Is This Love?

i dont think i can write i think eometjings wrongnwithnmenim passing iut

Oda being a writer of heavy themes doesn’t mean every random interaction is abuse, that has nothing to do with the fact that Shanks and Buggy are not an abusive friendship. They literally fight over things the way they did as children. Shanks isn’t some helpless guy being abused, nobody thinks this way when they look into them, Buggy having a rough attitude and Shanks being the even-tempered one has always been their dynamic since they were kids. Shanks is capable of tricking Buggy by lying about a treasure map, he knows how to work Buggy, they can bicker and bite back at each other. It’s not even that shitty, it’s just a typical One Piece friendship between men. No one is stopping you from disliking it, it’s how you police other fans from liking a typical dynamic in the story that’s not even presented as toxic.

Posttimeskip, what has Buggy done to Shanks that feels terrible or abusive at its worst? They seem to be living their own lives. What have they done besides being typical enemy pirates working on different things and not talk to each other? Buggy canonically doesn’t even hit Shanks unless Shanks is also hitting him back like Nami does with the Strawhats. Buggy just says he’s angry over the treasure map. You could say objectively, even if Nami hits for the right reasons that’s still bad, beating up someone whenever you think they deserve it and they don’t fight back is still bad.

I basically mean you’re treating the shitty thing as unacceptable because it seems to be one of the crimes Buggy committed against Shanks. What change of behavior? He left to start his own pirate crew, neither of them sought each other out, what change of behavior are we supposed to see? They’re both enemy pirates going after the One Piece, at this point a sudden behavioral change doesn’t make sense and serves no purpose to the plot.

Nothing better to add then Buggy didn’t turn him down civilly. We’re suddenly judging characters by how civil they act in a show about pirates? Their father figure just died it was a pretty emotional moment. It was supposed to be a bad time  and emotional fallout.

I’m explaining why that dynamic exists from the characters’ portrayal in the story. I’m not saying Shanks can ‘handle it’, I’m saying in his view the argument would be so meaningless he would either fight back equally petty or completely forget about it, because that’s who his character is. Most of these arguments are just stuff that annoys them, because there hasn’t been anything they seriously have to fight about, or it just highlights their differences. While Shanks seems to care about fun and adventure, Buggy cares about piracy the connection between him and Shanks is based on their shared life of piracy. So when their views of piracy don’t align they have to separate. When they fight about the North Pole and South Pole, it’s an equal disagreement and we don’t know how it started. When Shanks lied about the treasure map and Buggy gets mad, neither of them actually seem victimized, Shanks just looks smarter and like he knows Buggy well for being able to trick him. That’s their canon dynamic, and the author writes it as a funny way to depict old friends. Friendships have that kind of dynamic where you’re both reckless with each other. You see this kind of dynamic in characters and pairings throughout One Piece. It’s not even about abuse it’s about friendship dynamics being able to do things everything without it becoming a matter of hard feelings, close friends are able fight and be flawed that can be lighthearted without it being overly sensitive about every little thing, realistic close relationships argue and act like idiots. Sanji can simp and Nami can beat people up because they’re close enough they can act like idiots with each other and know it’s not seriously harmful.

What’s the worst thing they have to apologize for? The separation at Loguetown? That was Buggy’s choice as his own free person. Shanks or Buggy could’ve sought out each other for twenty years in East Blue if they wanted to. Neither of them have to apologize, both of them likely have regretful feelings, it was an emotional night where they saw Roger die. As a reader, we should know Buggy doesn’t pose serious harm towards Shanks.

I’m not downplaying Shanks’ emotions. I’m saying between them there aren’t any major fights that are worth taking seriously, besides maybe Loguetown, but even that separation was for the best. Even objectively, it’s not a crime to go their own ways. Any serious fight, Shanks would fight back as he’s not shy about doing so with Buggy, but when he doesn’t it’s because it’s a superficial matter. Or Shanks also has flaws and the problem dynamic goes both ways. Just because Shanks doesn’t visibly shout or get angry doesn’t mean he can’t also be a flawed person and bad partner. I’ve seen your post being angry over the idea Shanks would shower more and drink less if he was with Buggy. Those are both completely inconsequential things that don’t hurt Shanks, it’s just a habit of his that someone could nag him about. Most of the fandom content you seem to complain about aren’t actually as serious as you claim and not worth screaming toxic over, you think even a slight attitude is toxic. I’ve never seen content where Buggy genuinely considers Shanks trash and Shanks suffers through the pain to treat Buggy preciously but you act like it’s everywhere. I’m not sure what example you’re talking about when it comes to serious arguments where Buggy treats him like trash over something genuinely serious and Shanks just doesn’t fight back. Most seem either like a joke or an inconsequential fight like the fruit and map, or because of the Loguetown fallout which was a miscommunication as kids anyways, so what other serious matter is there?

So many of these characters would be crazy in real life, if I was constantly thinking about real life I wouldn’t be able to watch the Strawhats because they’d be so much worse in real life. Buggy having an attitude and still being simped after looks incredibly tame compared to viewing the other characters through a real world lens. But this is a fantasy story where the bad attitudes play a role in entertainment and over-exaggerating character dynamics.

I understand if you just don’t like a character dynamic, but this is a fantasy story where every character dynamic is exaggerated for entertainment in some way. They’re enemy pirates, they aren’t even currently on speaking terms. One is the one who holds no grudges, the other still does, and fans just play on this existing dynamic because it aligns with their characters. It’s not even that absurd because Buggy is someone close to Shanks, they separated, had a petty fight, and are separately operating their own crews. Personally I don’t care for the overuse of Shanks as a lovesick dog but that’s a general fandom issue and not even that big of a deal.

So you refuse to accept that others might have a gentler interpretation of Buggy’s character by denying canon itself. Yet you claim this is not a bad faith reading at all, yeah, sure.

This isn’t Buggy is a tsundere argument, I never even used that word. The treasure map specifically is used as a joke and coverup in canon. We literally see Buggy using that as an excuse during Loguetown separation, when his true feelings were actually hidden, did you miss that? The treasure map is the petty thing you did that your old friend keeps bringing up. Buggy’s anger at Shanks is because of their separation at Loguetown. His inner thoughts and spoken words were different, because his inner thoughts were his real feelings. That’s what the men of One Piece are like, they don’t genuinely say their emotions because they have too much pride as men and pirates. By having Buggy use the treasure map excuse in Loguetown, it makes us understand the feelings he had everytime he said that before.

In Impel Down, there was an instance where Luffy was also very happy to see Buggy alive. Buggy is clearly treated as an annoyance like Mr 3. You don’t have to be a saint, more like understand that in the world of pirates fights happen all the time, and you learn to choose which squabbles are worth your time. Buggy is like a rock in his shoe, he’s annoying but he’s not someone like Blackbeard or Akainu. Luffy doesn’t like Buggy but he recognizes Buggy’s just a loser with some petty grudge against Shanks. If Buggy was seriously harmful towards Shanks he wouldn’t act so nonchalant with him. You think Buggy is going to be the villain that’s hardest to forgive? Buggy obviously is being shown in a more positive light when he made the speech about the One Piece and roped in Crocodile and Mihawk, when he sent money to a man’s dying family. The Roger Pirates still think well of Buggy.

We can’t really say why Rayleigh left, he’s also a mystery when it comes to his motivations and thoughts. Buggy leaving was the right decision anyways, you can’t be the subordinate to someone else if you have conflict with them and don’t agree with their goals. Look at what happened with Usopp and Luffy, that kind of conflict tears the crew apart and places a burden on the Captain. Buggy leaving was the best decision for both of them. Otherwise Shanks would’ve been like Luffy and prioritized his friend over his role as Captain. Buggy would’ve been a bad friend and bad crewmate had he joined Shanks and disrespected him as Captain and duelled him, but he never joined, they stayed apart as two fellow Captains on different paths.

The business of pirates is a lot like the mafia or criminal gangs, you have to hold your own and protect your reputation. I know some fans were shocked that Shanks’ crew blew up Bartolomeo’s crew even when he displayed such loyalty to Luffy. That’s just how the business of pirates is. 

I think it’s important to consider Shuggy in the context of the One Piece story, that’s where the authorial intent is. Especially for Shanks who still has many mysterious motivations and subtle readings to his character. Buggy acts like a regular pirate, and his attitude towards Shanks has constantly been regarded as petty beef between close friends. Amongst the many over-exaggerated character dynamics in One Piece, it’s not meant to be harmful, even outside of the author’s intent it just seems like a typical close relationship between two guys, and they’re extremely chummy for two enemy pirate Captains. Even Kinemon and his wife’s story was more ‘toxic’, he constantly stole money from her and he gambled it away and she paid off his debts while he was ungrateful. So many relationships use bickering and nagging as a way to signify closeness. Compared to canon couples the level of ‘harmful’ Buggy was towards Shanks wasn’t even that bad. You just seem extremely biased towards Buggy as if he’s a real person without understanding the common tropes utilized in the story and that he’s meant to be shown as someone important to and liked by Shanks. You say Shanks’ feelings are important, but Buggy’s feelings are also important since his dreams and desires have been given such spotlight as one of the Four Emperors. There is more to Buggy and he’s not just a harmful presence, his feelings have been given meaning and validation in the story.

I can understand if you just dislike Buggy on his own, nobody has to like a character, but tagging your hate about how harmful Buggy is while acting like you’re in a parasocial relationship with Shanks and policing others on the ship, you’re being completely irrational. 

I’m trying to explain why the dynamic exists. To us, we already know Shanks’ life is cool and admirable, but for Buggy that’s not what he wanted, while Shanks did want Buggy with him. If Buggy is so worthless in your eyes, then leaving was him doing what’s best for Shanks, despite Shanks’ wishes. Shanks loves his friends and loved ones more than anything, nothing can compare to that, you should know that as a fan. It’s not Buggy specifically, it’s any one of Shanks’ friends. If Yasopp suddenly left the crew to go back home, it would also be like Shanks lost someone precious, Yasopp is precious to him. That’s just Shanks’ character, his friends are his most precious treasure.

I knew you’d bring up Usopp since you’re not understanding the story. Usopp joined the crew and accepted Luffy as his Captain, then he belittled Luffy’s authority and challenged him to a duel to win the Going Merry as its Captain. When he tried to beat up Luffy and lost he even got pitied by being given the ship. Luffy not chasing after him wasn’t a matter of personal feelings, it was his responsibility as Captain and for their pride as pirates, and even then afterwards Luffy eagerly wanted to get Usopp back without apologies needed, but Zoro was the one who stopped him and couldn’t ignore the duel with the Captain and demanded he apologize. It’s a completely different situation from Buggy who turned down Shanks before he could accept him as his Captain. If even Luffy wanted to go after Usopp after the major disrespect and conflict he caused, of course Shanks would wish he could go after Buggy. I don’t think Buggy is particularly precious, but he is an important enough friend to Shanks for him to be that way.

Maybe Shanks will be revealed to be whatever you think he is, but we can’t be completely sure that’s what’s going on with him. He sure does seem like a good sacrificing hero. It’s more about how you thinks Shanks gets utterly wronged by the slightest offense because he’s some holy suffering figure, and that restricts your ability to see him as a fully fledged person. I think in ships and stories people prefer to think of Shanks as a human who is flawed and can be made fun of like other characters and not make everything about how great and noble of a sacrifice Shanks is. So fandom tends to blow up flaws because we see so little of him, like him being a careless drunk or giant baby, but that’s a general fandom issue. We know Shanks is cool, strong, goodlooking, most fans know that Buggy can’t match up to him, but to his close friends he can just be a normal guy without the pressure. Everyone probably worships or acts careful around an Emperor, so it’s more precious when someone treats him like a casual friend. In a relationship there has to be a reason why Shanks likes Buggy, he must love Buggy because he treats him like he did when they were kids. That’s a very possible interpretation that has nothing to do with toxicity.

Oh yeah, that dastardly kid. How dare he eat a fake devil fruit and keep a treasure map he found from an enemy pirate? The crew freely gave that fruit away for anyone to eat, and yeah, he’s a pirate who stole a map from an enemy. Maybe it’s just me, but in this story where the characters literally commit many crimes, a kid stealing on a pirate ship is not that bad. This is the same crew that was going to disband a year later anyways and leave Shanks and Buggy to fend for themselves.

There’s a difference between admitting a character is bad and what you’re doing. You talk about Buggy as if everything about him is an atrocity towards Shanks, and that everybody else has to feel the same. At most, it’s likely that Buggy is just meant to be greedy and dumb but harmless. Zosan or Shuggy, they are pretty similar in that they’ve both got a dynamic as naturally opposing forces, they both misunderstand each other and don’t fit over their differences. It’s not that Shuggy can’t be toxic or angsty, it’s literally filled with tons of angst content and messy exes content, but it’s not all because Buggy is the worst friend and undeserving which is how you make it out to be. It’s as if someone demanded reformation from Zosan fans for having Zoro loving on Sanji when it should be Sanji redeeming himself in Zoro’s eyes for his sexual harassment and for leaving the crew and Sanji should be asking for forgiveness from Zoro for beating up the Captain he gave everything for.

Shanks swooning over his lover is literally in every Shanks ship and Shanks x reader and Shanks x oc. Shanks being written as a sad and mentally unwell man is not that common anywhere. You literally just said that you think Shanks would be a simp in any ship, so every Shanks shipper is guilty of this. A lot of Shuggy content is when they’re younger too when Shanks didn’t have those problems, so you’re just saying things that other Shanks ships are more guilty of as they’re ‘pretending a troubled Shanks has a clear mind and being all lovey dovey’. I actually think then there’s too much Shanks and Luffy content that erases Shanks’ troubles over Uta and not enough Shanks and Uta content. Shanks might be depressed, but he’s still gonna try to have a positive mindset and maintain his old personality. If anything, Shuggy shippers are the only shippers who act like Shanks is flawed and unwell and copes badly, thus the jokes of he doesn’t wash and drinks too much. He isn’t alright because he misses Uta and Buggy. So shouldn’t you like Shuggy shippers because of this? Outside of Shuggy, people say Shanks is a whore who sleeps around and he has too many kids he abandons and neglects. But Shuggy shippers saying Shanks misses and longs for Buggy fits right into your characterization of him as a sad man who holds in his feelings.

I do agree Shanks has inner struggles going on. I think the ship doesn’t worsen or cheapen his struggles any more than others. Plenty of characters made sacrifices, they are both pirates and grown men, I very much doubt we’re supposed to clutch our pearls over people not treating him delicately. You’re too focused on characters not having the proper attitude when that’s just a typical friendship in One Piece. We don’t even have the whole picture of Shanks’ character and his plans. I’m not even saying I understand Shanks completely, but that’s why there’s gonna be different interpretations. He can have issues and still show love and happiness like many people do, he doesn’t have to be sulking and brooding all the time. Even in the middle of Marineford when Ace was dead a few meters away, Shanks was smiling at Buggy and happy to see him. So doesn’t that mean Shanks’ mood got lifted just because of Buggy? But all you keep saying is Buggy harmful, Shanks the victim in their toxic relationship. Plenty of fans have biases and they freely admit that and just have fun with it. You can’t even admit you have a bias, it hinders your ability to read correctly. The author certainly doesn’t care if fans are loving Buggy too much and not focusing enough on the problems he brings to a relationship.

There are are countless metaphors, you could’ve used the one about cattle. We’re talking about petty hate, comparing that to speaking out against colonizers isn’t even anywhere near the same topic nor the same level and I prefer not to stoop to that.

Dude. This isn't about canon one piece. Obviously in canon one piece they don't have a toxic relationship. They aren't even near eachother. This was never about canon one piece. Never. You keep bringing up canon one piece and their relationship there to "disprove" me when it was never about that. It was about Shuggy. Nor did i say Shanks isnt a grown man. He is. Though you are downplaying his sacrifice as "well something pirates just do" like every pirate out there would give an arm to save a kid. Plus, Shanks wasnt even the one to take the initiative to shoot down Bart, it was Yassop. Shanks was ready to just let it slide for Luffy, but Yasopp took initiative to remind Shanks that there needs to be consequences. Also about you "Knowing i would bring up Usopp" yeah obviously. That moment is the closest gotten to what Shanks and Buggy have gone through, theres no 1 to 1. I don't know why you're using that as a "gotcha". I kept using your points and using one piece moments to argue against it but now that I have you're just bringing up their canon relationships when it hardly matter because they don't itneract. Anyone would react the way Shanks did when he saw Buggy, if i saw a childhood bully I'd react the same, its just someone familiar and like you said they were children so the bickering didn't matter it was just bickering. Of course Shanks isnt some helpless guy in canon, no shit. I wasn't talking about canon, I was talking about the popular and normalized Shuggy relationship. Like 85% of this is trying to defend Buggy and Shanks's relationship in canon saying it isn't toxic 10% of it actual argument and the other 5% is bringing up that damn metaphor again. Your argument with Zosan isn't even applicable because my while point in bringing up Zosan previously is that they're not toxic, just have some elements of argument. Yet they are more aware of that than Shuggy shippers and the toxification of their ship. Genuinely I want you to take away the percentages of this where you bring up things that don't matter because so many of your arguments is bringing up their canon relationship when they hardly even have one and I was going off of how they interact and how the Shuggy media uses it to paint Shanks as an infant that can't defend himself. Its not me saying that, i'm going off of them. As for my "parasocial relationship" what a way to put it just because I don't like Shanks being used as an accessory.

So honestly if you want a proper reply to this "argument" you need to write something bringing up SHUGGY. Because right now I was using the Shuggy basis and bringing up canon to show both of their psyches and how it would work in a relationship like that, using the Shuggy dynamic as a mold. What you're doing is bringing up the canon relationship and then trying to use that to "debunk" me saying that they have a toxic relationship in canon when the only time i said that was that Buggy was a bad friend and at worst abusive. You said you were a "Shanks fan" but this is really reading as you're just a Shuggy fan that likes Shanks and how he is a cute little puppy simp in Shuggy despite the only way he would be like that when Buggy would treat him how its popularized is if there was a toxic dynamic, again, me using Shuggy as the mold, not the canon current relationship. There hardly is one. Im not even gonna tag this one Shuggy because there is nothing Shuggy about your reply to me, you were just bringing up the canon as a mold and "gotcha"ing me because Luffy doesn't have a 1 to 1 Buggy reference and that my metaphor was too crazy for you.

trying to write but im sos tressed i keep disassociating

Sorry hate is a strong word tbh im not really mad or anything either it was less of a hate and more of an "annoyed" or something. There's nothing to debate since i know this was silly, im more talking about people in general since i wasn't replying directly to you i was talking to the person agreeing and talking with me

Sometimes I think about how if Shanks didn’t fucking fumble so hard, him and Buggy would have been an insane duo.

Buggy and Shanks together as pirates would have been a diabolical pair. Gay and powerful.

I can’t even imagine how much cooler Shanks would have been if he took showers and wasn’t an alcoholic lol. The world couldn’t comprehend an even cooler shanks so oda had to nerf him.

Pretty cool one shot coming soon. Really gorey though, but im pretty happy with it.

Destructive winds especially bad in richer places rn lol karma

I DONT USUALLY REBLOG STUFF BUT LOOK AT THIS

all i ever do is draw men with their tatas out these days. one piece makes this very easy by having every man on the open seas be nearly shirtless.

think im constipated the dizziness went awaybut my ears are still ringing a littlr

i dont think i can write i think eometjings wrongnwithnmenim passing iut

This took long because I was writing it and got into it and was like "oh damn this writing is kinda fire" but then it was too fire and I had to edit everything else to work. Also forgot to respond to the ask itself so i put a picture.

Roots of Suffering

Zoro x Female!Reader. Tw: Migraines, Angst with happy ending, violence, some gore and body horror (i think thats what its called) 5371 words.

You and Zoro sit next to each other in the crow’s nest, him meditating while you read. There’s no need for you two to speak to feel connected, simply spending time together like this is more than enough. It’s only when you finish another chapter that you realize you’ve been reading for hours, even before Zoro’s began meditating. You’re thirsty, he must be too, when you had first started reading he was training. This works out, you had begun to lose focus anyway, maybe you’d just been reading for too long. ‘I’ll get us both some water’ You think to yourself as you move to get up, freezing when you feel a familiar pressure in the side of your head. You must've been too focused on the book to pay attention. This is unfortunate, you didn’t have time to mentally prepare yourself this time, dread weighing you down. In one last action of hope you put your hand there, maybe it’s just a bug bite or the flesh there fell asleep; but you’re met with nothing. Nothing you can do now except brace yourself with what little time you have. You look back towards your boyfriend, meditating, he’s more focused than usual. You’ll just quickly make your way to Chopper and-

STAB

Your eye pricks and throbs in pain, as if a shard of glass made its way behind it. Before you can try and take another step you feel an arm pull you back. “Sit. You’ll just make it worse.” A quiet voice, Zoro. He sets you down onto the ground and stands up, turning off the lights and shutting the curtains before going back to you. It helps, but your head hurts, and it’s only getting worse. Everything is getting smaller and your brain is growing. You haven’t had one in a while, why now? Why couldn’t it be when you were near Chopper or when Zoro wasn’t so focused. You ruined it, you’re a burden, that thought embeds into your brain like the roots of suffering that grow to press against your shrinking skull. Seeping the poison of negativity as it worms through your head. Again and again, this parasitic plant fishes in the back of your eye, trying to force its way out. It's useless, you weren’t careful enough and now you’re paying the price. A warm hand goes to the side of your neck “Breathe.” A deep voice tells you, only realizing then that you were struggling. At this rate you’ll only end up making things worse. Despite the throbbing pressure in your skull you manage to force yourself to breathe, counting seconds in your head to assist you. “I’m going to Chopper.” Zoro whispers, trying to keep his words to a minimum. You want him to stay, but this is for the best. These can last longer than you would be able to handle even with Zoro’s comfort. Keeping his footsteps quiet, he goes to the door. You cover your eyes to avoid the sunlight, only opening them again when it closes. You’re alone now, you have to keep yourself stable until he’s back. One hand on your chest, another on your stomach as you close your eyes.

Breathe in

1..2..3..4

Hold

1..2..3..4

Breathe out

1..2..3..4

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. It’s okay, you’ve been through these before, it will pass just as the others have. Repeat, the door opens, repeat, two sets of footsteps make their way to you. Your breathing is a cycle the same your suffering is, your pain and your attempts to manage it circling around each other as you fight to keep sane. Chopper does not speak, he doesn’t need to, you know how this will go. He gently rubs where he’ll put the compress, then puts it to your skin. It’s cold, but you stay calm, relax your muscles even if you want to tense instinctively. Zoro sits at your other side, his presence a comfort. He’s unsure if he could touch you, but you reach out and grab his hand. You don’t need the hands on your body anymore, especially as the pain numbs slightly with Chopper’s care. Once the reindeer seems satisfied that you’re calm he pulls out a triptan. Nasal spray, good since you don’t need to swallow anything nor feel any injection that could cause stress, lord knows you don’t need more of that. He taps your arm to signify that he’s going to use it and you relax as much as you can. The nozzle goes into your nose and you breathe in gently. It’s done, this is all that he can do right now. He puts the medicine away and strokes your arm, trying to comfort you. Everything is on you now, you just have to endure until it sets in. You’re safe, you have your boyfriend on one side and a caring friend on your other. The minutes pass and the pain dulls, you take a deep breath.

“I’m sorry.” Is the first thing you say.

“It’s fine.” Zoro responds. Two words but the tone of his voice, the fact that he’s still keeping his voice soft, reassures you. You wish you didn’t have to deal with this, but you don’t have that ability. The privilege of having people that care is enough for you, it’s enough. Chopper is patient as he stays with you, making sure to check your pulse every so often; he even brought a bag just in case you throw up. Zoro goes back to meditating, but half of his focus is on you, one of his hands still holding yours. The hours pass, Sanji comes in quietly with some food. He doesn’t argue with Zoro, nor does he fawn over you, he sets the plates down for all 3 of you so you can eat; then leaves. Like before, it passes. The food helped, even if you felt nauseous your body still needed it, Sanji’s a good cook. You take a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief, about to apologize again when Zoro squeezes your hand.

“Don’t.” He states and you sigh again, keeping your mouth shut.

“I’m gonna put the lights to dim so you can get used to it again, is that okay?” Chopper asks as he gets up.

“..Yeah.” You hesitate slightly but you aren’t new to this, you can handle it. Franky installed lighting options for this, Chopper turns the lights on to a nice dimness while you close your eyes. You slowly open them, getting used to it. The painful part has passed and you stand up and peek outside. It’s night, you’ve kept them both inside all day. “I’m sorry Chopper, you must’ve wanted to do other things.” Zoro could handle being still, he at least used the time to meditate, though less efficiently; but Chopper usually liked to play during the day and he couldn’t do anything productive in the dark. The reindeer shakes his head.

“Mm, it’s okay. Making sure the crew is healthy is part of my role as doctor.” He smiles. “Making sure you’re okay makes me happier than playing.” An angel, Chopper must be an angel sent from above to care for pitiful beings of the Earth.

“Thank you, I always feel a lot better when you’re helping me.” You pat his head and he sheepishly giggles. Seeing him like this cheers you up, especially when you’re starting to feel bummed out. An arm wraps around your waist and Zoro picks you up. “I can walk by myself.”

“I know.” He yawns and holds you close, bridal style. You look to Chopper for help in convincing him but the reindeer just seems happy that you’re well enough to be stubborn.

“I’ll bring water over to your room.” With that the doctor runs off, leaving you in Zoro’s arms.

“Let me down Zoro, I’m not a baby that needs help walking.” You start to argue but Zoro just hums and walks out of the crow’s nest, heading to the women’s room. “Don’t open it yet, knock.”

“I know, I know.” He grumbles, holding you in one arm easily and knocking with the other. The door opens to Robin, Nami sleeping in the background. She notices your state and smiles warmly. She’s considerate though, refraining from chuckling at your state and instead stepping to the side so Zoro can come in.

“Are you sure he can come in?” You ask, looking at the sleeping navigator.

“She won’t mind if he simply comes in for a moment. Unless you’d like him to stay here?” Robin asks and Zoro perks up at being able to watch over you.

“No, it’s alright.” You shut it down immediately and he puts you down on your bed, displeased. “I don’t want to wake Nami to ask her, Zoro.”

“So what, she could just go back to sleep after.” He huffs and you sigh.

“If you’re feeling unwell during the night you can wake me, I can go retrieve him for you.” Robin suggests, once again a crewmate is making a sacrifice for you.

“I…” You look at the both of them, you’d like to argue but if you don’t agree it’ll only worry them more; so you nod. They seem pleased with that and Robin goes back to her own bed.

“Rest easy, Zoro.” The archaeologist tells him.

“I’ll leave it to you, then.” He trusts Robin, she’s alert, so he’s satisfied with that; even if he’d rather you let him stay here. You watch as the swordsman leaves, sighing. It feels so helpless, you train to get stronger and stronger yet you’re still so weak the moment your migraines come. It’s like you haven’t gotten stronger at all, stuck at the bottom due to something you can’t control, having to rely on crewmates to be able to function. You almost wish they would be harsher to you, maybe it would toughen you up; though you know it doesn’t work that way. A hand blooms on your shoulder and caresses the side of your defective head before covering your eyes.

“Sleep.” Robin says from her bed and you decide to listen, what other choice do you have? It’s not like you could stay up without only worsening your condition and causing even more burden on everyone. Your eyes close, the exhaustion from everything crashing down on you.

_____________

It’s not too surprising you’re in a bad mood. You’ve been stubborn from the start, the irritation coming from migraines only worsening it. Another cycle, you survive what comes to torment you. only for the aftereffects to still haunt you. Now you sit on the deck, sunglasses protecting your eyes. You tried to stay inside but couldn’t handle being alone with your thoughts. Luffy catches a ball, almost bumping into you. “Woah, got it.” He looks back at you, making sure he didn’t accidentally kick you, then goes back to playing ball with Franky using a machine that shoots the ball out. Irritation, anger, it festers in your heart and wants you to yell at Luffy to apologize.

'Control yourself, he didn’t even hit you.’ You tell your mind as you clench your jaw. You came outside to be with people, not to lash out at them. Control, you are not your condition, you are a person capable of making choices that are not a result of pain out of your control. Control, take the reins of what you can, that’s the only thing you can do. Keep yourself stable, lessen the burden on people around you, there’s no use in fighting a battle you can’t win. A battle where you can only lose. A fight that will never end.

Breathe in

1..2..3..4

Hold

1..2..3..4

Breathe out

1..2..3..4

Repeat, just as you always have. Again, and again, the cycle of stress, pain, and torment. It’s okay, you’re yourself, you have to be, even if it piles up. Days pass. Ignore the tendrils pressing their way through the wrinkles of your brain and down your neck, the pressure behind your eye, in your skull. This is your normal.

“Marines!” You hear Usopp yell out, your eyes snapping open in the middle of another breathing session you had been working on in preparation for another coming migraine. You stand, this is fine.

“Ah! Wait!” Chopper goes to you. “You’re-”

“It’s fine, I’m in prodrome, I can deal with this much.” Before the doctor can protest you’re already gone, having jumped to one of the marine ships to fight. It’s loud, but not unbearable, especially with the safety of your crew in mind. It’s working, you can deal with this as normal. You are in contro-

BANG

A gun is shot, and you dodge the bullet, but that isn’t what is hurting you. Sound. Your breath falters, your ears are ringing. It was shot at close range. Your stomach lurches, poison in your mind affecting your body as you break into a cold sweat. No, no no. This isn’t how this was supposed to go, you’re in control. You grab the marine by the head and slam it into the railing of the ship, killing him. It’s okay, you can still fight, it’s okay. You’ll breathe, you can breathe. Even when you feel pain in your head, migraine advanced by the gunshot, you can breathe.

Breathe in

1..2..3..4

10 marines down, you’ll sink the ship to take care of the rest. Then you can go back to the Sunny and rest.

Hold

1..2..3..4

Breathe out

1..2..3..4

You run down into the ship, you may not be able to take down a ship with a single slice but that doesn’t matter. Once you’re deep enough you can do enough damage to sink it. Raising your weapon up you swing down, splitting down the ship until water begins to flow from below. Done, you run out onto the deck and pain throbs, slowing you down. You have a few minutes before it completely sinks, it’s okay.

Breathe in

1..2..3..4

Hold

1..2..3..4

Breathe out

…

...?

Something is blocking your throat. You look down, seeing a blade protruding from your chest, then ripped out by the marine behind you. Blood pours out from your body into your lungs up your esophagus, red staining your lips as you cough red. You can’t breathe. Stepping forward, drowning, you struggle. Funny, blood, yet another lifeforce meant to keep you alive, is killing you. Pain in life, and pain in death, your body destroys itself. Ah.. the spot of green you see barely registers in your mind. Everything is dark.

__________

Zoro stares down at you, time stopped at the sight of your unconscious body. “No nononono.” He picks you up and you cough out blood, panic fills him. ‘She can’t die, she can’t.’ He turns you on your side, but blood is filling your lungs too fast for it to help. He realizes the ship is sinking and turns to the Sunny, he failed you, he can’t save you as a swordsman like this. Desperate legs propel him back to the Sunny. The battle had already been won, if only he got there a bit sooner, noticed quicker that you had gone despite your migraine signs.

Luffy is the first to notice, his haki alerting him. It makes his own blood run cold and he turns to the rest. “(Y/n)’s hurt!” He yells, then runs inside the ship to get Chopper, who’d been grabbing medicine for your migraine. Robin acts, a mouth blooming in the reindeer’s medical room.

“(Y/n)’s been injured.” She alerts him right as Zoro lands on the deck of the Sunny. “Luffy is coming to you, grab what you need for-” She looks to you and notices the wound, biting down on the inside of her cheek to stay calm. “stab wound, punctured the lung and through the other side of her body.” Zoro sets you down, using his bandana to try to apply pressure onto your wound. Meanwhile Chopper grabs everything he needs before Luffy bursts into the room and grabs him to run back to you. Chopper is set on the ground and immediately gets to work, ignoring the panic in his mind that his friend is dying in front of him. Zoro moves back, staring at you, then down at his bloody hands and bandana. He couldn’t do anything, he wasn’t there. If only he were there, he could’ve saved you from this. When he joined this ship he told himself he was a protector that would keep everyone alive, safe, that he would be there to stop even death itself. He looks to you, tube in your wound and Chopper taking blood from your throat so you can breathe. You’re pale, just as Kuina was in her casket, dead because he wasn’t there; because she was alone just as you were. Once you can be moved he helps you to Chopper’s clinic, the door shut in front of him so that the doctor can focus completely.

___________

It hurts. Is this the afterlife? You knew that you weren’t the best person in the world but to think even the afterlife would be painful, this is hell. Maybe you should just relax … that feels better. The pain is fading now, along with the memories of everyone. Your crewmates, and your boyfriend.

‘Zoro…’ That spot of green you saw must’ve been him. He must’ve seen you in such a bad state, you died in front of him. Even if he showed it in a different way, you know he loves you. He’d be heartbroken if you died, the others would too. You start to feel pain in your body again, it’s horrible, but you need to get up. This is not how you will die.

Bright, your eyes struggle to adjust as you look around and spot blue and pink. It jolts and starts to run around, your chest hurts. It makes you flinch and the figure stops. Syllables turn to words as you come to.

“(y/n).... (Y/n)..!” Your vision focuses as Chopper whisper-yells. You look at him and his eyes widen, then start to glisten as he bursts into tears. “Y-You’re awake!” He trembles, sobbing. “You’re awake, you’re alive!” Realizing his volume, he covers his mouth. “s-sorry..” You should comfort him.

“..iT’s o..ay..” Your voice is raspy and strained, not very reassuring. You try to get up but little hooves stop you.

“Stop, don’t move, or speak.” He’s still nervous, checking that your movement didn’t damage any stitches and bloody the bandages around your chest. “Just don’t do anything. You didn’t listen to me before and now you’re l-like this.” He starts to cry again. “So y-you better listen this time..! Hic..” His hooves go to his eyes to wipe away tears, the stress he’s been holding in to focus on you finally coming out. You relax your body, letting yourself lay back but moving your hand just a bit to pat Chopper’s head.

“mkAy..” Your voice cracks, and you stay silent now as the little reindeer cries. Once he’s done he sniffles and starts to speak after giving you a glass of water, saying that you’ve been asleep for a week. The only reason you survived is from Chopper’s insight to have everyone on the ship give blood for emergencies, so he had your blood bags.

“If I didn’t have them…” He trails off and you smile at him, you can’t speak yet but you can still show you’re alive. Your reassurance works this time and he calms down. “Oh!” He remembers something. “Now that you’re awake, I’ll go get Zoro.” He checks up on your vitals quickly, then goes to the door and opens it. “You can come in now, ah! No, not everyone. Turns! She just woke up!” Chopper changes into Muscle Point, pushing so that everyone comes in pairs. You expect to see Zoro first, but he isn’t there. Instead it’s Luffy and Sanji. The cook, expectedly, bows at the bed and begins apologizing for ever allowing a woman to get hurt so badly. Luffy stays silent during this, instead choosing to just be close to you. He stares at your bandaged chest.

“You’re okay.” The captain states, and you nod. Maybe you aren’t completely fine but you’re alive. “When you’re better we can eat and joke together again, okay?” Luffy trusts Chopper, he knows you’ll be alright with his care. Still.. “Listen next time.” seeing you with blood running down your face and pouring from your chest, it doesn’t feel good. “I have to, and I’m the captain, so you definitely have to.” With that he gives you a big smile, you give him one back and Luffy leaves. Sanji, calmer now, stands.

“Marimo’s not eating, I know he doesn’t deserve it but if you could, get him to eat.” He falters when you stare at him. “Just because it’s a huge hassle to have to cook only for him not to eat it, I couldn’t care less otherwise.” He quickly makes his leave after, but not before fawning over you on the way out. Nami and Usopp are next, Nami.. looks kinda rough. Her eyes are red, she’s been crying. She stomps over to your bed and bites her top lip, very clearly ready to scold you.

“Y-You’re an idiot, I hope you know that.” Her voice is shaky. “I can’t believe you would do something so stupid, as if you were invincible.” Her orange eyes start to well up with tears and she turns around to hide it. Usopp reaches a hand to comfort her but she slaps it away, he decides to leave it but she grabs his hand and puts it on her shoulder, changing her mind.

“I don’t know what you were thinking 100% but I get wanting to… be brave.” He mumbles “Still, what you did was insane.” To be honest he doesn’t really know what to say. Usopp’s done some pretty stupid stuff sometimes, and failed, so he’d feel really hypocritical just telling you boldly never to do that again. “People get worried about you, really worried.” Nami nods, still conflicted between wanting to scold you until she’s satisfied and wanting to cry that you’re alive while hugging you. You pat the bed next to you, trying to get her attention. She looks back and you smile at her, nodding. It makes her tremble and she walks over to you.

“I’m sending you a bill of all the ointments and tissues I’ve used crying because of you.” Nami wipes her eyes. “But, I’m glad you’re okay.” Her hand goes to yours, holding it for a moment before she turns and leaves. Usopp stands there for a moment, then leaves too. You notice his eyes are a little swollen as well before he’s gone. Robin and Brook come in next, they both look calm compared to the others. Brook’s eyes land on you and you start to hear rattling. Oh, he’s shaking.

“(Y/n)-san I'm so glad you’re alive, yohohoho!!” Tears stream from his eyes as he runs to you, held back by Robin by the back of his suit jacket.

“We’re all glad you’re alive.” She walks over to you calmly. “It was gruesome seeing blood fill your lungs and out of your mouth like a sad hose, but it’s fortunate knowing you didn’t have to die such a painful death.” You aren’t sure if you should be happy she seems normal or not, considering her words; but at least she isn’t sobbing. Robin, on the other hand, doesn’t mind disturbing you as long as it scares you enough you don’t do this again. They don’t stay for too long though, they want you to rest; Brook does promise to play you something soft once you recover more though.

“WAHHH (Y/N)-” Franky cries loudly as he walks in but is quickly shushed by Jinbe with a pat on the shoulder. Your friends are quite emotional. “R-Right, sorry.” Your ears hurt for a moment but it’s okay. You don’t even feel a migraine at the moment, they really don’t need to be so quiet. Everyone must be still on edge and trying to be safe rather than sorry, a migraine during early recovery would be miserable. “I made this for you, I know you’re still against becoming a cyborg so this isn’t anything that’s implanted.” He hands you something, a pair of headphones. “I’d been working on them for a while, but I…” He tears up again and falls to the ground dramatically. “You seemed to be doing okay so I put it off. I’m sorry.” You flip the headphones around in your hands while Jinbe stares at you. It’s… kind of intense.

“I’m not going to ask you to apologize or repent for your choice, you’ve faced the consequences without such a thing, but I hope this experience teaches you that rash decisions made alone result in nothing but pain.” The fishman states, stabbing you right in the conscience. Franky looks up, wiping his eyes. He doesn’t disagree, in fact he nods and stands.

“I already changed the lighting in the ship for you, everyone cares about you. If you’re struggling then ask for help, nothing super about going in alone with no reason to.” He shakes his head. “No, you were stupid.” You’re getting scolded more by the both of them than anyone else at this point. “The headphones will help, you don’t have to use them all the time but promise me you will use them. I’ve made them to muffle loud noises while letting you hear people talk. So you better listen, got it?” Franky’s serious, and you nod. “Super, now get rest and convince Zoro to stop acting like he’s a cyborg.” He’s bothered, and Jinbe nods. Before they both leave Jinbe gives you one last look, worry and disappointment, but trust that you’ll do better from now on. A few moments pass before Chopper is back inside, he looks to the doorway with a smile.

“Come in.” Silence, Chopper makes an angry face. “Come in!” Finally, a familiar swordsman walks inside, though he looks tired. The doctor seems satisfied now and hops a little. “I’ll be outside, you two talk! I got you this.” He runs over to you and hands you a notebook and marker, then runs outside. “No arguing.” Zoro’s silent. “Zoro’s been getting tired more easily because he doesn’t eat, too!” At this your boyfriend reacts, turning.

“You didn’t need to say that!” He barks but Chopper stands his ground, giving Zoro eyes as he leaves the room. “Cuter when he isn’t nagging about my health.”

“He’s worried about you.” You write and show him, but Zoro just scoffs.

“I’m not the one who needs to be worried about, missing some meals isn't going to kill me.” You notice him clenching his fist, wishing you could properly speak, but you aren’t confident you’d be able to keep quiet if you start speaking. “Are you.. really so bad you can’t speak?” You’re snapped out of your thoughts by Zoro’s voice, he sounds dejected. When you look at him there's a hurt expression on his face.

“I can speak a little, I just can’t be loud.” He reads this and seems slightly relieved.

“Don’t trust yourself not to yell at me, I get it.” Your boyfriend starts but instead of letting you write he continues. “I messed up, so focused on some small fries that I let you get hurt. I can’t even yell at you for being stupid because I’m the one who should’ve been paying attention.” He isn’t letting you respond. “Fuck I’m such a shit boyfriend, keep trying to protect everyone on the crew but almost letting my girlfriend die because I was too cocky. I keep messing up over and over and I can’t even do anything for you. I can’t treat you or play you music or even cook something comforting like curly brow. All I have is protecting you and I didn’t even do that-”

“Zoro!” You yell, then clutch at your chest as your lung throbs. He stops talking and crouches down to check your chest.

“Dammit, you just told me you couldn’t yell, are you trying to hurt yourself more!?” He gently feels the bandages around your chest. “I’ll go get Chopper-” Before he can leave you grab his wrist. “What are you doing?”

“Don’t need.. Chopper. Need you.” He scowls like he got bit from your words.

“You need someone who can care for you.” Your lover mumbles, looking away in shame. You tug on his wrist and he looks back at you, vulnerable, taking your sign to walk closer and sit on the edge of the bed. “I didn’t do that, I didn’t do anything. Not when you were stabbed and not when you were dying in front of my eyes. Even when you were in this room I couldn’t help Chopper, I don’t have that much medical knowledge. All I could do was watch as my girlfriend was dying in front of me, hoping that whatever happened that you would at least be alive.” He can’t meet your eyes, not like this. The hand on his wrist trails up his arm, he hates it all. He hates how dead you looked, how unhealthy you look now, and he hates himself for letting this happen.

“Zoro.” Your strained voice speaks and you move your hand to his cheek, gently moving his head to look at you. “It’s not your fault, and I’m not dead.” He presses his lips together and puts his hand on yours, kissing your palm as his thumb goes to check your pulse. It’s weaker than he wants, it hurts his heart, but at least yours is beating. He gives your palm another kiss, then your pulse point, up your arm until his are ever so gently holding you close to him. Like you’ll shatter with even the slightest pressure. He doesn’t speak, neither of you do, even when you feel wetness on your shoulder. You just wrap your arms around him as well, just as gently while your hand rubs his back soothingly.

“I love you.” He finally says after a few minutes pass, he doesn’t say it very often. When he saw you drowning in your own blood it was one of the things he regretted.

“I love you too.” You press a kiss to his head. He won’t let this happen again, he’ll protect you, physically, emotionally, anything.

____________

“Ah- Wait!” Zoro pulls you into his lap, placing the food in front of you. “You don’t need to do all of this, Chopper said I'm healed enough to eat on my own. I didn’t even need it to begin with.” He puts the chopsticks to your mouth.

“Eat.” Your boyfriend states.

“I get worrying but why are you going this far.” You grumble, adamant you don’t need this.

“Because I love you, now eat.” You freeze, so does everyone else who heard. Zoro pauses for a moment, but doubles down. “Capable of feeding yourself but you can’t even eat with help.” The tips of his ears are a bit pink but he isn’t going to let that stop him from professing his love. You shift around.. okay it feels kind of nice being cared for, you open your mouth to eat what’s given. “There, not hard.” You’re a bit embarrassed from all of this but Zoro glares at anyone who dares laugh or smile. This is not a joke, this is real and he’s doing perfectly normal boyfriend things.

“Wow Zoro is kinda different no-” Nami slaps a hand over Luffy’s mouth, ignoring how he protests. It doesn’t matter, he’ll keep saying it until they get used to it, until you get used to it too. Everyone cares about you, so they’ll drill it into your head like antivenom until you stop thinking you’re a burden. Migraine be damned.

All done. I couldn't fit this but the reason Franky seemed peeved at Zoro is because he tried to tell Zoro to eat and Zoro said "So what? You eat less than me, I can handle this much." as if Franky only didnt eat as much because most of him is cola-powered. Also hope migraine havers are forgiving bc I don't actually have these I just kinda did some research and wrote how I might feel if i had them. guyth if you like it feel free to comment btw

Sexy ghost costume where its a bedsheet with a shaped hole to stick only your dick and balls out. For boob havers its a hole for each tit.