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The scar on his chest burns. It doesn’t burn all the time, but when it does, it hits Luffy full force. He’s reminded of the hot magma searing his skin. The blazing fire of pain branded onto his chest, a reminder of what happened that day. Thinking about makes his chest flare up. Other times the pain comes out of nowhere and makes him clutch his chest as he tries to regain his composure.
It’s the worst when he wakes up from a nightmare. Drenched in sweat, heart pounding, breaths ragged, his chest scorching as if Akainu was burning him once more. Terrified. That’s what he felt during those moments. Frozen in fear, just like that day. He can never forget.
But like the giant waves at sea which become calm and peaceful waters, the pain also subsides. Something warm and gentle would soothe his pain, a balm to the fire. And just like that, Luffy feels free again.
Luffy opens his eyes. He doesn’t remember falling asleep, but he feels refreshed. The sound of seagulls were above him and the lull of the waves were below him. For once the sea was calm. He hears the sound of his crew behind him, up to their usual shenanigans as always. Normally Luffy would join them, but he was comfortable where he was. A gentle tune comes from behind him, relaxing him even more.
Tilting his head up, he sees you looking out at sea with his signature straw hat on top of your head. He likes it when you wear it, so he doesn’t mind giving it to you. You were humming a song, one he doesn’t know but it didn’t matter because he likes the sound of it. Accompanied by your humming were your gentle strokes across his chest, lightly tracing his scar. Luffy sighs, sinking into your arms even more. His special seat on top of Sunny’s head was even more special when he shares it with you. Between your legs, back pressed against your chest and his head resting on your shoulder, a content leaves his lips. It causes you to glance down at him with a soft smile.
“Had a good rest?”
“Mhmm.”
“That’s good to hear.”
Luffy feels you place a kiss on top of his head. The future pirate king focuses on your touch against his chest. You were the only one who can tame the fire. He grabs one of your hands in his and holds it up. Luffy wonders, how can you get rid of the pain so easily? He’s not one to think a lot being the simple minded man he is, but there are some things that catch his attention.
“Your hands are so small (y/n),” Luffy laughs, comparing his hand size to yours.
You join in his laughter, intertwining your fingers together. “It is, but our hands fit together well, don’t they?”
They do, he thinks. He likes how smaller your hands are compared to his because his hand engulfs yours. It’s like he’s protecting you. Letting your hand fall back to his chest, you resume your gentle ministrations. Your hands are so small, and yet they have the power to soothe his pain.
“Everyone, lunch is ready!” Sanji’s announcement was met with cheers, the loudest of course being the captain’s.
“FOOOD!!” Luffy jumps to his feet, grasping your hand and dragging you to the kitchen. “Let’s go eat!”
Quiet never sticks around for long with the Strawhats, excitement just around the corner, ready to burst through the door and cause a ruckus. But it was fun that way. It was fun with Luffy.
~~~
It burns. It burns and burns and hurts.
It was like fire has consumed his entire being, spreading from his chest to his arms and legs. A blistering inferno seeing to scorch him from the inside out. In reality, Luffy wasn’t doused in flames, but his chest sure felt that way. Most likely because of the flaming sword his opponent used. The sword barely grazed his scarred chest, but it was enough of a spark to start a fire.
Now Luffy was on the ground, withering and spasming in agony. Groans and grunts fall from his lips, hand clawing at his chest as if he could rip his scar and thereby the pain away. But it doesn’t work like that. There’s barely any strength left in him, his fight leaving him exhausted and too injured to move.
“I think I see Luffy!”
That was Usopp’s voice no doubt. Through his blurry vision he sees the long nose of his sniper and the green hair of his first mate.
“Oi Luffy, stay awake!” Zoro commands. Usopp takes his captain on his back and starts running back with Zoro in front to take down any stray enemies.
“(Y-Y/n)…,” Luffy wheezes, still clutching his chest.
“She’s safe, don’t worry Luffy.” Usopp reassures.
“I…I need to-”
“Save your breath Captain. We know,” Zoro interjects. Luffy lets out an airy laugh. What a dependable crew he has.
Soon, a small abandoned house fills his view. Inside, there were the rest of his crew. Sanji was passed out on the floor, Franky was fixing his arm, Brook was playing a tune to lighten the atmosphere, and Chopper was bandaging Nami’s leg and Robin’s arm. Luffy notices you sleeping on the bed and reaches out for you, wincing as he moves his arm.
“Luffy! You’re hurt real bad,” Nami points out as Chopper scurries to get more materials from his bag.
“I want to…lay with (y/n).”
“Not yet Luffy, I need to treat you. Usopp, put him down please.” Chopper instructs.
The wounded captain teeters between consciousness and unconsciousness, but holds out because he wants to feel you. None of Chopper’s medicine can relieve the burn he feels. The pain intensifies, causing Luffy to grit his teeth and groan. But he bears it, letting his reindeer finish up before Zoro picks him up and places him next to you.
It’s like you could sense his presence. Your eyes slowly open, blinking away the blurriness before focusing on Luffy. The sight of his scrunched up face tells you everything you need to you. Scooting closer to him, your hand rests against his chest and starts tracing the lines of his scar. Luffy settles down immediately, laying on his back, the hard lines on his face disappearing. Eyes closed, he wounds his arm around your body and presses you close to his side.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” you murmur.
Luffy is already knocked out, but you expected that. You soon follow his example, soft snores filling the air. The snot bubble of your captain expands and contracts with every breath, indicating his deep slumber. The crew looks at the two with fond smiles before resting themselves.
~~~
“Luffy, please stop moving.”
He tries, he really does. You were resting on top of his body, head placed on his chest. Oddly enough, he was the one who was wide awake first. Usually it would be you since he stays knocked out unless he smells food in the morning or you wake him up. But you rarely do that, opting to just admire him sleep until he wakes up. Luffy comments on how weird you are to watch him sleep, but you just laugh and say you can’t help it.
“I’m bored (Y/n).”
Luffy whines, still moving under you. It’s hard for him to be still and stay in one place for long. But he also doesn’t want to disturb you a lot. You look peaceful on top of him. In the beginning you were hesitant on placing any kind of weight on his chest. Luffy just laughed at you. He more than welcomes your weight against his body. It was comforting, having you so close. It doesn’t even hurt when you have your head against his scar.
“I wanna sleep though.” you grumble, nuzzling his skin. “Too comfy right now.”
“Then…you can stay sleeping! Just hang onto me, kay?”
Luffy rises from the bed and puts on his sandals before standing up. You stay clinging to his front, arms and legs locked behind him. You weren’t bothered at all and continued on snoozing. The slaps of his sandals against the floorboards resonate in the air as he exits the cabin Franky built just for you and him. He makes his way to the kitchen, eager to know if there were any food left out. The fridge had a lock on it so he can’t raid that. Instead, he looks through the cupboards.
The sound of his rummaging alerts the ship’s cook who enters the kitchen. “Oi Luffy you better not-”
Sanji stops himself, mouth parted and eyes wide at the sight in front of him. Luffy with one hand in one of the cupboard and you clinging to his torso.
“Sanji you’re here! I’m hungry!” Luffy moans, the sound of his stomach grumbling backing up his words.
“What are you doing Luffy!? Why is (y/n)-san on your body like that!?” Sanji points an accusing finger at him.
The captain blinks before glancing down at your slumbering form. “Oh (y/n) wanted to use me as a pillow so I let her.”
The blond cook slumps to the floor, banging his fist against the floor. “It’s not fair…Luffy you lucky bastard…,”
The rest of the crew comes into the kitchen later as Sanji cooks breakfast for everyone. They either find it sweet or find it amusing. Luffy doesn’t get why Sanji is sulking though every time he looks at him, but oh well. When Sanji was all done, he plates the food onto the table.
“Oi (y/n), wake up. It’s time to eat!”
“Later,” you mumble. “Let me sleep more.”
“Hmm okay then. Sanji save her some food!”
“I know that idiot! I wouldn’t let a lady go hungry!”
Like usual, Luffy starts shoveling food down his throat and trying to steal food from his friends. You’re hardly fazed. Robin looks at her captain and chuckles.
“You two are cute like this,” she hums, drinking her tea.
“Suuuuper cute!” Franky adds.
“This certainly is a sweet sight.” Brook agrees.
“But is it comfortable?” Chopper asks in a worried tone.
Luffy swallows a huge chunk of meat. “She says I’m a good pillow.” he glances down at you to see you sporting a small smile on your face. You must be having a good dream.
“I never would have guessed that our idiot captain could be considered a good pillow,” Nami shakes her head, but a fond look was on her face.
“She’s like a little koala with the way she’s hanging onto him,” Usopp remarks. “I’m surprised that even when sleeping she has a good grip on you.”
“I wouldn’t let her fall.” Luffy swipes something off Zoro’s plate which makes him go ‘Hey!’
“If you do I’m going to kick you,” Sanji promises before getting into a fight with Zoro over something.
It’s just Sanji being Sanji, everyone knows that their captain would never let any harm befall you. An arm is wrapped around your waist just to be safe. When you wake up, Sanji gives you your food. You don’t get off Luffy’s lap though. One, you didn’t want to and two, Luffy wouldn’t have let you either. The arm around your waist keeps you anchored to him. He smiles at you, happy to have you leaning against his chest.
~~~
Luffy sits with his legs crossed on the bed, hands holding his ankles. He’s waiting for your to come out of the bathroom so you both could sleep together. A few moments later, you return with a smile on your face. Without wasting any time his arms stretch so they can wrap around you and pull you towards him. The impact makes him fall back on the bed, laughter bubbling from his lips. Turning on his side he spoons you from behind, coiling his arms around you multiple times before he’s satisfied.
His eyes land on the jagged scar on your bare shoulder. It was from a recent battle. A fight between another pirate crew, one that Luffy didn’t care to remember the name of. He just remembers punching the captain through many buildings after he slashed your shoulder. He should’ve hit him harder.
Does it hurt, like his scar does?
So, he asks you. He pokes your side and you mutter something under your breath. “Yes Luffy?”
“Does it hurt?”
He doesn’t have to explain what he’s referring to you. You just know. “Not all the time. It’s manageable.”
Luffy continues to stare at the mark on your skin. You help him with his pain, maybe he can help you too? Raising his hand, he lets his fingers brush over your scar. He doesn’t too hard, the last thing he wants is to inflict pain. Based on your relaxed sighs, he thinks he’s doing good.
“That feels nice…,”
A large grin spreads across his lips. Giving your body a playful squeeze, he presses his face against the back of your neck. It’s the best feeling in the world when he has you in his arms.