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Luffy was watching her talk to Robin and Nami. Sanji was spinning around the three of you, delivering snacks and drinks. A pout formed on his lips and his stomach fluttered. He didn't understand why he felt like this. Maybe he was hungry? "Sanji! I want food!" He yelled across the deck, smile stretching across his face as he was momentarily distracted by the prospect of eating Sanji's delicious cooking. Mmm~ Meat....
Sanji whipped around to look at him, a furious expression on his face. "Get your own food, dammit! Can't you see I'm talking to these lovely women?!" Luffy stuck his tongue out at the cook, who huffed and stomped off to the kitchen. "Shishishi." He knew Sanji wasn't really mad.
She's awesome! She's strong, but she liked to mess around with him and Usopp and he always felt the best when he was around her. It was like the sun was sitting in his chest. It was the same feeling he got when he ate a full meal. She was one of the few that could sit and listen to him talk without getting bored.
She got to know him in a way the others hadn't, which was why she knew about his family before the crew. Meeting Ace for the first time felt like seeing someone again, and Luffy smiled as the two of you talked, which turned into a whine when Ace started to tease him and call him a crybaby. She knew about Sabo, and comforted Luffy when he struggled to tell her about how he died. He told her about Garp as well.
The first clue that Luffy had feelings for her, should have been the fact that he never stole food from her. He stole food from everyone. In fact, he shared with her if she didn't have enough.
The others had noticed. Nami had started a betting pool for how long it took for the two of you to realize. The pool had started before Sabaody. Before Luffy couldn't save you all. Before Ace... The pool had gone way past everyone's bets after the two years had passed. Everyone was stronger when you reunited. Luffy launched himself towards her as soon as he saw her. He laughed as his rubbery limbs wrapped around her, sending the both of you to the ground in a laughing heap.
He pulled her up and you both started to run. The Thousand Sunny was calling. Adventure was calling. Everyone was together now as the two of you ran. Marines were there too, but they seemed insignificant as he ran, her hand in his. Rayleigh had followed through, and the Thousand Sunny was coated. Luffy couldn't wait to go to Fish-man Island.
"Luffy! Slow down!" Sher laughed as he continued to pull her forward. The sound of her laugh made the fluttering feeling in his stomach bloom. It was like he'd swallowed a bunch of butterflies again. He'd done that before, it hadn't been fun. Suddenly she stopped and dragged him into an alley. A group of Marines rushed past, and Luffy's shishishi was in her ear.
His eyes locked with yours and he felt warm and tingly. Her face was dusted with rosiness, whether it was from running or the proximity? Neither of you pointed it out.
The New World was waiting. The One Piece was waiting. The crew was back together, and with you at his side, he felt invincible.
She kissed his cheek before running off again, her laugh carried on the wind. Luffy laughed and made chase.
The sea was waiting for them.