I'm here," Ace muttered, patting his back.
I stood there blinking, sand in my shoes and awe in my throat. This was Monkey D. freaking Luffy. In the flesh. The legend. The chaos gremlin.
And he had absolutely no idea one of his biggest fan was standing six feet behind his brother trying not to squeal like she'd just met her favorite boy band.
Ace and Luffy started bickering almost immediately — something about how Luffy probably did something stupid again and how Ace shouldn't talk because he had also do incredibly stupid things as well. It was like watching two children argue about who broke the cookie jar, except one could stretch and the other could set the world on fire.
I followed quietly behind them, smiling like an idiot, as they made their way back toward the ship anchored near the shore.
Each step closer made my heart thump louder. The Strawhats were right there. I was about to meet Zoro. And Sanji. And Nami freakin' Swan. Robin too! Holy hell, Robin!
I was trying to stay chill, but my insides were having a fangirl riot.
When we reached the ship, Luffy was already hollering introductions.
"Everyone! This is my brother, Ace!"
The Strawhats turned, blinking curiously. There they were — standing on the deck like a dream lineup: Zoro leaning lazily against the railing, arms crossed; Nami with one hand on her hip, calculating as ever; Usopp looking cautious but curious; Robin, calm and elegant as always; and Sanji already lighting a cigarette and eyeing Ace.
I had to physically stop myself from giggling.
Then Luffy's head tilted. His eyes landed on me for the first time.
"Oh yeah," he said, squinting. "Who's she?"
Rude.
Ace, the bastard, looked like he'd been asked to solve quantum physics on the spot.
"This is… uh…" He paused. "She's my…"
I watched him search for a word. Lover? Partner? Partner-in-crime? Bedwarmer? Pirate groupie? Anything would've sufficed.
"...travel partner," he finished, tone too casual.
My heart dropped straight to my stomach.
Travel partner.
Wow. Romantic. I could practically feel the sparkles dying behind my eyes.
I pasted on a smile anyway. "Yup. Travel partner. We travel. Together. Partners in… traveling."
Smooth, Aria. Very convincing.
Luffy nodded, totally satisfied with that nonsense, and dragged ace of to talk about whatever.
Meanwhile, I stood there stewing in silence, trying not to overthink what Ace's word choice meant. Not that I expected "girlfriend" — I wasn't delusional — but travel partner? That was a downgrade from stray he picked up at a tavern.
Before I could spiral too far though, Sanji appeared like a blond tornado.
"Ah, a beautiful lady aboard our humble ship!" he swooned, practically skating across the deck to take my hand. "Welcome, angel! Tell me, has captain's brother been treating you right?"
I blinked, half-flattered, half-trying not to laugh. "Define right."
He twirled a rose that I'm certain hadn't existed two seconds ago. "Any treatment that doesn't involve tears or hunger, my dear."
I opened my mouth to answer, but Nami appeared out of nowhere, grabbed him by the ear, and yanked him away. "Sanji, stop harassing guests!"
"Harassing?! My pure devotion is art!" he cried, dramatically, as she dragged him across the deck.
Robin chuckled softly from behind her book, Zoro grunted something that sounded vaguely disapproving, and Usopp gave me a polite little wave.
And that was that — the Strawhats went back to whatever they were doing before the chaos arrived, leaving me to stand awkwardly unsure where to start.
The ship began to move, the desert shore shrinking behind us as they set sail.
Ace and Luffy had already gone back to bickering mid-conversation — arguing about who ate faster, who fought better, who had the dumber crew. It was all loud, stupid, and endearing.
I smiled, leaning on the railing, taking it all in.
Then I noticed something strange.
Every few moments, in between trading insults with Luffy, Ace's gaze flicked — subtly but unmistakably — toward Sanji.
At first, I thought I was imagining it. But then Sanji laughed at something Usopp said, and I swear Ace's head turned on reflex.
Oh. My. God.
It clicked so fast I almost gasped out loud.
Acesan.
I knew it. I knew that wasn't just fanfiction delusion. The glances, the banter, the chemistry people online used to dissect frame by frame — it was real. Right in front of me.
Ace. And. Sanji.
My brain started short-circuiting.
I bit my lip to hide a grin, eyes darting between them like a conspiracy theorist connecting red strings on a corkboard.
He was so looking at him.
Oh, this was beautiful. This was history. This was validation.
The part of me that still existed as a One Piece fangirl back on Earth wanted to stand up on deck and scream, "I KNEW IT!" But I kept quiet. Barely.
This was my chance to confirm if the ship was real or not.
But then if it was real, and I wanted it to be, what would happen to her suitationship with Ace??