Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It had been only a few days since Ace found himself in a desert island — well he was not completely alone, but there wasn't any food, which really sucked — when he decides to walk around the beach to see if he found something they could use to build a boat and leave this place, he still had things to do, and he wasn't letting something as bad weather and a island to stop him. 

Ace was starting to lose hope on finding something useful when he found something— well, not something exactly. 

Rather someone. 

Drenched in saltwater, and laying on the sand there was someone and he quickly rushed to them and realized a few things. 

First, the person was a girl, with pretty long black hair, fair skin and really long eyelashes, second, luckily she was breathing, so not dead, which is good, they could use another set of hands to work. 

The third thing he noticed was that peeking from under her clothes — a white and red outfit that looked too stuffy and not comfortable at all — there were thin golden chains wrapped all around her body. 

A new fashion trend?

.

"Hey! I found something!" Ace called, and he stopped what he was doing to look what Ace had brought, with some luck it was finally some food. 

But apparently luck was not on his side since what he had appeared to be a girl on his shoulder, hanging like a sack of potatoes— 

"Oh God put her down!" He screamed because that was no way of treating a girl!

.

When Kiryuu opened her eyes, familiar darkness and shapes welcomed her, but something felt— off. 

She didn't know how to describe it, she just knew that something was not different. 

Also— there were voices she didn't recognize arguing in the background. 

"You can't just carry someone like that! Have you no manner at all?!" someone screamed, a man, by the sound of his voice, and she realized that she was next to a fireplace or something that produced heat, since she wasn't freezing despite the fact her clothes were soaked — and why did no one change her clothes? Her family would never leave her like that, what if she got sick? — 

"Okay, okay, I get it— oh she woke up!" She heard and she turned around to see two shaped things, people. 

"Hello?" She asked unsure. 

"Hi, how are you feeling?" The first voice asked gently. 

"I'm… cold and hungry" Kiryuu answered honestly. "Also… confused, where am I?" she asked, going straight to the point. 

"We are on a desert island with no food! So we are trying to build a boat, want to help out?" the second voice answered, like it was nothing and Kiryuu blinked. 

Island? 

She was on an island? 

Kiryuu quickly stood up and started to blindly ran, she could hear the men calling out to her, but she just ran faster, she wasn't completely sure where she was going until she heard it— 

The sea. 

She ran faster and faster, until she could feel the water on her feet and the sea breeze on her hair. 

She was on an island. 

For the first time on her life, she actually was on a fucking island. 

Ah, it was a damn shame that she couldn't see a damn thing, she always wanted to see the sea with her own eyes, but hearing it wasn't that bad either. 

.

When Ace and— Masked? — he said he didn't have a name but Ace called him different names with masked been the common denominator — finally caught up to her and they explained a little more about their situation. 

Apparently they were on a desert island in the middle of the Grand Line, Ace was a pirate who wanted to surpassed the last Pirate king and Masked wanted to be a writer and— 

Kiryuu had no idea what they were talking about. 

Last thing she remembered was falling into the lake behind the shrine at her house and waking up here, but last time she checked pirates weren't really a thing, since a couple of centuries ago — well except in some parts of Africa according to the news — and there was no Grand Line. 

Sure, there was the possibility that they were both lying and they were trying to trick her for some reason, but— it didn't feel like they were lying, she was a rather good judge of character and the two felt sincere, nice. 

"So, what's your name?" Ace asked while they stayed close to the fire for warmth. 

"Kiryuu" she answered, not feeling like sharing her last name, it probably didn't mean anything here, but still— 

"Oh what a pretty name!" The boy said, and although she couldn't see it, she was sure he was smiling. The man gave the same energy as an excited golden retriever. 

"I don't like it" she confessed. "It's too… heavy" she added, closing her eyes, waiting for the critiques, after all it was such a lovely name! Why couldn't she be more grateful?

"Well, it's kind of long" Ace said quickly, sounding as if he was in deep thought. "What about Kiri-chan? It sounds way cuter! Doesn't it?" 

"Hey! You can't just change other people's name—

"Kiri" She murmured while the two argue— it was— it was an offense, such a silly name for someone like her— 

Just that she wasn't longer in her house, or the shrine, or even in her own world. 

She was in a new place, with different people, that had no idea who her family was, or what her name mean— 

Kiryuu was— 

No, no, Kiryuu— 

Kiri. 

Kiri was free. 

"I like it" she said with a smile, and despite the chains she could still feel wrapped around her body, she felt lighter than ever. 

"See? She likes it! You should let me name you too" 

"Oh please don't encourage him" Masked sighed and she just smiled. 

.

As it turned out Kiri was blind, partially blind, she could see shapes and sense other things, but— she couldn't help much when she couldn't see their improvised hammer, still, she helps the best she can and they do their best but it's not enough. 

Their boat breaks, and so their group harmony, he screams at Ace, accusing him of eating when they weren't looking and he storms off, because he is pissed and hungry and he doesn't want to say more things he'll regret. 

And somehow that turns into a giant bird trying to eat him— lucky for him Ace is not a bastard and manages to hit the bird, making it spit something and before it could fly away something catches it. 

Thin, bright golden chains wrapped around the bird like snakes, the bird struggles but it's useless. 

He knows that chains— 

Those are Kiri's chains. 

He blinks and follows the chains to their source and sure, they begin or end under Kiri's sleeve. 

He had always wondered why Kiri wasn't worried about being trapped in a desert island with two strange men, he naively believed that it was because he was a gentleman, and she felt safe around him. 

Apparently it was because she always had the capacity to kick their asses if they ever became a threat to her. 

He makes a mental note to not piss her off. 

.

Kiri wasn't going to show her abilities, after all they weren't mean for tricks and parties, they were a gift, a blessing, and should be treated with respect, only used to stop evil, but evil doesn't lurk on her world like it used to, demons and ghost are not really a threat anymore — so she eventually becomes irrelevant but important, something pretty to be look at but never touched — 

But they had been kind to her, and also, she was damned hungry, so eating a big bird thing sounded really nice. 

Ace talks about how to roast the thing and suddenly something shifts. 

Her whole body shivers and masked has something that Kiri can only describe as cursed. 

"Look! There 's fruit! We can share it while we wait for the bird to roast" Masked said, hopefully, he holds evil in his hands and he doesn't know it. 

The dragon wrapped around her humms, not defensive, but— interested. 

Kiri comes from a family of exorcists, she was trained to sense evil, to fight evil, and that fruit feels wrong. 

But the dragon is interested and this world is already crazy enough. 

"Kiri?" Masked offers a piece and she shakes her head.

"I'm allergic" she Answered despite the fact that she can't even see the fruit, the boys are too hungry to notice the lie or maybe think she is being picky. 

Ace ates the fruit first and something shifted again. 

When masked says that Ace is on fire later, she doesn't get surprised. 

.

Thanks to Ace's new found powers, they managed to build a boat that allows them to leave that island. 

Ace talks about getting a ship and starting their own pirate crew. 

A blind ex exorcist, a masked drop out med student, and a human golden retriever. 

It sounded like the start of a joke. 

But somehow Kiri thinks that it also sounds like the start of something great. 

Maybe Ace's positivity is rubbing on her. 

Chapter Text

Deuce noticed first, Kiri was not… well… normal. 

To begin with despite being mostly blind, she moved with confidence, and sometimes she even reacted before they did, like she could feel— things instead of seeing them. 

Maybe it was the fact that she had been blind for a very long time — she said that she was around seven when she lost her eyesight — and had learned to navigate the world using her other sense, but— 

The chains. 

They looked like fine jewelry wrapped around her body, sometimes they jingled, but Kiri could move them at will, the things will fly out like possessed snakes attacking enemies and wrapping around sea kings. 

A devil fruit, maybe she was like Ace, and ate a devil fruit without meaning to, and that was just the result of that. 

But she could swim— 

Ace, still not used to his abilities, had tried to swim and before Deuce could jump, Kiri was already in the water, grabbing Ace and fussing over him. 

So, the devil fruit theory was out. 

And then there was the incident. 

"Oh, I'm bleeding" Kiri said suddenly and Ace of course started to to panic, Deuce who was the designated responsible adult had already prepared for the situation and was already going through his things trying to find the sanitary pads he had bought for Kiri on the last island. 

"Deuce, I think she may be dying!" Ace screamed and Deuce just rolled his eyes, Ace had mention growing up with bandits and a little brother, so of course he wouldn't know much about women's issues. 

"Don't worry, it's completely normal" He shrugged while still trying to find the pads, not bothering to look at them. "It happens once a month, she'll be fine" He added, since he didn't want Ace freaking out once a month from something absolutely normal. 

"Really? This doesn't look normal" Their captain murmured unsure, but Deuce just sighed heavily. 

"Yes, all women go through this" He said smiling when he finally found the pads. "It's completely norma— he tried to say, but that's when he finally looked up. 

Kiri was bleeding. 

From her eyes. 

"That's not normal!" He screams horrified, sharing Ace's panic. 

"I told you so!" Ace screamed feeling vindicated. 

"You didn't say it was from the eye— 

"Oh the ears too— 

"Oh God— 

Only later when Ace and Deuce stopped panicking, did Kiri said that actually it was normal, it only meant that she forgot to perform the ritual for the Dragon deity. 

The fucking What— 

"Dragon deity that lives on my chains" She explained as it was the most normal thing in the world. 

And yes— 

Kiri was absolutely not normal and as someone from the crew called her later, she was their local cryptid. 

.

Kiri came from a family of exorcists, everyone in her family was blessed by a different deity, a protector God, but protection came with a price, you had to pray, you had to perform rituals and be grateful. 

Because not one likes a pissed God that thinks that you are taking things for granted. 

Usually prayers and offerings were enough, but depending on the blessings you were given, the price changed. Kiri's mother had the ability to create little illusions, nothing too big or elaborate, but they were beautiful and for that she had lost her hearing. 

Kiri had been blessed by a Dragon, and she could do so much more, she could actually fight evil and because of that the world had turned dark for her. 

The first time the chains manifested around her body, she felt as if they burned her skin, and that she couldn't breathe because of their weight. The fact that she couldn't see either didn't help her at all. 

But her family had called the most traumatic event of her short life a miracle, and Kiri— had never felt so alone and scared but she smiled, because her family was happy, and that meant she did something good, that she was making the family proud. 

Not one asked her opinion—

"So you have to do this dance—

"It's a ritual" Kiri corrected Ace. 

"It's a dance, you even have a bell thing" He said pointing at the Kagura Suzu on her hands and Kiri decided that it was useless to correct him. "But the point is that if you don't dance, you bleed out?" 

"It's a punishment, if I don't show my appreciation for my abilities the heavens punish me" She explained for the tenth time that day. 

"Well, that sucks" Ace said and she blinked. "Sounds like a real pain in the ass if you asked me" he added and Kiri looked at him, she couldn't see him, only the strange shadow creature that has attached to him since he ate that fruit but—

For Kiri no one had looked more amazing for her before. 

"Yeah" She murmured with a soft, tiny smile. "It's a real pain in the ass" Back in her home that would have been blasphemy, but here? Not even the dragon cared. 

Kiri really like this world — and its people, she liked it's people a lot — 

.

It sucked that Kiri had to perform for a dragon, or the heavens or some other mystic thing — She explained it to him a few times, Deuce did too, but it sounded complicated so he may have zoom out a couple of times — to not bleed to death, but—

He had to admit that it was beautiful. 

Kiri always moved with a certain grace, even when she fought, she was elegant in a way that someone like him could never achieve and now he knew where that elegance came from. 

Her black hair shinned unde the moon, and the jingles of bells could be heard while Kiri moved with practiced elegance, dancing and moving with the wind like a fairy, she was absolutely beautiful — well, Kiri was always cute and pretty, but right now she was absolutely breathtaking — 

And for a moment why a God would throw a fit for not being able to see this, this ritual, or whatever it was called did not seem so unreasonable. 

Ace could watch it forever.

Chapter Text

As it turns out Kiri grew up in a cult — It was not that bad as you make it sound! It was pretty festive, we only had to pray and slay the occasional goat — so, as one may expect, her knowledge of the outside world was limited. 

So, of course she was absolutely thrilled to know the world around her, which more often than not turned into a headache for him. 

“What do you mean you lost Kiri?” Deuce asked, raising an eyebrow, the only person who could keep up with their excited cryptid girl was their also excited puppy captain, so more often than not, Deuce let Ace take Kiri with him to see the new islands first. 

“She was next to me! And in the next second she was absolutely gone! She teleported! I swear!” Ace defended himself and Deuce pinched the bridge of his nose. 

For someone who couldn't see, Kiri well— she could feel things, it was hard to explain, but she usually didn't have trouble walking around on her own, but directions? She got lost in their own ship. 

“I'm getting a leash” He said, while he sent everyone to look for their missing girl. 

“Kinky” Ace muttered and Deuce actually kicked him in the chin. 

.

They had been looking everywhere and there was no trace of Kiri and Ace was starting to freak out. 

What if someone kidnapped her? Or if she was injured? Maybe she fell in a trap? This was all his fault, he was just getting Kiri an ice cream and she was gone!

“She must be cold, and scared, oh God, what if we don't find her?” He panicked and Deuce patted him on the back. 

“Hey guys, I think we found her” Mihar and Skull said, and Ace lit up right away. 

“Really?! Where is she?!” Their captain asked right away and the two shared a look. 

“Well…” 

.

Kiri was waiting for her ice cream like a good girl, when she got distracted. 

Someone was talking about a game, a new fun game that apparently had a prize that looked taken straight from hell, so of course Kiri was interested. 

She followed the voices and arrived at what she assumed was a tavern by the heavy smell of booze, food and pirates. 

Lucky for her someone asked if she was lost, and Kiri said that not, she wasn't — she totally was, but details — but she was here for the game. 

“The mechanical bull?” The girl said and Kiri had no idea what that was but it sounded festive. 

.

“Are you sure she came here?” Deuce asked, raising an eyebrow when they entered the tavern, it was the classical stopping point for pirates like them, but for sweet, naive, cryptid Kiri? She liked pastries and didn't understand why people drank alcohol — They gave her once, and she immediately spit it and said that it was awful — 

“Ah, Deuce” Ace called him, but he could barely hear anything, people were cheering and screaming loudly. 

“What?” He asked, trying to look around but it was hard when everyone seemed to be gathered around a circle.

“We found her” Ace declared and he pointed in front of them, to where all people seemed to be gathered and Deuce looked up. 

“Oh my God” He murmured when he saw their sweet, cute, innocent cryptid riding a mechanical bull in front of a bunch of stinky pirates — yes, technically they were all pirates, but it was different okay?— 

“You can do it Kiri!” Mihar cheered and Skull was also screaming and holy mother of God she was going to fall and break her spine! That thing moved like it was possessed! 

Deuce may pass out. 

.

“It's horrible” Deuce murmured watching the stuffed sea king that Kiri won after risking her life in that thing. The sea king was as tall as she was, and had mismatched eyes, with some terrible colors and it would hunt his nightmares for years to come. 

“It's perfect!” Kiri refuted, hugging the thing closely. “It's strange, just like me!” 

“You are not strange Kiri” He said, shaking his head. 

“I grew up in a cult” She said once again, which didn't help his case. “I ate a fox's heart once, raw” 

“You did what— 

.

“We should name it” Suggested Skull while looking at Kiri's monstrosity of a stuffed toy. 

“I mean Kiri almost died getting it, so” Mihar added and the rest nodded. 

“I was perfectly fine!” Kiri argued while facing the wall, still in time out for running off on her own. 

“What about… Gojira?” Suggested Ace after looking at the thing for a moment. 

“You want to name it like a monster?!” Deuce asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Well” 

“If the shoe fits” 

They all looked at the stuffed monstrosity from hell. 

Yeah. 

Gojira it is. 

.

Ace looked at the little trinkets around Gojira and raised an eyebrow. 

“They are offerings” Kiri explained, leaving her favorite mango cake in front of the stuffed toy. “I told the others that I could feel energy coming from Gojira, and if they are good with it, the weather would keep going nice” She explained.

“Why did you do that?” He asked more amused than anything else. 

“Deuce keeps saying that cults are bad, and that he doesn't understand how people can fall for them” Kiri said with vengeance in her tone. “I'm going to show him” 

Ace for a moment considered his options. 

“If Gojira it's going to be our new God, we need some candles” he nodded, and Kiri smiled brightly at him. 

Deuce was going to kill them later, but it was totally worth it.

Chapter Text

It started as a joke. 

They had docked on a new island and one of the guys saw a poster for a beauty pageant. 

Mihar or Skull said that Kiri could totally win first place and everyone laughed but agreed. 

Then a couple of days later Deuce mentioned that they were starting to run low on money, and someone mentioned the beauty pageant again, this time the prize. 

It was a lot of berries — Like don't have to worry about berries for at least a year kind of berries — 

Kiri was eating mango — That Ace cut for her — when they suggested the idea to her. 

“A beauty pageant? What's that?” She asked curiously, looking at Deuce because he was the one to explain things to her — she went to Ace and Deuce first, but Ace, well, explaining things in a way that made sense wasn't really his strength — 

“It's a contest” Deuce answered, carefully picking his words. “A beauty contest” 

“It's fun?” Kiri said remembering that contests were like games, so they should be fun, right? 

“Yes! You get to change clothes, and look very pretty! Like a princess” Mihar added and Kiri didn't see that much interested. 

“But I already look pretty” She said because, even if she couldn't see herself, people have never been shy in telling her how cute or pretty she was — Deuce always made a point to bring her with him when he was buying groceries because pretty privilege was a thing and they always got a discount or some free stuff when Kiri was next to him — 

“Yes, but there's also a big prize” Deuce said and the rest nodded. 

“With money we can buy all your favorite pastries” Ace added and suddenly Kiri went quiet. 

“All of them? Even the expensive one from the shop in the town square?” She asked finally looking interested and they knew they had her. 

.

“I feel like a doll” Kiri commented while someone did her hair, and sure, she usually received some level of help while getting ready, but she was getting more independent! Deuce even let her dress herself now! — Kiri always had people do that for her before, specially after going blind, so it meant a lot to her that she was now able to do things on her own, not matter how small they were — 

“You are a very pretty doll” Ace teased her, and she moved her leg, kicking him with her heel. “okay, okay, they are almost done” 

“I want a lot of pastries after this” She complained and Ace laughed. 

“As many as your sugary beating heart wants” Ace promised and Kiri was determined to make him keep his promise — whether she won this silly thing or not — 

.

Deuce was nervous. 

He, of course, as the rest of the crew knew that Kiri was pretty enough to win this with her eyes closed — He saw the competition and yes, they were pretty and beautiful but Kiri? Their Kiri has an ethereal air around her, like a fairy or something that people seemed to be drawn to — but the contest isn't only about beauty, it also had an interview part and a talent part. 

Deuce was worried about the interview, because sweet, kind, naive Kiri was their local cryptid for a reason and could drop the most insane piece of lore in the middle of a conversation like it wasn't a big deal. 

So, yes, Deuce was worried. 

“So, tell me darling, what did you want to be as a child?” The host asked and Kiri paused. 

It was an innocent enough question, but Kiri could say cult leader or priest easy enough so, Deuce was sweating bullets and praying for the best. 

“Oh when I was child I wanted to be just like my mom” Kiri answered with sincerity in her tone. “So I guess all I wanted to be was… kind” she said with the softest, more devastating charming smile in the world and the whole crowd swoon. 

They had this in the bag, Deuce could already count the money. 

.

The crew was already thinking about what to do first with the money when the host announced Kiri for the talent show part of the pageant. 

“And Kiri is going to sing for us!” He announced and the spades pirates went quiet.

“But Kiri can't sing!” Skull said panicking. 

“She was supposed to dance!” Deuce said already saying goodbye to the money. 

“We are doomed” Muttered Ace. 

“Oh she'll be fine” Mihar said, since he was the one who coached Kiri for this part. 

“What do you mean? Kiri can't sing!” The only worst thing that Kiri singing was her cooking and that was saying a lot since last time she tried to help in the kitchen half the crew ended up with food poisoning and she only was in charge of boiling eggs. 

“Oh you'll see” he said, sounding smug as hell and they raised an eyebrow until Kiri finally appeared on stage. 

“You want me, I want you baby, my sugar boo, I'm levitating” Kiri sang, sweetly and not missing a tune. “I got you! Moonlight! You are my starlight! I need you all night! Come and dance with me!” She continued and once again the crowd loved it.

But the crew just stared and then they looked at Mihar. 

“Kiri learned to sing sea shanties from Ace” Mihar explained and they looked at Ace, who couldn't sing to save his life. “she thought they were supposed to sound that bad” 

.

“I don't think I like beauty pageant” Kiri said while Ace helped her untie her hair. There were just so many hairpins and other stuff that she had given up halfway when Ace decided to help her. 

“But you won” He commented while looking at Deuce hug the bag of money like it was his child and the rest of the guys playing king with Kiri's crown. 

“Yes, but it was a lot of work” Kiri complained. “Besides people kept touching me, and telling me what to do” 

“But you don't mind when I touch you” He grinned, teasing her. 

“That's because you are you, you can do it” She said like it was obvious and Ace stopped for a second. “When you do it is nice” 

“Is that so?” He asked, trying to sound casual. 

“Yes” Kiri answered without any hesitation. “Deuce too, and maybe Skull in a good day” She added and for a second Ace felt disappointed but he quickly got over it and finished his task, freeing her hair from the reign of terror that the hairpin had set. 

“Then, you don't have to participate in any more beauty pageant” 

“Even if we win a lot of money?” 

“Yes, I'm the captain, and when I say something it's law” He declared solemnly. “And I say that Kiri doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to” He said nodding to himself and for a moment Kiri went quiet but then smiled softly. 

“Even eating my vitamins?” She asked since Deuce made her drink vitamins because apparently she had the immune system of a sickly Victorian child. 

“Oh that's Deuce territory, and I still want to live, thank you very much” He answered and Kiri pouted. 

“Traitor” She accused him and Ace laughed. 

“I have a mango with your name” He said and she immediately lit up. 

“You are forgiven, for now”

“You only want me for fruit cutting skills” 

“Absolutely” she grinned and Ace laughed, Kiri had looked good on stage but he preferred this Kiri, their wild cryptid girl. 

Chapter Text

Kiri had come to realize a long time ago that when you were cute and looked harmless, people treated you like a very pretty vase or piece of furniture. 

It meant people talked a lot around you — Not at you, well, not always at least — sometimes saying things that they normally wouldn't say in public. 

Ace told her that she would make a great spy — and then explained the concept of a spy, which later Deuce explained to her in a more thorough way — but Kiri didn't really care for other people's business, not unless it was Tea time. 

“So, the florist is having an affair with the librarian” Kiri commented while Deuce filled her tea cup. 

“Really?” Deuce asked taking his cup and drinking his tea, and the gossip. 

“Yes, she leaves notes in the books, always different so people won't notice” Kiri added and Deuce hummed. 

“But I thought the florist was happily married, even with a baby on its way” 

“For what I heard there's a 50/50 chance that it is the librarian” Kiri nodded and Deuce grinned. 

“Scandalous” 

.

Deuce as the designated responsible adult has realized that despite the fact that Kiri got lost inside the ship, somehow she always managed to find Ace. 

Not him, not the ship, not even the north, but Ace. 

It was as if she had a sixth sense that acted as an Ace tracker. 

Sure, everyone could see how close they were, and maybe their bond let Kiri be able to find him, but Kiri had never been shy to admit that him — Deuce — was her favorite person — and he was totally smug about it — and still, she couldn't always find him. 

“It's because of how he looks” Kiri answered easily enough when he finally asked her about it. 

“How he looks— Kiri you are blind” Deuce said, raising an eyebrow. 

“I can still see shapes!” She defended Herself, pouting. “But that's beside the point, people who have eaten devil fruits look and feel weird” 

“Weird how?” He asked, still confused. 

“Do you have crayons and paper?” She asked and Deuce was mildly interested. 

.

“This… this is Ace?” Deuce asked slowly, looking at Kiri's drawing. 

He had helped her to know what color was which and get some details, but fucking shit, this was, was— 

“It's absolutely terrifying” Skull murmured looking at the drawing. 

In the middle of the sheet, there was a white normal looking shape of a person, but around the person? There was a creature from hell, with red angry eyes, black and red all over, it seemed something taken straight from a nightmare. 

“It's not that bad” Kiri protested. 

“All devil fruit users look like this to you?” Deuce asked while the drawing was passed around the crew. 

“The Zoan type have more animal shapes, but they are very similar” Kiri shrugged like it wasn't such a big deal. 

“Ace can never see this” Deuce murmured because knowing that sweet, innocent Kiri saw him as a monster would definitely hit him hard. 

“See what?” Asked Ace and they all turned to see how Ace got the drawing from Mihar before they could hide it — or burned it — “oh, what's this?” He asked confused and they all went silent. 

“That's you!” Kiri cheered all innocent. 

“What?” He asked, blinking a few times. 

“Deuce asked how I saw you, and that's how” Kiri explained easily and Ace looked at Kiri and then at the drawing. 

“You see me… like this?” He questioned slowly, voice tight and Deuce knew he had to make damage control but he wasn't exactly sure how. 

What do you tell your friend when the girl he definitely has a crush on — not that he knows that yet, he is too emotionally constipated to notice, but Deuce trusts that he will get there… someday — draws a picture of him looking like a creature from a horror novel? 

“Yes! That's how I can always find you, the shadow is huge” Kiri nodded and walked to him. 

“And… you are not afraid?” He wondered out loud and Deuce was about to intervene before Kiri said something that could potentially crush their captain forever when Kiri— she— she giggled. 

They were all stunned for a moment, and then Kiri raised her hands grabbing Ace's face. 

“Don't be silly” She said like if he was being dumb. “No matter how you look, you are Ace and I could never be afraid of you” Kiri explained as it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You are my dearest captain, not matter what” she added with a soft smile and Ace looked at her— like if she just handed him the moon and the stars. 

“So…” Murmured Ace, his voice sounding slightly rough. “That means I'm your favorite person?” He teased and Kiri shook her head.

“No, that's Deuce” She nodded solemnly and he laughed. 

“But Kiri—” Ace whined. 

“He makes the best tea!” 

“I can make tea too!”

“You burn the teapot Ace!” 

“That was only one time!” He defended himself while Kiri walked away and he followed after her and Deuce just smiled. 

Kiri definitely had strange way of seeing the world, but there was a reason why she was their local cryptid.

Chapter Text

Ace was watching Deuce and Kiri drink tea together, Kiri was giggling while Deuce served her tea like she was some princess, and he felt that something odd inside his chest.

“Why is Deuce Kiri's favorite?” He asked out loud, and the crew shared a look. “I mean I named her! And I'm the captain, shouldn't I be the favorite?!” He questioned. 

“Well…” Mihar started but he wasn't sure about what to say. “He is… gentler with her?” 

“I'm gentle too! I cut fruit for her!” Ace defended himself. 

“Yes, but Deuce knows what her favorite tea and pastry is,” Skull added. “besides, every morning he helps Kiri get ready” he added. 

“He also guides her through the town” 

“I do that too!” 

“Eh…” Murmured Mihar and Ace raised an eyebrow. “Sure— the captain does it, but Deuce, he well—” he tried to say looking for help from the other. 

“He takes her hand, and describes things for her” Someone said to help him and the rest nodded. 

“I can do that too!” Ace said proudly and they all decided to leave it at that. “You'll see…” 

.

If Kiri likes the gentle type, Ace could be that! How hard could it possibly be? 

It was just helping Kiri with some stuff, Deuce did that all the time, and when Ace put his mind to it, there was nothing he couldn't do! So it was a matter of time before he was Kiri's favorite 

. 

First things on his list was helping Kiri get ready, Kiri woke up on her own and also knew how to dress herself so, all he had to do was chose her clothes for her and help her a little. 

Ace could totally do that!

“Does this look pretty?” Kiri asked and he looked at the skirt and blouse that really didn't match, but they were the same color! So it should be fine, right? Besides, Kiri looked pretty with everything, so it didn't really matter. 

“Yes, very pretty” He nodded and Kiri looked unsure but took the clothes and went to get dressed. 

The next part was hair! All he had to do was brush Kiri's hair and that was easy enough!

“Auch!” Kiri complained when he pulled her hair — again — and he quickly apologized. “Deuce uses oils to make it smoother” she explained and he looked at the pretty glass bottles on the side. 

“Oh, yes, give me a moment!” He looked at the bottles, they smell different but they all did the same right? He just shrugged and took one that smelled like cinnamon and then paused. 

How much was he supposed to use? 

Well, Kiri had a lot of hair so the more the better right? 

This was so easy. 

.

The crew tried to cheer up Kiri after Ace almost ruined her hair, using massage oil instead of hair oil and then trying to braid her hair, it was— not pretty 

And that wasn't mentioning the clothes… 

Deuce had gone pale and then he immediately put hands to action trying to undo Ace's work. 

And after that? He still was scolding Ace. 

“Do you think this is because why we said the other— 

“Shhhh” Mihar said too. “You want Deuce to scold us too?” He asked and he shook his head. 

Yeah, it was better to stay quiet. 

.

The hair incident was not his proudest moment — and he almost had lost his ear by how hard Deuce had pulled his ear — but he learned from his mistakes. 

This time he made sure to pay close attention to the way Deuce did things, and he had to admit that he was gentler with Kiri. 

Usually when he left to explore with Kiri, she just walked close to him and Ace would just make sure that she was fine, checking on her from time to time. 

But Deuce? 

He gently took Kiri's hand and guided her around, if something picked Kiri's interest he would take his time explaining things to her. 

And he could see why Kiri would like that kind of treatment, but Ace could totally do that too! 

.

When Ace offered to show her around town, Kiri knew that something was off, he had been acting odd lately but she thought that maybe it was because of the hair incident and that he still felt bad for that. 

Still, since she did want to look around — even if she couldn't really look, pun intended — she agreed. 

And then he took her hand— 

“Ace?” She asked softly, a little surprised. 

“Yes?” he asked back and his hand felt somehow warmer than normal. 

“Why are you holding my hand?” 

“Well! There's probably a lot of people at this hour, so this way we won't get separated!” He quickly answered and he sounded off, but he wasn't exactly wrong so she agreed. 

“Okay” she accepted and she was sure she heard him sighed relieved. 

She already had a bad feeling about this outing. 

.

“Ace” Kiri called him and he stopped for a moment watching Kiri.

“Yes?” He asked looking around, maybe something called her attention and she wanted another explanation? He had been really good with those!

“What are you doing?” Kiri confronted him and he blinked. 

“What do you mean?” He said feeling kind of nervous for some reason. 

“You haven't let go of my hand, and had been talking non-stop, about how many steps are, the smells, how the fruit looks and the what they are, you even told me that a cloud looked like a bunny doing taxes—

“It did really look like that!”

“I don't even know what taxes are” She said deadpan. “But That's not the point, why are you doing all this?” She asked seriously, her Lilac eyes looking at him like if he was a puzzle. 

And fuck— Maybe Deuce was better than him after all, because he clearly couldn't do the things the way Kiri liked. 

“I… just wanted to be gentler with you… like Deuce” He confessed feeling suddenly embarrassed. “You always say he is your favorite so…” he tried to explain but he only felt more flustered, God he was pathetic, not wonder Kiri liked Deuce more. 

“You took that seriously?” Kiri asked, raising an eyebrow. “I like you both, equally, just… different” Kiri said and he stopped. 

“Different? How?” He questioned and Kiri took a moment to think before answering. 

“Deuce is like… an older brother, he always watches out for me, and teaches me many things, but he can also be strict and a little boring from time to time” Kiri explained and Ace could understand that because Deuce was the crew's brain after all. “You are like… different, I don't know how to put it because I never had an Ace before” 

“An Ace?” 

“Someone who wasn't in my family that is kind and funny, and that is warm to sleep naps with” Kiri answered, sounding troubled by not knowing the correct term or way to describe him. 

“You think I'm warm?”

“You are fire, literally, of course you are warm, why do you think I always nap with you?”She asked, and to be honest Ace had never questioned it, when he woke up after a surprise nap, and Kiri was laying next to him, and using his shoulder as a pillow well— it felt natural to have her there, so he never put much thought into it. 

“I guess, I was just being silly” He said after realizing that he had been acting dumb. 

“You always are” Kiri mocked him. “But I like that side of you too” She teased him with a smile and for some reason he felt his heart beat faster. 

Maybe he was getting sick?

.

“Deuce” Ace called him and he looked up to see his captain looking at the moon. “How do you call someone that makes you smile, and your heart beat faster with only a few words?” The captain asked and Deuce looked at Kiri who was happily using Ace’s lap as a pillow while she napped. 

“A dear friend?” He answered because even if he cheered Ace inside his heart, there were things that he had to figure out on his own. 

No matter how painfully oblivious they were. 

“Dear? I see” The captain murmured, looking down at Kiri, and he smiled gently brushing her hair with his fingers. “That sounds about right, thanks Deuce” He said with a grin and Deuce just nodded and went back to his book. 

Chapter Text

For someone who didn't know what a croissant was a couple of months ago, Kiri was clear about something: Fuck the government. 

Taking in consideration that Kiri was raised in a cult, Deuce thought that it checked, so Kiri had absolutely no problems fighting against marines, if Deuce was honest he was sure that Kiri sometimes enjoyed fighting them more than other pirates. 

“All cops are pigs Deuce” Kiri answered like it was the easiest thing in the world making a flower crown for Gojira, their unofficial ship's deity — he still didn't believe that the thing had some sort of magic power, but if he left part of his breakfast next to the thing from time to time it was only between him and the stuffed monstrosity — 

So when one day a marine snuck into their ship to capture Ace, Kiri's dislike for the marine was instant, if love at first sight was a thing then the opposite should exist too, and for Kiri was hate at first sight. 

But as always their captain was oblivious, and actually helped the marine when her ship was sinking, throwing her a lifesaver float. 

And Deuce, he had a bad feeling about it. 

.

It didn't matter that this was a different world, Kiri disliked the government in principle alone and if what Deuce and the rest told her was right, this world government was even worse than the one in her world. 

But what Kiri had against marines was more personal. 

If pirates represented freedom, then marines were the exact opposite, enforcing rules that only benefited the 1% of the population, while patting themselves on the shoulder for protecting their misguided concept of justice. 

They— they were like her family, forcing rules that Kiri never consented, and never wanted, for the greater good. 

So, yes Kiri disliked marines and until now that was an abstract concept on her mind, until she showed up. 

Nailing Isuka. 

A Marine who's rank Kiri had no desire to learn — they were made up titles with no real value to her after all — and that for some unholy reason had decided to make her personal life goal to capture Ace and put him behind bars. 

Not all the crew, not even her who had a reasonable bounty — they use her picture from the beauty pageant, and according to the crew they gave her some nicknames that she didn't care — but Ace, only Ace. 

The worst? 

Ace indulge her. 

Now most of the time when they are trying to explore a new island, her strolls with Ace will be cut short because Isuka would barge in and start a fight — completely ignoring her, which is rude, but what could you expect from a government dog? — 

And Kiri had to wait in the sidelines, hearing Ace flirt with that girl — Skull got her some braille books, and Kiri already read a few romance novels so she knew what flirting was — while they fought. 

It made her feel— odd. 

Like annoyed, but also as something hot and ugly was inside her chest, she didn't like it. 

“I think I want to commit murder” Kiri said finally and Deuce who had come to look for her after Ace and her took longer than expected to get groceries. 

“I thought you weren't supposed to kill humans with your ability” He commented, watching how Kiri's jaw got tighter with every word that left Ace's mouth — and Deuce also wanted to commit murder, because his stupid captain was running his shot of happiness by been a dumb Casanova — 

“It will be worth the punishment” Kiri answered, her chains wrapped around her body like angry snakes. 

“Come on, I'll buy you a crepe” He said and it was proof of how absolutely pissed off Kiri was the fact that it took her a moment to accept his offer. 

Sometimes being right all the time was a curse. 

.

Kiri was having a bad week, she had been doing the rituals to make sure she stayed healthy, but sometimes that wasn't enough. Humans bodies weren't supposed to be vessels of divinity and she paid the consequences of choices that were never hers. 

Her body ache, her head was killing her and the chains felt heavier than usual, she tried to play it cool because she didn't want to be a burden, but she really needed a nap — or a coma, that sounded festive — so when Isuka appeared looking for Ace— 

Well, not one can blame her for snapping at the marine. 

“Why can't you just give up? You are clearly not strong enough” Kiri said when Isuka said she came to fight Ace again. 

“Not strong enough?” The girl asked, sounding annoyed and the rest of the crew that was carrying things into the ship started to look nervous. 

“If the shoe fits. I mean, how many times Ace has to kick your ass for you to get the clue? You are just not good enough” Kiri answered with all sweet poison of a snake and even if she couldn't see her clearly, she could feel how the annoyance became righteous fury. 

“Says the blind girl that hides behind Ace” The marine answered and Kiri laughed. 

“I don't hide, Ace keeps me behind because if I had my way, you'll be already be sixth feet under, little marine” Kiri answered with a mocking smile. 

“You think you can take me?” 

“I don't think I can” Kiri moved her chains, around her floating like snakes ready to strike. “I know I can, little marine” she said with disdain in her voice and the crew took a couple of steps back. 

This was not going to end well. 

.

Isuka was panting, she dodged another chain, and tried to regain her footing. She wasn't sure who started the fight, but she was definitely finishing it. 

She dodged another chain, and tried to approach Kiri, but the chains never let her get too close, the last time she tried she was thrown around like a ragdoll by a chain on her ankle. 

It was like the chain had a mind of their own, and one single goal, protect Kiri at all costs. 

The worst part? Kiri had barely moved a finger, and Isuka knew that it was on purpose, that the girl was only toying with her, showing her the difference in power and she would be damned if she let a pirate mock her like this. 

It took her a moment to think of a strategy but the next time a chain flew in her direction, she let it catch her, just for enough time to make Kiri drop her guard, and using Haki she pulled the chain away and went for the final blow. 

Her sword was aiming at her shoulder — she didn't want to kill her, just prove her point, she wasn't a little marine, she earned her title by hard work— but before her sword could pierce her, Kiri moved— 

In less than a second she ducked and kicked her in the chest, sending her flying away, just for the chains to catch her midair and this time they wrapped all around her like snakes. 

Isuka was on the floor, fully restricted.

“Remember little marine” Kiri said, kneeling next to her. “The only reason you are alive, is because bad, mean, pirates let you” she said all smiles and sweet  and Isuka had never felt more powerless and angry in her life. 

Kiri turned around and the chains left her body. 

Isuka clenched her teeth, she was a marine, not a pirate's toy, and this fight wasn't over until one of them was dead or in jail. 

She grabbed her sword and screamed at Kiri to fight her again, Kiri ignored her, but Isuka wouldn't take no for an answer and charged at her. 

A chain recoiled at her and Isuka was forced to change direction and accidentally hit the wrong target. 

Everyone froze as Isuka realized that she stabbed someone, sku? Skull, another of the spades pirates that was watching the fight with the rest of the crew. 

Before Isuka could apologize or try to mend her mistake, a chain, thicker than the ones from before, wrapped around her throat. 

And for a moment while the chain choked her, she realized that Kiri had been truly playing with her the whole time and that she bit away more than she could chew. 

.

Ace was buying some of Kiri's favorite treats to apologize to her for cutting their stroll short last time, when Deuce found him. 

“Kiri and Isuka are fighting!” His friend said and Ace didn't hesitate to follow him back to the ship, he knew that Kiri could stand her own but Isuka wasn't just another nameless pirate, besides Kiri had never fought alone— 

He ran as fast as he could until they finally arrived at the ship and he froze for a moment. 

Something on the air made him shiver, his instincts told him to runaway, that something dangerous was in front of him, but what was in front of him was— 

Kiri. 

Her chains were thicker than usual, and they shone brighter, angry, wrapping around her like snakes protecting a treasure. 

Behind her was skull, with a wound on his shoulder and the rest of the crew appeared to be trying to get to him when they froze just like him. 

The end of Kiri's chain were wrapped around Isuka’s neck and Ace knew he should worry about that part, but Kiri had blood on her and despite every instinct on his body telling him to stop, to go the other way, he forced himself to move, to run once again and— 

He grabbed Kiri with both arms, that seemed to startle her and before she could say something he pulled her shirt down a little and— 

“It's not your blood” He said with relief when he didn't see any wound on her shoulder or neck. “Thank God” He murmured, sighing and the air shifted again. 

The chains — and Isuka — fell. 

Kiri looked at him and then— 

She started to cry—. 

“Eh?!” He exclaimed surprised since Kiri had never cried before, and he panicked trying to search for other injuries that he may have missed. 

“Ace idiot! Stupid! Dumb!” Kiri said between sobs and tears, hitting him with both her fist on the chest. 

“What did I do?!” He asked confused. 

“You! You keep ditching me to fight and flirt with Isuka! And that drives me insane and it makes me feel strange! Like there's something bad and ugly inside my chest!” Kiri exclaimed and this time Ace froze for a completely different reason. “And then my body aches because life is mean like that! And Isuka is mean! So I'm mean too! I just wanted to take my frustrations on her which I know it's bad! But then she hurt Skull! That 's my Skull! He braids my hair and calls me moonbeam!” she barely could speak because of the sobs and Ace managed to catch her when her legs gave out. 

“Kiri— 

“I was about to kill her! Because hurting my family is not allowed! And you! You!” She murmured trying to push him away, but he didn't let her. “You show up and you— You are you! You act all concerned and worried for me when I'm literally about to kill someone! That's— you can't do that!” 

Ace didn't know what to say— so he acted. 

He grabbed Kiri's face gently but firmly and kissed her. 

This time it was Kiri who froze but he kissed her because he was an idiot that didn't realize that Kiri was hurting, because of him. 

Kiri was soft moonlight on a stormy night, gentle and beautiful, so after he realized his feelings, he had convinced himself that she could never return his feelings, that no matter how many times she smiled at him, and slept next to him, she would never feel the same. 

Because why would she? He was cursed, a demon child that shared the same blood as the biggest criminal in the world. 

So, he flirted with other people and convinced himself that he was fine just being her friend— her family. 

But apparently he had fucked out, because Kiri was hurting, he had been so distracted with Isuka that he never even realized that Kiri was upset with him, that she was— jealous. 

Sometimes Ace forgets that Kiri was raised in a cult and pretty much everything is new to her, emotions included. 

He had neglected the one person in the world who saw him as a literal monster and still chose to take his hand and stand next to him. 

He had unknowingly pushed her to the edge. 

“I'm sorry” He finally said, once he pulled away and the tears had stopped. He gently tried to clean her face with his fingers. “You are right, I'm an idiot, and dumb” He agreed easily. “ I'm sorry I didn't notice how upset you were, or how I was making you feel, I'm not good with feeling myself” He admitted. “But I can promise you that I'll try to be better, for you” 

“I'm… still mad at you” She murmured softly. 

“You have the right to be” He agreed easily. 

“I'm sorry for trying to kill Isuka” She added. 

“She is a marine and you are a pirate, things happen” He shrugged. 

“I should have told you how I felt too… but I was afraid you'll think I was bad… or that you'll hate me” She confessed and Ace's heart broke a little because Kiri had been hurting more than he thought. 

“I could never hate you, you are my Kiri” He assured her. 

“Even if I'm mean and try to kill people?” 

“Not gonna lie, that's kind of hot” He grinned and Kiri hit him softly. “Would you hate me if I did those things?”

“Never” she shook her head and he smiled. 

“It's the same for me” He explained. 

“You kissed me” she murmured, looking down and there was a soft blush covering her cheeks. 

“Yes, do you want me to do it again?” He asked, getting closer and this time she pushed him away. 

“Shameless!” She squealed, cute. 

“I don't hear a no—

“You are going to break her if you continue” Deuce said, hitting him and Ace realized that they had been talking — and kissing — this whole time with the crew present. 

Well— now Kiri was definitely not the only one blushing. 

Chapter Text

Deuce had come to realize that Ace was touch starved really early on in their journey, he got more hugs in a month with Ace than in the last two years of his life. 

It was something he did probably without realizing, always a hand on the shoulder, a hug or linked arms, he usually started casually, but once he knew he was allowed to touch he just got more touchy.

Kiri once compared him to a golden retriever, excited, and happy to get pets and cuddles at any time, she was not wrong.

Deuce had never seen any trouble with this because everyone loves their captain, until Ace finally did something with his feelings for Kiri and she did not push him away. 

And now it was a problem. 

Because sweet, raised in a cult, with little to none interaction with other people Kiri was absolutely not ready for Ace's new brand of free affection. 

“Why is Mihar fishing Ace out of the sea?” Deuce asked, watching how Mihar got helped by the rest to get on the ship again. 

“Kiri was enjoying the breeze when our captain casually sat her on his lap” Skull answered. “I think she malfunctioned for a whole second before panicking and sending him flying” 

“This is the third time this week” Deuce commented. 

“One would think he'll know best by now” Skull added and Deuce just shrugged. 

“I don't think he even does it on purpose, it's like automatic at this point” He said, because even if Kiri always panicked, she later apologized to Ace, saying she was not mentally ready, and Ace just apologized too, and promised to do better. 

Of course Ace will forget that the next time and they'll be back at square one. 

“Should we do something? I mean is that or tie a rope to Ace, so he won't accidentally drowns” 

“I'll talk to them… but just in case have the rope ready” 

.

Deuce looked at Kiri and Ace sitting in front of him, and pointed at Gojira watching them from his plush altar. 

“In the name of our lord and savior Gojira, you two need to put your shit together,” Deuce declared. 

“When did he become our savior?” Kiri questioned. 

“When I prayed to him, that Isuka would take the hint and leave us alone for you two dummies to figure things out, and she hasn't attacked us for two weeks” Deuce declared easily and Kiri nodded, that sounded fair. “But that's not the issue right now, first what are you now?” 

“Pirates?” Ace asked and Deuce glared at him. 

“Romantically, as everyone knows you two kissed” 

“Ace kissed me—

“You didn't push him away” Deuce said back and Kiri blushed. “So, what now?” 

“Aren't we supposed to figure that ourselves?” Kiri questioned, because in all her books this was something the couple had to talk, or do something really stupid, she rather not do the stupid thing because she really liked Ace and also because moving to a different country sounded like a lot of work. 

“You had two weeks, Mihar is getting tired of fishing you out of the sea every other day” 

“Fair” 

“I'm sorry about that” 

“So?” He asked and they both looked like shy maidens looking away. “For fucks sake, you are pirates, act like it” 

“I like Kiri, romantically” Ace finally said. “And I want to date her, if… that's what she wants” He said a little nervously but Kiri took his hand gently. 

“I like Ace too, and I'll like that too…and I do like when you hug me or place me in your lap” Kiri admitted, still embarrassed. “It's just— it's been a while since someone touched me, I was pretty much on my own” 

“Want me to go to your house and kick their asses? Because I'll totally do that for you” Ace offered and Kiri laughed, clearly relaxing. 

“That is not necessary, but I appreciate the thought” She said shyly, kissing his cheek and Ace head literally caught on fire. 

“well, with that taken care of, we just need to resolve the issue of Kiri throwing our mighty captain at sea” Deuce commented looking at the two. 

Telling Ace to stop himself from hugging Kiri suddenly was out of the question — especially now that he knew that she liked it — so the one who had to change was Kiri. 

And Deuce had a plan. 

Exposure therapy. 

.

“I didn't know someone could get that red” Mihar commented watching Kiri sitting on Ace's lap while eating her breakfast. 

“At least today she is actually eating and not just fidgeting with her food” Skull commented watching the couple eat together. 

“By dinner she should be fine” predicted Deuce who had arranged the whole thing. 

If sudden contact startled Kiri and made her go into fight or flight mode, they just had to normalize contact between the two, making them share the same space during meals and making everyone pretend this was totally normal, so Kiri didn't feel embarrassed. 

Kiri almost imploded the first few times, but now when Ace hugged her tightly randomly, she didn't throw him like a fish back to the water. 

“Am I the only one who feels like we are inside some cheesy romance novel?” someone asked and they all shared a look before nodding along. 

“Do you realize this is only going to make Ace worse?” Skull asked slowly and Deuce just sighed and nodded. 

Deuce only hoped that they stayed like this for a while, because he was definitely not ready for “the talk” yet. 

Chapter Text

“We are going to be here for a while, so behave” Deuce said before letting Ace and Kiri leave the ship. 

They had just arrived at Water Seven, and they wanted to make some repairs in the ship that may take some time, so Deuce made sure to warn Ace before he could go wild in the island. 

“Define behave” Ace grinned and Deuce didn't even know why he kept trying. 

“Just don't set anything on fire” He sighed and Ace nodded before taking Kiri's hand and leaving the ship. 

.

The thing about people with devils fruits was that for Kiri, they all looked the same. 

Shadows from hell, with some details around them, depending on the fruit. 

So, when she lost Ace for a moment — he let go of her hand to get something, which by now he should know that was a recipe for disaster — she just started to follow the next big shadow that appeared before her. 

“Do you want something?” A voice that was definitely not Ace said, and she realized that this was not her flame shaped shadow from hell, this was shaped like a—

“Kitty” She answered, sure it wasn't exactly a cat, but it was close enough, definitely feline, a Zoan type. She hadn't really met many of them. 

“What did you just say?” The person asked, this time sounding slightly confused, but there was something else in his tone, wariness? It had an edge to it. 

“You, you are kitty shaped,” She tried to explain. “Well, not like a cat exactly… mhmm, a feline definitely” Kiri murmured trying to make out the shape in front of her. 

“What are you talking about?” The person asked slowly while she tried to figure it out. 

“Your devil frui— 

“Hey Lucci, who are you talking to?” Another voice asked and that distracted Kiri enough to look away. 

“Oh another one” She said, looking at the newcomer who was also a big evil shadow but this had something that looked like snakes? Rope? Around it. 

Interesting. 

.

“Seriously! Who leaves a blind girl alone like that?!” Pauli murmured, shaking his head, while the girl— Kiri, she said was her name — drank a juice box while chatting up with Kalifa. “She could have fallen into the canals and drowned!” he sighed. 

“Yeah, it was lucky that Lucci found her,” Kaku added. 

“She found me” Hattori corrected while Lucci looked at the girl. 

Black long hair, average height, pale Lila eyes, a soft pink sundress. 

Lucci was sure that if they crossed paths before, he would remember her and yet— 

He didn't. 

He of course knew who she was, part of the spades pirates who has recently arrived at Water Seven — it was his work to always know who arrive at the island, specially pirates that had the attention of the government, he had even heard that the position of Warlord may be offered to their captain, Fire fist Ace — but the fact was, they never crossed paths before. 

So how did she know that he had a devil fruit? 

Cat shaped — he refused to call it Kitty — she had said, and before Paulie interrupted them, she was about to say devil fruit. 

Not only did she know that he had a devil fruit, she knew he had a Zoan type. 

That was confidential information, that only his fellow CP9 were supposed to know, and for some reason this girl, with ribbons on her hair knew. 

He needed to get her alone and assess if she was a threat or not. 

“Someone should take her home” He suggested giving a subtle look at Kaku. 

“Right, her family may be worried” Kaku added, supporting him. “I mean, you said it yourself, she could have drowned, her poor family must be thinking the worst” He dramatized and Pauli seemed to hesitate. 

“That would be the responsible thing to do, but who would take her?” He wondered. “Maybe Kalifa?” 

“Let Lucci do it, Kalifa is already busy, and the girl seemed to trust Lucci” Kaku suggested and Paulie looked at Lucci. 

“Are you fine with that?” He asked looking at Lucci who just nodded. “Fine then” He shrugged since they had work to do and couldn't just babysit all day. 

.

Lucci had a plan, take the girl to a secluded place, interrogate her, and dispose of her quietly if she proved to be a threat, easy, clean. 

Or at least it was supposed to be that way— 

“Let's go this way! I'm sure that I came this way” she said, holding his wrist, leading the way with confidence despite the fact that Lucci knew for certain that they were walking in the wrong direction. 

He was being dragged around, and he couldn't do anything because she somehow managed to land in all the main streets with several witnesses, he couldn't just drag her to a private place while everyone watched. 

“oh by the way, what type of cat are you?” Kiri finally stopped and looked at him— and Lucci felt that she wasn't really watching him, but something inside him. 

Well— maybe if she was asking, he could ask his own questions. 

“What do you mean?” He answered feigning ignorance. 

“Your devil fruit, is a Zoan type right?” She answered easily enough. “I haven't met many Zoan, but their shadows are always animal shaped” 

“Shadow?” He frowned and the girl moved her hands around him.

“People with devils fruits, they have this big, scary shadows around them, practically glued to them” The pirate tried to explain. “Usually the shape of the shadows tells me what type of fruit they have, Ace has a logia, his is shaped like a big flame” She added further. “The guy that said my dress was too short had some… ropes around? They were long and moving” the girl frowned. 

“And mine is cat shaped” He murmured and the girl nodded. 

“Not quite, tiger? Panther? I'm not good with animals” The girl sighed like it annoyed her not knowing the answer. 

So, she didn't know who he was, she just— could see his devil fruit, it sounded impossible, but this was the Grand Line, and he had seen weirder things than this, besides she seemed— sincere, if not a little naive.

She was not a threat — for now— and could be useful. 

“I'll tell you what animal is under two conditions, you won't tell anyone else” He said, raising a finger and the girl looked at him with interest. “and you tell me what other shadows are here” 

“Like a game?” She asked, clearly excited. 

“Sure” he shrugged and she smiled at him, see? Naive, easy to manipulate. 

Lucci could handle her. 

.

Ace was looking for Kiri, Deuce was going to kill him if he found out that he lost her again— besides this place was not exactly disability friendly with all the water canals in the middle of the city, really they were pretty but also a drowning hazard. 

Sure, Kiri could swim, but he was still worried, okay? She was his— girlfriend? Lover? Dating partner? Ugh, Ace was better at the flirting part, it came naturally to him, but the rest? Yeah, that was uncharted territory and he really didn't want to mess thing with Kiri because well, she was— 

Kiri. 

Maybe Deuce was into something with all the talk about feelings, it was just— hard to put things into words when he just felt like if wanted. 

He wanted Kiri, that was for sure, he wanted to hold her hand, to hug her, kiss her too and … do other things, when she was ready — and him, he needed to mentally prepare himself — but there was so much more, see the world together, maybe adopting a cat, fuck, he didn't even know if she liked cats, for all he knew she could be a dog person and he already was thinking about the name of their cat child — his name was going to be Lu, for reasons — 

God, he was a mess. 

But, before all that he had a task, find his Kiri, preferible before Deuce figured out he was right and that they were a hazard to themselves. 

“excuse me, Have you seen my girlfriend?” He asked someone passing by and the man raised an eyebrow. 

“What does she look like?” the person asked and Ace sighed. 

“Beautiful” Ace answered, and the man gave him a blank stare. 

But Ace didn't pay him attention because he saw long, wavy black hair— 

Kiri!

He pushed past the man just in time to see— 

Kiri— but she wasn't alone there was a man, black hair, dark eyes — hot some part of his lizard brain added — holding his Kiri by the waist, their faces too close— 

Yeah, Ace had to punch some faces — not matter how handsome they were — 

.

Keeping Kiri in check was easiest and hardest than what he expected, easy because the girl didn't have a single distrusting bone on her body, and decided that somehow him using her to find more devil fruit user made them friends — she said so herself and he tried to correct her but she didn't listen — and hard because she was curious. 

And easily distracted. 

“Deuce said it's because I was raised in a cult!” Kiri explained when he had to pull her by the hand to make sure she didn't fell into the water because she thought there was a butterfly — it was just a paper — 

“A cult?” He asked but soon something else called her attention and she kept on walking practically dragging him along and he was left with the duty to make sure she didn't run into something — water, people, buildings — and explain things to her. 

Lucci as an agent had to give reports and he liked to be as accurate as possible, so he was very good at details and describing things, usually people found this ability none essential — boring — but for someone like Kiri who relied on other people, it was very useful. 

Having someone cling to his every word and be thankful for the information was— nice, he supposed. 

“Oh I think I see Ace!” Kiri said happily, almost skipping when her heel broke and his reflexes acted on impulse, grabbing her by the waist, pulling her body close to his — she was really warm and somehow smelled like oranges? Sugar? Orange cake? — and lifting her, to make sure she didn't fall. “Oh my heel” she lamented moving her feet and Lucci could see the broken heel dangling. 

At least she didn't appear to have sprained her ankle by the sudden movement, Kalifa had commented that it was a pain when that happened, and Kiri was already mostly blind, having a sprained ankle wouldn't do her any good. 

“Do I weigh anything to you?” Kiri asked, when she finally realized that he was holding her with only one arm. 

“It's like holding a couple of grapes” He shrugged because he lifted heavier things than her on a daily basis, besides she was very light. 

“Deuce keeps saying I should eat more meat and less dessert, maybe I should listen to him” She pondered and he considered putting her back on the floor, but with a broken heel it will be easy for her to fall again. “Oh Ace it's here!” Kiri suddenly lit up looking up and he looked front and sure, first fist Ace was walking in their direction with an unfriendly face. 

Well, in his eyes he was a complete stranger that for some reason was holding one of his crew members, a valid reason to be upset and yet— there was something dark and possessive in the way his eyes linger in his hand around Kiri's waist. 

Jealousy maybe? 

Lucci should probably put Kiri down to avoid some kind of misunderstanding but— He was not doing anything wrong, actually he was being helpful, so why should he care about the thoughts of one single pirate? 

.

“Ace!” Kiri cheered when she finally recognized her captain. 

“Kiri” He said, but he didn't sound as happy as her. Wasn't he happy that they found each other before Deuce found out he lost her — again— ? “Are you okay?” He said his voice sounded stressed for some reason. 

“I'm fine and I made a new friend!” Kiri said happily, moving her hand to point at Lucci. “This is Lucci and the pigeon on his shoulder is Hattori” she introduced. It was a shame she couldn't see Hattori herself, but Lucci had done a wonderful job at describing the bird and Kiri was convinced the pigey was absolutely lovely. “Lucci, this my Ace” She introduced. 

“Kiri!” Ace chirped, this time sounding embarrassed and that was a better tone. 

“What? you are” she pouted and she could hear him sigh. “Oh, I broke my heel” She added, raising her feet with the dangling heel. “I didn't hurt myself because Lucci caught me, isn't he great?” 

“You broke your heel…” Ace repeated and then he sighed again, this time with relief. “That's why you are holding her, oh, thanks man” Ace thanked him and he sounded more relaxed. 

“It's no problem” Hattori answered and Ace paused. 

“Did the bird just talked?” Ace asked and Kiri giggled. 

.

In the end Lucci handed Kiri to her captain, who carried her on his back to make sure she didn't fall — or got lost again — and they both thanked him for his help. 

They were— an odd pair, like a cat raised indoors that suddenly was let loose on the garden and found everything fascinating, and a golden retriever with too much energy, but they were harmless — for the moment — so Lucci just let them go. 

He probably wouldn't see them again, so it wasn't like it mattered all that much.

Lucci still had reports to write and ships to repair, so he didn't have time to think about people he probably won't meet again. 

Chapter Text

“Hey, Lucci your friends are back” Kaku grinned and some of the guys snickered. 

Lucci for his part stopped himself from pinching the bridge of his nose. 

Apparently because he had helped Kiri, that made them friends, not only with Kiri but with Portgas too for some reason — we are a package deal Lucci! They told him like it was supposed to mean something to him — 

They were a problem, they attracted too much attention — two new, pretty pirates hanging around him? People were bound to get curios — but not matter what he said or did they won't stop coming. 

“It's almost your break, you can go see them” Paulie wave him off, and he wanted to argue, but by this point he knew it was pointless. 

“Lucci!” Kiri called him, she was holding a picnic basket and was literally being carried by Ace like a princess. “I brought lunch!” 

“And I brought Kiri!” Portgas said with a grin, leaving Kiri on the ground gently. 

“That way we don't get separate!” Explained Kiri like they were really proud of themselves. “I brought tea!” 

“And meat” Ace added while helping Kiri set the picnic. 

“Oh and I got some new pastries, the lady from the bakery was very nice and gave some for free” She stated and Lucci knew for a fact that the woman that Kiri was talking about was not nice at all, and she just liked Kiri because well— pretty much everyone liked Kiri. 

Lucci gave them one look, these two pirates who arranged a picnic in the middle of other people place of work, without even asking if he wanted to join them and— 

He shared a look with Hattori, and finally sat down to eat. 

It was about to be his break, and Kiri's tea was good — according to her it was the only thing she could cook — so, he may indulge. 

Besides Kiri always knew the local gossip — sometimes even better than Kalifa — so, indulging her for a moment wouldn't be that bad, he was just keeping his cover and collecting data. 

“Here, this is dark chocolate, you prefer bitter things, right?” Portgas asked handing him a macaron and he nodded and took the treat. 

It was all because of his mission, and nothing else. 

.

“Is he aware that they are dating him?” Asked Kaku while watching the three share a picnic. 

“Oh he has no idea” Kalifa answered, she had arrived to deliver some papers just in time to see Lucci's little date. 

“Should we tell him?” Kaku questioned and Kalifa thought about it. 

“He'll figure out… eventually” She answered while watching how the girl served Lucci more tea, their fingers brushing for a moment, and she blushed while Lucci stood still. 

“Wanna bet?” He asked and they both exchanged a look. 

What Lucci didn't know, wouldn't kill them— but will entertain them.

.

“Deuce!” Kiri and Ace called at the same time and Deuce had a bad feeling about it. 

“Yes?” He asked cautiously, because when these two were in sync it never ended well for him. 

“Do you think we are hot?” Ace asked and Kiri nodded, they both had a serious look on their faces and Deuce considered going back to med school. 

“Does this have to do with the guy that you two have been flirting with?” For people who just a couple of weeks ago didn't have a clue about how to properly flirt or even show affection to each other, they were quick to flirt with other people. 

Well— Deuce had always considered that Ace and Kiri worked better together — and they also happened to share one brain cell — 

“So you noticed that we have been flirting with him!” Kiri said sounding vindicated. 

“Ace was literally touching his arm and saying how strong he was—

“He is!”

“While Kiri hugged his other arm and agreed with Ace” He murmured because Ace and Kiri were as subtle as an elephant in a glass store. 

“He has nice Arms” Kiri defended. 

“And have you seen his chest?” Ace added and Kiri nodded. 

“You can't even see him” Deuce said, looking at Kiri. 

“I can feel it! And Ace does a wonderful job describing it to me” She explained. “Ace is a very supportive boyfriend” 

“Anything for you babe” Ace said with a grin and Deuce wanted to say that normal boyfriends didn't describe other men's abs and chest to their girlfriends, but clearly logic didn't apply to these two. 

“Anyway, why do you want to know if you are hot?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

“Because Lucci hasn't made a move!” Ace complained. “We have been all over him”

“Literally sometimes” Kiri nodded and Deuce was not going to ask. 

“We had dates”

“They don't count as dates if he doesn't know they are date—

“We shared ice cream, and I didn't bite him, that's a date Deuce” Kiri argued and Deuce gave her a point, he almost lost a finger last time he tried to get Kiri to share her sweets. 

“And he hasn't done anything!” Ace said as if it was something completely terrible. 

“So you think it is because you are not hot enough?” He asked and they shared a look but nodded. “Kiri, you literally won a beauty pageant— 

“that was ages ago!”

“Ace, yesterday a guy literally walked straight to a wall because he couldn't stop staring at your abs” He said and Ace laughed. 

“That was fun” He nodded. 

“Have you considered that maybe Lucci doesn't make a move because he thinks you two are dating?” 

“But we are dating,” they said, confused, tilting their heads slightly. 

“Exclusively, most people don't assume that a couple is looking for a third” 

“We are not looking for a third,” Kiri said, making a face. “We just both like Lucci” 

“The guy doesn't talk and has a pigeon,” Deuce commented.

“Hattori is a lovely bird—

“It gives him a mystery aura Deuce” they defended the man and Deuce just rolled his eyes. 

“Whatever, you need to let him know that you two are available” He said and the two looked excited until they paused and looked back at him. 

“And how do we do that?” They asked and Deuce thought that it was hard to be the only one with more than one functional brain cell in this ship. 

Chapter Text

“I think he is about to have a stroke” Kaku murmured and Paulie watched Lucci. 

“He probably is going to break that glass first, his knuckles are white” He commented and he shared a look with Kaku, both deciding to move their chairs to a safe distance away from Lucci. 

It was supposed to be a fun night, a few drinks, some chat and then everyone could go to their beds and rest for the weekend but when they arrived at the bar the Spade pirates were already there. 

It wasn't like they were a bad crew, they were actually fun and nice, always helping around and chatting with the locals, the consensus was that they liked them. 

Maybe a little too much. 

Kiri and Ace always stood up because well, they were friendly, kind, nice and absolutely smoking hot. 

It was a fact, but since they were dating each other and seemed pretty much only interested in Lucci for some reason not one tried anything with them— until now it was. 

Both Ace and Kiri were flushed and looked slightly intoxicated, while a stranger — Paulie thought he saw him working in the new bakery, he wasn't sure really — was flirting with them, quite obviously, leaning into their space and even whispering things close to them. 

It shouldn't matter really, they were pirates, pirates flirted all the time, just that Lucci looked ready to commit murder— 

For someone who said that didn't care for the two pirates, he looked awfully concerned for them now. 

.

Lucci didn't care. 

He didn't care at all. 

Not one bit. 

Portgas and Kiri could flirt with whoever they wanted, actually this was better for him, if someone caught their attention they will finally leave him alone and he wouldn't have to deal with their surprise dates and awkward flirting anymore — they were not subtle at all — 

He will finally be free, which was exactly what he wanted, so this was a good thing for him, now he could finally concentrate on his work again. 

This was good, that guy was making him a favor real— 

The stranger — not for long, Lucci was determined to learn everything about him by tomorrow, just for safety reasons of course — raise his hand and appeared to be about to touch Kiri but— 

Kiri didn't like to be touched suddenly by strangers. 

He moved before he could realize what he was doing and threw his glass next to the guys hand — he considered for a millisecond to just aim at his head, but decided not to —

Everyone went quiet for a moment, and he felt a headache coming. 

These two minx— these two pirates thought they could just barge in and ruin his peace and then just leave? Change him for a new model as they saw fit?

Fuck no. 

He stood up and calmly walked up to them, with little effort he picked them up, Kiri on his shoulder and Portgas under his other arm and looked at Masked Deuce — the only one with a brain cell in the spade pirates. — 

“They are drunk, I'm taking them back to their ship” He informed, using Hattori to deliver the message, he didn't ask them, it was a statement and the pirates shared a look before Deuce nodded. 

He nodded back and then left the bar with the two pirates, who appeared to be still in too much shock to react to what was happening. 

Good, Lucci was tired of being on the receiving end of their mischief, they wanted to play grown ups and tease him? 

Lucci will teach them exactly what happened when you walked into the wolf's mouth — or leopard in his case — without a care. 

They were going to play by his rules now. 

.

“I owe Kalifa so much money” Kaku murmured sighing when Lucci finally left and Paulie gave him a confused look. 

On the other corner of the room Deuce just smiled because his plan had actually worked, although— it appeared to have worked a little too well. 

Maybe they should wait a couple of hours before returning to the ship. 

He had the feeling they had teased Lucci a little too much and he will absolutely wreck them in retaliation—

Well, it wasn't really his problem, after all he just did what they asked them, what happened later was totally up to them. 

.

The crew had been respectful enough to not bother Ace and Kiri while they stayed inside their room — it was Kiri's room, as the lady of the crew she had her own, but after they started dating, Ace claimed it as theirs — but once they came out— 

They looked— 

Wrecked. 

Ace was wearing a shirt — all bottomed up, and Deuce didn't know that Ace even knew how to do that — and made a point to avoid eye contact, while Kiri on the other hand cling to Ace's arm for dear life, like she couldn't stand the embarrassment alone. 

So, of course they needed to tease them about it. 

Kiri reached new levels of red and Ace almost jumped into the sea voluntarily. 

It was good finally having their Golden retriever and local cryptid back after having them pouting and moping because their crush didn't give them a chance. 

.

To Lucci's surprise, Kiri and Ace had gone to his work on Monday like they usually did, he thought that after what he did to them — they mostly make out, they were clearly inexperienced and Lucci wasn't such a monster as to go all the way the first time, he was a gentleman — it will take them some time to recover and come back. 

Apparently he misjudged until— they started to complain. 

“I have to use a high collar shirt, because I get teased every time that they see the hickey that you left!” Ace argued while angrily drinking tea. 

“Deuce asked me if I needed ‘The Talk’ and If I wanted for him to show me my choices on birth control” Kiri said, sounding completely mortified. 

They were clearly suffering and he was the sole cause in their eyes. 

Good. 

This was payback. 

Lucci took one of the macaroons and ate quietly. 

“So” he said casually. “Are you coming to my house after my shift?” He asked and the two went quiet. 

He gave them time, watching how they shared a look before blushing, making a point to not look at him directly. 

“Well, since you asked so nicely…” 

“It'll be rude to refuse” 

“Yeah” they agreed, all flustered. 

Cute. 

Lucci will ruin them — gently, mostly, he still was a man after all and there's so much self-control he could practice — 

He grinned and ate his treat, considering buying a new bed, a bigger one. 

It sounded like a good investment.

Chapter Text

To love someone was to know them, at least that's what Lucci heard once, he didn't know much about love, but he cared about knowing, information was power, especially when it was people you were… interested in. 

So even if Ace and Kiri weren't part of his mission, he started to pay close attention to them. 

How Kiri liked sweets that weren't overly sweet, and usually liked to drink tea to compensate, she favored black tea with strong flavors over the more bland types, he also noticed how Ace despite not being a picky eater preferred meat over fish and he liked it well done, not rare, completely done. 

He noticed how none of them talked about their life before being a pirate, they mentioned things easily enough, in Ace's case he could talk for hours about his little brother — who by his stories was a complete menace — and The bandits he grew up, but when you asked him about his parents he will change the subject easy enough. Kiri on the other hand talked about the cult she was raised in, like it was something normal, and will even mention her mother from time to time, but never her father— 

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Kiri asked him while brushing his hair with her hands softly. Ace was already sleeping using her shoulder as a pillow — Lucci was also sure that Ace suffered from narcolepsy — and he had been drifting to sleep, when he started to think about them, not that he was about to admit to that. 

“The song you were humming” He said instead, whenever Kiri was lost in thought or just distracted enough, she'll start humming some sort of lullaby. It was sweet and relaxing, but he wasn't sure that he had ever heard it before. “Did your mother teach it to you?” 

“My mom was deaf, she really didn't speak that much” She answered easily enough. “She used sign language, I did too, but it became hard to communicate once I lost my eyesight and couldn't longer see her hands,” Kiri explained softly, still brushing his hair softly. 

“I'm sorry to hear that” Lucci answered and she just smiled. 

“I could still sign for her, and she could say some words, we managed” She shrugged, like not being able to communicate properly with a loved one wasn't such a big deal, and that was another thing he knew about her— about them. 

Kiri and Ace didn't ask for anything that wasn't freely given, sure, they could be annoying and pushy sometimes, but they both were used to having scraps of love, of attention, so they were happy with almost nothing. 

“I always knew the song,” Kiri said, taking his attention once again. “Maybe someone used to sing it to me when I was little and I just forgot” She added and he noticed the way that with her free hand, she touched her chains. 

“Can you sing it for me?” He asked softly and she smiled at him once again. 

“Since you asked so nicely” She said before starting to sing softly. “The gentle wind, sways and dances, as breath sinks deep, with quiet longing, and without a word” she sang for him and even if he wasn't thinking about sleeping, he found himself drifting to sleep. 

There were still questions he wanted to ask, but he could make them later, now, he had time. 

.

Growing up in a cult, Kiri learned to not ask questions, and just accept things as they were, it made everything more easy — although for who, she was no longer sure— 

But the fact that she couldn't ask questions, didn't mean she didn't have them. 

Kiri had many questions, the only problem was that she would never get answers, even if she wanted answers, there was not one in this world she could ask. 

But at least now she wasn't alone, which meant she didn't have to keep these questions to herself.

“I lied to Lucci” Kiri confessed to Ace, while they laid together, she was using his chest as a pillow and he hummed. 

“Is this about the donut? Because I'm pretty sure he knows that it didn't just vanish” He grinned and she chuckled, but shook her head. 

“He asked about the lullaby” 

“The one you always hum when you think you are alone or deep in thought?” He questioned and she blushed, because she didn't realize Ace had noticed that. 

“That one,” Kiri nodded and then paused. “I told him that I forgot who sang it to me, but I remember” For a moment she just closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I think— I think it was my father,” she said slowly, like something that should not be said out loud, like a secret, because it felt like that to her—

“Your… father?” He asked just as softly, because Ace had never heard Kiri mention him before, so he assumed that as him, she had a complicated — to say the least — relationship with her father. 

“I— we weren't allowed to be together,” Kiri said, trying to find the right words to explain. “We share the same blessing, back in the cult, that was a bad omen” 

And that was an understatement, in her cult it was believed that if two people share the same blessing, one of them was meant to fade, since Gods could only have one vessel at the time. That was why when two people shared the same blessing they were kept apart to make sure that they didn't try to— hurt each other. 

“So, I never met him,” Kiri said softly. “But when I was little someone used to sing that lullaby outside my window” 

“And you think it was your father?” He asked slowly and Kiri touched her chains softly. 

“If we shared the same blessing, then these chains were also his, and— even if I know it's not possible, when I was feeling lonely and sad, I could swear the chains hummed the song for me” Kiri tried to explain but she knew she sounded crazy, the chains could do a lot of things but singing? That was just insan—

“It makes sense” Ace murmured and she blinked. “The chains sometimes look like they have a life of their own, moving all protective around you, so, if a small part of your father is inside of them or whatever, it makes sense, that they will move to protect you so fiercely” He said and for a moment Kiri froze. 

She had always saw the chains as the dragon, but what if they weren't only that— 

“But why would he try to protect me?” She asked without meaning to, because— Her father should hate her, because she was born, he lost his blessing. 

He faded— he died because of her. 

It was her fault — even if she never wanted it — 

“My mother was pregnant with me for… two years I think” Ace said and this stopped her train of thought. 

“What” She murmured because even for her that sounded really wrong. 

“My father was someone dangerous, and to make sure no one could relate me to him, my mother literally kept me inside of her for two years” He explained. “It killed her— literally, she died after giving birth to me” 

“Ace—” 

“But she did that because she loved me” He finally said moving his hand gently and touching her face, so she could look at him. “I don't know much about fathers, but I'm sure that a father that sneaks to sing lullabies to his daughter, despite risking punishment from a crazy cult—

“It was not a crazy cult— 

“Is a father that loved his daughter” He said and Kiri swallowed feeling a knot on her throat. 

She opened her mouth, but words didn't come out, and she could only hug Ace and softly cry in his arms while he held her gently. 

Only when the tears ran out, did she move and looked at him. 

“I love you” Kiri said with tears still fresh on her face, and Ace grinned. 

“I know,” he said, brushing her hair with his fingers softly. 

“You don't” she said, shaking her head, because deep down she knew that Ace had troubles accepting people's love. “But it's fine, I'll tell it to you, as many times as you need to” Kiri smiled at him and this time it was Ace who went quiet. 

He hugged her tightly and she just reciprocated the gesture, because there was no place in the world — or worlds — that she rather be. 

.

“Come on Lucci!” Ace said while dragging him by the hand, Kiri hugging his other arm just as excited as Ace. “This is going to be awesome!” Ace exclaimed but he begged to differ. 

There was a carnival in town, and he would usually skip the whole affair but Ace and Kiri had quite literally dragged him to the thing, and now he was surrounded by loud games, people, children and god knows what other atrocities. 

This was definitely not the way he was expecting to spend his free day — couldn't a man just stay inside his house and maybe, possibly, just a little wreck his two emotional support gremlins?— 

“I have never been to a carnival before” Kiri murmured holding his arm tightly, her voice sounded shy, but excited. “Is it pretty?” she asked and Lucci decided that maybe he could try to collect data in the carnival, for his job obviously, and for nothing else. 

“It is, we can play some games too” He said, holding her hand gently. 

“Really? That sounds fun!” She said with a soft, radiant smile and sometimes Lucci wondered where the flower petals came from whenever she smiled like that. 

.

Kiri was just a little sad that she couldn't see the carnivals completely, some lights and others stuff were easy to catch, but the rest she could only imagine, so Ace promised to win her many prizes so she could at least be part of the experience. 

It had sounded nice in the beginning until Lucci and Ace decided to have a little competition for who won more prizes… 

“I don't think we have enough space in the ship for all theses” Comment Deuce looking at all the plush toys, and other prizes that her darling dates had won for her. 

“Maybe we can donate a few… I don't think Gojira will accept the competition” Kiri murmured while sorting the plushies, the rest of the crew helping her carry everything. 

“They can be his followers!” Ace suggested with his hands full with even more plushies. 

“We are not having a cult of plushies” 

“We kind of already have one— 

“I'll push you to the sea if you finish that sentence” Warned Deuce glaring at Ace who for once decided to do the smart thing and stay quiet. 

“Can I keep this one?” Kiri asked, holding a giant leopard plushie. 

“A leopard? I thought you liked sea creatures or monsters” Deuce commented, giving her a confused glance. 

“I happen to fancy leopards too, they are lovely” Kiri said, blushing slightly and looking the other way, making Deuce raise an eyebrow and look back at Ace and Lucci who just shrugged — although he could swear that Lucci was hiding a smile — 

.

This was not the first carnival Lucci had attended, he even was part of one for a mission once, he didn't particularly dislike them or like them, but he had never really understood what people liked about it so much. 

To him it was just an excuse to eat like pigs and get drunk, but then he saw Ace grinning like the sun, with his arms filled with plushies, and Kiri gently sharing her apple candy with him — which was a lot, Kiri didn't share candy — and he felt that maybe, carnivals weren't that bad. 

“Let's go see the fireworks!” Ace said, pulling him and Kiri giggled.

“You do realize I can't see them right?” Kiri asked, sounding more amused than annoyed. 

“I can describe it to you!” Ace offered. 

“You are terrible at it” 

“I'm great!”

“You told me a cloud looked like a bunny doing taxes— 

“It was a very serious bunny— 

“Do you even know what taxes are?” Lucci asked, and Ace gave him a betrayed look and Kiri giggled next to him. 

Lucci may not have a name for the feeling inside his chest right now but— he liked it. 

Chapter Text

The good thing about staying in a place as big as Water seven was that Kiri had many new books, because tiny islands didn't usually have that many books, and when they had them, the possibility of having one in braille was almost zero. 

But here she could actually get picky about what she wanted to read — she still was going to buy some trashy books, because getting annoyed at them when she didn't want to process emotions was nice — 

Kiri grabbed a few short novels, a couple of terror novels and books about the grand Line, a book about something called the “All blue” that sounded interesting, and she found two more books, they were “spicy” romance novels and Kiri had no idea what the spice was supposed to be, but Ace liked spicy food, and it wasn't that bad, so maybe spicy books were good too? 

She bought the books — with a special discount because pretty privilege always got you that, especially with sweet old ladies that wanted to grab your cheeks and call you cute pie. Dignity? What was that?— and let Lucci guide her back to the ship — Ace was having a staring contest with Hattori, and the pigeon was winning because he was cool like that — feeling very excited about her new books. 

.

Kiri managed to get into page 65 when she suddenly stopped, and put the book down. 

She blinked a couple of times because, well— the people in the book were— they were— doing things. 

Really hot, not PG-13 appropriate things. 

Until now all the books she has read stopped at the kissing and then just kind of let the reader assumed what happened later, this book did not do that, it actually started to describe in very good detail exactly what was happening and how— hard some things got and holy fuck. 

Kiri should not read that. 

She was a priestess — kind of — a pure being — almost — and it was just indecent reading about that. 

It was perverted, and degenerate, she should totally not read that, but— she did want to know how the story ended, it was a really good story — even if she couldn't quite remember the plot now — so she should keep reading the book, just skipping the pages with all the indecent parts.

But— what if she missed a crucial part of the book, a conversation or another important piece of information because she skipped those parts? Maybe she could read and just focus on the dialogues? It was for the sake of the plot after all. 

Slowly Kiri took the book like it might bite her and started to read it again. 

.

Kiri hit a hard wall — almost as hard as what the protagonist of her book had between his leg probably — when she started to imagine what they were doing in page 347, she could probably skip it, but Kiri was already in too deep and the fact that it sounded inaccurate bothered her — forget the unicorns and the men that turned into wolves during the moonlight, she draw the line at anatomy inaccuracies — 

Could someone actually do… that?

Usually, when Kiri didn't know something she'll go to Deuce, but that will mean that: one, she'll have to explain to Deuce the contents of the books — which she will never do, because it was too embarrassing — and two, there was a 99% chance that Deuce will confiscate the book, because it was not Kiri friendly — it meant that didn't make her ask questions that Deuce really didn't want to answer — 

So, Deuce was not an option here. 

She could try to ask someone else from the crew, but the chances of them snitch on her to Deuce were high. 

Kiri could try to go with Ace but— last time Deuce gave them the talk to both of them, so Kiri was sure that Ace was about to be just as lost as her. 

And that leaves her with only one option. 

.

Lucci knew that something was off the moment he realized that Kiri was alone with no Ace in sight. 

Sure, they weren't always attached to the hip — Kiri did enjoy her tea with Deuce while Ace helped around or try to fight a Sea King with a frying pan — but Ace will not waste a perfect opportunity to spend time with the three together, so most likely Kiri had come in secret. 

Maybe she had found another devil fruit user? — Kiri still reported all devil fruit user to him, something very useful, and that usually got her new cakes — 

As it turned out, it was something way worse. 

Kiri handed him a book on braille — he had learned to read it a few days after meeting Kiri because he thought it could be useful for encrypted messages, and only for that — and asked if what was in page 348 was anatomically possible. 

She looked— flustered, with a light blush covering her cheeks, but had a determined look, like a scientist in search of answers. 

So, despite the situation, Lucci took this seriously and tried to give an honest answer. 

“You'll have to be very flexible, but yes, you can do it” He nodded, it couldn't be nearly as comfortable as the book made it sound, but with the right training you could definitely pull it— or put it in. 

“Oh” she nodded, taking in the new information. “Thank you Lucci” Kiri smiled trying to take the book back, and he could have left it at that, if it weren't for the fact that Kiri had once again entered the mouth of the wolf without noticing. 

“My shift is over, if you want we can read the book together, and I can explain what you don't understand” He offered, ever the helpful boyfriend — They had been on exactly 12 official dates by now, and another 15 unofficial dates, they had shared kisses, held hands, and did other stuff, so Lucci was 90% sure they had left the dating part behind and we're in fact in boyfriend-girlfriend-boyfriend territory now — 

“Really? That'll be great! Thanks!” Kiri answered excitedly, and innocently. 

Lucci just smiled softly — although it must look like a feral grin to anyone else watching — and offered his arm to Kiri who grabbed it happily. 

He was more than happy to explain things to his beautiful girlfriend, and if explaining wasn't enough, he could always show her — although he wouldn't go that far, he didn't want to make Ace feel left out — slowly, patiently, thoroughly, in different positions, just to make sure she really understood all of it. 

Lucci was truly such a devoted boyfriend. 

Chapter Text

The first time Kiri got sick while on their watch, she didn't tell anyone, or made a fuss about it, for someone who could be as spoiled as her — They loved Kiri, but she was their spoiled little exorcist, and not one could say no to her, except Deuce because he was the one in charge despite Ace being their captain — it was weird, but they let it go, some people didn't like have people fussing over them when they were sick, and they could respect that. 

But it took them a short time to realize that it was not that Kiri didn't like having people worrying over her when she was sick, it was that she simply didn't have someone to take care of her before— and wasn't used to people caring. 

For a moment, it didn't make sense for Ace, because Kiri did complain about the cult, mostly about how they didn't let her do anything fun — which totally understandable, he would have throw a fit if Dadan tried to stop him in any of his adventures as a kid, and he probably did a few times — but Kiri always said how important she was there, and that some people felt blessed to be even be in her presence. So, why wouldn't they take care of her? Especially when she was sick? 

“Because for them, she wasn't a person, she was a thing” Deuce said in a hush voice, Ace had vented to him, while Kiri was sleeping, the fever had finally gone down, and she was looking better, so they could finally relax and talk. 

“What do you mean?” He asked, frowning a little. 

“Have you asked Kiri what she used to do before?” 

“Pray and do her rituals” Ace answered easily because again, Kiri wasn't shy about complaining about how boring her life was before. 

“Yes, and she did all that alone” Deuce added, and he pursed his lips for a moment. “For them Kiri was a relic, a holy object, and to make sure nothing tainted it, they kept her confined, alone” 

“But she said they pray with her— 

“They prayed to her” He corrected and Ace felt a knot in his stomach, the idea of Kiri sitting alone, while a bunch of people prayed around her, never really talking to her or even properly looking at her— it felt wrong. 

“How do you know this?” 

“She talks when I do her hair” He shrugged and sighed. “I don't think Kiri understand how actually fucked up her family was. The first day I braided her hair, she talked excitedly about how she hadn't shared a meal with someone in so long, in the beginning I thought she meant with friends, but she meant in general, after she gained her blessing and learn how to eat on her own, she mostly ate alone, except for special occasions” and this was why Deuce hated cults so much, they not only isolated people from the outside world, but they isolated them from their own people because that way they would remain dependent. 

It made Deuce sick. 

Ace tried to remember a time when he was truly alone like that, and sure, he had been a lot on his own from a young age, but he always had people he could count on, Dadan, the rest of the bandits, Grandpa, Sabo, and Luffy, people who would share meals and laughs with him. 

But Kiri didn't have that, she had people who treated her like a doll, and that let her to suffer alone. The thought of a tiny Kiri, eating all alone in some big room, or shrinking in a corner with a fever, with no one to tend to her, felt wrong.

“She is never going to be alone again” Ace declared, looking at Kiri sleeping peacefully. 

“Is that an order captain?” teased Deuce and Ace laughed softly. 

“Yes, Captain orders” Ace agreed with a grin and Deuce just smiled. 

“aye, aye, Captain” He agreed and they both kept Kiri company until she was better again and after that. 

And now whenever Kiri got sick, everyone in the crew got time looking after her. 

They could not erase Kiri's past, but they could create new memories for her. 

.

Lucci had realized by day two that something was wrong. 

Kiri and Ace, or at least one of them will without missing a day come to his work to bother him — spend time with him — but they hadn't come, it was radio silence since he hadn't even seen any of the spades pirates recently. 

So, when by day three, he still didn't know anything about them, he decided to do some light investigation, just out of curiosity and nothing more, that's when he heard that the only place the spade pirates had been seeing going was the drugstore. 

That's when Lucci remembered that Ace commented that every once in a while Kiri will get sick, nothing too serious, but bad enough to leave her bedridden for a few days. 

So, Kiri was sick — most likely — that was fine, people got sick all the time — not him, he was above those kind of things, his body was a temple after all — and now that he knew that he could go back to work and stop worrying about it — not that he was worried to begin with.— 

It was totally fine. 

.

Kiri used to hate getting sick, she could barely eat or move, her body ached all over and the fever was always a bitch, so she slept a lot, and would only wake up to drink water and maybe eat a little if she could stomach it. 

Usually after what felt like ages — it probably was only a few days — she will start to feel better and move on with her life, but with the spades pirates— 

It wasn't that bad. 

The fever was still a bitch, and her body still ached, but now she got fussed over, with Deuce forcing her to take more vitamins and medicine — he did it gently, it felt… nice — while Ace and the rest sneaked her fruit and pieces of candy to cheer her up. 

Now, when she went to sleep instead of waking up in a dark room, she woke up to Ace giving her some tea, Deuce checking her temperature, Mihar and the rest asking if she wanted something. 

Kiri didn't have memories of anyone doing that for her before — she had been perfectly healthy until she was “blessed” and her life went to shit — so it was a new experience for her, and it was— nice, it made her feel good and warm — in a good way — so, now, when she got sick, she didn't mind that much. 

“Kiri! You have a visit!” Ace cheered and she raised an eyebrow until she could see the cat— leopard shaped shadow entering her room. 

“Lucci?” She asked curiously, it wasn't that she wasn't happy to see him — she was, she and Ace missed him terrible, but she couldn't just go and see him, and Ace wouldn't leave her side — 

“I heard you were sick” Hattori answered for him, as usual and he sat next to her. “How are you feeling?”

“I'm fine! Deuce was just making a fuss over nothing” 

“You had a fever all day, just yesterday” Ace said and she glared at him. 

“Snitch” Kiri said taking Lucci's hand and giving him the middle finger, because Deuce would be upset if she did that. 

“I brought you something” Lucci said raising his other hand leaving a paper bag on her hands and she took the items one by one until her bed was filled with stuff. 

“That's lemon tea, cold medicine, cherry flavor for children— 

“I'm not a child, but I do like Cherry” Kiri complained, grabbing one of the boxes while Ace kept listing everything. 

“ginger tea, lemon and ginger tea, gummy bears vitamins—

“Oh give me those” 

“In three different flavors, and a whale shaped one” Ace listed grabbing another box. “Black tea with tangerine, cough syrup, food supplement strawberry flavored—

“You do know how to make me eat my vitamins” Kiri said and Lucci just scoffed like it was obvious. 

“Macarons— 

“Give me that— 

“Those are for when you get better” Lucci answered, taking that box away. 

“Rude” Kiri accused him but just took another box. “What 's this?” 

“Incense, it helps to clear the lungs,” Lucci explained. 

Kiri and Ace stopped for a second and shared a look. 

One day, they were definitely climbing this man like a tree, unfortunately that day wasn't today. 

“Can you make tea? Deuce is cooking, and Ace isn't allowed near the teapot” 

“I only burned it once!” 

“It was my favorite teapot” 

“Mihar used it to hit skull in the head, it was damaged” 

“It had personality” Kiri argued back while Lucci just took one of the tea boxes — the ginger and lemon tea — and started to prepare the tea. 

When Deuce went to check on them, Kiri and Ace were sleeping in the same bed while Lucci read one of Kiri's book — always keeping an eye on them — 

Deuce smiled and decided to let them have this for a while longer. 

Chapter Text

The ship was almost done with the repairing, so they should be able to leave Water seven any day now, this was supposed to be a good news but— 

“What if we beg Lucci to come with us?” Suggested Ace, sure, he knew that you could still date someone while being apart, but it wasn't the same! 

“Maybe kidnap him?” Added Kiri just as depressed as Ace. 

“This is his home, you both knew this from the beginning” Deuce reminded them and they just pouted. 

“I know! But what if he forgets about us!”

“Or he finds someone else!” 

“There's no way he will forget about you two, Ace literally set his kitchen on fire” 

“That was an honest mistake! I was trying to be helpful” 

“You only burn it at the end, I'm so proud of you my love” Kiri added and Ace hugged her tightly. 

“Besides, we still haven't done everything with him! we need more dates!” 

“And cuddles,” Kiri nodded and Ace agreed. 

Deuce could try to put some sense into them, nonetheless, he knew that they wouldn't listen to reason when they got like this. 

“Why don't you make a list?” He suggested instead and that picked their interest. “Of all the things you want to do with him before leaving” 

“With everything we want?” 

“You'll probably need for him to agree, so try to keep it reasonable” Deuce clarified and Kiri shared a look with Ace. 

“That's a great idea! We need ink and paper!” Ace declared, standing up quickly and Kiri followed him. 

Deuce just sighed and considered giving Lucci some kind of heads-up, yet— Kiri and Ace were more likely to succeed if the man wasn't prepared, and he knew where his loyalty lay. 

Poor Lucci. 

.

Lucci could tell by the awful handwriting that it was Ace who wrote “the list”, he could also tell that it was Kiri who decorated the thing — there was glitter and sticker everywhere — and he could also tell that Ace and Kiri were both giving him their best puppies eyes to get him to agree to all their demands — he could recognize a demands list when he saw one — 

It was true that their ship was soon going to be completely repaired, and as pirates usually did, they'll leave Water Seven, so he could understand they were feeling anxious about their departure — which was uncalled for, they already made a mess on his life, there was no way he was just going to let them walk away freely, oh no, they were his now, not take backs — still, this list was very sudden — and he was sure that Deuce had something to do with it — nonetheless not everything on the list was crazy. 

“I'll prepare a counteroffer” He answered ushering them away from his house while he planned. 

“A what?” Ace asked confused while being shoved away — gently — 

“I'll take some stuff, and add others” He clarified. 

“Oh so you like it— 

“Not yet” He said, locking the door behind them and looking at the list again. 

There was no way he was letting them break into Iceburg office just for fun but— 

There were other things he could agree on. 

.

“They want to have a pool day?” Asked Kaku while he watched Lucci plotting — Lucci will say he was just preparing, but Kaku knew Best by now — 

“Ace can't even swim” Pointed out Kalifa raising an eyebrow. 

“Neither can Lucci” added Kaku and Lucci just ignored them. 

“Ace says he wants to tan—

“He doesn't even wear a shirt, I'm pretty sure he can't tan anymore—

“Isn't he made of fire? How does that work?” Asked Kaku and Lucci paused on his plotting, considering whether he needed sunscreen for Ace, well, it was best to be safe than sorry. 

“And Kiri wants to wear her new bikini” Finished Lucci and Kalifa and Kaku shared a look. 

“And you are fine with that?” Kalifa asked, slowly. 

“Why wouldn't I be?” 

“The other day someone whistle at Kiri and you later broke his jaw” Kaku explained, it had been obviously an “accident” just like the “accident” that the new guy in the shipwright had when he called Ace “a nice piece of ass” and he got his leg broken in two places. 

“I picked a day and hour with less people” Lucci shrugged, like it wasn't a big deal. 

“Can Kiri even swim? I mean she is blind” 

“As long as she is not alone, she is fine” Lucci answered and Kalifa and Kaku decided to drop the subject, it wasn't like anything they said will matter to Lucci anyway. 

“Anyway, what are you going to do once they leave?” Kaku questioned curiously. 

“I already got them DenDen Mushi, and their Vivre card are almost done” 

“Vivre Card? I didn't know they make those in Water seven” 

“They don't, I have them made in another island and they should arrive once they are ready, in a couple of days” He answered easily enough. 

“They even know that you made them?” 

“Technically, I didn't make them, I got someone else to do them, but they know enough” 

“Which translates that they have absolutely no idea” Kalifa declared and the glare that she got from Lucci said at all. 

Damn, if they thought a normal Lucci was scary, an smitten Lucci was ten times worse. 

Oh those poor innocent pirates, had no idea what they had done. 

Chapter Text

Until now they had a pool day, — Lucci kept glaring at anyone who looked their way, but besides that it was really nice — they tried the biggest train themed ice cream Water seven had to offer — Kiri got her brain freezed and Ace was fine, Deuce said it was because Ace didn't have a brain to freeze — and they had a romantic walk under the moonlight — Ace tripped and fell into a canal, Kiri almost got a cold getting him out of the water, Lucci looked so done — 

There were just a few things left in their list and Kiri and Ace felt slightly— anxious. 

There was another thing they wanted to do with Lucci, that they didn't dare to put on the list, it wasn't like it was something bad! It was just… special. 

“Should we… say something?” Ace asked in a low voice while they had a romantic dinner, homemade in Lucci's house — they were supposed to help Lucci cook, but after Kiri almost added sugar into the sauce instead of salt and Ace almost burned the pasta they were sent to set the table — 

“In the books it's supposed to go…naturally” Kiri answered, but that didn't feel quite right. “Although is Lucci, maybe we should have told him first, he likes to plan this things” 

“We should have made a presentation?” Ace suggested, maybe something with glitter, that always made things prettier. “I mean he would have appreciated the gesture” 

“What are you two talking about?” Lucci asked, and they both flinched and smiled nervously. 

“We are hungry, and wanted to ask when dinner was going to be ready” Kiri answered quickly and Ace nodded. 

Lucci gave them a look and Hattori cooed at them suspiciously. 

“its ready, wash your hands” Lucci answered going back to the kitchen and they relaxed. 

“Fuck, I thought he was into us” Murmured Ace passing a hand through his hair. 

Kiri sighed, she had read many books about this… she had done things with Lucci and Ace! Telling Lucci that they wanted to go all the way today shouldn't be that hard. 

Maybe Deuce was into something and they weren't ready yet for that. 

“It's going to be okay, we just need… a sign, something that tells us that this is the right moment” Ace said, gently taking her hand and reassuring her. 

“A sign, maybe a storm? A blue moon?” She teased and Ace laughed. 

.

Lucci waited while Kiri and Ace finished the dessert. They had been anxious for some reason before, but the food had helped them relax, and he still had one last surprise for them. 

“There was something in your list” He said, taking a little box from his pocket. “You wanted matching souvenirs, and I took the liberty to prepare something of the sorts” he added opening the box. 

Inside there were three golden bracelets with charms in them, Kiri and Ace lit up instantly and carefully took theirs. 

“They are so cool!” Ace said while helping Kiri with hers, and she started to touch the charms gently with her fingers. 

“There's a number seven for … water seven right?” 

“We met here, didn't we?” He answered and Kiri smiled brightly. 

“Oh and a little ship!” 

“You stayed here while your ship is fixed, it's what kept you both here” He explained. 

“A sun?” Ace asked confused. 

“That's for you” Lucci answered and Ace gave him a curious look. 

“Because you shine just like the sun,” Kiri said, kissing his cheek and Ace blushed. Lucci knew that Kiri would understand right away. 

“And you are just as warm” He added just to see Ace blush more. 

“W-Well… and the leopard?” questioned Ace and Lucci paused, until now only Kiri knew about his devil fruit, but— 

“That's me, I have a Zoan type of devil fruit” 

“Wait, you have a devil fruit?! I didn't know that!” 

“Hold on a second, if you are the leopard, what is the bird?” Kiri asked slightly confused since she thought that bird was supposed to be Hattori. 

“The bird is a swallow,” Lucci said calmly. “That is for you” he said, watching Kiri give him a confused look. Originally Lucci had thought of putting a dragon for Kiri, since her name and life was determined by one, nonetheless, Kiri was so much more than that. “Swallows are birds that always manage to find their way back home, and that is my wish for you” He explained and Kiri blinked. 

Both Ace and Kiri went quiet for a moment and then shared a look.

Lucci was not really sure what they were talking before, but they appeared to come to an agreement, he just hoped he was ready for whatever new challenge they had for him. 

.

At some point — Lucci was not sure when, he was usually aware of these things, but when he was kissing his lovely girlfriend while his boyfriend kissed his neck, Lucci could admit to himself that he got distracted — they moved from the dinner table to the bedroom. 

It wasn't like he was complaining — the opposite actually — but Ace was trying to take his shirt off while Kiri was pretty much on his lap, and although it wasn't the first time, he felt that this time, it was— different. 

More heated, like every touch and kiss had a deeper meaning, so before they could move any further he made sure to stop and communicate — It was hard to the responsible one in the relationship sometimes — 

“Ace— Kiri, Wait” He said gently grabbing Ace by the wrist and placing a hand on Kiri's waist pulling her away softly. 

“Yes?” Kiri asked, a soft blush was already covering her cheeks and what a sight she was — sometimes Lucci thought he had the best of two worlds a pretty little angel like Kiri, and a mischievous little demon like Ace — 

“What do you want?” he asked and Ace gave him a confused look. “What do you want to happen tonight?” He clarified and once again they shared a look. 

“We want to have sex with you, go all the way” Kiri answered shyly, but determined. 

“Oh… are you sure?” He said because even if the offer was more than tempting he knew the two were virgin, and it was something important for them. 

“Yes, it's what we both want” Ace said and Kiri nodded in agreement. 

“And you know how you want to… do it?” He questioned since they seemed to have given this a lot of thought, usually this wouldn't be that complicated but there were three and not even Lucci himself had that much experience with threesome. 

“We want you to…” Kiri started but she looked flustered and Ace decided to help her. 

“Fuck us both” Ace finished and Lucci blinked. 

“We thought about it and we came to the conclusion that, that way it's more fair” 

“I mean, once we leave, Kiri and I will have plenty of opportunities to have sex, so we want to make sure that we both get to have fun with you” Ace added and Kiri blushed even more but nodded shyly. 

“You want me to fuck you two” He said and they nodded. 

“Not at the same time, since we know you only have one..”

“Dick” Ace finished and Kiri pushed him a little. “But yes, that's the idea” 

“Do you like it?” Kiri asked him, probably making sure he was okay with it. 

Lucci originally thought that if he was lucky tonight he'll manage to be inside at least one of them — either of them was great — but now this two little menaces were asking if he could fuck them both. 

“Yes, I… can manage that” He nodded, his voice coming out a little more rough than what he originally intended but he just swallowed and nodded. 

“So …” Kiri murmured, pressing her body closer to his, and Lucci could feel the heat coming from her body. 

“Who do you want fuck first?” Ace whispered in his ear all heated, his breathing brushing against skin and Lucci was sure that this two were going to be the death of him — Not that he was complaining — 

Chapter Text

Kiri knew what sex was, she had read about it countless times, and she had even done things with Lucci and Ace. It was not a foreign concept to her and yet— 

Everything she was feeling right now felt new, like uncharted territory. 

“Come on babe, be a good girl and make sure to keep your legs open for Lucci” Ace said to her ear, while Lucci had his head buried between her legs, his mouth doing sinful things inside of her. 

“It's… ah… hard” She tried to say, her hands gripping the sheets under her, her whole body felt hot, and she wondered if this was how Ace felt anytime he used his fruit to become literal fire. 

“I know babe, but you are doing a wonderful job” Ace encourages her, his hands gently rubbing soothing circles on her waist. 

“Ah! A-Ace” she moaned, barely recognizing her own voice as Lucci's tongue pushed deeper and deeper inside of her, making her even more wet and normally she would be embarrassed about something like that, but right now the pleasure and lust were making her mind all fussy and hard to concentrate. 

“It's not my name you should be saying love” Ace grinned, his hands going higher, gently cupping his breasts. “Come on, tell Lucci what a nice job he is doing” he said and she swallowed but nodded. 

“L-Lucci… it… ah, feels so good… I… like it” She tried to say, but the word escaped her as she felt her body ready to burst at any moment. “Lucci— wait— ah, if you keep like that— I'm going to—” she tried to warn him, but instead of stopping, Lucci started to touch her more, even adding his fingers inside while using his free hand to rub her clit, and the heat was too much for her to bare.

“That's it, babygirl, you are doing great” Ace whispered in her ear, his breathing hot against her skin, as she could only moan incomprehensive words, gripping the sheets until her knuckles turned white. 

“Nghm!” She screamed as she came into Lucci's mouth, and only after that did the older man pull away. 

“Sweet” He murmured licking his lips, and Ace didn't hesitate into pulling him closer and kissing him, open mouth and dirty, trapping Kiri between the two. 

“Really sweet” Ace agreed and Kiri glared at him, slapping his thigh softly. “what? It's true” he grinned and she sighed while coming down from her high. 

“You'll see when it's your turn” She warned but Ace just grinned even more. 

“Promise?” He asked and she rolled her eyes. 

“eyes on me” Lucci said, already with a condom on, getting comfortable between her legs. “You can tell me if it's too much or if you want to stop” He said gently, touching her tight. 

“I'm fine” She answered and then bit her lip. “I want you inside of me” Kiri added shyly, and she could feel the way he tightened his grip on her. 

“You two are going to be the death of me” Lucci murmured before pressing the tip of his cock against her entrance and slowly starting to push it inside. 

Kiri felt— strange, it wasn't painful or uncomfortable, it was just odd, being filled in that way. She felt hot and strange, but she remembered to take deep breaths and relax to make it easier for the two. 

“How are you feeling babe?” Ace asked gently, stroking her waist, while his eyes were on her. 

“It's… odd” She said honestly, gasping when she could feel Lucci all the way inside— He was, big, and it was a little uncomfortable, but nothing she couldn't take. 

“You are doing great” Lucci said leaning in to kiss her, and she kisses him back softly. “Such a good girl” he murmured against her lips. 

“I'm a good girl too?” Ace asked grinning and Lucci just rolled his eyes. 

“You are a brat” he said and Kiri giggled. 

“Hey!” He complained, but just laughed too. 

Kiri close her eyes for a moment while her body got used to the feeling and then, she slowly rolled her hips when it didn't feel as uncomfortable. 

“you… ah … you can move” Kiri said, and Lucci pulled her closer to him, their bodies pressed together as he slowly started to thrust. 

Lucci of course wasn't happy just pushing inside of her, he made sure to touch her anywhere he could, her tights, her waist, her ass and breast and Ace wasn't doing so much better, kissing her neck while rubbing his own erection against her backside. 

Kiri could only rolled her hips trying to follow Lucci's pace, as she felt the heat rising inside of her, the pleasure was making her feel high and every new touch or thrust make her moan sweeter, to the point she barely recognize her own voice. 

“Lucci— ah… feels… so good… ah please… more” She begged as it didn't feel like enough, she wanted more of him, anything and everything from him, Lucci practically growled and started to slam himself harder inside of her. 

Kiri's hands went to his shoulder, grasping him for dear life, as he made sure to hit her sweet spot over and over again, without any mercy. 

“Fuck… you are so good, such a pretty little thing” Lucci murmured licking her neck. “She feels amazing inside, so tight and hot, just perfect” He told Ace with a grin, who just moaned against her skin. 

“Fuck, I know we said this time was about Lucci… but Kiri, babe, I think I need to be inside of you” He said biting her shoulder softly, making her gasp. “You'll let me right?” He asked while gripping her hips, helping her follow Lucci's rhythm, as he grinded his cock inside her pussy, rubbing her sweet spot. 

“Y-Yes— ah— Yes!” Kiri answered not sure, if she was answering Ace, or going mad with Lucci's thrust. 

“You are the best, baby girl” He said grinning, biting her neck harder this time, making her see stars as she came from the pleasure both men were giving her. 

“T-Too much— Lucci—” She tried to say as Lucci kept moving inside of her, making her gasp and tremble. 

“I know, just be a good girl and take it” He said close to his own climax, licking a few tears from her cheeks, as he finally reached his peak, grabbing her waist so hard that she was sure it was going to bruise later. “Fuck” He murmured finally stopping and Kiri felt like she could breath again. 

“That was hot” Ace murmured, licking his lips. 

“I need a second…” Kiri said feeling her legs like jelly. 

“Want to rest while I make sure to prep Ace?” Lucci asked gently, pulling away. 

“Yes, please” She nodded feeling exhausted and Ace gently moved her, kissing her forehead. 

“You deserve a little rest princess, you did so well” Ace praised her, and she smiled softly at him. 

Kiri made sure to find a comfortable position while being able to be close to them, after all she didn't want to lose even a second of what was going to happen. 

“How should I sit?” Ace asked with a grin and Lucci gave him a look, considering their options. 

“Do you want to fuck Kiri?” He asked back and Ace grinned before nodding. “Then hands and knees” 

“Kinky” Ace said, winking at him before doing as told, getting comfortable for what was about to come. 

“Is your first time, so I'm going to make it slow” Lucci told him while grabbing the bottle of lube and make sure to use plenty in his fingers. “Tell me if something bothers you” 

“I feel like a shy maiden” He teased and Lucci used his free hand to smack him. “Oh, that feels nice” 

“Of course you are into that” Lucci commented, giving him another hard smack before pushing his finger inside his tight hole. 

“Cold” He complained, but stayed relaxed knowing it would be easier that way

“Want me to stop?” Lucci teased and Ace shook his head. 

“Don't you dare” Ace answered. 

“Needy” Lucci accused him with a grin, still moving his finger inside of him making sure to stretch him nicely before adding a second finger. 

“Oh you know me” Ace admitted shamelessly, sighing when Lucci added another finger. 

“this is the worst” Kiri commented sounding absolutely annoyed. “You two are having sex and I can't see anything, being blind sucks” she pouted because all she could see was his shadows, things acting… weird, but nothing of the fun stuff. 

“Sorry babe, I can tell you what's happening” Ace suggested. “Right now Lucci has two fingers inside of me… and he is ah… scissoring them” He said, gasping softly. 

“Do you like it?” Kiri asked getting closer, stroking his hair softly. 

“Yeah… feels nice” He answered smiling when Kiri started to leave kisses all over his face. 

“You are doing wonderful my love, taking Lucci's finger so we'll, I can't see you, but I know you are absolutely beautiful right now” She said gently, trying to be as good for him as he was for her, and Ace blushed but whined when a third finger was added. 

“Fuck, babe, you are the best” He moaned because he loved when Kiri was this sweet with him despite how flustered it made him feel. 

“you are so cute when you are embarrassed, right Lucci?” Kiri asked amused since getting Ace like this wasn't easy, after all the man didn't know the meaning of the word shame. 

“Absolutely cute” Lucci answered easy enough, trailing kisses on his back, while making sure to prepare him with his finger, searching for that spot inside of him that will make him feel good. 

“Fuck!” Ace gasped suddenly and Lucci grinned. 

“There” Lucci said, like if he found a hidden treasure and he didn't hesitate to start to massage that place with his fingers, quickly turning Ace into a moaning mess. 

“Ah— Lucci that feels good— but ah— wait just—” he tried to say but talking was getting a little hard. 

“What happened? Cat ate your tongue?” Kiri teased him and Ace tried to answer her back, but the way Lucci was touching him didn't let him think straight. 

“Do you think you are ready to take my cock, pretty boy?” Lucci asked, and Ace nodded between moans. 

“Y-Yes” 

“Yes, what?” He asked slowly making sure to touch his prostate nicely. 

“Y-Yes, please!” He moaned and Kiri giggled softly. 

“Such a good boy” Kiri said, slowly kissing him while Lucci took his fingers out. 

“Kiri, on your back” Lucci instructed taking two condoms giving one to Ace who grinned. 

“Are you sure you can handle both at the same time?” Kiri asked Ace, while doing what Lucci told him. 

“This is what I signed up for, babe,” he said, getting comfortable between her legs, rubbing the tip of his cock against her pussy. “Besides, what kind of boyfriend will I be if I can satisfy my two very hot partners?” Ace asked, slowly pushing inside Kiri, moaning sweetly at how well it felt. “Fuck— Lucci wasn't kidding, you feel divine” He murmured gasping when he felt Lucci's cock grinding against his ass. 

“Ready?” Lucci whispered against his ear, his chest to his back, and a hand on his waist. 

“Yeah” He nodded, kissing him and Lucci didn't wait a second longer to start pushing his cock inside of him, slowly at first but when he was almost all the way inside he thrust up pushing it all the way in. “Fuck!” Ace moaned the movement making him thrust deeper inside Kiri. 

“Ah!” Kiri moaned softly, grasping Ace's arms. “Feel good?” She managed to ask and Ace nodded. 

“Yeah, feels… really good” He said with a grin getting closer enough to kiss her, and Kiri as always was happy to receive him between her arms. 

There were words at the top of her tongue but Kiri decided that while their emotions were running high, it was better to wait for the cool of the morning, when she will be able to think clearly once again. 

Yes, those words could wait, right now she had to make sure to express her words with every touch and kiss. 

.

As expected once they finished Kiri and Ace fell asleep right away, but Lucci stayed awake. 

He had affairs before, for work, or because he simply felt like it, but— he never had something like this before, two people who truly cared about him — or the version of him that they knew — and that he actually cared for. 

Kaku had teased him, said he was obsessed with them, but to be honest he didn't know the difference between love and obsession. 

Lucci only knew he would die and kill for Kiri and Ace, and as a weapon that was the best he could offer. 

“Mhmm” Ace murmured, moving closer to his body and as in cue, Kiri did the same, hugging him tighter, in two days they will leave and for the first time Lucci was starting to consider early retirement. 

He still had a mission to finish, but maybe, just maybe, this one could be the last. 

Chapter Text

“He is not dying, stop being so dramatic” Deuce said rolling his eyes at Kiri and Ace's antics, hugging Lucci like he was their lover going for war with an uncertain fate ahead of him, if anything the ones who would be in more danger will be them since they were the pirates. 

“Shut up Deuce! We are saying goodbye to our love, we get to be as dramatic as we want!” Ace argued, giving him the stink eye 

“Yes, Deuce!” Kiri nodded along. 

“He already promised to take vacations and come finds us” Deuce argued back, though he knew that it was pointless. 

“Yeah, but in a few weeks!” 

“That's such a long time!” Kiri agreed and Deuce pinched the bridge of his nose. 

“Fine, whatever, just be quick, we were supposed to leave like an hour ago” He said, leaving and Kiri and Ace made sure to hug Lucci even more. 

“Remember, if you need something you just call us and we'll come right away!” Ace insisted and Lucci rolled his eyes, but Hattori nodded. 

“Don't forget to eat, and sleep, oh and buy Hattori favorites treat” Kiri added like it was very important. 

“You two make sure to listen to Deuce, and don't get yourself killed” Lucci said, he couldn't ask them to not get into any troubles since that was pretty much impossible. “I'll drag you back from hell myself, if I have to” he threatened and Kiri and Ace just hugged him more. 

“you are so hot” Ace said and Lucci rolled his eyes. 

“We'll behave” Kiri promised and Lucci finally gave in and gave each a kiss on their forehead. 

“Take care of yourselves, for me” He asked, sweetly and it was so sudden and so— warm, that Kiri and Ace practically threw themselves at him, starting the process of saying goodbye all over again. 

They were a mess— but they were Lucci's mess, and he will miss them. 

.

It was strange seeing their usually sunshines moping around the ship because they missed their boyfriend, so Deuce decided to drop them a bone. 

“What if we see some mermaids?” He asked, since they were close to Sabaody and from there to fish man island wasn't that far. 

“Really?/what are mermaids?” Ace and Kiri asked at the same time and Deuce paused. 

“You know what dragons are, and ancient rituals, but you don't know what mermaids are?” He asked, raising an eyebrow and Kiri just shrugged. 

“I didn't know what taxes were until you explained it to me” She answered, and still taxes sounded wrong to her, but she figured out that Deuce didn't want to have that conversation again. 

“Fair enough…” Deuce settled and this time he left Ace explain to Kiri what a mermaid was. 

.

“What do you mean they offered Ace being a Warlord?” Asked Deuce blinking slowly. “I left you two alone for less than an hour!” 

“ Don't worry Deuce! We made sure to tell the marine to fuck off” Kiri said proudly and Ace nodded. 

“Yeah! I'm not one' s dog! Especially not the government!” Ace agreed and Deuce opened his mouth to complain, that it was in fact a good position that many pirates will kill for but— trying to apply logic to anything Kiri and Ace did, never ended well for him. 

“I don't even know why I try” He murmured, deciding to let things be, although he was definitely telling Lucci and with some luck he'll scold them for missing a golden opportunity like this. 

.

“Why are Kiri and the captain on time out?” Skull asked, watching the two sitting on their knees watching the wall like scolded puppies. 

“Deuce rat them out to Lucci for rejecting the Warlord offer and most likely pissed off the world government” Mihar explained and Skull nodded, that sounded about right. “He is meeting us in fisherman island to quote ‘put some fucking sense into them’ or something like that” 

“Oh, they are in trouble,” Skulls laughed. “Deuce must be really happy” 

“Yeah, he hasn't stopped smiling all day, is starting to creep me out a little” He confessed and Skull nodded.