Chapter Text
Coby's day started as normal.
He wake up, has breakfast, showered, stretched his limps and watched news with his grandpa before get ready to go to the police station at exactly 07:00 am. His family as usual, wished him good luck with the job.
Even if Coby's just seventeen. He's capable in his job as the youngest police officer in the force. It's all thanks to Monkey Garp, the hero of the navy who had retired but his fists still carried the same strength as his youth. The training was brutal but it shaped Coby into who he is today.
He stepped into the building and greeted Helmeppo, his colleague. They first met when Coby's still training because Helmeppo's dad, Morgan decided his son need to train with the best. Now, they're both official police officers.
Today, is one of the 'not much happens' day. There're about three attempt robbery that got ended quickly so otherwise it's a relaxing day.
It's night time when there's another call.
And that's how Coby's day ended up not very normal.
Because he met the Monkey Luffy. A new actor who first appeared as a dock kid in the movie Tides Of Fate by director Franky. He played a minor role but it touched hearts of many people. Whose episode in Ocean's Bounty, a TV show which followed and interviewed many famous actors or celebrities, make his grandpa felt nostalgic and cried.
Luffy's strong, cheerful and kind. Even as Coby embarrassed himself by talking and stuttering too much, Luffy simply gently told him to continue.
It felt familiar but Coby couldn't quite place why.
The closeness, the teasing. It felt natural.
Coby decided to dwell on it later.
He's having a conversation with the star himself right now after all.
But where there's a meeting, there must be a parting. Coby had reports to filled and Luffy had home to go back.
Coby watched him dissappear into the neon street light and a single thought he had is
I must support him.
With a new mission to drag the entire police force to become Luffy fans in his mind. Coby's about to head back into the building when suddenly—
"Oh, wait! I forgot!" Luffy's booming voice comes from down the street. Even with his body far away, his voice carried in the wind.
Coby turned to the sound as Luffy's running figure come closer and closer. Big storm of dust follows his steps like in the cartoons.
Luffy stopped with his feet digging into the ground like a car suddenly had to push break. His balance is impressive, Coby noted.
Wait, focus!. Coby shakes his head. "M-mr. Luffy, what is-" "LET'S ADD LINE!" Luffy cuts him off while shoving his phone into Coby's face.
Coby sputters. His hands come up to grab it. He stared down at the phone in his hands, the screen shows Den-den line app on the add-friend page to him.
"Wh-" Coby cuts himself off, stunned. His eyes met with Luffy's ones who's staring at him with sparkly eyes. "What..do you mean by that?"
Luffy tilts his head. "What do you mean? I meant what l meant." He looks so confused that Coby could see a big question mark above his head.
"I mean..why do you want to have my line?" Coby furrowed his eyebrows. His voice took a more stresed tone. "You shouldn't do this to someone you just met, Mr. Luffy! I could be a creep!"
"Coby isn't a creep." He said like it's that simple. "You were the greatest marine in the past and even in this one, you're a cop! Your heart only follows and does good things so l'm not worried." He smiles brightly at Coby. "You're a good guy, Coby!"
Coby's cheeks turn into a bright shade of pink. "W-well, you still shouldn't do this! I could still be a bad guy for all you know!"
Luffy crosses his arms. "Do you want to be a bad guy, then?"
"No, but that's not the point, Mr. Luffy!"
"Eh, then what's the problem?"
"The problem is-"
"Ahem!"
They both turned.
Helmeppo stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the door frame. "How long are you guys going to flirt?" He asked, tone dry.
"FLIRT!? We're not flirting!" "What flirt? I'm just telling the truth." They said at the same time.
Coby whipped his head to Luffy, mouth gaping.
Helmeppo's eyes flicked to Coby's red face before to Luffy's clueless one. "Yeah, sure and this doesn't look like it came straight out of shoujo mangas." He shakes his head. "Whatever, just exchange your numbers and get back to work quickly." With that, he goes back into the building. Leaving them alone again.
Coby stared at the door, speechless. He looked back at Luffy, who's still waiting for him, patiently. Or maybe not..his eyes slipped down to the impatient tapping of Luffy's foot.
Coby cleared his throat. "I suppose if you insist.." he mumbled. Coby could see Luffy's face light up instantly. He felt the need to cover his eyes from the imaginary brightness. "But may l again ask why? I believe this is our first time meeting so.."
"Shishishi, silly Coby! I just told you we met in my past life, remember?"
"Well, yes. You mentioned that a few times but.." It's absurd.
Luffy's eyes soften. "Hey, if you don't want to, that's okay." He smiled. "I'll just meet up with you here, Coby!" He reaches his hand out to grab his phone but Coby quickly pull the phone far away from Luffy's hand.
Coby froze. Why did he do that?
Luffy blinked before he smiled widely. "You DID want to!"
"I- um. It's just" Coby stumbled his words. His body just acted before his brain. "I'm sorry.." He mumbles, face red. This is so embarrassing!
"Why are you apologizing?" Luffy tilts his head. "Just type in your numbers, Coby! I know you're going to be busy fighting with the bad guys so l want to chat with you in the way that wouldn't get in the way of your job!" He beams.
Now, Coby actually put his hands up to block the lights infront of him. Even his glasses couldn't block this much brightness! How could someone be this bright!?
Growls—
Luffy's growling stomach break the moment. "Ahh, l'm hungry—!" He whines, holding his stomach.
That breaks Coby's inner turmoil. "Ah! I'm sorry, Mr.Luffy! I shouldn't keep you here for so long. It's dangerous and your family must be worried!" He typed in his numbers quickly before handed the phone back. "Here you go, l'll accept you when l get home—Wait, do you need me to go with you? The street in this time is not safe. I could—" Coby stopped when he met with Luffy's fond look.
"Still such a worryward, huh?" Coby heard Luffy's quiet mumble, before he smile again, this time so wide it make his eyes close shut together. "I dealt with that guy earlier, right? One punch and he's down. If there's any other dudes who wants to fight." He show off his fist. "l'll deal with em' real quick!" Then he brightly add. "I'm strong!"
Coby want to argue that he couldn't know what he might faced but the confidence in his tone stopped him. Coby sighed, shoulders slumped. "Yeah..okay." He straightened up. "Then have a safe trip, Mr. Luffy! If anything happens, this police station is only a few miles away. Don't be afraid to come seek help!"
Luffy pats his shoulder. "Sure, Shishishi!" With that, he turns and jogs away. "Good luck with the job!"
Coby watches him go for a few moments before realizes something. He glanced down and found the phone still in his hand.
"Wait, Mr.Luffy! You forgot your phone!"
"Ah! I must be too hungry that l didn't take it! Thanks a lot, Coby! Nami and Buggy would've scold my ears out if you didn't remind me!"
Coby wondered if he'll truly be okay.
⋆·˚❦ ༘ *
It's when he went to bed that he finally processed what just happened today. Coby opens his phone and stared at a new profile popped into his chats. The name 'Luffy' with the profile, chibi-styled meats with red background. It makes Coby chuckled a little. Mr.Luffy really love meat, huh?
He clicked the chat and is met with Luffy's two messages that got sent minutes ago.
Luffy: [ Waving monkey sticker with a big speech bubble above its head saying 'Hi!']
Luffy: We're friends now! I can't chat with you for long but l'll text more in the morning! Gotta keep my energy so good night for now, Coby!
Coby stared at the texts. Then he read it again.
Friends.
Mr.Luffy wants to be.. his friend?
Coby's heart feels..warm. As if on auto pilot his thumb move up to hit the 'accept' button.
Coby: [ Waving hippo sticker with a big speech bubble above its head saying 'Hello!']
Coby hesitate in what to response. He erased and rephrased for a few moments before decides to settle with a simple but polite one.
Coby: Hello, Mr. Luffy. I'm glad to be your friend but you don't have to push yourself to talk to me, okay? Good night to you too.
He closes his phone and stares at the ceiling.
Friends with the star, huh..
Coby think he should be more surprised but it's just feel..right. Like this is supposed to happen.
Like they have to meet.
Coby shakes his head. No, he get too ahead of himself. A famous person wants to be your friend? Could happen anytime. Rare but not impossible.
But what if...
"Gosh, l need to sleep." Coby mumbles to himself, cheeks pink at how embarrassing his thoughts are.