Summary: Being an adult is weird.

Between being a retired police officer that's actually trying to stop gang violence and teach the new generation some lessons(they basically go hand in hand) in the Youth Center, life just gets weird.

Who knows that an ex gang member could teach gangs some lessons?

Oh. And being the wife of Lucci is weird too.

(Or just a story of how you and Lucci are throughout the years, for life and to death)

*Mature Content Within!*

Continuation of Stupid Lucci!
(Read that first if you haven't)

Established Relationship!
Modern!AU
NormalishOPCharacters!AU
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"(Y/N)! The ball got deflated again!"

You turned from watching Zoro with Bonney argument about those pompous dragon clans on the bleachers outside the Youth Center building, seeing Luffy run at you with a wide smile and a deflated football in his hands as he laughed before stopping in front of you.

"Shishishishi! These must be really cheap huh, (Y/N)?"

You sighed through your nose, an exasperated smile on your lips as you grabbed the sad looking ball and inspected it. Luffy leaning over you with a curious gaze.

"They're not that cheap. It's just that these balls aren't made for you guys." You stared at the holes from fingertips and chuckled. "I'm gonna have to ask Paulie and your man Franky for a favor. They're pretty good with their hands. Maybe we can have some specially made balls for all of you. Who broke it this time?"

"Kidd did." Luffy said easily just as a tennis ball was thrown at the back of his head. "Ouch!"

"Don't put it all on me, meathead!" You saw Kidd coming towards them with an angry swagger matching his pissed scowl. Almost looking red as his hair as Luffy turned to the mechanic gang leader with a glare. "I'm not the one that kept catching the ball so hard. And you clearly don't understand the rules because you kept slamming atop the ball too randomly."

"That's what you're supposed to do though!" Luffy shouted, fully turning towards Kidd and head nearing his as sparks seemed to fly as you watched with an amused grin. "Whoever has the ball the longest wins!"

"That's not at all how that works!" Kidd retorted, head butting Luffy and leaning over him.

"Yeah it is!" Luffy yelled back, now leaning over Kidd as he pressed his forehead against the red hair. "Why do you think there's a timer on those football games?! It's measuring how long a team has the ball!"

A red head leaned over a ravenette, flabbergasted.

"You're an idiot! That's not how you get points! You don't know how football works at all, Straw Hat!"

A ravenette leaned over a red head, angered.

"No, you don't know, dummy! Like you don't know that you're the one that last had the ball and broke it!"

Their heads leaned over one another back and forth. It was like a seesaw really as comments and retorts went back in forth in yells and shouts.

You distantly noticed the others they were playing with were gathering in a circle behind them. You could spot Law's amusement and Usopp's anxiousness from where you were, you just standing over the two with crossed arms in the shade of the roof over your head from the sun. The open football field being crowded with the local gangs here and there. Killer looked like he wanted to stop his danchou but wasn't sure how. Your sensitive ears pricking at Nami whispering to Shachi and Penguin about a bet as she leaned over them with a sly greedy grin.

Your eyes sharpened back in front of you when two fists were raised, only for your own clenched fists to smack against the two teens.

"OW! Tha—that hurt (Y/N)!" Luffy cried, holding his bruised head with tears in his eyes.

"What the fuck?!" Kidd cursed, holding his own head. A large bump rising from his head of red hair, eyes wet. "What was that for?!"

You frowned at them in disapproval, crossing your arms.

"You guys know the rules here. No fighting. This is neutral territory for all of you. You guys are just kids here, although a bit on the violent side." You said, feeling an odd sort of nostalgia hit you with those words and how Kidd and Luffy argued. "And no, you can't just leave the perimeters and fight outside, Kidd."

"Why not? It's not like outside the fence is neutral too. The meathead needs a punch to his head to hopefully fix his brain."

Luffy answered by sticking his tongue out obnoxiously.

You threw the teen a dangerous smirk, Kidd's fierce expression faltering.

"Do all of you need a reminder of what I can do?" You raised a hand, fingers only slightly curled and clenched. Bones cracking despite a fist not being formed. "I used to be in a gang too, remember? Before I wisened up and focused my fighting brain somewhere else and where I could do it legally. I had my own fights back in the day. Guess you guys must have a horrible Disciplinary Committee nowadays at that school, huh?"

"Bleh! They're boring!" Luffy answered with a huff, crossing his arms at the back of his head. "And sorry (Y/N). I got angry cause Kidd doesn't understand foot ball."

Kidd turned to Luffy with tick marks on his face, you lowering your arm to rest at your hip as you chuckled.

"YOU'RE THE ONE THAT DOESN'T UNDERSTAND!" Kidd turned back to the crowd, eyes on Usopp who flinched and moved to hide behind Nami only to fail as the orangette pushed him forward with Sanji giving his own push to protect his Nami-swan. "You! Teach your stupid leader how to play! And is there another ball we can use in the ball net?"

"You should control that mouth of yours, Eustass-ya," Law cut in with a dark smirk that sort of reminded you of Lucci's but fell flat. Lucci's smirks will always be the scariest looking, you thought proudly. "Here I thought we can see (Y/N)-ya show off again to us. Too bad."

"Stay out of this Law!" Kidd retorted with a snarl before moving to the bleachers where Robin, Chopper, and Heat were—the net holding all sorts of sports balls and equipment within as he muttered. "Would like to see (Y/N) kick your ass and than you could talk..." Killer moved to help his leader as they went through the net together.

You heard a flutter and a Coo before familiar small feet landed on your shoulder. You turning your head towards it with a grin and soft gaze.

"Back, Hattori? Did the kids scare you off again?" You scratched the pigeon's chest as the bird cooed atop your shoulder. "Ah. Just wanted to fly a bit and spread your wings. That's good but you gotta be careful. Lucci would kill me if you got hurt. I don't really want you getting hurt either despite you always seeming to peck at me randomly—OUCH!" You yelped when Hattori did just that, although it barely hurt you glared at the bird as the kids around you looked at the scene oddly. You gritted your teeth and stopped your hand from scratching at him with that. "Y...yeah, like that." Hattori fluffed his wings and turned his head in a huff with his chest out, before looking up in silence. "...I miss him too."

"Oooooo! It's the pigeon!" Luffy stated excitedly, nearing you with a clap of his hands as you and Hattori turned to see Luffy leaning nose to beak practically with shining eyes. "But where's pigeon guy? I thought the pigeon controlled him. Wait." Luffy's eyes widened as he turned towards you, his hand going to your other shoulder. "IS HE CONTROLLING YOU NOW, (Y/N)?! Leave her alone evil pigeon!"

Nami smacked Luffy upside the head, shaking her own.

"Idiot. The pigeon doesn't control anyone."

"Now that you mention it," Robin intervened from her place on the bleachers, a book on her lap and voice curious. You took notice that Kidd and Killer took out the baseballs and baseball bats. You need to watch out that no one gets ideas with those. "Where is he, (Y/N)-san? Since he always carries the bird on his shoulder, I would think he's somewhere near."

"Ack!" Usopp yelped, sweat going down his brow. "He's here?! He's scary! I-I mean, no offense Miss (Y/N)." Usopp quickly putting his hands out towards you as if to calm you.

"I hope not," Law stated with a face, lips slightly curled. "The first time he was here, he pulled my arm so hard I'm sure he dislocated it. I couldn't move it for days." Kidd laughed in the background, and Law casually gave him the finger. Only to quickly form a hand when Kidd threw a baseball bat, successfully catching it only to give it to Luffy who looked like he wanted to play. The straw hat boy quickly snatching it out of the gang doctor's hands with the tattooed grumbling he didn't say thank you before turning back towards you. "Tell me now (Y/N)-ya so I don't get close to you today."

You recalled the incident.

Lucci finally coming to the Youth Center after asking him over and over again. Telling him that these kids are actually pretty strong and it reminds you of themselves back when they were that age. His eyes flickering in interest before dismissing it, retorting that there's no others like them. You replying sharply and hitting the nail in the coffin by saying that you think one of those kids could actually beat him. Dark eyes narrowed at you at that, you smirking at his reaction before frowning when he just turned back and was silent the rest of the night. Lucci came unexpectedly three days after without telling you ahead of time, so when you were showing Law a grappling technique just in case to handle his opponent(it wasn't a fatal or deadly technique, you promise! You know you're not supposed to teach gang kids techniques but certainly some won't hurt if they're going to get in trouble anyways!) and his hand was around your wrist as you observed if he was doing it correctly as your shoulders touched—you sensed the familiar feeling of bloodlust and heat. You turning your head in excitement only to see Law got pulled roughly by his arm before going forcefully on the ground, a knee to his back as his arm was twisted behind him—a tanned hand lighter than the teen's around his wrist. A familiar weight landing on your head with a "Coo~" and a flap.

"Wha...the hell..." Law cursed, face planted on the ground as he tried to turn his head to see who attacked him in this neutral territory. His gang and the other ones gathered that day pausing and jaws dropping at what was occurring. "Who...are you...?!"

"L-Lucci! You came! But...what are you doing?!"

Lucci, with his black suit, hat, and tie signifying he got out of work, stared down at the hissing teen unimpressed, raven curled hair like silk on his shoulders with no hair out of place. Dark gray eyes turning towards your wide ones.

"This the kid you wanted to show me? Doesn't seem that impressive to me. Can't even get out of this simple hold I have on him." Law bristled, and slightly moved his legs only to stop when Lucci pressed his knee more forcefully onto his back and twisted his arm more as the teen winced with Lucci not taking his eyes off of yours. Even as Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo came around and explained for their captain, at a loss of what to do. "He doesn't look like a high schooler either. One of those graduates you have in the program it seems?" Lucci turned back towards the teen, stoic and tone blasé. "He seems like he has a lot to learn." Lucci's hand clenched around Law's wrist, Law's brows furrowing as he breathed heavily from the pain.

"That's not him, Lucci. And Law, don't move. You can't beat him." You spotted Lucci's lips twitched up at that and you palmed your face in a sigh. "Really...you have a special talent of making it seem what I say goes in one ear and out the other but actually focus and remember it."

Lucci's eyes peered over his cap to meet your flabbergasted expression.

"Out of the two of us, one has to listen."

You scowled, hand dropping as fists clenched on your sides as you took a step forward.

"Oi—"

"Danchou, we got you!" You heard Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo say in unison as they circled around the downed Law and Lucci.

And all you could think was Uh oh as Lucci's eyes looked at the the three teens around him.

"Wait, guys you can't—" You tried to stop them only for Shachi to rush in with a messy right hook, Lucci easily dodging without releasing Law—taking his other hand and chopping the kid's head. Shachi going down for the count, falling flat on his face and most likely going to wake up with dirt in his mouth. The Kidd gang, Bonney gang and Straw Hat gang making noises of shock and surprise at how easy Law and now a top member of his gang falling. "Bepo. Penguin. Fall back. You can't beat him! And no need to be so aggressive, Lucci!"

"He tried to attack first. Only natural to give one back." Lucci replied easily.

"Shachi!" Bepo called with eyes narrowed under white messy hair, taking a step forward. "Don't worry, I'll—"

"Don't!" Bepo stopped, turning towards Law who was panting and looking at Bepo and Penguin hard. "Listen...to (Y/N)-ya."

"What?!" You heard Nami exclaim in surprise, face pale at the scene before her. Which you guess is a little disheartening since violence is not allowed here and just how easy Lucci took Law—an impressive fighter and his subordinate down. "Who is that guy?!"

"Yohohoho! Quite scary indeed!" Brook commented, scratching his hollowed out cheek in nervousness.

"Who-whoever he is—" Usopp stuttered while holding the trembling Chopper, hand atop his pink hat hiding short brown curled hair. "As long as he stays way over there and doesn't look at us, we're fine!" The other serious Straw Hats such as Robin, Sanji, and Zoro observing as Franky muttered in confusion.

"That bastard Law," Kidd muttered with narrowed eyes and crossed arms rights across his chest. "Giving up? Why is (Y/N) not stopping that guy anyways...?" Killer giving his own comment of agreement and that you usually are quick to defend this place—even though it's only been two months since the Kidd gang started coming here.

"I feel like I've seen that guy before..." Bonney commented with a hand to her chin as she sat on the bleachers, the other taking a huge bite from a hot dog she saved up to eat here. Luffy basically on top of her and not paying attention at all to what was occurring and wanting to have a bite for himself, his arms moving back and forth as Bonney quickly moved her hand this way and that to protect her food. "What a crazy air around him."

Lucci glanced down at Law, eyes connecting.

"That's wise. You know it too." Law gritted his teeth as he closed his eyes tightly only for them to open again when Lucci twisted his wrist more. Bepo and Penguin exclaiming their leader's name. "Don't close your eyes, boy. And know when to admit defeat, it's unbecoming."

Why is Lucci going so far? This is excessive now.

"I give." Law ground out, glaring up at Lucci who's eyes sharpened and pressed his knee more to his back, Law releasing another pained grunt and you decided that this was enough before Law released a raspy chuckle. Oh man, he's dead. "You...really are a...violent guy. Someone...is concerned."

Lucci's hand twitched at that, and you laid a hand upon the one holding Law's wrist. Hattori tilting his head slightly atop your hair.

"Stop, Lucci. Law already surrendered. You're intimidating some of the other kids too."

You ignored Kidd's outcries of denial, Killer moving to shush him as the others simply stared tensely. Luffy still not being concerned as he managed to snag Bonney's chips she also brought by throwing it away from him, him quickly chasing it like a dog and eating it in content as he blankly stared ahead of where the crowd was.

Lucci didn't take his eyes off of Law for a few more moments, before closing his eyes and released his hold and stood up. Your hand lowering as he did so, Lucci stepping over the downed teen that rolled and held his arm to soothe the pain as Lucci moved to stand to your side. Hattori going back to his shoulder with a calming coo.

Bepo and Penguin moving towards Law and Shachi in concern, fretting as the other kids stared wide eyed from a few feet away as you and Lucci quietly talked—you more than Lucci since you couldn't understand the excess force. Lucci answering it was simply a test and your brain would be unable to understand anything else. You scowling and pressing your finger to his chest as Lucci looked around as you nagged him with Hattori giving a Coo here and there.

"That guy..." Zoro muttered with narrowed eyes and sweat going down his temple like the others.

"(Y/N)—san must know him." Robin observed. "She was the only one that can stop him and he listened."

"N-No way (Y/N) knows such a scary guy!" Chopper cried, pale and still shaking in fear with tears in his eyes.

"(Y/N)-chwan sadly does look close to him." Sanji added, lips around a toothpick due to your rule. "Look how they're talking."

"They don't look close at all!" Usopp shouted. "She's practically yelling at his face. And—ACK! He's staring over here!"

The Straw Hats tensed as dark eyes roved over them before continuing on, Usopp, Chopper and Nami giving out a relieved sigh.

"His eyes look so cold." Nami shivered. "But he's letting her do that...(Y/N) just seems so different with him here."

"I think you guys are right," Killer agreed, moving closer to them as the Straw Hats turned to the young man that hides his face with his blue and white striped mask and blue sunglasses. Kidd and Heat doing the same along with the other Kidd gang, Kidd staring hard at Lucci. "She called his name. They definitely know each other. But he doesn't work here. We would've seen him by now."

"I recognize him," Franky admitted, staring at the pair with one half basically arguing to themselves before looking at the intrigued group around him. "He's passed by the shop sometimes. The one mainly for boats with a guy named Paulie. I only remember him due to how his presence is and how Paulie ranted when he would walk to our shop across the street with a cigar. And also not many just have a pigeon on their shoulder."

"Yohoho! That's true!" Brook glancing at the pair before quickly turning back despite his black shades being able to hide his eyes. He felt like he shouldn't get caught looking. "Just like how not everyone can do a 45 degree angle to the floor. But (Y/N)—San does seem close to him despite her yells. They seem practically opposites though."

"Maybe it's that opposites attract thing," Bonney added behind them. The group turning towards her still sitting form on the metal bleachers, with crumbs all around her mouth and sucking on her fingers. "But I also recognize him. And it's not just from the streets of me passing by. No...I feel like it's something more serious."

"Gang member?" Zoro suggested with a frown. "Or maybe even gang leader. Although with his clothes, I find it hard to believe despite (Y/N) knowing the top clan leaders in this area."

"Clothes have little to do with it, Marimo." Sanji rejected with a twirl of his toothpick around his mouth as Zoro scowled at him. "That man's whole presence is dominating and commanding. Even from this far away."

"And it's not like we haven't fought gang leaders with nice clothes before," Nami added, hand to her chin in thought of this whole situation. "We beat Crocodile after all."

"Actually, where is Luffy?" Usopp questioned, his head turning left and right.

"I threw a bag of chips at him." Bonney answered and pointed to the right. "He was sitting right there."

Everyone turned to where the Big Eater pointed, only to find an empty spot on the bleachers. Them blinking in confusion before sweat started to appear in the Straw Hats faces.

"You don't think..." Chopper started, his head slowly turning back.

"Surely he knows..." Usopp continued as his own also turned.

"If we know Luffy than—" Zoro added with a flabbergasted scowl before all the Straw Hats, and Kidd Gang, and Bonney gang turned back to the pair. Only to see a new body in front among them.

"THAT IDIOT!" The Straw Hats outside of Robin and Brook yelled as they could only stare in horror and anxiousness—muscles tense and skin pale as the Kidd gang and Bonney gang stared wide eyed outside of Kidd who stared intently and with a grin and Bonney who shook her head at what she was seeing.

You felt a tug to your shirt, you stopping from your tirade to Lucci and turned your head to see a Luffy with begging eyes and his other hand to his stomach. Lucci turning his eyes down towards the teen.

"Luffy? What's wrong? Are you hungry?"

Luffy nodded his head with a smile.

"You sure know how to read minds, (Y/N)! Can we order pizza again? The meat one?" Luffy's hold on your shirt tightened as he bounced on his feet and leaned towards you until his chin was on your forearm as your expression softened. "Please let it be the meat one!"

"Maa, Luffy," You turned your body towards Luffy, moving your free hand and ruffling the boy's hair since his hat was held by string behind his back. Lucci continuing to stare as your back was now to him. "You gotta remember that not everyone likes all that meat on the pizza. If we get you meat, that means also getting Margherita for Bonney and pepperoni for everyone else. How about just one pepperoni and one cheese?"

Luffy whined with a pout that it wasn't enough and you released a fond sigh as you gave him a hard noogie, quickly turning into a grin at Luffy's noises of complaints and laughter while you stated he should just pay for the pizzas he wants with Luffy replying he can't cause he has no money whatsoever. Lucci silently moving his stare away from the straw hat boy, dismissing him and instead meeting the one that's eyes haven't moved from him—the boy with the red hair. The boy swallowing and tightening his fists and tensing his shoulders at the older man's look.

"Is it him?"

You turned at Lucci's question, stopping from giving a noogie to Luffy. Luffy blinking at Lucci as if he just noticed him. You than glancing where he was looking to spot Kidd, who was staring straight on at Lucci like the stubborn hothead he was. The robotics lover seemed to at least be somewhat aware of the strength difference due to how at unease he looked.

"Coo~, weak~ weak~!" Hattori stated.

Luffy's eyes widened as his jaw dropped.

"Whaaa?! That bird talked! Is it a parrot?!" Luffy moved out of your hold and squinted his eyes at Hattori who only gave a cock of his head. Lucci not turning his gaze away from Kidd's, only doing so when the redhead glanced to the side and turning his dark gaze to the teen. "Shishishi, what a weird looking parrot. Is it alahbahno?"

You chuckled, although a nervous sweat was going down your temple.

If I say to Lucci that it's Luffy, a 17 year old kid—he might actually kill me. Perhaps I should just lie about this.

"Albino. And no. Hattori is actually just a pigeon. Just a talented one." You moved towards Lucci's right shoulder, extending your hand as you scratched the bird's chest with a grin. "Right, Hattori?"

"Coo Coo!"

"A pigeon? That can talk? Mmmmm...." Luffy put a hand to his chin, scrunching his face deeply in thought. You commenting that he shouldn't hurt himself with that, putting your hand back as you and Lucci's shoulders touched—you slightly in front of the man as you looked at Luffy. Luffy's eyes brightening in understanding as he punched his fist into an open palm. "It's a mystery pigeon! Why is it on top of that guy's shoulder though? WAIT! IS IT A MYSTERY PIGEON THAT CAN ALSO CONTROL PEOPLE?! Why's the guy so quiet?!" Luffy ended with a point of his finger at Hattori, suspicious.

You don't understand how he came to this conclusion.

You could also feel Lucci's cold stare towards Luffy without looking back at him.

Luffy and Lucci's eyes connected over your shoulder—and neither wavered.

"Who are you?! Speak mystery pigeon!"

Ahhh man.

"You're pretty rude. Shouldn't you introduce yourself first before making demands like that?" Lucci replied cooly, Hattori repeating the word rude with a flap of his wings. "I see you've taught them your own manners."

"Hey!" You turned at the slight you know that was directed towards you.

"I'm Monkey D. Luffy! And I'm going to be the King of the—"

You smacked Luffy's head slightly.

"Luffy, no! You said you wanted to be a firefighter before remember?! Like Ace? Focus on that!"

"But I don't wannaaaaaa." Luffy lifted his head and met Lucci's gaze again, determined. "And don't insult (Y/N), pigeon bastard! She's great and buys me food! Who are you?! It's your turn!"

...

You hid a laugh with a cough, your hand covering your mouth to cover your smile. The kids in the background having various reactions of jaws dropping, falling to the floor, paling, or wide eyes as the tension increased.

You put a hand to Lucci's tense bicep, squeezing it slightly. Looking at Luffy with amusement as the teen's glare faltered at the movement in confusion.

"He's okay, Luffy. But thanks for defending me! You see," You couldn't help but release a small laugh, unable to control it due to Luffy words. You leaned back for your back to meet Lucci's chest, eyes fond as a grin overtook your face as Lucci held your weight with his expression receding to his collected one. "This amazing annoying wonderful shitty know it all but strong bastard is Lucci! He's my husband!"

On cue, everyone's jaws dropped.

"EHHHHHHHHHH?!?!?!?!?!"

Law's eyes widened before understanding crossed over, now standing up despite Bepo's and Penguin's concerns but still holding his surely dislocated arm while his back protested in pain. Shachi still on the ground but more away from where he fell. Law glanced at Lucci, the older man feeling it and turned towards him. Dark eyes narrowed as lips curled dangerously—as if to keep him away before turning back towards you and lifting a hand to curl a finger through your hair with his expression back into his cold one. Law definitely sees what the problem was now.

"WHAT?!" Kidd yelled. "You're married?!"

"That was a lot of insults in between..." Zoro observed with a sweatdrop as you laughed, a hand scratching the back of your head.

"You guys that surprised? I think it makes sense." You said, smiling as Lucci did his thing with your hair as your cheeks flushed at his actions. "He's a lot of those things."

"The insults in between was unnecessary to say to them," Lucci breathed in your ear, making you flush more and you don't have to turn to see Lucci's lips lifted at that.

"You don't wear a ring," Nami pointed out, in disbelief. There's no way you're married to that guy. "How can we believe it?!"

"Y-yeah!" Usopp confirmed, pointing his finger at you with a shaky hand. "And weren't you guys just arguing?!"

"Ohhh that?" You moved your hand to under your shirt, producing a silver necklace with your wedding band with a proud grin. "I have it around my neck! Rings on my fingers can get uncomfortable when I'm doing stuff, and it's closer to my heart too. Which the bastard has!" You laughed with closed eyes, hand going to your hips happily as Hattori gave his own happy Coo as you felt Lucci's heart through your back, your own heart beating at it warmed. "He's a thief too! What an asshole, right?"

The girls couldn't help but blush at your cute words and face. Some of the boys also blushing at how happy you look while others could only stare with blinking eyes or bewildered ones.

"The idiot actually uses the necklace so she doesn't lose it," Lucci corrected, releasing your hair and grazing your back before putting his hands in his pockets. "She loses things pretty easily. The ring would've fallen or gotten lost long ago if she had it around a finger. The necklace secured it."

You scowled, turning fully towards Lucci with an embarrassed flush.

"T-Thats not fully true! I-it's also for—" at Lucci's probing stare and rose brow, you faltered. "For...ya know what I'm saying, bastard! I'm not saying it twice! I don't know what came over me to say that stupid stuff! You really are a thief!"

Lucci's lips twitched under his hat only for you to see as he leaned slightly towards you with a smirk.

"It's not good to lie, (Y/N)." You felt his hat touch your head, his breath fanning your face as he spoke. "Although it would be easier if you kept saying such statements everywhere you went. Also, there is no kid here that can beat me. You just wanted me to come."

Ah. Well yes. But also yes? Is what you wanted to say. But all you could do was lick your lips at his stare and charming smirk, his own eyes moving towards your mouth at the movement. You lifted a hand to scratch your cheek and the other to hold the end of his suit jacket, glancing away.

"Ah...well...I have been wanting you to come but..." You met his eyes once more, which darkened and you flushed, putting both your hands to his chest and giving a slight push. "D-don't look at me like that here, Lucci. And the kid just isn't here today! I know not to tease you like that."

Lucci made a noise of acknowledgment, although his lips curled darkly and was filled with promise that made you warm a different way.

"Perhaps I will go easy on you later after all."

Your brows furrowed. "Eh? Easy? Oi—" You grabbed a fist of his suit and brought him closer till the both of you were nose to nose—eyes heated. "With your attitude, maybe I won't go easy on you. What are you gonna do about that, huh?"

Lucci's eyes flashed and he took his hand out from his pocket only to meet air when you got yanked back—you letting go of his suit in surprise and wide eyes as thin arms filled with power encircled your neck and waist.

Luffy glared at Lucci, his chin on your shoulder.

"Luffy, what—"

"You can't eat (Y/N), pigeon guy!" Luffy shouted and your expression blanked while Lucci's glare lessened in surprise. "You may be her husband or whatever, but we still need her here! And eating people is illegal!"

What's happening?!

"Idiot, Mugiwara-ya." Law sighed, although he felt amusement at this.

"Luffy, he wasn't going to eat her!" Nami yelled along with Usopp and Chopper.

"Yohohoho! At least not like that." Brook added, a blush on his cheeks with Nami and Zoro giving him a smack upside his head at that.

"I was right with the opposites attract thing." Bonney commented, eyes wide and cheeks slightly flushed. "Didn't know it was so on the mark like this though."

"At least they remember that we're still here with this." Zoro said.

"Although perhaps another way would've been better." Killer agreed.

"Luffy!" You shouted with flushed cheeks, completely embarrassed. "Lucci wasn't going to do that!"

Luffy glanced at you in confusion before turning quickly back at the tall suited man with the pigeon who stared at you and the teen holding you protectively with narrowed eyes.

"Eh? Yeah he was! I know it cause that's what I look like when there's only one piece of meat left. Ace and Sabo get that look too."

"I can't tell if you're a fool or you're needlessly protecting (Y/N)," Lucci stated quietly, hands back in his pockets as Hattori's wings crossed upon his shoulder. "Either way, it's of no concern of yours how I look at what's mine."

"What'd ya say, bastard?! I'm not letting anyone look at (Y/N) like that, cannibal pigeon guy that's (Y/N)'s husband!"

"That Straw Hat is asking for a beating," Kidd voiced.

"Yow! (Y/N) is SUPER red!" Franky shouted with his customary pose.

"My, poor (Y/N). I don't think we've ever seen her look like this." Robin observed with a hand over her mouth with a calm smile. "Always so confident."

"Someone kill me..." You muttered, palming your heated face to hide it. This is embarrassing. And in front of these kids! "Lucci, ya bastard! It all started when you looked at me like that!"

"You should know not to challenge me so openly," Lucci cooly replied. "And take responsibility as well for what occurred earlier."

"I don't know what you're—" You stopped, blinking rapidly as you tried to analyze his words as Luffy kept his arms stubbornly around your neck and waist. He used such violence and excessive force and was more tense like he gets when he's—. You glanced towards the injured disheveled and grumpy Law and back towards Lucci with a deep frown, a tick on your face when you connected. "Really, Lucci?! I was just showing him a technique! You didn't get like this with Ace! I don't get why you get like this with certain people sometimes, ya bastard!"

"I'm not going easy than. You need to learn how to open your eyes and understand. It's not something that needs explanation."

"Like I expected for you to just take it in the first place! You never do!"

What are they talking about? Everyone thought with a sweatdrop as you and Lucci stared at each other for a moment.

You turned towards Luffy, and patted his arms for him to let you go. The teen eventually doing so with a suspicious frown and glare at Lucci when you stated with a whisper that he just gives that look to you sometimes since your his wife. Luffy giving an exclamation that he's watching Lucci closely and you could tell Lucci was unintimidated. You ordered everyone to go inside the center to the cafeteria and set up the drinks with Robin and Killer taking charge and watch, adding for Chopper and Sanji to assist with Law and his gang with injuries. With mild confusion they eventually followed and you had to give Luffy a push and that you were gonna call the pizza place now so with a whoop he ran towards the cafeteria as his gang looked at him blankly at how easy he got distracted.

After all the kids left and you and Lucci were alone for a few minutes—once the both of you came in the cafeteria with swollen nipped lips, the kids chose not to say anything and when Luffy asked if you guys fought you just went with the simple answer of yes.

And if the next day the both of you had marks on your necks where it would be hard to hide and clearly visible to anyone—those around Lucci were wise enough to say nothing. You having to explain to Luffy individually it's a matching mark couples get to show that your each other's. If Luffy started trying to do it for all of his gang, you didn't stop him—only laughed as they screamed and yelled as Luffy tried to figure out how to give them the mark.

Every now and than Lucci came around, this time with phone calls to give you a warning and coming for the reason to see this kid that you believe is stronger than him(You could never tell him it was Luffy, especially when in private Lucci would say that the boy acted like you in a way—loud-mouthed and childish. You shrugging and saying maybe that's why they got along so well). The total being six times since you've only had this program running for ten months now and Lucci is always away at work. It was funny when you revealed that Lucci was an FBI agent—the majority of the kids flabbergasted and concerned at having someone like that near them since they are still young criminals. Bonney the most concerned since it seemed she's seen him some places. You not understanding since they are aware of Smoker, Hina, and Kuzan coming by sometimes and were all part of the police force.

You could've been with him if the incident never happened.

You turned back to the present and at your kids(they were basically yours, you will do what you must and have done what you must to protect them and guide them) with a rueful smile as Hattori gave a sad Coo.

"Ah no. Lucci isn't here...he's..."

"EH?!" Luffy shouted with wide eyes. "DID HE DIE?!" Nami and Usopp smacked his head and told him to be more sensitive with questions and to not be ridiculous. Before they looked at you in concern.

"Wait..." Nami said, face paling. "Don't tell me he actually—"

You lifted your head, looking at them oddly.

"Eh? Like that guy is ballsy enough to just leave me here alone. Even if he got shot in the heart, he's not dying. He's stubborn." You than smirked darkly making the Coward Trio with Shachi and Penguin shiver. "And I won't let him see Hell just yet. I'll drag him out if need be."

"That doesn't make sense!" Nami said.

"I think it does (Y/N)!" Luffy supplied helpfully with a raised arm. "I'm not dying either!" That earned him a chorus of "Idiot" from Kidd, Sanji, and Zoro.

"I can't tell if you're being romantic or not (Y/N)-ya. Your face looks scary."

"I'm more focused on the fact she thinks her husband is going to Hell," Zoro commented with a sweatdrop.

"That is a bit problematic," Sanji agreed with a twirl of his toothpick.

"(Y/N)-San I think is being romantic," Robin said with a calm smile, sitting atop the bleachers with a hand to her face. "You don't want him to leave you alone, yes?"

"Is that guy romantic though?" Bonney couldn't help but ask with a raised disbelieving brow.

"(Y/N) sure knows how to pick them!" Franky said with a laugh, lifting the shades off his face with a grin. "Will SUPER go to Hell for her man!"

"Yohohoho! What a scary pair!"

"Yeah, sure." Kidd said doubtfully, looking at you with a raised brow as he held a baseball bat to his shoulder. "Like that can even happen."

You huffed at them.

"It can and it will. I'm not leaving him here either. He'll figure out a way to summon me back and than kill me himself, the twisted bastard."

"Don't say that with a smile, Miss (Y/N)!" Usopp yelped. You releasing a sheepish laugh as you scratched the back of your head as Hattori gave a Coo of agreement to your words.

"So...romantic?" Shachi questioned and turned towards Penguin.

"That's supposed to be romantic?" Penguin questioned back in reply. "I rather just stick to my magazines and imagination if that's considered romantic. I clearly don't know what it means."

"I...think I get it." Bepo murmured before looking at you behind his messy white hair, expression earnest. "It's like you guys saying will die for each other, right?"

"Ohhhh, that makes sense!" Chopper said with a beam and much more calm. "I'd never think Mr. Lucci would say something like that though."

"No," You denied flatly, brows furrowing as you crossed your arms and looked at them as if they had a second head. "Dying for each other is a cop out. And stupid. Not happening."

"THAN WHAT IS IT?!" Nami, Chopper, Usopp, Kidd, Shachi and Penguin asked while Bepo muttered 'sorry' with a depressed aura, Law patting his shoulder as Luffy picked his nose with the hand not holding his bat.

You frowned and cocked your head at them, Hattori doing the same to match.

"Mahhh, you guys don't get it? Is this one of those things that Lucci said that we could only understand?" You muttered the last part looking down before looking back at them. "Dying is easy. Living is harder. And me and Lucci, well—" You grinned proudly as you scratched your cheek."—we have a special love for challenges."

They blinked. Killer released an "Oh" while Law's eyes flickered with understanding before looking down in thought. Luffy releasing a laugh at everyone's confused looks that they don't get it, Robin replying that it seems simple enough to understand.

"But anyways," you continued, dropping your hand and giving them a small smile. "Lucci has been out on his mission. He left Hattori to me since it's a long one and he's been gone for a month already. You guys haven't really come here lately or often, and when you guys do—I have Hattori fly around freely when he wants. By the way, I hope everything is alright out there?"

And just like that, the atmosphere changed. Some of them looking down in thought and concern. Your eyes narrowing.

It must be the big clans on the move. They must be feeling a lot of pressure right now in the streets.

You're glad despite your retirement, you're still aware of what's going on thanks to Smoker and Shanks. With Big Mom joining up with Kaido's clan, things are changing out there for the worst. Especially with the new clan of Teach joining up and attacking Newgate's territory—terrorizing the neighborhoods who do not wish to comply to demands or simply just because ever since Newgate's death. You're just glad you convinced Ace to leave when you did as an officer of the force years ago, you're afraid what could've happened to him if you didn't. Now to just convince these brats to do the same. They all have other dreams they want to accomplish, but for some reason they seem to be stubborn in the path they're in now.

Honestly you blame Luffy on Shanks. Kidd is also Shanks but in a different way. Bonney you think you can blame Teach but you're not sure, she's been tight lipped. Law...you don't know how to help Law. He seems determined in his vengeance.

You don't blame him. You were determined once too, until you realized that no matter how strong you are—it means nothing when you're not a higher up.

Your right knee twitched as if in agreement.

I don't wanna think about those days anymore. That's last year stuff.

"Mah, who cares about that?" You gave them a grin to relax them, moving to the net as they looked up at your form. You grabbing a baseball bat yourself. "Stupid adults doing stupid things and for what? Besides, ya'll don't gotta worry about that here. Now," you laid the baseball on your shoulder as your grin turned challenging. "Who's team am I going to be on for this game?"

Two arms raised, one connected to a redhead and the other a straw hat. They glared at each other.

This might be an issue.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"What exactly is going on out there, Smoker? I feel like you're hiding a few things from me."

"I wonder what would make me do that?" A gruff voice through your phone replied snarky. You could practically see his exasperated expression like he was in front of you. "Maybe I still remember when you were my partner and you acted reckless like you always have. Ever since we were kids. This is for the best, (Y/N). There's not that much you could do from your side anyways."

The reminder hurt and you gritted your teeth as you leaned against one of the poles holding the roof outside of the Youth Center as the sun began to set, Hattori atop your head—settled comfortably. You made the game fair by grabbing only Usopp, Chopper, Penguin and Bepo for your team. Luffy and Kidd and the others that wished to play making up the rest. With how hard you threw the ball when you were the pitcher, and how hard you batted, the other team needed everything they could to beat you. In the end, your team won to the delight of the kids. Despite Luffy and Kidd's determination to do it again, food was called by Jet(your old gang volunteered when they could when they weren't at their regular jobs. Paulie, Iceburg, Kiwi, Mozu, and Makino also helping when they could. There's also others in the area you've previously helped back when you were in the force and agent that helped so you were never truly alone in your tasks.) and the kids went to the cafeteria to eat only for Smoker to make the call to you. Asking you where you were and doing and if Lucci was back yet—the questions making you suspicious and suspecting that out there may be worse than you thought.

Still, that last bit hurt.

Smoker must've sensed it because he released a sigh.

"I'm sorry. You know I didn't mean it like that, (Y/N). It's just...you know I worry about you. With Lucci gone so much, there's one less pair of eyes to watch you. And him being gone this long..." You heard Smoker took a breath and move some papers from what you guessed was his desk at the station. Able to hear the faint murmurs of keyboards and voices but not quite hear what they were saying. It sounded busier than usual. "...I know you don't like it either, (Y/N). You shouldn't be alone. What is he even doing to be leaving you alone like this so long?"

Probably dealing with this whole Yonko problem with the agency like you, you wanted to answer but you knew you couldn't. Lucci's role in all this is important, although you are aware that Lucci also leaves out some details to you, although gives you more than Smoker. Lucci always knows what your breaking point is, when he would share what he's doing since he believes like you do that secrets isn't something that's needed between you two. But you would get this frustrated expression across your face, fists clenching and unclenching uselessly—wanting to help but not being able to ever since that incident that gave you the early retirement you never wanted. You could feel dark eyes staring at your form, and than a flutter of wings would come upon your shoulders and a feathered face rubbing against your cheeks—a heat leaning over your back and a head laying upon your other shoulder with dark curls hiding his face as he would reiterate a dark vow before lifting his head and quietly suggesting to eat at (Fave. Restaurant) or stay and watch something. You always releasing a smile you couldn't quite feel but eyes soft as you turned to look at him and bump your forehead against his—replying that as long as he was next to you, you'd be happy. With Lucci only staring at you, as if to commit your face to memory and with a look in those dark gray eyes that in the light have a hint of blue that you only know before ultimately making the decision for you.

Despite your own feelings towards Lucci, you know Smoker will never fully be friendly towards your husband.

It was worse a few years ago, at the age of 20 and one year married(Lucci wanted to do it immediately after you turned 18, practically demanded it. But you thought it was wise to date for a bit more before marrying—that you guys needed jobs and whatnot. Honestly you were just repeating what Smoker, Paulie, and Hina said and Lucci knew it. Thinking you cared too much what others thought but he understood the need for money like you did so after another year you guys did it. The party with everyone was crazy and one of the best memories. Besides you and Lucci's honeymoon of course—you remembered with a happy yet embarrassed flush.) but also two years in the force already. Lucci already higher up than you due to his connections and was in the Intel Unit, a unit that specialized in following trends of crimes and gather confidential information when it comes to organized crime and terrorists along with the rest of the disciplinary committee in it as well. Which left you to climb up the regular way with Smoker and Hina, Kuzan having his own connections apparently.

This left you with Smoker being your partner, which was amazing! Your best friend helping you kick ass and what not was great. You just wished it was Lucci, since calling him your partner was more natural and connected right and just left you feeling all sorts of things. When you expressed that, Lucci only gave you a challenging stare and for you to climb quickly and join him in the unit than if you had time to talk about it, for you to just do it(it ultimately made you give an angry retort that you'll become better than him by the end of it and it just ended with the two of you making a mess of the living room and limbs entangled on purpose with bare chests touching one another with you on top on the couch) so you did your best to do just that. You and Smoker made quite a team, solving all sorts of crimes together. From assault to simple robbery—the both of you showed a drive and specialty of seeing missing details others may have missed. As well as helping kids out in the streets caught in the middle like Ace.

But there was a change. When Lucci decided to be daring and embarrass you with marks on your neck, back when you were more shy and put bandages to hide them—Smoker would stare at them with a strange look in his eyes. His questions about you and Lucci about if he treated you right and if you were happy and that you could talk to him. It was odd but you just saw that as Smoker just being worried. Lucci was a bastard after all. It got worse when Lucci's demeanor around Smoker changed when he stopped by to your side of the station when you and Smoker were reading reports with your best friend over your shoulder as you read it—Lucci doing that cold but threatening voice of his as he asked Smoker what he was doing as he glared. You looking up confused as you stared between your best friend and husband that were glaring at each other as the station seemed to quiet with the tension. You answering Lucci that they were just reading up on something to help them with this case, but Lucci's slitted eyes never left Smoker's.

It just got odder from there.

"I wasn't asking you. I was asking him and he knows exactly what I'm referring to with that question."

You saw Smoker's jaw tighten and practically feel his need to have a cigar between his teeth despite them being inside the station.

"Careful, Lucci. Someone that proclaims to be (Y/N)'s husband should know better than to treat her that way unless you're asking for a punch to the face."

Lucci released one of his cruel smirks and you definitely knew something was wrong when he did that. Your brows furrowed in confusion as you tried to understand. This never happened when the both of you were dating in high school.

"Heh. By you?" Lucci's smirk widened as a brow arched in amusement as Smoker's eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't be able to land one. You're still wise enough to know and remember just who's (Y/N)'s husband is at least. One she chose."

"Perhaps," Smoker said tightly, "She could choose someone that won't hurt her."

"Perhaps, you guys shouldn't talk like I'm not here!" You interrupted, done trying to understand on what's occurring in front of you and in front of your coworkers as well. You don't get this. Lucci was fine with Smoker before this, and Smoker was one of the ones that helped you realize you liked Lucci in the first place back in high school. What's this animosity? "You guys are acting like idiots. What's up with you guys? Why am I the one that's actually trying to calm things down?! We're working!"

"Yes, we're working." Smoker agreed as he crossed his arms, hard brown not leaving steely gray. "We have to finish up here. Don't you need to head to your Intel Unit and do your own work instead of bothering us?"

You were sure Lucci was about to choke your best friend and do it with intent with how he tensed, making you stand up quickly and making your chair fall to the floor. You stepping in between their stares although you were short but you were hoping it could help with whatever was happening as you frowned.

"Stop it. Seriously, what's the matter with you two?"

Few beats of silence passed before Lucci finally looked down at you and met your eyes.

"...come, idiot. It's lunchtime. We need to talk." Just as his tanned hand clasped around your wrist, another one went to your shoulder. Lucci's hand flexing on your wrist slightly as he met Smoker's eyes once more in a scathing glare. "What exactly do you think you're doing, officer?"

Smoker's hand connected to your shoulder tightened slightly and your concern skyrocketed.

"I didn't hear her say yes. She's not a dog. You don't get to just call for her and expect for her to come and agree." That...that's true. But Lucci has never treated me as degrading as a dog. "(Y/N) has a choice of whether she wants to go with you or not...amongst other things."

You turned your head to stare at Smoker as Lucci only kept his glare in silence.

"Smoker, it's fine. I can meet you later to keep reading the reports. We needed a break anyways I think. My throat kinda hurts from all that reading." You threw him a calming grin only for it to falter when you noticed Smoker still looked tense and angry, his glance towards you flickering with an emotion too quick for you to catch but it caused Lucci's hold on your wrist to flex once more. "A-anyways, I'll see you in an hour yeah? Maybe after solving this case, we'll finally get that promotion. See ya soon."

With Smoker's hand twitching upon your shoulder before letting you go as you walked with Lucci, his own hand dropping from your wrist since he knew you went to him—the both of you exiting that part of the station through the door but not before Lucci through Smoker a dark look with a smirk which you caught. Smoker's fists clenching before the door closed. You asked Lucci as the two of you walked through the station to go to the parking lot and eat somewhere nearby instead of the cafeteria like always on what the heck that was about. You making comments that the both of them never talked like that between each other and what gives? Lucci only saying he'll talk once they reach the car. Once the both of you entered the vehicle, Lucci gave you a look that you could only describe as reprimand.

"How long has he been looking at you like that?"

You tilted your head.

"Like what?"

Lucci grabbed your chin and pierced his analyzing stare towards you with pressed lips, your husband was angry but you don't know why.

"Your precious friend." He said mockingly which made your eyes narrow at his tone. Not liking him seeming to poke fun of your friendship with Smoker. "Has the nerve to look at you like you're his instead of mine. As well as act like it." At your confused look, Lucci leaned towards you and gave you one of his scorching kisses that was demanding and made you automatically reach a hand and grab a fistful of his white button up long sleeve, only for him to pull away as you took a breath and furrowed your brows. "He wants to do what I just did. And I won't allow it. You're going to switch partners with someone else."

"What?" You blinked, trying to understand but you could only comprehend the last part and you did not like it at all. "I'm not switching with Smoker! And Smoker doesn't see me like that, he's Smokey. My best friend. There's just no way."

"You're blind." Lucci stated flatly, letting your chin go and instead leaning back in the car seat with a hand covering his mouth while the other grazed your shoulder. "I shouldn't be surprised. It took you so long for your own eyes to open for the two of us. Which is why I can't risk it." He peered down at you, eyes hard. "You're going to switch partners. I will make the choice for you on who with my connections if you don't do it yourself. And you're going to cut him off."

"What?!" You sat up in the chair, kneeling upon it and you think this might be your first real actual fight between you two since you've been married. Since you've even met. The insults between you two were never really meant and physical fights were just for to see who was stronger—not the actual want to harm one another. But this—. "Lucci, I can deal with a lot of things with you. But not this. You're being paranoid! Smokey doesn't think like that and I am not going to stop being around my best friend because of you. What was that even back there? You were acting like an asshole!"

Lucci's eyes narrowed at your tone, you seeming to mean it and he scoffed. Moving his hand from his face and fully turning towards you, leaning in with an elbow to your seat and the other in between them.

"Think. Although I can understand how hard that must be—," your eyes flashed and Lucci's did as well at that but he continued, cold and hard. "Think of your time together since joining up and becoming one another's partners through the force. And tell me truthfully and with no hesitation that your friend has acted like nothing but that."

You opened your mouth but paused, brows furrowing as you frowned in thought. Thinking of Smoker's odd looks at your bandages, the bruises on your wrists and forearms—whether it was by you training with Lucci at home or other things. How you would wince at times and wave Smoker off as you stated with a smile that Lucci got you good in training and Smoker's eyes in suspicion. Not aware of how Lucci had his own troubles when the both of you went to work after a previous night of fighting with one another. How you would catch Smoker's eyes quickly when you talked excitedly about this new action movie before he moved his face away—you able to recognize the fond look he always had but it had a hint of something else each time you would see it. How Smoker would make observations that you and Lucci, despite being a couple, never held hands—with you making the obvious explanation that than your hands won't be free and what if they need to use their hands to stop a sudden attack or something. Saying how cold Lucci was and him not seeming to believe you when you said he was a cold bastard but he's yours and you won't have him any other way.

You made the connections and your jaw loosened. Lucci spotting your look of realization and scoffed.

"Connected it than? Good. You need to work on your observation skills if you want to join my unit quicker."

"I...Lucci..." Lucci turned towards you at your shaky tone. "I...I think Smoker thinks you're abusing me."

Lucci stared, eyes widening a fraction at your words before narrowing.

"What? Is this what this is? He thinks you need to be rescued like a simple and weak damsel in distress?" Lucci shook his head, chuckling at the thought. "A fool. Wants to be your shining knight and rescue you. As if you need it. I didn't marry glass." He ended with a hint of disgust, as if repulsed to even think it.

You don't know how to reply. Was this the problem? Smoker underestimating you? You've never needed protection. You—who was always eager for a fight. A challenge. A thrill.

Lucci always gave you his all when training, knowing your breaking point just like you knew his if one of you decided to be stubborn and not yield. But it was only in training. Only when the both of you were fighting with purpose to better yourselves.

Never, never was a hit thrown outside of that. Outside of their fitness room or backyard when they decided they need more space. Like you'd be with someone who would hurt you just to hurt you. As if Lucci would do that.

Lucci is an annoying and arrogant bastard and shit lord. But he does not abuse you. He won't ever. Not unless he wishes to get killed by you(you think he actually might but that's a different thing).

You were never a woman of glass.

Smoker thinking that Lucci does though...and if Smoker thinks you need to be saved as if you were—you of all people...

"I have to talk to him."

Lucci glanced up to see your determined expression, head tilted up.

"What will that do? I rather you not be alone with him."

"Lucci. You trust me right?" Lucci didn't answer, only gave you a stare. "Look, I can't...just cut him away. He's my best friend. You can't make me choose between the two of you. I need both of you. I can't imagine..." You shook your head as if to erase the thought of a life with one of them not in it. "Lucci I...you know I..." you bit your lip, the words stuck in your throat as Lucci stared while you flushed. You instead looking up at him and connecting your gaze, you putting a hand to his cheek, and him raising to touch it. The familiar heat of his hand as the both of you spoke with no words. You leaning and giving Lucci a kiss of your own—softer than his own but filled with meaning like his always is, one with promise as your half lidded eyes stayed on dark gray that had that shade of blue if one just looked. You leaned back after giving him a soft pull of his lips, your thumb rubbing his cheekbone as you stared at him, foreheads touching.

"I'm yours," you reminded.

Lucci's hot hand on yours upon his cheek flexed, and his other going to curl a few strands of your hair around his fingers as he stared back.

"You're mine," he echoed quietly, and eyes ablaze before your lips met his once more. It was deep and not demanding like his earlier one but it spoke in its own way as your lips moved against each other—the heat there but not at the forefront like always. It was what spoke for them when words failed.

I'm yours, Lucci's teeth stated with a nip to your bottom lip.

You're mine, your hand spoke as it moved from his cheek to his neck, fingers carding through his hair.

Your bastard husband pulled back, releasing you as you did the same staring at you before glancing away as he leaned back into the leather car seat.

"You'll do what you want no matter what I say, idiot. I imagine you will want to handle this yourself when we get back." He looked back at you to see your strong nod, face set before he moved to grab the keys to the car and turning the ignition on as he frowned, pulling out of the parking space. "Nothing to add than. And hurry up and put your seatbelt on, the beeping is grating my ears."

You released a small smile, seeing that Lucci assented to how you want to fix this as you quickly buckled your seatbelt for the sound to stop. Lucci now actively driving away from the police parking lot.

"Thanks, bastard." Lucci said nothing but he did release a hand from the wheel and flick your ear, making you yelp and curse at him with more heat. He gave you a sadistic glance at that before turning back to the road. "Ahhh, wait! Where are we gonna eat today? That Kano Chinese wasn't so bad last time but that Toto Cafe..."

Your voice continued the chatter as you laid out the options, Lucci adding his critical comments here and there and he would prefer if they didn't have to go to eat fast food due your indecision. Him in the end having to pick for you once more and the both of you eating quickly as you sat in a table in front of one another, you trying to fill the silence to not focus on your worry of your talk with Smoker with Lucci allowing it, him idly pinching your nose when you got silent and making you distracted as you cursed at him as his lips would curl in amusement. Eventually, you guys ate and went back to the station. You giving a nod to Lucci before he turned and left back in the direction of his unit location with hands in his pockets. You heard from your coworkers that Smoker went to the Old Record Room, that was mostly used by others to clear one's head or gather extra office supplies or old clothes that were never retrieved from the lost and found.

You entered the dusty room, seeing Smoker hunched in of the small desks and chair and back to you.

"Found me, huh?" Smoker spoke, and his voice sounded off as he looked over his shoulder to meet your worried expression before turning back. "Surprised that man is letting you talk to me, considering how he is and how he's been acting. Does he know?" You opened your mouth to answer and took a step but your best friend continued. "I can't imagine him letting you anywhere close or alone. He's always been possessive. I should've known..."

"Smoker," you took another step to him, frowning and a mere few feet away from him. The room was small. "I'm going to ask straight. Do you think Lucci is abusive?"

Smoker tensed, and turned in his seat to look at you.

"You don't? I see the bruises, (Y/N). And you sometimes have a hard time walking around." Your eyes widened and Smoker caught it, flushing. "You know what I mean! Look, I know you say it's from the both of you fighting. You guys have always fought, since high school. But this...this is excessive, (Y/N). This isn't..."

You don't recall Smoker having so hard a time speaking to you before. He's hiding, and frustrated. His face is tight and appears as if he wants to just say what he wants but is holding back.

"What is it?" You asked, feeling frustrated and out of sorts. Smoker knows your fighting nature. "Do you think I can't take that bastard if need be?"

"That's not what I'm talking about and you know it."

"Than what are you talking about?!" Smoker's jaws clenched at your incredulous tone. "Lucci does know by the way that I'm talking to you, Smobaka! You're making it seem like he's someone he's not."

"Who's the one out of the two of us that insults him?" You frowned at his sharp tone, brows furrowing. "You can't say anything about that can you? You must know that this isn't normal, (Y/N)."

"We both know what we really are and that's all there is to it."

You were struck with Lucci's words to you back when you confessed(and you guess when he confessed too, in his bastard way) and his other hints to you that others wouldn't understand the both of you. You knew you and Lucci weren't exactly normal for a couple.

Heck, your strength isn't normal at all. And you've never been normal yourself.

You're loud, obnoxious, and you speak your mind no matter what your mouth might say. You've enjoyed fighting since you could remember. It's what made your heart race, especially when you held the sword that your father made back when he was around. You would picture yourself carrying a larger one though, large and thick and taller than you. But this one was nice. Exceptional in your kendo lessons your mother took you to before her death. And than you were taken in by Smoker's parents and later Garp who would become your teacher in later years. You eventually had to replace your sword with a pipe however, when your need for fighting and adrenaline took you to the streets. You didn't want to kill anyone. So it was pipes, fists and kicks for you.

But Lucci wasn't normal either.

Cold, arrogant, and a sadistic bastard. Quick with insults and rare, if ever, with compliments that weren't backhanded. With a pigeon that liked to peck but be pet upon his shoulder. Watchful of Hattori. And a man who believes respect must be earned and not given. And enjoyed the thrill of fighting just as much as you. You think you only seen him smiling when fighting or when he was planning something with you that in the end always made you fill with heat.

The both of you shouldn't work. But the both of you did. Despite the insults and the constant verbal fights. That's just how the both of you were. You can't imagine anything else.

Maybe it wasn't normal for others, but it's how it shall and always will be with you two.

But the fact that your own best friend can't see or make sense of it. Even thinking the worst.

Your jaw and your heart clenched.

You didn't like it.

"Normal?" You repeated, saying the word as if you tried to understand but failing. "I was never normal, SmoBaka. Not when we were kids with me fighting everybody in the playground going on a rampage with you trying to either calm me down or help me and not now. Paulie was right in saying I was a fighting freak. And Lucci is one too. He is not someone who will do what you're suggesting. You think I would let him? What kind of person do you think I am, Smoker?! I'm not someone who needs protection!"

"What's so wrong with that?" Smoker toned, hard and it made you blink as he stood. You having to raise your head to look at him now. "What's wrong with reaching a hand and accepting help?" You were struck with a sense of nostalgia at those words, as if you've heard them before as your brows furrowed deeply. "I was there to help if you needed it when we were kids. And I'm here now. And frankly, I don't think that asshole deserves you."

"Help and protection are two different things, SmoBaka." You corrected, throat getting tight as you stared at Smoker and finally managed to catch his eyes. "And I think you're being an idiot on which one is which. I don't mind help. But you're protecting me from someone that won't ever do what you're assuming! Unless he wants his dick cut off. I do get tempted sometimes though—"

"This isn't a joke, (Y/N)." Smoker took a step towards you and he was a mere arm's length away now. You could see his chest below his police officer uniform moving with each quick breath he's taking which has been quickening since you've entered. "Paulie may be right sometimes, but not with this."

Your mind clicked as you crossed your arms.

"You talked to Paulie about your assumptions." Smoker said nothing but did look away with eyes flickering and you shook your head. "I—Smoker, if someone like Paulie who's known Lucci longer than all of us says that he isn't the type to do this, than you must know. This is...I don't know how to explain it to you. The bastard is a lot of things, but in the end, he's my bastard husband. Just like how you're an idiot but you're my best friend." You ended with a soft smile only for Smoker's face to scrunch up and making your brows furrow as he bowed his head. You heard him murmur something but didn't make it out. "Wha? I can't hear you."

Smoker lifted his head and hard to read chocolate met concerned (e/c).

"You really love Lucci despite everything you say, huh?"

You swallowed and nodded.

"I love him. But listen, Smoker—"

Smoker inhaled deeply.

"Than I think it's best if we switch. I...I don't think I can do this anymore." Smoker moved to step passed you so you couldn't see his eyes as your heart dropped and instead fear grew as your eyes widened.

You stopped him with a hand to his forearm, tight.

"W-what?! What are you talking about?! You—you can't switch!" You were scared. You're scared Smoker wants to do what Lucci suggested for you to do. A horrible suggestion really. "You're my best friend! I can't imagine someone else here. We still have to solve that case together and than we can get promoted and—"

"But you can imagine someone else," Smoker quietly cut you off, voice a mere murmur but it shut you up more than his yells and made you cold. "You want to be with him in Intel right? You always preferred to call each other partners back when you guys were dating before you became partners in life. Maybe you can be partners in crime as well. That's what you want."

"Wh-Smoker." You don't like how defeated he sounds. Nor how he's making this seem like—. You tightened your hold on his forearm, moving your other hand to join it. "I—I don't like how you're talking. You're being weird! Who am I supposed to complain to about the bastard? Talk about Vikings or the next John Wick movie?!" Smoker's shoulders looked hunched and tense as you went on but you continued, desperate. "We—Ace! Ace still needs our help! We can reach him and fix his path together, b-but he needs both of us! I—" You swallowed thickly, eyes starting to water as you bowed your head and held him tightly like he will disappear. "...I can't lose you."

"...what will you have me do, (Y/N)?" Smoker turned his head to look down at you over his shoulder, eyes in defeat as you peered up at him. And than you saw it. What Lucci saw as Smoker gave you a crumple of a smile. "You know it don't you? Just like I do. You won't love me like you do Lucci. Not like me. This is for the best. For both of us. For everyone."

He moved his arm away and from the shock, you released the hold from him and moved towards the door only for legs to get swept under him and for him to fall.

"Shit, (Y/N)—what—" Smoker moved to lay back on his elbows and look at you only to freeze, eyes widening.

You stood with fists clenched to your sides and tears falling down, biting your lip as you shook.

"SMOBAKA!" You cried with closed eyes, shaking your head, anger and sadness rolling over you. "You may not act like each other but you guys are really...really alike. I...love you, you SMOBAKA! It may be different from Lucci but I...I cant...I cant—" You sobbed, raising your fists to clear the tears away as you tried to steady your voice and keep blurry eyes on your idiot friend on the floor to make sure he doesn't leave. "You...you were there before anyone else...I was alone... I—I really hated being alone but...b—but than this stupid kid came and—I just didn't feel that emptiness anymore...I...you're my best friend...you—you know me. So why...why are you going to leave like him?"

Smoker's eyes widened, heart clenching.

"(Y/N), I—"

"SHUT UP!" You shouted, voice raw and hurting and you feel like you look like a mess. Snot starting to drip no matter how much you sniffled or tried to clear it with your hands along with your tears, it just kept coming. "You...I can't imagine a life without you...but you're making me choose and I just—" You covered your face falling to the floor in a kneel as you bowed your head. "Why...do I have... idiots for a partner and Nakama?! I'M SUPPOSED TO BE THE STUPID ONE, REMEMBER?!" You put your head to the floor and cried, sobbing and sniffling. Not understanding.

You love both of them. You know and understand Smoker's feelings, but he can't just leave from your life. He can't.

He's Smoker. Nakama. Your first one.

He's...

You felt a large hand on your shoulder as you sniffled, another one to your back and you got the message. Moving to instead cry to your best friend's chest and he did that stupid awkward pat he always did while hugging. You felt more than heard him sigh as you cried.

"I'm...I'm sorry, (Y/N). I never meant to—" he cut himself off, taking another breath before continuing, voice soft. "You're right. I'm an idiot. But...I still feel like switching is a good idea." You tensed and went to move back, but his firm hold stopped you as he gave you another pat. "No, listen. I'm not leaving you. You can talk my ear off like always. Shouting in my ear about this or that. Just...after this case...I feel like this is for the best. I need time, (Y/N). Even now I..." You leaned back at that, moving a little away from his hold as you looked at him through red-rimmed watery eyes.

"You promise?" You croaked, voice a mess and weak but wanting to hear him say it.

Smoker's eyes softened, putting a hand to your head and ruffling your hair.

"Anyone would be an idiot to leave you alone. You need more than one pair of eyes watching you. Who knows what could happen?"

You scowled under his hand, tears seeming to stop at that.

"Hey!"

Smoker chuckled and you couldn't help but join, at ease. Moving to stand up as Smoker did the same. You and him now trying to fix yourselves, mostly your face and his shirt before going outside.

While outside the door, Lucci was leaning by the doorframe with arms and legs crossed. His face hidden by his top hat but lips were in a thoughtful frown. He than fixed his hat and leaned away from the wall, going back to his side of the station since everything seemed to be resolved with his soft idiot. And perhaps he should give more credit to your foolish officer friend, he didn't have to talk to him after all. You would not like if he would twist your arm's friend as a warning and threat. Or slam him against the wall with his hand around the man's throat. Either way, Lucci walked amongst the station as others gave him a wide berth and kept their eyes down to not stare at the famed man's cold and reserved expression, he will have to see what he can do in his end.

After that and after you and Smoker solved the auto theft case that actually turned into a murder case and turn the criminal in—Smoker and you became detectives after only two years of being in the force. Smoker switching to get Hina who was also a detective now and you getting a girl younger even than you called Isuka who had orange hair and was quite a diligent girl. It took a long time for you to adjust, you were sad but Smoker kept his promise and you guys would still hang out with Paulie when you could. And you still saw him around the station. Lucci saying you were being cruel without realizing it and to not touch your best friend much for awhile, you found it ridiculous but you eventually understood(although you remember Lucci also adding that you're a temptress but you just ignored that. It made you feel funny.).

Touching someone you love that'll never be yours must be hard.

Eventually, things changed. Lucci starting to study for a degree in criminal justice and him eventually persuading for you to do the same(it took a lot of persuading, you hate school) through an online course after another year and you and Isuka interacting with Ace a lot and his gang—trying to persuade and help him. You eventually becoming a sergeant and than finally getting into the Intel unit. Although you have to start small and couldn't work with Lucci as partners because of your relationship—it was still fun! A lot of fighting and information gathering(that wasn't really fun but you eventually got really good at it and woah there's a special fighting technique here?!) and having Kumadori as a partner was weird. Another two years passing with Lucci getting bold at times in the workplace when the both of you were at the station and alone in a corner(this still makes you embarrassed and flustered but your heart pumping at the same time) and you solving cases—running into Newgate's gang and Kaido's and getting flabbergasted at Shanks somehow being involved as well as Mihawk as an independent contractor also so Crocodile isn't just a businessman apparently same with Doflamingo and geez Garp is getting insane and woah Hina has liked Smoker for awhile and he likes her back and yay they're dating—the unit finally being actually revealed as a test for FBI agents and they were doing well.

You and the others than transferring to another part of the Grand Line City in a county called Guanhao which isn't that far from the police station of Ford county. Meeting the boss Spandine and getting assigned into all sorts of crazy missions and you could actually be free to work with Lucci now and—

And than the purple booger came.

A look that made you shudder for your reports and made you wonder how you were always alone with your boss when he did that.

But looks were nothing. And this job was everything you love and you're actually having Ace leave with the resources and Lucci loves this job too. You can handle it.

And than...

A punch after a touch too close, he deserved it!

Dark eyes widening and narrowing and you've never seen Lucci so angry and tense but unable to do much, because strength means nothing in politics.

And than—

A mission you thought was easy, didn't need help. It was simple. Everyone else was busy anyways and Lucci was away trying to—a pain so great. An ambush. A barrage of punches but also of bats and crowbars. You won but your right knee ached. Muscles unable to work and damn it hurts—you're useless!

Hospitals. Surgeries. A scar. A need for a miracle to move again like you did before—

And...

A sneering smile you want to break. A chance of another transfer ripped. Strength means nothing when you're not the one making the rules. A dark vow made.

...

The need to move. To create. To help. For peace to those who have trouble getting it.

You really don't want to think about that anymore. Nonetheless, your knee itched. You ignored it as you tightened the hold on your phone as Hattori moved from the top of your head to your shoulder and gave you a helpful Coo and rub to your cheek, still leaning against the pole as you spoke with Smoker. Trying to think of how to respond to his question of Lucci's possible whereabouts and mission.

"Ya don't gotta worry about it, Smokey," you answered instead. "And besides, I'm not alone. I got Hattori with me here, ya know! I feel like he's helping in watching me. Right, Hattori?"

Hattori gave a loud confirming Coo and Smoker sighed.

"Really...well, how are the kids over there? You watching that one called Luffy?"

You chuckled.

"They're alright. They're eating whatever Jet's given them. Luffy probably eating six plates of it," at this you released a laugh. "It's almost time for them to leave and than just gotta clean up and I just gotta go home and relax." Smoker released a hum, but for some reason your ears picked up it sounded pleased. Your eyes narrowed in suspicion before shaking your head. "Anyways, how's Hina?"

Smoker released a sigh through his nose but you could hear the smile.

"That woman keeps hackling me to go back to Las Vegas again. She really has a gambling problem. Wants to kidnap you too to join in."

"Pfft, she knows I'm horrible in those types of games. She just wants to steal my money for herself to buy herself some cocktails." Smoker agreed with a chuckle with your words as you smirked. "I still can't believe you proposed in front of a gas station, ya Smobaka. That's not romantic at all!"

"Shut up," you could picture Smoker's flush on his cheeks. "You have no right to talk. Didn't Lucci immediately demanded to you back when we were in school when we reached the gates? He didn't even have a ring or kneel. Actually, you guys fought after that. You still want to talk about romance?"

You flushed remembering how Lucci just leapt over the gates and landed in front of you, Smoker, and Paulie. Hattori cooing and flying overhead happily. The other students turning as you tensed, wondering what your boyfriend was planning only for you to freeze with your heart to your throat of how his eyes pierced yours and kept you there despite Paulie's shout and Smoker's questions.

Lucci fixing a piece of your hair, skin grazing your own as you flushed at his look as he simply said "Marry me." It made your breath hitch and heart skip a beat as the people around you whooped and yelled in surprise but you could only stare with round eyes as his hand stayed by your head and touching your ear and you just started stuttering like an idiot. Lucci frowning and saying you were taking too long and everyone is gonna be late, Paulie yelling at Lucci that we were all just kids and how can they get married but Lucci just ignored them as he stared at your flustered state before turning and telling you to meet him in the roof for a punishment at lunchtime. You quickly changing into an angry scowl of what that meant.

Paulie and Smoker telling you that this wasn't a good idea and your classmates—hearing of what occurred—some saying that they never thought Lucci was so passionate with Gatherine grumbling in the background about how it should be her instead. You also getting advice from Hina, Shanks, Makino, and Mihawk although Shanks just said to do what makes you happy so you don't think Shanks cared about everyone's age or the fact high schoolers want to marry. It touched you and than lunch came, you grumbling but still going to the roof, you opening the door only to be immediately met with a punch from Lucci and having to dodge, and dodge more as you angrily yelled at him what exactly he was doing but still fought him back. After all, even dating you guys still fought since you still broke the rules. You eventually actually losing since he put you on the ground, your chest heaving and you panting as he had you in a hold you couldn't escape—all while Lucci stared at you still that made heat pool in your stomach and made you flush as his head was over you.

"You never decided on the punishment for managing to get the upper hand in our fight after your odd attempt to confess." You flushed but was confused of where he was going with this. You thought he would ask you again to marry him. "So I decided to choose it for you. Marry me." Your breath hitched again and Lucci's lips lifted into that dark charming smirk of his that you hate(love) as you flushed and blood thrummed underneath your skin. "I can't imagine a worse fate than being with an idiot like you for the rest of my life. I rather not wait so hurry up."

You...weren't sure how to take that. Your expression must've showed it too cause your brows furrowed as well as twitched as you scowled.

"Did you just insult me while proposing ya bastard—"

He cut you off with a kiss that was scorching and made you inhale, you wishing to move your hands to grab and touch him but his hold on you was strong so you could do nothing but release a whine as his tongue swept over yours. You than remembered what he said and so you grabbed his bottom lip and nip sharply in retaliation. Making Lucci pull back slightly, your foreheads touching, his lips pulled into a dark smile with blood coming from where you bit. Your eyes on the redness and you're sure your pupils were blown wide when Lucci licked his lips and you felt like your heart was going to pump out of your chest when you lifted your eyes to meet his own dilated ones that looked carnivorous.

"Mmm, not bad." His lips than fell into its regular flat line, eyes still ravenous but holding a serious gleam. "You need to answer. It should be simple. There's only one clear answer."

Your jaw slackened but you instead swallowed, looking to the side as you thought of what everyone said.

"Listen, Lucci I—"

"Wrong." He said before going to your ear and biting and sucked which made you gasp, glaring at the side of his head. For hating to get interrupted he sure did it a lot to you. He released but kept his mouth by your ear. "I only need one word."

He than moved onto your neck, placing nips and harsh kisses and hitting the spot that made you want to grab him and flip them over so you can enact revenge and have him groan cause the spot made you release a noise of pleasure. But you can't cause he still has you tight under his hold, your arms and legs restrained—wrists above your head and held with one hand while a forearm laid on your arms as extra hold with a leg kneeling over both of your calves.

"L-Lucci," you gasped, flustered and felt like you were on fire, both inside and outside your body. You licked your lips and you could taste copper—Lucci's blood from your bite passing over your tongue as well as the taste of sweat from the fight. Just like the day you punched that wall and fought and beat the arrogant bastard in order to tell him your feelings. You closed your eyes shut when he passed over the spot in your neck once more—sensual and searing this time and you really wanted to just speak and explain before you tell him your answer. But Lucci lifted his mouth but his lips still brushed against your neck that made goosebumps appear as he said it was the wrong word although in the right direction but you could tell he was getting impatient due to his eyes that flashed towards you and tightening his hold on you to keep you down as he leaned back once more—hard dark gray boring into yours.

"You're taking too long. That apprehensive to say to everyone you're mine?"

You bristled, widening your eyes before narrowing.

"What?! No, you idiot I just—"

"What's the problem than?" He interrupted coldly and man thats it.

You gritted your teeth and head butted him hard—just like when you first met. His grip on your wrists loosened as he winced in surprise, you quickly using your free arms to push him off you and now straddling him as you scowled at him.

"Bastard! You keep interrupting me even though you hate it when others do it ya damn hypocrite!" You kept your hands on his shoulders and you didn't really keep him in a hold but you did pressed you rounding foreheads together as Lucci stared with narrowed eyes. "You think it's just you that wants to say to everyone something? You don't think I want to say that you're mine and only mine either?!" Lucci's jaw loosened but you continued, fiery (e/c) on analyzing dark gray. "For a shitty know it all prick, you act pretty dumb too." His eyes narrowed into slits as he growled but you tsked, grabbing a fistful of his suit, foreheads still pressed and lips brushing against each other's as you just spoke with your gut. "Don't you do that, let me finish. You're mine and I'm yours. So the answer is an obvious yes but we have to think this through—"

He grabbed your chin and kissed you once more, it was deep and made your eyes widen because it actually softened as his other hand rested at your waist before growing in intensity once more as that hand went under your shirt and skin met skin before he released you with lips quirked.

"Think?" He spoke lowly, voice tingling your spine with its smoothness as his lips curled more in amusement. "What's there to think? You never do."

"Bastard," you growled this time before shaking your head at him, leaning back slightly from him as he moved to sit up. As much as he could, you still straddled him but he kept his hand on your waist as you tried to explain everything that your friends said and they must wait a little more and the both of you need jobs at least and your own place(you flushed at this and Lucci's lips quirked before falling once more as you continued) and you kept going despite his scoffs and disinterested eyes of what you were saying and that the both of you need rings in order to be official and show off to everyone that your partners and that means money. Lucci realizing your friends must've told you all this but either way, he assented except—

"We already did what we needed in order to show everyone." You quirked a brow and he grinned darkly, the hand not on your waist moving to your ear. "We made marks to one another. That's all we need for now."

You moved your hand to your ear, touching the tips of Lucci's fingers as you did so as your eyes narrowed.

"Huh? Wait—I didn't mark you. W-what are you talking about?"

Lucci's hand on your ear moved to your lips, thumb brushing against them as you flushed with his dark gaze on you.

"You bit me." He explained simply. "And drew blood. Just like I did. We'll do this until we get the proper tools."

Your expression faltered, turning into panicked embarrassment and confusion.

"W-WHA?! We're not vampires, bastard! And wh-what do you mean do this until—IS MY EAR RED?! Oh no, everyone's going to see and know! THIS IS EMBARRASSING, WE CAN JUST WAIT!"

"That's the only way. And stop yelling, you're in my face," Lucci reminded, hands gripping your waist in warning as you moved atop him and he hissed. "Idiot. Be careful. You speak of embarrassment but you're in a dangerous position right now."

You blinked from your yells and sputters, bewildered at what he meant only to feel it at your rear. You flushed in embarrassment and went to leap away but both his hands now gripped your waist to keep you there as a sadistic gleam appeared in his eyes when you looked up.

"You won't escape this that easily. You took too long in answering."

"Wh-WHO'S FAULT WAS THAT?!" You retorted with a flush as Lucci leaned towards you once more, still with that gleam full of sadistic glee and pleasure as he smiled dangerously. Having a hand to his chest and the automatically to the back of his neck to touch his hair. "W-wait, let's at least eat! It's still lunch time!"

Lucci looked as if lunch was the last thing in his mind as his hand on your waist below your shirt grazed upwards and you froze, breath hitching.

Only for the door to the roof once more slam open, by the same person who strode with a happy grin.

"It's almost class time guys— WOAH!" You sprung backward but Lucci kept his hold on you as his expression darkened. Turning his head to face the wide eyed and flushed Shanks. "So you said yes and we're skipping to the honeymoon? Dahahaha! That's a little weird to do that here though! Didn't think you would risk getting caught, Mr. Head."

Lucci growled, a Coo being heard above making you look up to see Hattori land on Lucci's shoulder once more. Lucci glanced at you and roved his eyes over your form before releasing you and straightening your clothes as he stood up and did the same. Brushing imaginary dust off of himself like he always does and you stood as well, a hand to your face in embarrassment.

"Red-Hair, you have horrible timing." Lucci stated coldly, tone back into his collected one as he grabbed his hat off the floor that fell from their fight and putting it on. "I feel as if you were seeking more than simply telling us out of the kindness of your heart lunch was almost over."

Shanks tilted his head, his smile turning into that calm one as he stared.

"Oh? Maybe," He than turned towards you, his lips softening as he did so. "You alright, (Y/N)? You sure got a weird partner or whatever you said you guys were."

"Leave them be, Red Hair," a new voice spoke, in the shadows of the door to the roof as a cool voice wafted in the air behind Shanks. "You have an odd way to check on others."

You recognized the voice.

"Mihawk?" You called, the said young man appearing next to Shanks in the light now with lips in a flat line. Your friend that you practiced and did kendo with in the kendo club and showed off your sword to him. You were so embarrassed. "G-guys...really it's alright. We sorted it out...I-I appreciate it though. I am pretty hungry."

"Worked out an appetite from all that activity, huh?" Shanks said with a charming smile and you flushed making him laugh. "Dahahaha! You guys sure are weird, eh Mihawk?"

Mihawk said nothing, only looked at you—gold eyes searching only for you to have Lucci's back suddenly blocking you.

"Didn't peg you as the nosy type, Hawk Eyes." Lucci toned and you couldn't see but you feel like the bastard's eyes are narrowed. "The idiot doesn't need either of your concerns. She can watch herself, fools."

You moved around Lucci's back looking at him oddly.

"Why do you compliment me so weird, bastard? I can't tell."

"You can't notice anything even if it was a foot in front of you."

"OI!"

"That was an insult," Mihawk pointed out as Shanks nodded.

"Like I said. Weird."

Now that you thought back on it, Lucci acted oddly with Mihawk too until he eventually stopped and just acted how he normally did to everyone else—cold, reserved and collected. Really they were similar in some ways like that. Everyone was weirded out the both of you came out looking like you guys fought, maybe it wasn't romantic at all with the proposal.

But you saw Lucci once again asking you the place you first confessed did something to your heart. And maybe—maybe, if you saw through his words about being with you as a punishment—it was actually...you don't know what it was. But it was very Lucci and bastardlike. Through the years, you eventually grew to secretly love it. You can't tell anyone though. And if Lucci somehow sees through you and knows—you just hope he keeps staying silent with it.

The proposal perhaps wasn't romantic. But it was very them. And you liked it.

"Shut up!" You retorted with a small flush before noticing the sun was setting. "Ah, I gotta go and make sure the kids leave okay and gotta clean up. And don't worry, Smokey. I'm just gonna relax tonight. Are we still on heading to Paulie's tomorrow?"

"Yeah. And alright, I need to leave too. See ya, (Y/N)."

"See ya, Smokey."

The both of you hung up, you staring at your phone in thought before turning towards Hattori who had a tilted head.

"I feel like Smokey thinks I'm going to get in the middle of whatever's going to go down tonight, Hattori. Do you think he was acting suspicious too?"

Hattori gave a Coo, fluttering his wings in answer as you frowned, putting your phone away and entering the building to head to the cafeteria.

"Yeah...weird. Let's make sure everybody has eaten and they're cleaning up after themselves. I hope Luffy didn't start a food fight again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The cafeteria turned out alright, you moving through everyone and talking to them. And it was time for them to go, you noticing their different expressions of apprehension but also some determination. It made your suspicions rise but you can't ask, this place was for them to escape the outside. Not to bring them in. So after you escorting them out along with Jet and Wes, making sure they got on their respective vehicles whether it was the public bus stop in front of the center or their cars. You and your old stubborn raven haired blue eyed right hand man and quiet chestnut haired with equally light brown eyes cleaned up. Sharing your concerns with them lightly about what's going on but since Jet and Wes focus more on their mundane life now, they aren't sure themselves. You waved them off to leave, them eventually doing so after you saying you just gotta lock up and you're fine.

You just about locked the doors to the back entrance with a click, checking and double checking it was locked.

"Hey, (Y/N)—!"

You turned and swung your fist before analyzing the voice making Hattori fly overhead with a coo, their head moving to dodge with a surprised yelp before you analyzed who it was with wide eyes.

"Shanks?! What's wrong with you?! Don't sneak up on me like this, I could've caved your face in, ya know!"

Shanks lifted his head, giving you a sheepish smile and your annoyance immediately fell at it.

"Ahh, sorry (Y/N)! Guess I shouldn't have sneaked up on you like that."

"No kidding," You said, putting the keys to the door in your pocket before putting a hand to your hip and arching a brow. Hattori landing back on your shoulder with a huffing Coo and you giving a scratch to his chest in apology. "You really like to cut it tight when it comes to be being seen by the kids. What do you expect me to do if Luffy spots you one day? Or Kidd? Oh man...Kidd..."

Shanks gave a dismissive wave with a laugh.

"It's fine! You know I'm careful! Besides, I feel like they'll spot me one day. And I can just say I'm one of the donors for this awesome place. Nothing can go wrong with that right?"

You shook your head, smiling despite yourself before gesturing for them to walk to the front gates of the building. Shanks walking with you as you spoke.

"The last thing I need is for that to happen. A Youth Center to help prevent gangs or help them out of it being helped by the clans of the city." You glanced at Shanks than, eyes serious despite the pigeon on your shoulder. "Speaking of them...will I see a sudden drop of funds soon?"

Shanks didn't look your way, but you can spot that calm smile anywhere as they walked.

"Yeah. But it'll get fixed soon." Shanks than turned his head towards you smile widening to a grin. "And we can always keep this place up after! I'm sure you can get donations from the people in the city. Your center is pretty famous, (Y/N). You've done a good job."

You released a noncommittal hum, mind whirring as you stared at your old friend. Hattori staring at him along with you.

"You're hiding something...the kids and how they were acting. Smoker's call. And I know you tend to drop in randomly here without calling but..." You stopped and Shanks stopped with you, his eyes focusing on yours with that relaxed gleam. "Shanks. Just how big of a fix in this city is there going to be?"

The both of you stared at one another for a few beats before Shanks lifted his hand and placed it on your head, your eyes widening in surprise at the action.

"Mah, (Y/N). Always a worrywart under that tough act you try to show," Shanks ruffled your hair as he said this with his teasing warm tone and the action immediately made you melt away. He's only done this a few times, but each time he's done it—it seems like you can just fully depend on the red haired. A deep set trust that perhaps transcends time, since you only feel like this with a few others and only in specific situations like this. "You don't have to worry. New World is gonna be changed soon for good. For everyone. I don't really like being involved anymore anyways. I have Makino and my cute Gryphon to take care of."

You lifted your eyes under your lashes to meet his, a sincere smile playing on his lips and you couldn't help but release a small smile back. Taking off his hand from your head, his hand back to his side while yours rubbed the back of your neck.

"Jeez, Shanks. You mess up my hair when you do that you know."

"Eh? You do your hair? I never knew that! It always looked unkempt."

"Shanks!" You gasped playfully as Shanks laughed before flinching when all of a sudden Hattori started pecking the man's head as Hattori flew above as your jaw loosened. "Hattori! Come on Hattori! Why do you always attack people?"

"I don't think—ouch!" Shanks stopped when Hattori nearly pecked his eye out, hands waving about to try to keep the bird at bay as Hattori released angry coo's. "Maa, he's just like our old Mr. Head!" You managed to grab Hattori gently as you gave him gentle admonishment after you threatened him with no beans for dinner, before placing him on your shoulder only for him to move to your head. Laying himself on it like a nest with your hair, his head high and seeming to look down at the red hair as Shanks could only laugh at the look. "He's pretty smart, aren't you? By the way, how is Mr. Head? Got any calls from him?"

At your melancholic smile, Shanks released a calm one back to you.

"Mr. Head must be dealing with a lot than. You really don't have to worry at all than, (Y/N). There's more hands in the pie than one would think."

"Isn't it a finger in every pie?" You questioned with an arched brow, the both you moving to continue to walk as Shanks tilted his head and placed a hand under his chin.

"Is it? I prefer cake much more myself. Or something even better!" Shanks released a grin. "Sake! Even rhymes with cake."

"Pfft, yeah okay," You shook your head at him, starting to feel more at ease. Shanks just somehow always did that. "Sake and cake don't even rhyme at all. Don't you hear how we're pronouncing it? And there's not that many sakes like how there's many cakes or pies."

Shanks gasped this time, a hand to his chest.

"How can you say that? Maybe if you weren't such a lightweight—you'd know there's plenty of different sakes! And sake does rhyme with cake!"

You rose a brow at how he pronounced sake this time, laughing at him.

"Why are you saying it like that? It's 'Sah-kee' not 'Saik'. That's not gonna change! Maybe if you said shake."

"I do love shakes too, although not as much as Makino. I think Makino can outshake me even in sake."

You giggled, pushing his arm slightly as Shanks grinned.

"No one can out sake you, Shanks. They'll die if they try."

"Guess we'll never know than! Dahahaha!"

You and Shanks continued joking around as you locked the main gate, laughing at each other's ridiculous jokes. After he walked you to your car, laying a hand on your shoulder and squeezing in his goodbye and it was nice seeing you—you drove back to your house. Hattori in the passenger seat besides you in his cage for his safety although you know he hates it. Better safe than sorry.

Despite how Shanks put you at ease, you still couldn't shake it.

There seemed to be a planned all out war tonight. That's the only explanation. Smoker. Shanks. Lucci. The kids.

They better not be caught in the crossfire, you don't think they'll be handle the big clans. They're still young and inexperienced despite what you've heard and seen. This would be too much.

You tsked as you drove, night out in the streets with the street lights guiding your way back to your home. Your silver midsize SUV with its powerful high beams also assisting whenever you judged a street was too dark. Hattori turning his beady eyes towards you at the sound, giving a questioning Coo towards you before you told the bird that it's okay.

You really hate being in the sidelines.

You finally reached your one floor Cape Cod house, colored white with black and navy blue undertones in the vinyl sliding and the roof that was shown to greet you with its equal navy blue four panel door. The front porch light turning on sensing you as you got out the car with Hattori in tow. You locked it and assess your surroundings like you always did due to practiced caution, pausing when you noticed a car parked on the street several houses away from you before continuing.

Only for you to pause again as you walked when you looked at the ground, but only slightly for you continued to go towards the door. Unlocking it despite Hattori's suspiciously quiet nature now, before you entered after immediately turning on the lights on the wall. You locked the door behind you, as well as lowering Hattori and releasing him from his cage.

You tapping your shoulder and the pigeon listening easily, you moving to stretch your arms as you smiled.

"Ahhhh! It's good to be home, now let's feed you Hattori. Can't have you hungry right?" Hattori didn't answer until you glanced at him, giving a convincing innocent coo as you moved towards the kitchen and opening the fridge. "Yeah, you gotta eat. And than I gotta release you to fly a little bit outside. Can't have you shitting everywhere."

Hattori tilted his head at you but you kept your head forward to the open fridge, the door blocking from the halls beside you so your eyes roved over your countertop. Taking note of the kitchen utensils and glancing at the magnet knife bar above the toaster before turning back to the fridge and just grabbing a random dinner box and putting it in the microwave to heat it up. You than moving to open a cupboard above you, taking out a bag of dried beans for Hattori and placing some in a plate in the island countertop behind you.

Hattori looking at your quirked lips and hard to read eyes before flying to go to the island. You moved to the sliding door by the dining room table next to the kitchen, "After that, you gotta get out and do your stuff Hattori."

Hattori poked around his food but did successfully peck some eventually.

You than grabbing a piece of paper and writing on it, rolling it up afterwards. Making sure it stayed in its rolled up form with a piece of rubber band before tying it to Hattori's leg. Once you did, Hattori fluttered his wings and flew through the sliding door just as a man stepped through the hall that lead to you and Lucci's bedroom, a gun pointing towards you level with your chest as you stood behind the island still with your lips quirked.

"Cute bird," the man said, voice quietly in a voice you guess was going for smoky but it just came out grating. Brown suit looking it needs to be ironed and perhaps a few more shades lighter along with the brown trim on the man's fedora hat. "Why don't you come with us, little lady? We don't want to take any drastic measures and scare you off."

As the man said that, he drew closer and you noticed another man behind him. This time having a gray suit and a gray trim on his fedora to match—his own gun pointing towards you but this one looked like it shot darts instead based on how it looked.

"Little lady huh?" You repeated, lips still up as you leaned against the island with your hands. "Was that a compliment? Couldn't quite tell. Since you're basically a walking shit talking. What makes you think I'm going to go with you?"

Instead of the man sputtering like you thought, he laughed along with gray guy behind him.

"You're coming with us no matter what you say. The boss really wants you. You've angered a lot of people throughout the years I hear. I think tonight is perfect to..." The man grinned, his hand clenching around his weapon. You noticed the safety was off. "Teach you a few lessons. It's only fair."

You sensed someone come through the door but you kept your focus on the two men in front of you. You raising a brow at them.

"The boss, huh? You're right that I've pissed some people off but don't you think it's rude to point your weapon at me like that in my own home?" It's official, you've been hanging around Lucci too much for you to say something like that but you kept your dangerous smirk on and sharp eyes focused on the two men in front of you. "Although I would like to know who exactly but I frankly don't care. Since it seems you know of me, you know I can slam you against the wall and have your head come out on the other side. I think your boss is trying to kill you guys off."

The microwave beeped behind you that your food was ready and the Shitty Brown Trim and Gray Trim laughed.

"We know of your accident, Silver Blood." Your eyes narrowed as your heart thudded, Brown Trim eyes glinting darkly. "You can't do anything against us. Three men on you. We have bigger odds when it comes to you now. So—" The presence you sensed earlier moved and you were met with a hit to your temple with a butt of a gun. Losing consciousness as the man's words faded and sounded far away. "Be a good little lady hostage for us, won't you? I'm sure your husband would love it."

Sorry, Lucci. You thought, eyes closing as your body relaxed and slumped and you letting it as the man behind you picked you up like a sack of potatoes. I just really hate being in the sidelines.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hattori flew in the sky, letting the wind fly up towards his wings as his eyes searched. Far from the home of his master's mate but still able to see it far in the distance. And a car moving as well.

Hattori thinks his master's mate is nice. Although you could be loud, you have the best scratches. You knew where they were and where he hates to be touched, just like his master.

He misses his master. But he doesn't think he misses him as much as his mate does.

The pigeon can tell with how you sometimes looked far away when you scratched his good spots. Distracted. Or how when you opened the cupboard at other times and you spot his master's favorite drink that his master gives him sometimes—the brass brandy—and how you would pause. Or just the way when you were in the training room and say out loud that it's better to have a partner to work out with.

But Hattori could especially tell when you woke up in the morning after he would fly at you to wake up, softly pecking your head. You letting out a sleepy whine, your arm immediately moving to master's side of the bed only to meet nothing. Your droopy eyes opening and staring, your hand moving at the empty space or fisting the sheet before eventually sitting up. Looking in thought before moving on with the day, although Hattori could sometimes hear you call his master the weird pet name you gave him that he thought was an insult when you find one of his master's things somewhere around the house that wasn't in the normal location.

Hattori could also tell when you talked to him, Hattori listening what you said with an answering Coo or words he knows. He pecked you when he noticed you looked sad.

His master doesn't like it when his mate is sad. Especially during the time it was harder for you to move after your accident a year ago. And master's mate doesn't like being alone.

That's why his master left him with his mate. Hattori knows his master. His master will do what he must for his mate like a good alpha. Although Hattori doesn't understand how his mate can also be an alpha yet they're mates for life.

Hattori can see it with how often at home they touch each other. Their weird talons on their lap, or their heads in each other's laps—Hattori knows his master likes his mate's lap a lot. Especially with naps. Hattori likes his master's mate's hair himself, it's comfortable when he lays on it. They also lean on each other a lot, them seeming to want to always have their scents on each other to establish dominance. Although his master tends to do it more—especially when his master's mate is trying to make food.

Hattori can especially tell with how much they mate.

After they try to establish dominance with one another with the shouts and yells from his masters mate and his master keeping his cool—Hattori has learned to fly away when he smells the different heightened scents. You didn't like it when Hattori would sometimes stare curiously as they did their mating calls and ritual. His master didn't seem to understand why, seeing no problem as his master would take away the feathers that covered their bodies. You made a threat though that you wouldn't mate after all, his master seeming to find it stupid and his master giving Hattori a look each time until Hattori figured out himself when to leave and enjoy his food or play with his toys in another room.

It's easy since they always like to mate either where they fight or where they rest. When they mate outside, Hattori just stays inside. Although he does Coo at other birds that are in the trees and stare at you too—Hattori not wanting his master's mate to be uncomfortable again.

Hattori has to help his master's mate. Like how his master has always helped him.

But his master's mate, like how his master says, is stupid.

Hattori continued to fly more towards the center of New World City only to stop when he noticed a familiar moving pod, Hattori quickly diving towards it and flying above it. It was heading towards his master's and his mate's large nest. Hattori moved to fly next to the driver's window and the pod slowly moved into a stop. The window lowering as his master's hand came out, Hattori landing on it with a flutter.

"Lucci~ Lucci~" He cooed as his master's brows furrowed deeply at him. Looking bewildered at his presence before his master zeroed in on the note in his leg.

His master placed Hattori on the steering wheel, before taking the note out and unrolling it. Dark gray eyes that were like coal yet have a dash of blue in a certain light scanned hard through the note—your handwriting in a quick scrawl.

"I have an idiot wife." His master stated bluntly. His master stared at the note for another moment before his lips twitched slightly with eyes gleaming before straightening. Putting the note away and motioning his hand, Hattori moving to the seat beside him as his master turned on the strange motorized pod and turned it around back into the center of New World City. "But this makes it easier. Good job, Hattori."

Hattori preened in the attention, cooing happily when his master took one hand off the wheel and scratched the top of his head.

Hattori than moved to stare at the note beside him, severely tilting his head to try to understand what his masters mate could've said.

If Hattori was an animal that could understand script however, he would've been able to see the note said this:

Wanted some fun. Sorry. Don't bother coming and don't try to pull a hero act, bastard!

If Hattori read that and understood it, the pigeon would think that his master's really are ridiculous alphas.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You shook yourself when water was poured over you, your clothes which consisted of a white long sleeved button blouse but folded up at the cuffs with your navy blue joggers now darker in color. You distinctively felt your socks in your sneakers are now wet too.

"It's been some time, Silver Blood. Now you can finally get what you deserve."

You lifted your head, blinking some drops away as you sat in the chair with your hands zip tied behind your back. You took note of your surroundings, seeing you seemed to be in a warehouse of some sort. And from the steel containers you could see, you could tell it wasn't for legal trades. You observed the men above close to the ceiling due to the metal rafter bridge, about a dozen in front of you and you feel like there were more behind you up above and on the same floor as you as well. All seeming to have guns on their person, machine guns to be exact.

You turned your eyes towards the one who spoke, you recognizing him and the man smiled as he sat atop a wooden crate with four men flanking him on each side.

"So you remember, huh?" The Red Trim hat man said from your younger days. It didn't look like the time that passed in prison did him any favors, face more wrinkled than before and having that raspy old man voice. "You know, when I got out of that cell that I got put in thanks to you and your brat husband—I was itching to put holes between your eyes. After all, that's the least I deserve from you. Your faces frozen and dead on my feet." The old geezer stood, walking towards you with that cruel smile of his, continuing. "But than I hear that the famed bitch blood who used to be in a gang somehow become an officer. Good ol Boss Capone having to stay my hand. 'Not the time yet', he said. You know what time it is now, bitch blood?"

You looked out the window, spotting the night sky and looking in thought.

"I think it's 10 o'clock but I'm not sure. I don't really wear watches. Ah wait," you moved your head back, faintly noticing the old geezer faltering as you looked at his wrist. "You have a watch. I guess I can't say it's time for you to get a watch than, huh?"

"Heh...still acting like you're the shit I see," Red Trim smiled once more stepping closer, putting a hand to the back of your chair before punching you to your cheek. Your head moving to the side from the force and your eyes squinting slightly in response as you kept your head to the side as the man chuckled. Some of the other goons doing the same. "You know what else I heard? When you left the force and why. Your accident. Getting jumped by a bunch of guys with bats doing you in your knee. Your ACL got torn off. Say...did it feel like you got torn apart like that? Your muscle stretching as you laid writhing in that alley whining like the bitch you are? I bet it did. I just wished they did worse."

Your lips quirked and the man's smile faltered before punching you again, this time to your gut. You leaned forward at the force, head bowed.

"What's so funny?! You're handicapped and tied in front of a bunch of men with guns and knives ready torture you out of your mind. Everyone else is busy and Boss Capone has given me the go ahead while the city gets fucked into oblivion thanks to Big Mom's and Kaido's plan. You're—" The man's tone turned low and rough as his lips curled into a manic smile. "Just a bitch awaiting death. I can't wait for your shitty husband to come here and than we'll have both of you rats dead in a ditch."

That answers that you guess.

You lifted your head, staring at the Red Trim with imposing eyes that made the man's eyes narrowed as you smirked.

"Your punches surely aren't gonna make me die and fall over. You got pillows for knuckles, you no named grunt?" You asked, your hair wild to match your face as you leaned back with shoulders straight. "At least you got your soft hands going for ya. The ladies must love that. If you had any. But I doubt it with that face."

You were met with a barrage of angry punches by the Red Trim man, some to the face and others to the gut as he shouted.

"You have no one!" A punch to the right cheek. "I read the information!" Punch to the gut. "Your records...! You can barely even lift your leg anymore!" Another punch, this time to the nose. "That's why you were forced to retire! What use...is a useless pig that can barely run?!"

The man stopped, breathing heavily as he took a step back. Your head lowered as you gritted your teeth, your right knee scar seeming to itch in response.

It was supposed to be easy. That's what that blasted Spandine's son said—the perverted liar. So easy you didn't need a partner.

"You're nothing but a useless waste of space now," the Red Trim man continued, his lips back up but breaths heavy from all the hits he put on your restrained form. The men behind seeming to get information through earpieces as they held their ears in concentration. "And that head of that FBI unit now—we read the other reports too. Guess just any man finds a hole pretty enough, huh? Even ones with such a filthy mouth. Still," the man chuckled as he straightened and slicked back the little hair he had left after taking off his fedora. "You actually thought you could accuse a government officials son of that? I always knew you were a foolish bitch, bitch blood. But that—" The man laughed as he put his hat back. "That takes the cake."

You should've known the man was petty enough to find vengeance from your punch to his face. But you didn't. Just like how you and Lucci—you and Lucci, the strongest of the unit—could do nothing because that man was an official's son and thus important so accusations would just be hid under the rug or ignored.

You hated the feeling.

Powerlessness.

You think Lucci hated it more, by how stoic he was at work and his eyes constantly in slits. Strong barbs and insults at the ready to make others flinch if his face didn't, his fellow agents even not being able to escape. He was tense although he feigned a relaxed posture, always at the ready especially due to how he had to speak to the purple booger the most. If looks could truly kill, you wholeheartedly believe Lucci would have had Spandam buried all the way to the earth's core.

"But still, who knew even you would fall to such a trick? An alley? Alone?" The Red Trim laughed and some of the men in the rafters above laughed with him. "Must've hurt like shit though. The report we managed to snag sounded dirty. I'm surprised with how it sounded—you can even bend that knee of yours. I'm sure your brat husband would miss that. But you seem to be sitting correctly."

The whole room laughed at that, four shushing them as they continued to try to listen through their earpieces while adding their report of what's happening on their side.

You remembered Kuzan was the one that was closest to you, as you laid bleeding in the alley. Victorious but not without sacrifice. Not without pain and as you laid with skin paling and knee aching and a sharp pain going through your senses each time you would shift—you were terrified if you couldn't move again.

You didn't know such a thought would make gut fall so far that you felt like it left your body, throat clogging and eyes burning as you sat in the hospital bed that you got tricked. And this trick will ruin you.

You have to move. You can't not move.

All you've known was moving. Fighting. Moving meant adrenaline. It meant fun. It meant blood pumping with a smile on your face as you dodged a hit from Lucci while giving your own, his lips curled dangerously that makes others shiver and once upon a time it did to you too but now it only made you excited and your stomach a flutter.

Lucci...

Would Lucci even love you anymore?

"You managed to keep your sharpness however. Did you know my men were there?" Red Trim, looking at you but not talking to you as Gray Trim answered behind you that it just seemed due to your willingness despite your injury to come without a fight was suspicious before Red Trim old man released another annoying laugh. "Doesn't really matter though, bitch blood. Those reports said you needed a miracle to recover from your injuries early last year. Even those in sports can't play anymore with a torn ACL, they wouldn't let a cop or agent play pretend to protect citizens only to put those citizens and partner in danger. No one would."

You remember when Lucci arrived to the hospital room, distinctly hearing Kalifa from afar and nurses for him to calm down but it's you who should have received those sentences.

When your eyes met, you froze. Heart in your throat as he slowly walked in with eyes probing over your form, roving until he saw your knee—in a sling connected to a lift to keep it high and in place. He stared for a few more moments until he closed your private room and you think the drugs they already put in your system must've affected you because you remember tears going down your face as Lucci asked what happened—those dark gray eyes staring at you intently before moving to grab a chair to sit beside you as you explained.

You remember his hands flexing and unflexing with crossed arms as you explained in a tight voice and a wobble, wanting to stop the tears and the weakness but you've never been more terrified. Terrified as you spoke, not looking at Lucci directly or glancing away because you couldn't hold your gaze from the fear—possibly stronger than you not moving. You weren't sure.

You don't know what you would do if Lucci stopped loving you.

You heard a restrained growl when you told your husband of your suspicions about Spandam, turning your head and noticing Lucci's face was as cold as a statue—eyes dark and lips in a near snarl as he sat up. Grabbing your chin and saying in a whisper that the man would pay and regret this before familiar lips that always held dark promises and rarely soft—touched upon below your eye where tears were. Another tanned hand going to your other cheek and clearing the tears away firmly and you could tell he was trying to be gentle although he was in his cold rage.

It made your lips part and eyes widen at the action, Lucci laying his head onto yours as he stared into your round glassy ones. His brows furrowed in confusion. You remember him asking you of who these tears were for—sensing you were crying about more than just what happened in the alley and it was due to Spandam. Maybe it was more.

Maybe it was just because the more was due to the alley. The more being that your fear that made your lips move but no words coming out as Lucci stared—you really didn't know what to say.

I'm scared that you won't love me anymore.

I can feel my knee, Lucci. This is the worst injury I've ever had. It hurts even now.

Would you still be with me even like this?

You didn't say any of these things, because the doctor than came in.

"I think the report even stated the chance," Red Trim said, grabbing your hair to lift your head to look at his sneering face as you kept your eyes carefully blank although narrowed. The wrinkled face twisted into a smile. "What? One in a million? That was your chances of fully recovering back to normal. Back to your nice prime form. ACL recovery is so harsh though—you couldn't do it could you?"

Lucci only moved from you when the doctor cleared his throat—but your husband kept his eyes on you as you looked down as you asked the doctor the verdict.

The doctor spoke. He spoke and you felt like you had a chance. Surgery? Okay, it can be fixed easy. Some physical therapy? Yeah, that's fine. You could do that. This sounds easy—

"I don't want to put your hopes up however," the doctor said and you looked at him in confusion. Lucci's eyes still on you and only glanced away when the doctor said something he found noteworthy. Lucci only focused on you. The doctor moved to clarify as he stood in front of both of you. "Your ACL suffered significant damage, not only your ACL but also your other ligaments and muscles around it. We can get you back to normal if you follow the rehabilitation process we have—but from what we gathered of your current active lifestyle...the chances of you getting back to that is low."

"Low?" You echoed, smiling despite yourself. You stopped crying after Lucci backed away and when the doctor spoke of your recovery. You can do this. You're fine. You can do anything. "A chance is still a chance from what I'm hearing. What's low?"

You noticed from the corner of your eye that Lucci's piercing gaze moved to the doctor, the doctor swallowing as he glanced between the two of you.

"Ma'm, when I mean by low—how can I put this...it would take a miracle. Less than a one in five hundred thousand. Maybe even less than that. One in a million would be the closest approximation." You froze, your smile turning into a grimace at the action. Lucci next to you closing his eyes—still silent since the doctor came in. "It may be even lower than that. It would take a lot of rehab for you to get back into how you were before. The physical therapy would be strenuous and even with that, other patients in different cases have tried and have failed. I just don't want you to try and have your hope shattered, ma'm."

Is the doctor saying...for you to not even try at all? Is that how bad he sees this?

You, who have always pushed yourself to do your best...to not even bother trying?

Your head lowered, fists clenching around the sheet.

"Aren't you supposed to instill hope in your patients, doc?" You asked, tone guarded as your blood pumped as you talked through tense teeth. "Telling others to not even try...what's up with you?"

"I wonder how you looked trying to walk and do the therapy," Red Trim brought your head closer, pulling your hair as he did so and his ugly mug and disgusting breath was now all over your face. You kept your expression blank even as he chortled, the men behind him starting to call his name in mild concern that something was happening in the other warehouses. "Quiet! I'm busy imagining this. How many times did you fall, bitch blood? How long did it take you even to walk how you are now? I can imagine if now, you constantly having to use railings to help you move around. Or did you bother your poor husband to carry you everywhere? Bet that strained the relationship. He's supposed to come but will he? You're such a burden now after all."

"One."

Red Trim rose a brow at you in confusion. Once again ignoring how his men called to him and saying they need to head over to the North warehouse now—something is occurring.

"Huh?"

Your eyes flickered, moving your mouth once more.

"We won't need a miracle." Voice like silk—cool and dark and rich and always filled with promise—finally spoke up.

"One. It took me one to walk." You repeated, senses in overdrive of what could be occurring but you kept your gaze on the old geezer. The men behind trying to tell him they have to be the reinforcements for West warehouse. "One month. Shorter than most after doing surgery. And not just walk, I learned how to do that even shorter than that. Walk with the ability to still do other movements. How I used to."

Your eyes went round as you whipped your head to Lucci, arms crossed along with his legs as he still kept his eyes shut. The doctor's brows furrowed.

"Won't—you'll need one to do this. I don't know what you're—"

"Shut up." The doctor quickly clamped up at that. "Your voice was beginning to hurt my ears. Such impertinence from a man of your profession should be taught a lesson, but I don't bother with weak fodder to believe in such things."

Your mouth parted as you read Lucci.

"W-what?! Yeah right. It takes six months alone to fully recover from the surgery! You're bluffing!" The man shouted, tightening his hold on you into a painful clench but you kept your even gaze.

"My bastard husband is a stubborn idiot," you continued with lips turning up into a proud smirk. Some of the men having to leave the warehouse due to whatever was occurring outside, leaving only a dozen for you. "I'm even more stubborn than him though. Like I would just let him carry me around constantly so he could make fun of me. He makes this shitty smirk ya know. Makes me want to punch his face in or just kiss it off. To teach him a lesson."

"Lucci..." You called softly, your pupils in your eyes seeming to shake as you stared at your asshole of a husband.

Does he...? Is this real?

He uncrossed his legs and leaned forward with his elbows on top of his knees, arms uncrossing along with the movement.

His eyes opened and connected to yours and you felt like he took your breath away.

"What are you—hey! Where did everyone go?! What's going on?!" Red Trim turned to finally notice some of the men had to leave.

One subordinate stepped forward, sweat to his brow in nervousness.

"We-we're getting reports from the different warehouses. Others have gone silent—we haven't heard anything from Big Mom at all for awhile."

"W-what?!" Red Trim yelled, his hand released you as he turned and your eyes moved to his back. "Have you tried with Commander Katakuri? What about Madam Lola and Pudding?"

"They're silent! I think something is occurring and—"

An explosion that shook the warehouse occurred—one could feel it all around and hear it as well. You could hear a familiar suspicious sounding cheerful youthful laugh.

Now!

You kicked off the chair with great strength that you flew high above, flipping as you did so. Your arms now back in front of you as you brought them down to your knee. Now released from your zip ties, you landed atop the Red Trim man. He grunted and you quickly brought him up in front of you, his gun now in your hand as you kept him in front as you smirked.

"You're still a horrible fighter," you said to the man's ear as you pressed the gun to his temple as guns from the other men met you shakily. "Mah, are you shaking geezer? Thought I was just handicapped or something like that. Getting PTSD from that time in the construction?"

"How-HOW ARE YOU MOVING?!" The man shouted as you moved back so you could properly see the men—them being now to the left and right from your movement. Their guns following you but not taking the shot due to you having the geezer as a hostage. "W-What's happening?! Is this your husbands doing?!"

Dark eyes that can have specks of blue in the right amount of light—like now—met your shaky (e/c) ones.

"Like I would marry someone who would need to use a miracle as a crutch. No," he toned, controlled. "No need for that sort of intervention. You already have what you need."

Your throat wobbled.

He believes that you could do it.

You don't need divine intervention.

You just need what you always have—what pushed you to keep on going despite being alone for a bit as a child. What pushed you to get stronger for your gang, for yourself—and for the hell of it. What pushed you to meet him again and again since the first meeting in front of your high school gates—punch for punch and contact to contact.

What drove you to become a police officer to a member of the Intel unit that was actually an FBI agent program in secret in a record amount of time.

What drove you that day when you told him your feelings in a way only the both of you could understand—with blood and sweat and kisses in between.

Your drive. Your will.

To just keep on going.

To live. With no regrets.

The fact that Lucci said this—showed more to you than just his belief in you. It was more than that. More than simple belief that his wife can do this, more than just being a dependable spouse.

It was like faith.

Complete faith—that only you could do it. Not anyone, just you. Faith that despite even now with your leg clearly in a sling and able to tell you were doped up in drugs to help with the pain—you can go back to walking the next day if you wanted to.

Perhaps it was even more than faith.

Your smile was wobbly as you looked at Lucci.

"Hah...you could've said all that in a shorter way, ass." Your eyes felt teary as you smiled more and Lucci looked at you blankly like he was always did when you looked sad. "Just say you're challenging me or something. And I'm going to..." Your tears broke through as you moved to cover your mouth, lowering your head as drops fell onto the sheets. "Prove you...wrong like I always do, bastard. You're so annoying—" you choked a sob as the tears kept falling, you moving your hands to try to clear them only to fail and you fully blame the drugs. Lucci frowning at you as he stared. The doctor wisely silent yet feeling awkward as he kept his stare at a certain point of the ceiling. "Asshole. Shithead. Hnng...don't say things like that, wannabe cat...urk, I hate you, annoying bastard." You ended through choked sobs and ugly sniffles, you turning when you felt a familiar comforting touch to your hair as he curled it. Eyes still running along with your nose as Lucci peered at your face.

"I'm—I'm on drugs, don't look..." You sniffled as you tried to keep your mouth straight. "Don't look at me."

"...I'm aware." Lucci stated, eyes flickering as salty tears kept going as you tried to get control back. "A slight on their part really. You already act manic. Whatever they put through you isn't helping you in the slightest. Debating whether if the bigger idiot is the doctor rather than you."

The doctor turned at that, face morphing into an offended scowl only to quickly look away when Lucci flashed him a glare. His hand on your hair moving to turn your face more towards him, the back of your head to the doctor.

"Watch your gaze if you wish to keep it." The doctor swallowed and moved to leave. "I don't recall giving you a dismissal. We still have questions."

The doctor paled.

You released a surprised laugh through a sob.

"You're so bad at this, bastard..." Your shining eyes met his dark ones as he turned back towards you. Your lips forming a smile as tears still ran down your face, teeth flashing as you raised a hand to his—the one that held the side of your head. You squeezed. "You're damn lucky I hate you so much, Lucci. Hattori is better at this than you."

"How unfortunate you only have me," Lucci answered, lips twitching slightly before straightening. He still seemed lost, at least to you. But you know it's just from your crying face. He's really bad when you're sad.

His hand squeezed around yours, eyes taking in your face—soft as you looked at him despite your harsh words and practically melting.

Maybe he's better than you thought really.

After all, it's not just faith in you.

It's like his words were facts, and you were truth.

"For what's good for him, that know it all bastard best stay away!" You answered the Red Trim's man's question as you smirked. "That man challenged me that I couldn't walk in two months after the idiot doc said it would take six months for full recovery in that aspect! Ha! Could you believe that?! And of course when my asshole said two months, I bet one! He sure ate his words than!"

You snickered despite all the guns to your head and Red Trim seeming to really struggle to get released from your hold. Only to fully stop when you head butted the back of his head, him fully going slack.

"Now look what you did! Ya got yourself knocked out!"

"A-ahhh?! Boss?!" A subordinate cried out above the rafters. Others doing the same.

"You killed him!"

"This...it's impossible! Why do your records still say you need more therapy?!"

"Our sources...could they have lied than?" One subordinate asked, and you recognized him as Gray Trim hat guy.

The subordinates looked at each other and you could roll your eyes at them. You slowly moving to out Red Trim on the floor before moving behind the large metal crates of the warehouse.

"Shit! We shouldn't have trusted slimy government dogs in the first place!"

"There has to be something more," Gray Trim argued. "The injury did happen. And it was reported one year ago. Based on her words—"

"Your informant...I have a feeling who it is." You said behind the man, his head moving along with his gun to aim but you quickly chopped the back of his neck as he easily fell. You dashing back behind the crates as shots fired, you picking up a sub machine gun as put your back to the crate as you put the sling over you to keep it on your person.

You hate guns. You prefer hand to hand due to the feel of it. It could also be quite intimate.

Your mind flashed with thoughts and you quickly waved them away with a flush and a twisted mouth.

You understand now why Lucci only wants you to have him as a training partner.

You really are a fighting freak. As Paulie likes to say.

You leaned against the corner, taking aim quickly with your dominant eye and taking the shot. Being sure to aim for the legs so they can fall back and do nothing. Their pained yells and groans from the action before you heard bodies coming from behind.

You stopped a pipe to your face, you looking at it in mild surprise before smiling as the man started to sweat all over.

"I love pipes! Thanks!" You grabbed the pipe, swinging it on the man's legs for him to fall and just as he was in the air from the action you swung it down to his chest. His eyes bulged as cracks were heard and the three other men paled as you turned towards them—moving the pipe in a circle with a flick of your fingers before tightening. "Your turn! I haven't gotten action like this in awhile although you're just babies!"

Somehow, they turned even paler. Sadly they didn't put much into the fight. With your dashing and hitting amongst their temples with a harsh thrust or their guts—they were all at your feet groaning and holding their injuries.

You frowning in disappointment with the pipe to your shoulder, letting out a sigh before you took note that outside seemed to be chaos. Distant shouts and shots and when you looked to a high window—it looked like the night sky was red with flames.

Everybody seems busy, you observed as you connected you were taken to the main location of whatever plan the police station, Shanks clan, and most likely Lucci's agency concocted. And from that loud laugh you heard earlier...

You sighed, moving to walk out the warehouse as you stepped over bodies you either shot or bashed with your pipe that's slightly bloodied on your shoulder. You would prefer your sword but oh well, the pipe makes you feel nostalgic.

"Not fairrrr, even the kids are probably having a better time than me." You felt a hand to your ankle, you glancing to see the Red Trim geezer on the floor breathing heavily. "What? You want something?"

"Urk...you...how...? The information..."

You cocked your head slightly at him, your eyes shadowed as you stood over the man.

"Still on that? It's really easy ya know. Or rather, easy for you. I was able to fully get back to how I was—fighting top tier and everything—in four months. Got approved with that stupid doctor even—he sure learned his lesson with me." You recall the shine in the doctor's face, and you knew he would be capable to give his future patients hope too. You kept your tone nonchalant but your eyes stayed shadowed. "I was back and ready to go. All I needed was that okay from the doctor—as well as a physical test back in the agency which I of course passed. It was super easy. Maybe that was the problem."

You remember after the physical test, your fellow agents knew you had it in the bag.

Kaku smiling. Jabra guffawing. Kumadori doing a celebration haiku and those weird poses. Fukuro saying loudly he managed to sneak a peak at your score which was perfect all around and everyone didn't have to shut him up this time. Kalifa stating with a quick fix of her glasses that they would be fools to not have you back as she simpered. Lucci was smirking beside you, and if he wasn't doing that—you always felt his presence or touch whether it was a brush to the small of your back or the sides of your chest. You gave him a glance each time that grew heated when your eyes connected, seeing he was clearly wound up and was trying to do the same to you.

It almost worked when you tugged him down with his tie, your lips giving him a warning and brushed his as you spoke—his eyes darkening at your tease as the agents looked away with embarrassment and Kalifa calling sexual harassment with a flush.

"...sad thing is though," you kicked off the geezer's hand, placing your foot on it in warning as he hissed. "No matter what I would do, strength doesn't actually mean power. The head...that ugly perversion of a man was the one who said no. He dared to raise a hand without repercussions due to his position—sent me on a fake case—and even denied me to come back...he shouldn't have had that much sway with the board of directors in the agency but because of who his father was...they listened."

You weren't sure if you felt more lost as you tried to heal from your injury or at that moment.

The ability to have strength taken away from you or to have strength yet feel powerless.

Your jaw dropped at the one who said the report, Spandam being too much a coward to say it himself to you and everyone out in the lobby. Kaku and Jabra saying that there was a mistake, Jabra more yelling than Kaku as he tried to reason. Kalifa doing the same thing as she walked to the man with the clipboard with hands on her hips as your mouth clenched along with your fists as you looked down. Kumadori saying he will commit seppuku right now to confirm this false allegation as a ghost with Fukuro admitting he saw the report and that the man is lying without actually adding 'chapapapa' at the end.

You felt Lucci brush past and your senses flared at his intent, moving a hand to his bicep to stop him in alarm as he kept staring ahead in the direction where the head's office was with his hands to his pockets. You saying that killing the man will do nothing with Lucci saying lowly he won't kill him but you still felt his strong bloodlust so you stepped closer to him despite your own anger—blocking him from the path.

"You can't torture him either till he cracks, Lucci. They'll know. We...we lost."

You remember how your shoulders slumped, yet your fists still clenched. Lucci moving his eyes to your form as you looked down with a bitten lip—narrowed eyes going further into slits.

"...don't you dare give that man your tears. Only I can have those," your eyes widened as you looked at Lucci, freezing at his dark cold expression. "Did you forget what I said when you arrived to the hospital? Or did that medicine they gave you scrambled your brain?"

Your jaw loosened when you recalled, Lucci's growl that Spandam would pay and regret—a dark vow.

Lucci stared at your expression of realization a moment longer before closing his eyes, Hattori fluffing his feathers on the man's shoulder—the aura around your husband calming. The man with the clipboard seeming to give a huge sigh of relief while the agents looked over in attention at the true one they call leader.

He stepped around you, and as he did, he spoke.

"That coward hasn't scored a true victory yet." His tanned hand rose to shut your open mouth as he passed. "He may have won a battle or two but he has a problem of underestimation. His mistake."

That's all Lucci said and had to say really.

You understood.

If Spandam wanted to play using politics, than Lucci will. You were aware that while you were weak in other areas besides fighting—Lucci had a one up on you on how versatile he is. The capability to grasp anything. You're sure with enough time, Lucci is capable of doing anything. And with the years he's observed in the Intel unit alone...yeah, you were calmed.

And like Lucci believed in you, you believe in him. Or was it more truth than belief?

"I had to pick up my stuff and go," you continued with eyes far away, pressing more on the man's hand when he moved as he yelped and cursed at you. Probably haven't paid attention to anything you were saying. Eh. You've always wanted to monologue so you'll keep going. "And to figure out what I wanted to do. I remembered all the kids in the streets I've seen—I was there once upon a time too. So I decided to help. It took a lot of legwork, and surprisingly I received a lot of help. It seems even clans don't want more competition, and I've helped a lot of people along the way with my time as an officer and agent."

Your lips quirked up at that. You actually found it quite funny that people like Kaido and Big Mom were concerned of the kids in the streets—while Whitebeard and Shanks just wanted to help. After Whitebeard's death, Teach took over and even that bike man understood the need for neutral territory. Although his donations were shit—you had many others. Some of the cases you took gave you crazy allies—unexpected and otherwise.

The man's eyes whipped towards your direction in surprise.

"You...Big Mom...you are receiving help...?" The man seemed to pale at his grave mistake, thinking he messed up on relations but Boss Capone gave him the go ahead. It didn't make sense. "But our information...gugh...you were just...supposed to be...a retired pig housewife—" He screamed when you pressed your foot more—hearing a crack.

You arched a brow.

"Watch it, faceless grunt. You think I was strong as a kid? I punched a hole through a wall once back than. What kind of strength I have now I wonder?" You ended with a smirk before walking off to the doors, pipe still casually on your shoulder as you added over your shoulder as the man cursed and shouted weakly something or other to your back. "And you made a mistake trusting that booger Spandam. Your fault and problem now."

Once you arrived to the door, you heard the shouts and shots closer. You placed your back against the wall beside the door, holding your pipe as you listened and tried to measure how close they were. You deemed it far enough but you kept a tight grip on your pipe as you slowly opened the door and took a peek outside.

Your eyes widened as your jaw fell as you noticed who was running in front of you to the left as you stepped through the door to the outside of burning warehouses all around.

"ACE?!"

The young man whipped his head and skidded to a stop, his own jaw dropping.

"(Y/N)?!"

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!" The both of you shouted with fingers pointed at each other.

"Me?!" You yelled, stomping to the young man you stopped from getting involved in these affairs again. Or at least you thought. "What are you doing?! Don't you see what's happening?! You were supposed to stop this a long time ago! And why is your chest out?!"

Ace released an unbelieving scowl as he pointed his finger at your face. Your eyes crossing at it.

"I get hot! And what makes you think I'm not doing firefighter business?! Do you see all these buildings?"

You moved his hand away, stepping closer and stabbing his chest with your finger as Ace brows furrowed.

"Firefighters aren't half naked doing business, smartass. So you didn't answer my question. Are you...don't tell me your involved with this whole plan?"

Ace blinked at you.

"Wait, you're part of the plan too?" Ace's eyes roved over you and he took notice of your pipe. His lips lifting at that. "Don't tell me you got sucked in back to gangs, Officer (Y/N). Won't that make you a hypocrite—"

You pinched and tugged his cheek, making him wince and whine as you looked at him with a frown.

"Last I checked, firefighters don't get involved in this stuff either. What's going on?" You kept your hold on his cheek as Ace tried to explain only to stop and looking at you blankly, clearly unable to explain with you tugging his cheek like that. Him moving to grab your cheek too and pulling it as one of your eyes closed from the feeling. "Staph thath anth anther meh!"

"Yer beinth uh edioth! Lef goh!"

"Youth phirsf!"

"Urk! Canf youf tel I'm bufee?!" Ace eyes widened as he swiftly let go of you, an expression of realization coming to his face. "I'm bufee! I gofta help!"

You blinked and let go of him as you asked what was occurring, Ace motioning for the both of you to keep running West while taking note of their surroundings as he explained. He heard about what was going on today because of Jozu's big mouth and immediately demanded Marco to be part of the plan. The plan basically being taking out all of Big Mom's and Kaido's supplies and suppliers—which would take a lot of work and would be basically war. You nodding as your brows furrowed, adding to Ace that's what you gathered from how Smoker and Shanks acted today as the both of you ran with the gun thumping on your back due to the sling and pipe still on your shoulder as Ace continued—stating he was in charge of helping plant some explosives in the East warehouses. But he heard from Izo that Luffy was involved and is here too along with his friends and he's heading over to help. Luffy currently taking care of Kaido after leaving Big Mom to others apparently.

"Big Mom..." you repeated in a murmur, in thought as Ace glanced at you as they ran through the many destroyed warehouses. Some men of Big Mom being grunts appearing only to get kicked or punched or whacked by either one of them as they ran, bodies unconscious with eyes open and drool or blood coming out of mouths as a result.

"You still want to put her down for everything she's done in this city right, (Y/N)?"

You frowned, thinking as you suddenly barrel rolled along with Ace when shots fired to you guys. You quickly grabbing your gun and taking a casual shot and landing it between the man's pelvis as you continued as Ace paled and yelped, hand moving to his crotch in sympathy as you looked up.

"Not down per se. But definitely away. I've been having trouble with her folks since I was a kid. The old hag has to go—WATCH OUT!"

You grabbed Ace by the shoulder in a harsh tug to the left behind another destroyed warehouse, barely missing a turret gun's bullets ricocheting off the ground of where they just were. Ace's eyes were wide as he leaned his head back against the building, saying a breathless thanks as you replied that it's not needed—you will always have his back. Ace turning to look at you only for your face to be turned away, carefully trying to see if the turret lost where they went—and thinking once more he feels like he's known you for longer than just the past couple of years.

You took notice the turret wasn't shooting where the both of you were, even in the corners so you peeled around and your jaw dropped as you saw who took out the man behind the turret as well as others that were now on the ground and the roof of the buildings around them.

"Croco?!" You choked as you stepped out from the corner with Ace hissing your name out before cursing and following you as the scarred man squinted down at you. You taking note that his right hand man Daz was walking around making sure the men were taken care of. You couldn't help but release a disbelieving laugh as you walked up—your blouse slightly dirtied due to everything occurring along with your sneakers and navy blue joggers, hair wild. "You're here too? Prison didn't humble you, huh?"

Crocodile grunted as Ace looked at you like you were nuts.

"Agent. I would say the same. Aren't you too busy using my money for that babysitting program you have? As if it did any good," Crocodile sarcastically said in that low voice of his, moving his black gloved left hand to slick back his hair. His eyes glancing towards Ace besides you as if in example before looking back down at you. "Still nosy from your time as a dog it seems as well. What made you come here? You don't look as prepared as the other ones I've seen doing their part."

Ace blinked and moved to look at you again.

"Now that you mention it...you never answered my question, (Y/N)."

You scratched your cheek with a sheepish grin, your other arm behind your head as you looked to the side.

"Ah, well. I let myself get kidnapped so I can get involved in the fun. Smokey and Shanks kinda teased me too much of what was about to go down and there was no way I was gonna miss it!"

You felt a bonk to your head, you squatting down as you yelled with tears to your eyes as Ace stood over you with a raised shaking fist with closed eyes. Crocodile letting out a slight laugh from your words, his odd sounding one.

"WHAT WAS THAT FOR, ACE?!"

"FOR YOU, IDIOT!" Ace shouted to your face with angry ticks before crossing his arms and turning his back to you. "What kind of person let's themselves get kidnapped?! For fun?! I don't know who's worse. You or Luffy—AHH! Gotta help Luffy!"

Crocodile smirked, pointing his hand to Ace's right through an alley of buildings.

"Mugiwara went that way if you want to know, brat. That's the direction of Kaido's main supplies and where bodies are most likely piling up the most."

Ace's eyes narrowed.

"Why should I trust you?"

Crocodile arched an amused brow.

"If you don't want to help your brother, than by all means keep wandering around firefighter brat."

"He ain't lying, Ace." You said, standing back up as you rubbed your bruised head with a wince as Ace looked at you along with Crocodile. "Crocodile is many things but he ain't a liar. Especially if it's one that won't personally benefit him. I'm surprised he's even getting his hands this dirty in the first place."

"I don't see how you came to that conclusion, Agent (Y/N). But you're correct," Crocodile agreed as he glanced back at the frowning Ace. "Best go now before that boy makes a mess of things."

Ace glanced between the direction Crocodile stated and you—you smiling as you waved him off.

"Don't worry about me. You have more important things to do, I'm just here for the fun. But—" You turned to look up at Crocodille, eyes serious. "You happen to know where Big Mom is, Crocs? Who's handling her?"

Crocodile puffed his cigar between his lips for a moment, looking down at you in thought.

"Last I heard, she is more down this path until you reach a building with tacky clouds and candy all around it. She's not the smartest businesswoman I've seen. Perhaps even you could outclass her."

Your brow twitched at what he meant.

"Maybe because she's not a businesswoman at all. I think that has something to with it."

Crocodile half shrugged, uncaring.

"Proves my point even more than. As for who is in that location, it is a mix of all those young brats and officers. Although," Crocodile's steady eyes narrowed as he looked down at you. "There's been talk of Teach's men all around."

"Teach," Ace growled with clenched fists.

You frowned and put a hand to his bare shoulder, squeezing.

"Don't think about that, Ace. You have to help Luffy and the others. I don't think you should be involved but you're already here—don't be reckless with your life. Not again."

Ace sobered and blinked at you, bewildered.

"Again...?"

Your brows furrowed before shaking your head and pushing his shoulder in the direction Crocodile said, telling him to go and not to worry about you. That you've been guarding the Youth Center all this time so you could handle this, Ace eventually doing so after adding that you should be careful too. You than turning and moving towards Crocodile as you stepped over bodies, pipe still on your shoulder as you surveyed the area. Warehouses around looking worse for wear but not completely destroyed, meaning perhaps some of the crates with whatever supplies will be intact.

"I'm guessing this was your area you chose in this grand plan or whatever. I wonder why..."

"You'll be left wondering as well." Crocodile replied, smirking cockily as you hummed and stepped passed him as you waved at Daz with Daz giving a slight nod as he continued to check bodies—whether for weapons or to see if they were out. Crocodile observing you as you did so with a smile and deciding to help as you checked the bodies as well. "...I can't help but notice your overbearing partner's absence. Something happen? Even if you did it on purpose, surely he would come or be apart of this?"

You noticed his slightly annoyed tone when he said 'overbearing partner'.

Looks like someone is still concerned like Law when it comes to Lucci and his...overreactions. You and Lucci worked with Crocodile before for some cases—Crocodile willing to help as long as the government was off his back and left him alone. And you've met Crocodile before during your time being Smoker's partner(the station and government could never quite land a good crime on him that would stick). When you and Lucci were at one of Crocodile's establishments—this one being a casino—and you were at his office, as Lucci stepped out to make a call.

All you remembered as you sat in front of the desk as Crocodile sat behind it writing something was that you were hot under your suit you had to wear, Crocodile noticing when you fingered the collar of your jacket and merely stating you could get comfortable. You quickly brightening and giving him a quick thanks, taking the jacket off and leaving you in your long sleeved blouse as you stretched your arms up, Crocodile glancing at you at the action. Only to continue to do so when you sniffed at the air and noticed he was using a different cigar today since it smelled different. He seemed surprised that you noticed, even saying he didn't know you paid attention to those things. His eyes seeming to look up and down at you when you leaned against the desk with your elbows with narrowed eyes if he means that you're just an idiot. Crocodile only smirking as he puffed his cigar, careful with the smoke not blowing at you as he merely said that maybe not all dogs and government followers are a bore like he thought, although he suspected that you were always different.

Your brows furrowing only to furrow more when Lucci entered, sensing his aura without looking and him stating coldly "Careful, Crocodile. Wouldn't want to report to our higher ups about your behaviors. Lest you want a new scar."

You whipping your head at him and hissing his name in warning that he's going to ruin relations, but your husband/partner didn't seem to care as he kept his cold face towards Crocodile's now bored one. Crocodile's brow arched as he replied he was merely talking and he should watch his tone while Lucci cooly answered they only need to talk about how he could benefit them in terms of this deal. You saying his name again in warning, thinking he was ruining it for no reason. Lucci's eyes going towards you and narrowing as he stalked towards you as he asked why you took your jacket off as he picked it up, you saying it was hot with a twist of your mouth that only made you look like you were pouting only for it to strengthen when Lucci put it back on your shoulders as you said annoyed that you were hot as you looked up at him.

You took note that Lucci was closer than usual during this business meeting. Lucci didn't really like showing gestures when it came to their jobs and the man they had to work with—only seeming to be more open to it in his own subtle ways at the station and agency. Just like now, Lucci leaning over the side of the chair with his neck practically to your face and his hand staying on your back—hot as he merely said impassively but with clear purpose that he knows what's best for his wife. Making you blush—rare that Lucci would go out of his way to actually say it to who they worked with and how his small gestures were actually quite obvious in the way he seemed to bare his neck to you(you liked his neck) and his hand to your back as he leaned over you.

Crocodile—who was staring intently at the both of you during the whole interaction—brows raising.

"Married? And they have the both of you work together?"

Your brows furrowed at Crocodile's surprised tone, moving your hand to under your shirt to show off your necklace and saying they work pretty well together although your husband is an asshole. Lucci adding that they have more liberties than others as well as saying you were an oblivious naive fool and for Crocodile to mind his eyes. You scowling as you looked at Lucci and saying that was rude as Lucci ignored you as he stared hard at Crocodile who stared back as you kept on going to Lucci. Lucci only looking away with a flash of a smirk when you moved your hand to the forearm that was connected to the hand to your back and your other one moving to touch the back of his neck to turn his face towards you as you demanded for him to listen.

Crocodile staring as the both of you were practically nose to nose as you scowled before Crocodile said stoically that he would appreciate no fraternizing in front of him when they speak.

You seeming to connect as you quickly let go of Lucci with a heated flush, sitting back in apology and that they weren't going to do anything as Lucci slowly stood and fixed his clothes with another flash of a smirk towards the business man before straightening and going back to business of what they were speaking about—this time Lucci's chair being closer to yours as they spoke.

You waved dismissively at Crocodile's words, standing up after checking another body and not looking like the person was getting up anytime soon.

"He's been busy for awhile, out in a mission. Pretty sure it's this. My idiot kidnappers I think sent him a note or something threatening my life probably and yada, yada, yada. I also left him a note for him to not come help me or he's a bastard." You paused, hand to your chin. "Or was it asshole...? Eh. One of those. Either way, he better not stop me in all of this! Besides...I'll see him after this I'm sure."

"...Mmmm," Crocodile hummed, unconvinced by that last sentence due to your off expression. "As I've said than, just keep going this path and you'll reach there. Able to handle it yourself?"

You smiled at Crocodile's question. Moving to the wall of the warehouse next to them and punching it. Creating a large ten foot crater that grew deeper the more center you got—only for a hole the size of a foot to now be in the wall.

"There were other ways to answer that, Agent."

"Those ways are boring, Crocy!"

You grinned before giving a mock salute to Crocodile and another wave to Daz as you told them thanks before running off. Crocodile blinking at the new nickname you called for him and he received that feeling of deja vu once more with you, making him frown. Pushing the feeling down once more and rationalizing it's probably due to how he didn't like the nicknames.

You ran through the path, meeting more grunts along the way. Their strength more noteworthy as you actually had to do more than one move as you bobbed and weaved and punched or kicked or bashed with the pipe through them—also getting a few hits but not much. And when shots were fired, you quickly dodged or used a body to be a shield if you had to as you kept going. Noticing others as you ran and helped, whether it was Hina, Vista, or Killer with other respective officers or clan or gang members assisting them too. Hina warning you to be careful especially since you didn't have body armor when you finished helping her but you waved her off since you're too quick to catch but you did say you've been careful truthfully and to ease her worries. Hina smiling and saying that was good, since she doesn't want your husband to kill her—she would rather live longer.

You giving a smile and saying that Lucci would resurrect you first and kill you rather than him kill anyone else. The both of you have a promise after all.

You leaving soon after as Hina wondered to herself that the both of you will never cease to amaze her as a couple.

You kept running, your eyes to the side when you spotted the building Crocodile described with the clouds and candy on the building.

"Well, if it isn't the little officer~! Fufufufu! Funny seeing you here."

You turned and skidded to a stop to see Doflamingo in a pile of bodies, sitting atop them casually like it was a mere recliner. His pink suit with his his pink feathered coat on his shoulders. A hand to his chin as he stared at you with his shit eating grin.

Oh no.

"Do-Doflamingo?!"

"That's my name! Although, can you try saying it more softly and make your voice higher? Like a moan please."

Your cheeks slightly flushed at his words, as they always did. You also were introduced to Doflamingo when you were partners with Smoker. You had more interactions when you were in the Intel Unit with Kumadori, but they were small after the first one with Kumadori. The man was bold with his words that you could clearly tell his intent and his touch was overly friendly—you actually telling Lucci about the encounter when the both of you went home as Lucci listened intently before saying that you won't have to meet with him again. Kumadori seeming to inform him more of what occurred since you didn't say everything. With you and Lucci now being partners when the both of you were FBI however—the both of you went to meet Doflamingo at times. Lucci's threats were more harsh with the feathered man—expression hard and eyes cold like ice. Even more touchy with you by grabbing your wrist and getting in front of you to block the Mingo's gaze at your form.

It seemed the behavior only spurred Doflamingo more, moving his teasing from you to Lucci. Lucci never left you alone with him either. Each interaction ended with you red from embarrassment or anger and Lucci irritated the rest of the day. The man's laugh seeming to echo in both their minds.

The sex was rougher than usual each time they went home from a day of that.

You waved the thoughts away quickly but your face still flushed as you scowled at the feathered giant of a man.

"You're here too?!" You asked loudly, ignoring his sentence as you looked at the bodies below him. Definitely a mix of Big Mom's and Teach's men from how they were dressed. Big Mom's suits being cleaner while Teach's was always more business casual in clothes and always wrinkled with cheap dress shoes. "You're helping...who exactly told you of this plan, Doflamingo? Aren't you one of Kaido's?"

Doflamingo waved his hand at you with an uncaring grin.

"No. You see, I much prefer being on the winning side of things. And that big oaf—I don't need to use him anymore. I feel like individuality is a lot more exciting, wouldn't you say? But who cares about that?" Doflamingo shifted atop the piles of bodies and stood to his full height—it being 7'6(you can't believe there's others even taller than that. You think the tallest you know is the man Kaido at 9'0). The man's hand to his pockets as he walked towards you in his weird gait as you stared at him with narrowed eyes. "Finally got you alone~, that took awhile. Thought I would never see the day! Fufufufufu~!"

You frowned, the hold of your pipe tightening as you shook your head.

"Not now, Mingo. I gotta keep heading this direction to get to where Big Mom is at."

"I do love it when you give me nicknames, little (Y/N)." The man purred as he leaned over you with you leaning back as a result to stay away, brows furrowing at the man and his tone. "Shame you're always with that bore of a husband of yours. Good thing he's not here hmmm? How about you finally take my offer of ditching that goodie two shoes life and come live with a man of more talents than that guy? Now that he isn't present to drill a hole into my head with his eyes. Fufufufu!"

You scowled at the man.

"The answer is still no. I'm not leaving him. Ever. And my bastard can do a lot of things too." You answered, moving to step around the man only to stop when Doflamingo turned you back to look at him with a hand under your chin as your eyes widened.

"Fufufufu! You truly give interesting nicknames~!" Doflamingo said as he leaned closer to your face as your eyes narrowed in warning. "I knew you liked it rough to be with a man like him—you're not a fan of kindness are you? I can help with that, little officer. Calling your husband a bastard too." Doflamingo gave a playful tsk as he shook his head, glasses glinting. "If there's any trouble in paradise, you know you can come to me anytime don't you?"

You put your pipe to the man's shoulder to back him up, making Doflamingo's grin falter at your hard look.

"Lucci is Lucci. And I'm me. We're together until we eventually die—and even that would be together. I ain't playing this game with you anymore, Doflamingo. I'll always be taken—those are all facts you gotta understand." You kept your gaze on the man's sunglasses as the man frowned at that last part. "Now I gotta go. Back up. I'm sure you still have your own things to do and have planned with everything that's happening."

Doflamingo kept his gaze on you for a few more moments, your pipe still to his shoulder of his pink suit. Looking to be in thought or just trying to comprehend what you said. The always grinning man feeling odd once more at how your face should be more embarrassed—and that you shouldn't be hitched but free. And once again, Doflamingo felt as if he wanted to pick you up to see but this time—he firmly pushed the urge down as he stared at your sincere yet determined expression.

Doflamingo stepped back. You blinking and mouth opening at the action as the man grinned, moving his hands to his pockets.

"Fufufufu~! You're more fun when you're with that pup. Your reactions are funny along with his." Doflamingo turned his feathered back to you as you frowned, putting the pipe in the air down to your side as Doflamingo walked off to a warehouse. "Maybe the next time I see you with him, your face will turn into that adorable expression again."

You don't know why, but your lips quirked.

"Maybe you really want a death wish than. Besides," you said as you moved to walk straight and walked passed him—your back now to his as you had the pipe to your shoulder. "Even if I tried to even leave without telling him—he'd hunt me down and kill me. Just like I would. He's a sadistic bastard. I would just be too angry he had the nerve. He's the one who asked after all!"

You heard Doflamingo chuckle oddly as he turned his head to stare at you as you walked.

"So you're saying I might have a chance?"

You shook your head and lifted a hand as you kept going.

"Bye, Mingo."

"Fufufufu...maybe in another life."

Doflamingo entered the warehouse after the low murmur, you sprinting to the building that seemed to have a battle all around it.

You took notice of some of the Charlotte Family with their allies being of Capone's men as well as Teach's to assist. Some people were on the roofs of the candy and cloud building fighting as well as taking shots to the ones below with heavy artillery. Along with others in the others roofs on the warehouses around this large open space. You moved to be behind one warehouse as you assessed the situation.

You spotted others in the fighting that were apart of the plan—crazy and chaotic as it was. You spotting Whitebeard's—now Marco's(he must be with Teach)— members behind some crates that were placed in the open space of the battlefield to serve as cover. Along with many vehicles such as large black SUV's and even trucks—you even spotted one tank that's must've gotten destroyed since it looked charred but was still of use as cover. Some of Marco's men including the dark skinned Kingdew, the young looking swordsman Haruta, and the man with a down turned mustache Rakuyo along with other subordinates that are below their command.

You also saw one of Shanks' men, the spiky burgundy haired Rockstar along with other small clan members but were holding their own with all the fist fights and gun shots flying around—as well as the swords.

You glanced at your pipe, frowning.

You really need your sword.

You glanced back, taking note of all the power within the fights all around. Whiplashes seeming to occur and small craters appearing below the fighting bodies—some buildings around having some walls fallen apart and crumbled due to everything. Your eyes taking in the many people atop the roofs taking shots.

You would have to be careful with that. Sadly you training your body doesn't give you metal skin. You wished it did.

Although maybe your body will feel different if you had that. It would look cool, but the metal skin will make you feel cold. The asshole already acts snappy when you touch him with cold feet sometimes. Hypocrite. As if he didn't sometimes suffocate you when he was on top of you when they were in bed.

Your sharp eyes roved farther, you moving closer by going behind each piece of crumbled building before stopping. Crouching to make sure you were seen by those in the roof and peeking out as you looked only for your eyes to hone in on those closer to the main building you're aiming for.

Jabra, you see he was fighting Charlotte family member Zuccuto along with what you noticed were other small time agents from the FBI to assist with the other Charlotte family members. So they're here. The others must be busy with everything else that's happening...

Despite you knowing this was a strategic move, you still felt yourself wilt before shaking yourself. Tightening the hold of your pipe as you looked down in thought.

Even if I successfully head over there, the pipe won't last much longer. Even if I had my sword, I'm not sure it will have much use...that hag is a giant and her strength is legendary. Ah well.

You're already here, might as well. You'll be fine.

You dashed towards the center of the open space, quickly rolling or side stepping out the way of bullets, or blocking with the use of your pipe if you had too. Stopping when you reached Rockstar behind an SUV with a gun as he called your name in surprise, not being informed you were going to be here by Shanks. You smiling and waving the man off as you said that Shanks told you something was happening but you don't want to sit down for this.

You quickly ducked, a bullet ricocheting off the car where you just were as Rockstar paled next to you. Saying loudly that he'll die if you get killed with you waving him off with a casual smile.

You moving your gun to your hands and taking aim of some of the enemies atop the roofs. Three shots for one. Five shots for another. Six for—you're much better at fighting hand to hand than this really but Rockstar beside you was helping you—you saying you were going in.

"What?!" Rockstar yelped, turning from his aim to you only for his side to be empty as his eyes bulged out as you ran through the space. "Oh no...this is bad."

This area is more clear of bullets now—ah, Haruta needs help!

You saw the young Haruta with his sword facing off ten strong members of the Charlotte family, struggling and panting for breath as you dashed forward—opening your mouth.

"Bitches say what?!"

The men around Haruta turned, the young brown haired light green clothed glancing at you and eyes widening in surprise.

"Wha—?"

The man who spoke met a pipe to his face, the one next to him receiving a kick as you laughed between every few words.

"You guys...just said...pfft... HAHAHAHAHA! You guys just called yourselves bitches!"

You snorted as you stood over the two downed bodies as all the other men scowled.

"You bitch!" One called, lifting his sword and dashing towards you. "You'll pay for this!"

You sidestepped the slash, elbowing the man's shoulder.

"I don't think I'm the one that said what," you replied as the man hissed and tripped over himself before getting back up with a snarl and a hand to his neck.

"Miss (Y/N)!"

You turned towards Haruta with a disgusted frown.

"Please don't call me miss," You answered, moving to dodge others attacks and noting these guys were truly strong since they kept getting back up after each hit. Haruta doing his part as he clashed with the men's swords—the both of you now having equal amounts of opponents. "Don't worry kid, I'm just helping a little bit. Although you should really drop out of this messy business—HEY!"

You quickly leapt over two swords coming for your legs, moving to kick downwards when gravity took you. The man moving the sword quickly to slash once more, you cursing as you moved your pipe forward to block it. Successful as you parried the sword before bashing the man's head.

"Rude asshole, I was talking!"

Your eyes widened as the man quickly recovered, moving his sword into a harsh thrust you lowering your upper body quickly as you felt your blouse rip at the sleeve. A slight stinging sensation on your arm as you winced before narrowing your eyes. Using the momentum to place your arms on the floor and doing a roundhouse kick to push the man and others beat you away. You jumped back up with a push of your arms, landing only to be met with two swords coming for you—ducking as you moved your pipe around—making you able to punch your fists forward to the men's guts and landing them till they were down.

You huffing at them as you stood up, looking at you arm as you tsked.

"Man...I like this shirt you know. Now you ruined it."

"Who cares?!" A man shouted as he brought his sword upwards to slash at you only for your pipe to meet his as you narrowed your eyes at the man. Also taking small note of your pipe that was cracking before quickly parrying and jabbing the pipe to his stomach than chest than chin as he grunted with each hit. Only to fall when you reached his chin, down for the count.

"I care, ya walking no good dipshit. Hah..." you fingered the torn sleeve that went from your elbow to a few inches below your shoulder. Your skin only having a small scratch along your bicep but it was enough to make you frown. "How embarrassing...but you guys were stronger than the other ones I took out coming over here. I gotta be careful."

You took note that your side was done along with Haruta as he called to you for them to move forward to where the exploded tank was for cover—you following quickly while the both of you dodged bullets as you glanced around. Haruta explaining that those men were harder since they were special members of some of the officers of the Charlotte family. You think that despite that, you should've been fine. Haruta glanced at your weapon and pointed out to you that your pipe will not last much longer with another swords match but you shrugged at him—glancing at the bodies you and him defeated before glancing at the roofs. Noting that new artillery is aiming at that area so you can't get any of those men's swords.

You'll be fine, you just have to be careful or snag someone else's sword. Haruta than saying he has to go inside one of the warehouses to the left of them to finish off this section of the plan—you frowning before nodding at the young man and telling him to be careful as Haruta said the same before running off—taking opponents out in his way if needed as he left. Marco's gunmen supporting him as they took out more artillery at the roofs, you taking note there's only a handful of them left.

You peeked around the tank and spotted a big player of the Charlotte family easily taking down Marco's men—quite ruthlessly and with a "Boyoyon" laugh with his large sword and a smile. Uncaring of the excess amount of blood all around and in glee as he kicked some bodies out his way to attack the others that were clearly outmatched.

You gritted your teeth at the scene, moving from behind the tank as you stalked towards the man.

"Oi! Fuckface with your shitty smile!" The man turned, just as he sliced another of Marco's men—tooth filled grin faltering but he kept his empty eyes on you. "You're Bobbin right? What's up with the whole cape get up? And take off that plume hat. Only one guy can rock it and it's definitely not you. He chose the look a few years after high school and no one else can copy!"

The man stared at you as you walked up to him, pipe in hand until you were ten feet away. His eyes flashing in remembrance before his empty grin came back full force, lifting his sword hand as he did so to under his chin.

"You're Agent (Y/N)! Boyoyon!" The short ugly man said with a bob of his head, moving side to side as he spoke. You would take Doflamingo's grins any day compared to this empty eyed weirdo. "Came here to get killed? Actually, weren't you held captive by one of our allies? How did you get here if that happened...unless that information we took from you was false." The man ended suspiciously but his grin never faltered nor did his empty eyes change.

You smirked, readying yourself into a stance to prep for the combatant of Big Mom. This man being completely different to all the grunts you've faced so far.

"Who knows what information ya'll got wrong," you answered as the both of you began to circle each other, blood pumping and adrenaline rushing through you as you took each step. "Must be a lot though. You lot really put all your eggs in one basket for this. Caught red handed too...I wonder if some people on every clan decided to open their eyes and switch. Smart really."

The man's grin faltered once more, murmuring "Pudding" before straightening back with a full force grin.

"Not smart at all." Bobbin replied before quickly leaping towards you, meeting your pipe with his sword.

The two metals clashing and sparks raising as the both of you blocked or parried or feinted each other—you feeling the pipe on its last edge as sweat went down your temple as you thought what you were going to do once it breaks.

You met Bobbin's attack once more—this one being a slice. The pipe cleaved in half as the top half flew upwards before landing on the ground, a stab to the dirt. Bobbin grinned as you held the broken pipe, you jumping back to put more distance between the two of you.

"What are you going to do now?"

Your mouth twisted, your options being low as you figured you'll have to use your hands and focus on dodging the slashes.

Only to sense something quickly coming your way from above your head. But it didn't feel like a bullet.

You reached a hand out, letting go of your pipe as your head half turned to see. The object landing perfectly to your hand, the hilt comforting as your breath hitched as you stared.

My sword, that means—

A flutter of wings with a Coo flew overhead, away from the dangerous fighting as you glanced up. Heart hammering as you moved your eyes this way and that to try to find him. Desperate as your orbs flitted quickly around. Where is he? He has to be close. He has to be. Where—

You eyes landed on a pile of metal crates that were in the space, stacked up against each other about thirty feet to your right with your position right now.

Your eyes moving up as time seemed to stand still. Meeting black dress pants legs, to a black long sleeved buttoned shirt with a white tie before finally—

Your heart stuttered as dark eyes sucked yours in, (e/c) seeming to shine as shadowed cobalt seemed to swallow it.

Lucci stood with hands in his pockets, hair tied back with his hat gone. You noticing he seemed to have gotten into his own fights from that, as well as your jacket being gone and his face appearing it took a few hits. But you noticed from what skin you saw with his sleeves to his forearms—the blood he has on him is most likely more from others than himself. You could practically hear him say the amount of competency in his opponents were barely existent but some had enough talent to place a hit or two before being another disappointment.

It made the subconscious smile on your face widen.

Lucci took you in as well, silently taking in your own form. As if to memorize—or to simply be reminded—of every detail that defines your body. Like the day before he had to leave for his month long mission. Almost as if each movement of his eyes was a stroke of a brush to a canvas—with clear purpose yet not sharp movements but steady. The pure focus of his gaze making you swallow dryly.

Lucci paused at your arm, arching a brow at you. Questioning. You glancing down only to shrug at him with a sheepish grin, your eyes quickly going back to his form for you do not wish to look away and you're sure Lucci didn't want to either as he stayed where he was—his own eyes connecting to yours once more. Your grip on your sword tightening to stop you from taking a step to his direction just as you took note of Lucci's jaw clenching before relaxing.

Your bastard tilting his head to the building slightly before straightening as his eyes moved behind you to your opponent, giving a imperceptible nod. Your brows furrowed as you frowned, before nodding. You finally saw a twitch of his stupid smirk at that before quickly fading as the both of you turned at the same time to what you needed to do.

Your determined expression on Bobbin as he murmured that he was still here while the two of you were doing that.

Lucci's own narrowed eyes facing the warehouse as he jumped down from the pile of crates.

"You're screwed now, fuck face." You smirked as you readied your sword in front of you. "I gotta win against you now or else. And I don't really want my prick of a husband acting all high and mighty that I couldn't. I would really hate that. So get ready!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Pay attention, Jabra! Your feet is lagging behind!"

"Shut up! I'm not the one who looked like they went through a paper shredder!"

"I'm actually trying to fight, you're too busy making up stories to your opponents! You have a weird obsession with Red Riding Hood, ya know!"

Jabra scowled, slightly flushed as the both of you fought in front of the candy and cloud pictured building that is now partially leveled to the ground. You're not sure if Big Mom was the cause or not or whoever else that may be in there.

Your fight with Bobbin was definitely tougher than the others—parties and blocks—harsh thrusts and constant dodges with cuts on both your bodies with you eventually being the victor. But not without lowering your stamina and cuts and scratches to your shirt and face. The harshest one being a slash to your shoulder, but the bleeding is only slight so you were alright. You gained the advantage with the weird looking combatant of Big Mom when Bobbin received a report over the walkie talkie about Kaido and Luffy—reports that the young crazy kid was actually going for Teach all along while Law and Zoro handled the large tattooed man who had an obsession with animals as Luffy joined Shanks as officers were predominantly with Teach and Kaido's locations. Just as the report came, the building Haruta and Lucci were in was leveled and caved in slightly—no doubt due to the fights. You weren't worried at all about that.

Now after Bobbin laid upon the floor after one final slash to his front, you dashed to where Jabra was. Still being cautious of the one warehouse left nearby that had shooters above—checking where they were shooting until you arrived to Jabra with the other agents and helping them with the leftover members of the Charlotte family and of Teach's men.

You don't know why they haven't just given up already—clearly it's almost over.

"D-don't make me sound like a pervert!" Jabra finally answered as he dodged a right hook from a Teach grunt, moving to give a sucker punch to their left as the man grunted in pain. Jabra taking advantage of the oasis's as he elbowed the man's face. The man falling to the floor before Jabra moved to fight another. "It works anyways! Everyone likes a good sob story and I take advantage." Jabra ended with a feral grin and a laugh, his clothes dirtied from all the fighting as he blocked punches and kicks to him while his opponent did the same.

You snorted as you sidestepped, lifting your sword in a slash before you were met with a fellow sword—clashing each other with sparks and clangs.

More than a dozen of men were left as enemies as you and Jabra and the other agents went to work. A circle of grunts and shouts and yelps—shots and punches and swords ringing.

You were admittedly having trouble with your current opponent—the long white spiky haired man named Raisin. Barely dodging the slice to your right leg through your joggers, receiving a cut as you winced. Blood dribbling down your calf.

This is the trouble of fighting with swords really. And this Raisin guy is really analytical and knows what he's doing. He reminds you a little bit of Mihawk that way, you observed as you did a feint with your sword that he didn't fall for. Moving instead to the left to take a stab to your side, using your hand to push his sword hand away as went forward. Giving a slice to his chest that wasn't as deep as planned since he leaned backward in time before leaping back with a wince and panted breaths.

He wasn't doing too good himself, cuts and slices to his own form—blood seeping through his light colored clothes. His chest moving due to heavy breaths as you followed suit before taking control yourself.

Readying your stance once more, sword in front. You took small notice that you were getting a little chilly. Most likely due to all the slices to your shirt but eh—you were still decent. You had a sports bra underneath anyways.

Your senses than itched behind you but your gut allowed it—feeling it was nothing as you continued facing forward towards the narrowed eyed white haired man.

Warmth was pressed to your back—hard and lean as your eyes widened before leaning into it.

"You're allowing yourself to be too open for you to look like that," Lucci stated lowly, his back to you as you sensed he was also facing an opponent in front of him due to your ears catching unfamiliar heavy breaths. Although you could hear and feel Lucci's increased breathing, his heart beating through his back just like how he could probably feel yours. "You should stick with your hands instead of depending on a weapon. It will allow more clothes to stay on in the end. And no risks of others laying a scar."

Your lips quirked, leaning against his back more as you glanced behind you briefly. Noting, at least from what you could tell—Lucci looked he was in more scuffles due to the amount of dirt and blood on his black dress shirt. His hands weren't currently in his pockets but to his sides as he stood tall, holding blood and calluses on them from knuckles to even specks to his forearm. Someone clearly was busy and having fun.

You're sure you look quite a mess as well, sword fighting can get bloodily after all. You don't just have blood from your own injuries. Although slight, there were drops of others on your blouse.

"Came out of the woodworks just to tell me that?" You teased as you kept his head in the corner of your eye. Not being able to see Lucci was glancing back as well. "You should worry about yourself more. You're not looking too good either, ya know. You've seen better days. Oh. And thanks for my sword, bastard."

"These are nothing. And no marks should be on you but mine. No one's."

You huffed at him, but not a true one.

"I'm not weak enough to get a scar! I didn't miss your arrogant attitude, that's for sure!"

Despite your barbed words, you turned your head slightly as you leaned the side of your head against his back. Taking his presence in for a moment as his long tied hair tickled your cheek. Able to smell his clean conditioner he uses mixed with the musk you've associated with Lucci, them being blood and sweat. You're sure if you placed your nose near his breath, it would smell like his favorite brandy. Taste like it too.

Your eyes turned half lidded as you smiled softly.

You really missed him.

You felt Lucci's back shift slightly, but didn't see Lucci moving his neck a tad to look down at you. Observing for a moment before chuckling richly, turning his head as he smirked as you moved your head up in confusion.

"You're truly a horrible liar, idiot."

You flushed as you gave out a loud "Hah?!" before fully turning back to your opponent in front of you as you scowled.

"F-Forget it, prick! I didn't m-miss you at all and now I have to share the bed with you again as you suffocate me! Anyways, I bet you didn't fight as many people as I did." You challenged, before lips turned down into a frown. Thinking of your kidnappers. "Although some of them were super lame..."

"Don't be childish, (Y/N)," Lucci admonished as he faced forward as he crossed his arms. "We're not children anymore. There's no need to compete."

Your mouth dropped before you closed it, snorting.

"Pfft! Yeah right. Who's the liar now, huh?"

Acting all innocent and that he doesn't like to win and show off. Like that can fool you.

"There's no need for competition on numbers when strength and power of opponents is all that matters." Lucci smoothly corrected, you able to hear his arrogant tone that's surely around a smirk. "Your list must be small in terms of powerful opponents. Even you stated so. You wish to deny it? It will only cement you as a liar further."

You growled, wanting to turn back but you only told him that he has no idea of who you faced while Lucci calmly stated the same. A back and forth occurring as your scowl grew just as Lucci's amusement did. Their opponents in front of them sweatdrop as they wondered to themselves if the couple remembered they were there.

The both of them having enough as they suddenly charged towards the two of you. You and Lucci's expressions both hardening as Lucci stated later as you told him they aren't finished yet—before the both of you met the charge with your swords as you smirked at Raisin and saying he has guts while Lucci commented coldly that interrupting was a mistake and a lesson is needed as he punched his opponent.

You were able to quickly dispatch Raisin after a few more moves, him to the ground as his sword was far away after you unarmed him. Smirking as you said to the laid down man with his back to you that he needs to try harder before you moved on to another opponent as Lucci held his opponent harshly by the collar with narrowed eyes. You could hear the sounds of police cars growing closer signifying the near end of this as your sword clashed with your opponent, as you yelled to Lucci that you got another one while Lucci only gave you a glance before turning back to punishing his rude enemy as you yelled at him to not ignore you. Your opponent shouting at you that you were ignoring them with a tick on their face.

Unbeknownst to you, Raisin was still conscious as he made a hand signal and used his walkie talkie, weakly whispering now.

As you clashed with your opponent, distracted as you shouted at Lucci—you heard Jabra's own shout of alarm faintly as you turned your head towards him in confusion.

"What? I can't hear you!" You blocked another slash of your opponent, quickly ducking at another slice to your head as you gave your own attack managing to get their side. Them retaliating with harsh slash attacks towards you, your sword vibrating at the strong attacks but kept firm as you met all of them. "Talk...louder!"

Lucci was kicking his opponent down once more to make sure they didn't move as blood pooled below them, his dark eyes narrowing as he glanced towards Jabra. Before following his gaze, making Lucci's eyes widen as he whipped his eyes back towards you as he cursed. Making a dash.

You and your opponent was at a standstill of your swords, before you swiftly lifted a leg to kick them in the gut. Them grunting as they flew back at your strong kick as a shot rang out with all the others ones that were still in the background.

You turned your head towards Lucci with a proud confident smirk.

"See, my list is just getting—what are you—?!"

Lucci tackled you to the ground from your shoulder, a bullet whizzing past you and missing it's mark. But finding another one to your husband's right shoulder as you landed harshly to the ground. Your eyes wide as you froze.

Lucci hissed as he landed on the ground due to the momentum of the shot, hand to his shoulder in a grimace. You quickly crawled towards him, placing your hand atop his in a gesture for you to let him see as your heart pounded. Only to slap your hand away with his other not holding his shoulder.

"It's nothing. It hit my body armor." Lucci explained tensely with furrowed brows. You frowning at him as you held your hand he slapped away.

"But...I didn't feel any—"

Lucci moved to stand, his hand moving from his shoulder—expression deathly calm. You could only stare as you quickly followed suit, concern only growing. You not being able to fully look around you, police cars and vans finally arriving as Jabra gave quick orders to the other agents and them. Taking care of the one who took the shot with one bullet.

"You were distracted. We haven't seen each other in a period you weren't used to." Lucci explained, rational as he turned his back towards you—at an angle where you couldn't quite see his shoulder and his hair was covering it. "It's to be expected. This is nothing you have to fret about, you're already scatterbrained enough as it is to add another ridiculous notion of yours."

Lucci rotated the shoulder as if to show he was alright. You weren't convinced. He just looked tense.

You stepped toward him, raising a hand to the shoulder you're positive was alright.

"Lucci, please. Let me see. Did the bullet go through at least?"

Lucci stepped forward, your hand missing as his head turned. Expression hard.

"Body armor stops the bullet. It's only an effect from it catching it, there are still enemies. Focus, idiot. And stop making that face." He demanded coldly at your worried expression and tight shoulders. "I made a vow to you and I intend to keep it. Did your head get hit somewhere that you forgot?"

Your lips shook even as you bit your lip, fists tightening.

First a vow between each other that death will not have either of them—not if it's not together. Not as one. Punishments after all must always follow through.

The second, a vengeance that Lucci has been working on all this time since Spandam dared to mess with them. For one who dared to hurt one—the other will retaliate.

"I—" you swallowed as you nodded, believing in Lucci like he believes in you. "Okay."

Lucci turned before running towards those who tried to bail now that the police were here, commanding over his shoulder that you must do your part. You straightening as you centered yourself before doing the same, grabbing your sword that fell out of your hands when your husband tackled you as you gave chase to the ones who ran. Quickly fighting them around the open space and demolished buildings—your mind still distracted at Lucci and his tight expression. Well, tighter than usual. You took notice that Marco's men and Shank's men being mysteriously(smartly) gone.

After gathering the last stragglers, by gathering you mean defeating so they can't move—you went back to where Jabra was at. Him giving orders and talking to the officers who were receiving the report as the others put Big Mom's and Teach's men into the vehicles.

"(Y/N)?" You turned your head just when you arrived in front of Jabra to see Smoker was here, brown eyes wide. "What are you doing here?! I thought you—"

You raised a hand, a smile you didn't quite feel appearing. Smoker closing his mouth.

"Got kidnapped. They were at my house so...can't exactly not get involved when they want you involved, Smokey."

Smoker shook his head with an exasperated sigh and hand to his face as Jabra laughed along with the other agents and officers before looking at you in concern as he saw how your eyes moved around, searching. Smoker asking you what was wrong before you answered you're going to search for Lucci before you ran off.

Smoker turned towards Jabra when Jabra stated to the receiver of the police radio in a cruiser for rescue to come at their sight.

"What happened?"

Jabra shrugged, crossing his arms as he leaned against the car casually.

"That asshole Lucci got himself shot to protect (Y/N)—she didn't have body armor at all after all. Her kidnappers aren't that nice I think." Jabra scratched under his nose, briefly giving another statement of their location to the radio when they asked before continuing. "She's all worried now I think. Weird to see—I don't think I've seen her ever worry about that asshole. And we've been working together for years! Which who can blame her? Cocky cat lovin shit."

"There has to be more than that," Smoker said, puffing his cigars as he looked towards the direction you ran off to with a concerned frown. "Since (Y/N) didn't have any, that means Lucci had armor underneath right? The operation required all of us to wear them. Although...there were some officers downed due to the grade of bullets those criminals had."

"Why wouldn't he?" Jabra scoffed before whipping his head to Smoker. "Wait what? There was field grade bullets?!"

Smoker arched a brow as the dog loving man put his hands to his head in shock.

"I'm guessing no bullets reached over here, or at least to where you were and your men. That means..." Smoker's eyes widened the same time as Jabra grimaced.

As you ran, a sense of dread was filled in your gut just as your heart pounded as you looked this way and that for your husband. Trying to find Hattori as well in the sky as a good indicator to where he is.

He's fine. He's too stubborn and too much of a prick to leave. You thought as you ran, sweat going down your temple and back. Besides, he can't leave punishments. No one can escape punishments. It's like a rule!

You spotted Hattori flying over head near the exploded tank you were by with Rockstar earlier, before spotting the amount of bodies twitching on the ground. Freshly taken out so they couldn't run.

You turned the corner of the tank, freezing at the sight.

Bodies were truly everywhere, blood bleeding onto the ground as if the earth would turn red. Some limbs looking oddly in place as they groaned even unconscious or whimpered—two dozen seeming to have planned to escape only to fail at the hands of the ruthless Rob Lucci.

Who was leaning against the tank with legs out in front of him, a hand to his shoulder and eyes staring ahead at nothing as he breathed slowly. Each breath seeming to hurt as he hissed or tightened the hold on his shoulder only to grimace.

Hattori fluttered his wings and landed in front of Lucci—cooing worriedly and fluttering his wings as he turned his head towards you so you could help. Lucci's half lidded eyes glancing in your direction due to the pigeon

The look jerked you forward, your limbs feeling shaky as you squatted beside your husband to his left.

"L-Lucci, let me see please. Let me help."

Lucci took a moment to stare at you, lips turned down as he breathed heavily and brows furrowed before acquiescing by moving his hand from his right shoulder to lay it on his lap.

How easily he agreed made your worry skyrocket even more—dread rising as you stared at the hole to your husband's black shirt. Darker in the area around the hole due to the blood. So much blood.

You quietly told him you were gonna take his shirt off, him only nodding stoically as you moved to squat in between his legs and quickly unbuttoned his shirt despite your trembling hands—gentle when you pushed the right sleeve down although Lucci grimaced. His left hand moving to hold your knee, and you wished you were wearing shorts instead so you could feel his skin on your as he kept his stare on your face as you focused on what you were doing.

You paled, seeing that Lucci wasn't lying about the bulletproof vest but it was those lean ones. Probably so he could move better but it offered less protection. As seen as there was a hole through the vest as well, the location of it making you swallow a lump before moving to take off the vest by the clasps atop the shoulders.

"...that face," you glanced at Lucci, his voice cool as ever but breathy as you kept going with your hands. "You still doubt?"

Do you doubt me and my words? Lucci's dark irises seemed to gleam as his hand on your knee tightened as you continued squatting in front of him. Are you underestimating me?

You bit the inside of your cheek, turning your focus back onto your task, moving to unclasp around his abdomen. Hattori fluttered his wings and landed atop your shoulder, beady eyes looking down at his master in cooes.

"L-like a bastard like you gets defeated by a sole bullet. Yeah...yeah right! It would take...a whole set of explosions and a building to cave in—fire everywhere until everything was ash to do you in. I-it's like you're a roach or something!" You reasoned loudly, rambling as you grinned—your cheeks protesting as you did so as your hands continued their work as knowing dark eyes peered up at you. "A stupid roach too...like pfft, who gets in front of a bullet like that...huh? Huh...?! An asshole, that's what! You—"

Your heart fell as your grin on your face froze when you finally took off the vest as carefully as possible, although Lucci's breath increased when you did.

The bullet hole in your husband was a little below the shoulder and dangerously to where someone might call the location of the hole at his right chest.

Your hand moved to go to your husband's back, touching tentatively around his right side only to meet nothing.

The bullet didn't go clean through, you realized in a panic. It's stuck inside him!

Despite this, you forced the grin back on your face—grabbing Lucci's shirt on the floor as you prepped to make a makeshift bandage out of it as Lucci stared.

"Ha...I think the world has it out for ya, prick. Bullet is inside...g-good thing ya'll match—you're both cold and hard. Or maybe you're just impenetrable enough that even the bullet couldn't escape...you really like trapping things, b-bastard. Why so quiet anyways...? Don't tell me that it hurts so much your sm-smart mouth is staying shut...I bet I could've handled it better than you, asshole." You ripped his shirt harshly, hands shaking as you did so as Hattori cooed softly and sadly to your ear. Your eyes feeling oddly glassy as guilt settled. "You're an ass...I'm the idiot...I should've paid more attention, I don't need a prick like you acting like a savior...that's—that's just out of character for a shitty bastard—a shitty man like you."

"I said," Lucci spoke, voice as smooth and rich as ever, maintaining its control yet quiet through his breathing. "No one. No one but me can ever place a mark on you...idiot. You never listen." You tightened your hands around his shirt, throat tight as you bit the inside of your lips harshly as you kept your gaze down. His hand atop your knee grazing up to hold your waist, it was supposed to be comforting but it only made your eyes water more as he squeezed. "And who are your words for? I already know...I can survive this. But...it seems you are trying to be convinced of it."

You swallowed, lifting your eyes to meet his sharp gaze. Turning your head away as you began to wrap his shirt around the hole—the bloody hole that had so much red going down his paling skin—his hand tightening on your waist as you did so while his right made a fist upon the ground as you maintained a forced smirk.

"You're...really a perverted bastard! Only you, huh? Like...like that isn't selfish or something—you're so selfish." Your voice was starting to lose its edge, cracking along the way more as you distantly felt tears coming down your face. "What—what about no one can touch you...? No one can touch you besides—only me, I only can too. And I don't need convincing!" You yelled as you tied his black shirt, holding back sniffles. "You're—I have a shitty strong asshole—a stupid husband. You—can't leave your punishment with me. I know...I know that! You're amazing and a prick—shitshow who took—got all these guys out even...even with a bullet in ya. And...and—" Lucci observed you silently as you finished tying him, moving to kneel between his legs as you laid your forehead against his collarbone lightly. Sniffling and drops falling on him despite you using the back of your hand to swipe at your face, you unable to see the odd look as dark eyes just took you in—turning his head down so his chin was atop your head as he breathed. You feeling his breath to your hair as his head shifted down closer to your ear, the familiar feeling making you choke down a sob. "I'll...chase y-y-you down! Ass!" You ended, taking a steadying breath to control yourself and to halt the tears.

He has to be okay. He's just breathing a little harder than usual. His brows is just furrowed more than usual too—the pain must be annoying. The sweat you see and feel on him is from all the fighting that's been happening the past few hours—it was a lot of excitement. Yeah, it's just a small hindrance. Lucci even already said he'd be okay.

It's nothing.

If Lucci says it—he means it. He doesn't cut corners or is kind with words. He's not kind. He's mean and cruel and ruthless and sadistic. Your husband is stubborn too and has a fighting spirit like you—one that'll never be sated like yours.

Except maybe with him and only him. Maybe. Cause he's yours. And you're his.

You moved your hands to lay upon his chest, careful with his right shoulder as your left hand pressed against his abdomen while the other pressed against his chest. Able to feel his fast heart rate underneath and your face went stricken once more. Hattori fluttering his wings worriedly as he was on your shoulder with a crying coo.

"...you're leaving a mess," Lucci murmured, lips moving against your ear and you were distracted for a small moment that maybe he's so close to your ear is so you could make sure you heard him since he couldn't speak as loud. "Hattori too...you've spread your ridiculousness...to even poor Hattori. Your nonsense is similar...to a disease."

"I—I'm on my period!" You excused yourself with a blubber.

Hattori raising both his wings high in a loud coo, beady eyes looking shiny.

"Liar~Liar~!" Hattori flapped his wings as he than seemed to coo in denial of his master's last few words.

You felt Lucci's hand slide down to your hip at the same time he let out a dark chuckle, tickling your ear as you moved your head to face him at the action with teary eyes.

"This is...how you act when I'm away...? Even openly admitting—" Lucci took a breath, clenching his jaw and his hand on your hip as he did so. His hand than following a path up your back to your head—leaving a trail of blood on your shirt but you didn't care. Not caring when he did the thing with your hair—tanned nimble fingers that can destroy and undo curling around the strands. You could hear distantly the sirens of a rescue coming closer but you were focused on Lucci as your hand moved from his chest to cup his neck—feeling his pulse as he leaned his forehead against yours. "That...you are an idiot...I want...a better reward than...that."

Before you could stop him, he pressed his lips against yours. The action immediately making you melt as you cupped the back of his neck and curled around his own hair—still soft and slightly damp with sweat as you sighed against his lips. Lucci letting out a small growl at how easily you opened for him, pleased. You couldn't help it.

You missed him.

Your brows furrowed as he deepened the kiss with swirls of his tongue as you followed suit—reminding yourself of the taste of him.

He did drink some brandy, you observed with a tilt of your lips as you just enjoyed him, moving your hand to his jaw—his unique stubble being grazed by your fingers. The bastard who stole your heart. He tastes like I remember—sweat and—

You pulled back just as Lucci hissed, leaning his head back against the tank behind him with narrowed eyes. You looking at him in concern with both hands now to his jaw as you asked if he was okay—hearing the ambulance stop near the two of you—the rescue bringing out the stretcher quickly with orders in between. Hattori giving frantic cooes as he leaned his head towards his master, who muttered tensely that it was nothing. Just an annoyance—saying once his eyes closed as you tensed around that—an annoyance getting in the way. That he will wake up and they can continue the reward later.

The EMT's came and told you to back away just as he said that and as he went unconscious as you tried to not yell in panic. Choosing to believe in Lucci—and based on you feeling his pulse still and how the EMT's said as they put him in the stretcher as you went in the ambulance with him—he's still okay.

He can survive this. Cause he's Lucci.

Just like how you could move with no hindrance despite the odds. Cause you're (Y/N).

And the both of you aren't leaving the other yet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Lucci," you called from the floor, voice cracked as your right knee wrapped in elastic bandage still shook as if you were still doing the exercise. Your skin and tank top filled with sweat, shorts rode up to your upper thighs due to how you sat.

You kept your head low when Lucci tilted his head down to look at you, white tank top and joggers as they were in the exercise room as he stood in front but to the right of you—close to the wall by the elliptical, the only exercise machine they have in the room since they normally just use their own bodies. Although he was fine, he was just ordering you to do what exercises—to make you move like before. Hattori in another part of the house surely eating his favorite food.

"I...what if I can't do this?" Lucci's eyes narrowed, you keeping your eyes to the floor as questions appeared in your mind again. About Lucci and you. "What if...I can't fight again?"

"You will." Lucci affirmed, no doubt in his tone. "Don't focus on anything else—lest you make your own block of the path and you stop yourself. We'll stop if you doubt again."

"You...you don't get what I'm saying. I know I can, but..." You trailed off, biting your lip as you glanced up at his furrowed expression before glancing away, tucking your left leg in as you leaned your head against it with your left arm cushioning. "...I—I'm asking...this is just an if...what would you do if my legs aren't as they used to be? I can only walk or barely run...I...Lucci...would you still...?"

Would he still be with you? Love you?

A few beats of silence passed. And than it lengthened to more. And with each second of silence, your heart rate rose just as the rock in your stomach grew heavier. Rising more when you heard Lucci move, now directly in front of you due to how in the corner of your eye you saw his feet. You could feel his eyes burning a hole through your head and practically demanding for you to look his way, but you didn't. Instead hiding your head more into your left arm atop your knee.

"Just say it—" Your instincts screamed as you whipped your hand in front of you, catching Lucci's foot as you moved your head up to scowl at him. "What was that, asshole?! I asked you a question!"

Lucci allowed you to keep your hold on his foot he was aiming to kick you with, expression hard as he kept one hand to his pocket and the other free.

"So your arms still work after all." Your eyes widened, loosening your hold on Lucci as he put his foot back to the floor but still stood over you with narrowed intense eyes. "You're no cripple. You certainly don't act like one with that mouth. Also, recall how we first met. Already late for the second week of school and the Principal with Garp having to separate us."

You remember. That recollection of the now fond memory is one of the reasons that made you realize you liked Lucci in the first place. It was in front of the school gates. Where Lucci proposed to you first—their faces younger and you being a total stuttering mess at everything Lucci did while his smirks and arrogant looks were more apparent.

Despite the nice recollection—it didn't really answer your question. Well, the cripple thing somewhat did...he doesn't see you weak even as you sat on the floor sweating heavily just from a few leg exercises. You're still capable.

But it still didn't really answer it.

Lucci must've spotted your troubled expression for his lips turned down into a frown before he huffed—moving to sit down in front of you as you watched with furrowed brows. Lucci connecting your eyes with his—you yelping when he dragged your right leg by your ankle to him. Placing a knee in between your legs as he leaned over your now laid down form upon the floor, his other hand next to your head to hold him up as your expression was flustered while Lucci's was hard to read.

"Tell me, (Y/N)," Lucci said cooly. "How did you plan for us to die?" Your mouth dropped. "You expect it was going to be with the both of us out in the field? A random happenstance in the road? Or...you didn't even think of it at all."

"...I...no." You admitted as you scratched your cheek. "I just...I don't know. I just know it has to be together. I never think of the if's."

"Yet you are right now." Lucci pointed out with narrowed eyes as your expression turned slightly sheepish up at him only to grow embarrassed once more when his hand on your ankle began to trail upwards as he continued. "An interesting yet pointless if as well. But you've been wondering about it for some time. Is this 'if' the cause of your...outburst in the hospital?"

He's talking about when you were crying. He must've suspected even back than you weren't crying about the attack itself or Spandam—just Lucci. You wonder how exactly he knew.

You inclined you head in a nod as Lucci's hand reached your waist, keeping it there as Lucci gave a tilt of his head.

"I see...so you've never gave much thought as we grow older what will happen. I have."

Your eyes widened, distracted by his words as your lips parted and his hand went under your tank top—tanned skin meeting (skin tone) ones as a thumb rubbed. His face close and directly over yours.

"You...have?" You repeated, disbelieving even as Lucci gave an answering stare as your lips moved up on its own—shocked. "I—sorry, I just can't imagine me growing old. Or you." You reached a hand up to touch his free loose curls, (e/c) filled with soft humor. "Like this gray...? Or white? Or you being more of an asshole due to your age or—" you flinched when Lucci decided to bite your ear as you spoke—the sound of his growl and lapping of his tongue and your self conscious emotions as well as Lucci's words making you feel odd. Not as spiteful. "H-hey..."

Lucci released but kept his mouth to your ear, breathy.

"You still don't understand? What do you think happens to the body as it deteriorates?" Your eyes widened as you connected what he was getting at, breath hitching as Lucci's lips ghosted from the shell of your ear, to the back of it, to your neck as his knee began to press between your legs and his hand rose to where your bra was. "I can care less. As long as you're mine and only mine—you calling my name—"you began to mewl when Lucci began nipping on the juncture of your neck and his hand palmed your chest through your bra, weak at his words and touches and not retaliating for control like always for reasons you don't understand as you whimpered his name. Lucci lips curling in pleasure with dark eyes shining as he purred, your hand to the back of his neck for him to continue while the other held the wrist of the hand keeping him up over you. "Like that. No one else. Everyone else—they won't understand. Their minds don't compare to us, (Y/N)."

Lucci sealed his lips over your trembling ones, you easily opening for him making your husband's chest hum in a mix of surprise and approving. His hand continuing to attack through your bra as his fingers pinched and his thumb rolled—all while you kept the hold of his neck to keep him where he was but gentle enough to not be pulling his hair as well as let him pull back if he wished to.

After a swipe of his tongue, he pulled back to stare and see what is making you so agreeable. Only for his eyes to further darken as the hand that was holding his wrist moved to cover your mouth by the back of your hand—expression flustered and skin hot as your eyes were half lidded and glimmered, pleading.

He could spot some excess saliva coming down in the corner of your mouth doing your best to cover it.

"Lucci," you whined weakly, trailing your hand down from his neck, chest, abdomen, to his hardness as his eyes dilated and he growled in warning only for you to press against it softly. Your right leg moving to go behind him, pressing against his thighs to bring him closer but as if you were asking permission. "Please."

Lucci's lips parted before his jaw tightened, before quickly stripping you of your lower half as you assisted with your upper.

The two of you discovered something that day, as you laid atop Lucci so you wouldn't be on the cold floor—more marks on you than usual whether it was ear, neck, chest or abdomen that was somewhat hidden under the large throw blanket covering the two of you that stays in the room for these reasons. Your face hidden to your husband's neck as a soft smile was on your lips as you made shapes and words to his pecs with a finger. Lucci's hands to your back to keep you on top of him while the other was to your bent right knee as he looked in thought as he stared across to the mirror in front of them that covered the wall in the exercise room.

You realizing that when Lucci said sweet things—in his own way—as well as please you, not calling you names or giving you back handed compliments, you're like putty in his hands.

Lucci, meanwhile—noticed he finally had you act somewhat similar to when you are drunk but without as many rambling and more willing to listen. He has a suspicion it was due to his words but it doesn't fully explain it. Either way, he enjoyed your expressions and unrestrained whines. It was different.

"Eh, Lucci." Lucci's thumb on your knee rubbed in acknowledgment. Your soft smile turning into a teasing grin to his neck. "So you wouldn't have married someone like Shanks?"

Lucci's eyes moved to glower at you, mouth twisted.

"Don't joke about something like that." You laughed lightly, pecking his neck—his mouth straightening at the action but he maintained his glare. "I already see enough of that man—I don't need that in my mind's eye."

"Oh come on. I'm just asking since you care about strength so much. Makes me wonder if as long it's anyone strong."

"He's not that impressive. You have a bad habit of putting him in a pedestal." Lucci's hand to your back going to your backside and squeezing in warning making you gasp softly. Moving your head to face him, shifting your hands on his chest slightly as your eyes narrowed at him. Dark eyes gleaming slightly in amusement before steadying. "You also didn't understand a word I said. I'm not repeating myself, idiot. You don't learn."

Wait...was that whole thing a punishment for you asking that question?

Asshole!

You sat up atop him, the blanket falling off you as Lucci arched a brow, moving his hands to your waist as yours went up to cup his neck while the other trailed down to his abdomen as you glared.

"What's this?" Lucci lips curled up at your heated look. "Acting tough now when you were just acting like a needy kitten. Louder than usual with your mewling—" He cut himself off with a sound coming out the back of his throat when you wrapped a hand around him, narrowed (e/c) glinting. Your lips twitching when you saw his dark eyes dilate intensely as his eyes narrowed and hands tightened on your waist when your hand moved against him as your other hand moved to the back of his neck—gripping his hair as warmth pooled low in your abdomen. "You..."

Your lips formed a half smirk.

"I didn't cut you off. Don't know why you're looking at me like I did. And," you leaned towards the side of his neck, maintaining your grip around him and kept your pace as you placed your lips and nipped, nibbled, and sucked—hearing Lucci's breathing grow rapidly again as he easily grew. You might always lose in sounds. But your husband gets worked up for anything and everything. "Don't expect me to just act like that again so easily for you. You just...caught me off guard. And besides, you just ruined it with what you said, bastard."

As you spoke, you were quick to position yourself over him and went down quickly—making Lucci hiss and you gasp, hands pressing down against his chest to keep him down else he'll flip as tanned hands moved down to cup both cheeks harshly.

Your eyes meeting his as you pulsed around him.

"My turn."

For some reason, Lucci's lips turned upwards into a devilish toothy grin making you look at him questioningly.

"Back to normal."

Your lips parted before closing as you chuckled, surprised. Only for you to gasp when—as you thought—Lucci flipped the both of you over, but only to side lying position as he grabbed your leg and threw it over behind him. You hissing at the coldness of the floor, the temperature from your hot skin and the floor making your hairs rise and chest to stiffen just as Lucci attacked your mouth ravenously as you did the same—inhaling deeply when the both of you thrusted at the same time. Lucci humming as his hands moved to your chest and to the apex of your thighs respectively—your hand stopping his trail to your clit, trapping it as your hand to his hair slightly pulled.

You pulled away from his mouth with a harsh nip to his lips, hungry (e/c) eyes meeting predatory dark cobalt.

"You're lucky you're a lovable bastard, husband." You breathed with a small yet bright grin.

He truly is such a weirdo. But he's yours and he believes in you and loves you in the way he knows how(even if it's by saying that basically everyone else is stupid besides them).

That's all you really need and want really.

Lucci answered with a fierce kiss, tongue swiping and ravishing everywhere as you sighed—meeting him. Both in the mouth and against each other. Lucci pulling back and leaning his forehead against yours as he met your eyes that were filled with lust and love and everything in between, analyzing with a serious gleam before moving his mouth to below your jaw as he grunted while you moaned as he played with your chest.

After that, the two of you in the shower cleaning up. You quietly mentioning that you needed to do the laundry anyways as you washed your hair when Lucci said they made a mess as water rained down upon them, water going down both your bodies as steam collected in the bathroom mirror. That he better help clean up the exercise room though while Lucci only said with a hand to your hip that the mess is mostly yours, you turning and huffing at him. Seeing his smirk that you hated(loved) on his face as he said he'll help.

You shaking your head at him, trying to hold back a smile and failing due to his attitude—flushing when his stare looked towards your lips and quickly moving to rinse your hair under the shower head as you leaned closer, tip toeing to kiss Lucci upon the lips in thanks. Lucci saying nothing when you leaned back and continued rinsing as you turned your back to him, only bring your back to his chest as you made a sound of annoyance—stopping when you felt his lips to the nape of your neck and feeling his upturned lips as he did so.

"I have an idiot wife. I'll need to take care of your messes."

You huffed through your nose, but you flushed happily nonetheless as your heart warmed. Beating along your back with his on his chest as you brought a hand around to his neck, scrapping your nails against his head as he breathed against your neck at the relaxing sensation.

Lucci's eyes half closed as he stared at you in thought, hearing you as you babbled or complained that they can't stay too long or their water bill will get high or that he needed to get more of his favorite conditioner since he's almost out. But you allowing him to keep a part of his body touching you at all times—not straying far from his hold.

Feeling as if he ever let you stray too far—you might just run. Far away. Or to another.

Or perhaps...something even more worse than that.

He doesn't quite care to know why he's had this sense as if these could all be possible. Not the sense as if at times he already could know you—as if certain words or actions were familiar.

He can care less about all of that.

All he knows is that you're his. And forever shall be.

No one will take you away. Nor your naive soft ideals, even if it was best they were gone.

That coward of a man will pay for even making the pathetic attempt. As if you would break from a mere hiccup, as if he would just have anyone that can shatter.

Lucci's eyes closed to cover the dark look, trying to reign in his bloodlust as you turned to him in concern and questioning if he's okay. Him waving away your concern with "it's nothing" and another hot kiss to your nape, hand clenching around your waist as you released a slow okay as you turned back, continuing to rinse your abdomen and legs off. Him instead moving his thoughts to the amount of rounds they went through and seeing another side of you as you put a leg up against the inner edge of the bathtub, his eyes moving downwards to your lower half.

He moved his hand and casually inserted a finger.

You immediately turning with a flustered but clear "Hey", telling with your expression they were here in the shower for a reason as his lips was curved upwards at your reaction, dark eyes gleaming in amusement. Him moving his hand out and placing it back, now on your hip as you threw him another look before continuing your task.

Lucci definitely has preferences to how you are in bed. But, he doesn't mind if every now and again...

Either way, as long as it's with him. Cause you're his.

And he will keep you as only his till they both die—together.

Idiot wives can't be left alone after all.

And punishments must be followed through.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You sat in a too stiff chair, your back seeming to match it along with your tense shoulders and shaking your leg upon the white tiled floor. Trying not to focus on the anti-septic scent or the beeps of the heart monitor attached to your unconscious husband who recently came out of surgery. With the feeling of your heart to your throat and a bottomless pit in your stomach, feeling cold despite the hospital blankets around your shoulders.

The both of you reached the hospital quickly, the nurses having to escort you away as a team of surgeons took Lucci to accomplish a stat surgery for the bullet removal. The nurses telling you that you could wait in the waiting room after they treated your injuries as it occurred and the screens within can say which surgeon is doing the surgery as well as have the patients last name to the room they're going to when it comes up and the surgery is nearly done.

It was the longest hour to you. Or was it two?

Despite you knowing he'll be fine. Cause he's Lucci.

He won't leave.

Not till both their hairs are gray or white or however Lucci pictured it. Maybe become those couples in the park feeding the birds. Lucci would like that. He really likes pigeons. Who knew the equivalent to a cat lady is a bird man?

Yeah...he's fine. He said it. So it's true.

Just like how he knew you wouldn't need a miracle. Just yourself.

You will believe that a mere bullet will take out a man like him.

He won't leave cause he can't—because you—.

You were interrupted at the sudden arrival of your kids from the Youth Center as you waited with Hattori to your shoulder after your strong denial that he has to stay as Hattori gave a firm coo towards the hospital staff, a gaggle of them with Smoker and Hina at the front. Them taking notice of you—injuries all around with Nami looking at you in concern and Robin taking note you must've been part of the fights as well, Chopper's sweet brown eyes wide in worry as he went up in front of you as you gave everyone a tired smile. Law looking at your clothes and bandages, noting that the staff could've given you new clothes. Brook laughing his unique laugh that would mean you would have no panties—Nami hitting his head with Bonney with ticks on their faces as Bonney was eating pizza sloppily in front of you as she said around her food that you look like you need a slice. You asking where everyone else was, Usopp saying that Franky, Sanji, Zoro, and Luffy as well as his brother Ace are getting treated since they got hurt the most. Killer adding quietly that his leader and the rest of his gang were a little reckless—them being the ones who assisted with Big Mom and they are also being treated—and they'll be fine in terms of jail or just according to Smoker here.

Smoker who was staring at you in furrowed concern as you turned towards him, saying after a few moments that since they helped and they're minors, there's nothing to be done. Hina adding with a sly smirk and a hand to her husband's shoulder that he's being a softie and isn't being fully truthful.

Law commenting that he thought so while turning towards you with his grim face, replying that his gang is also receiving help as they got a little too eager.

It was a nice distraction as your kids and Smoker and Hina talked about what occurred, some of them laughing unbelieving or others smirking or grinning. A lot of action and planning for this to happen and now everything will be okay—Usopp than being the one asking where Lucci was, yelping when Chopper kicked his leg as you turned your head away for a moment—eyes shadowed. Before lifting your head with a smile and hard to read look in yours that others may just see as blank that he was in surgery and will come out fine soon.

It being silent for a few moments only for you to get surprised at Paulie arriving, his eyes wide along with yours that he looked injured too as the both of you realized at once that they were involved too. Paulie pushing Smoker's shoulder harshly as Smoker looked at Paulie with narrowed eyes as Paulie yelled at him why he didn't tell him that you were here. Smoker replying that he didn't know until it was basically over. You asking of what he was exactly doing here, what his rope would do as Paulie yelled a flustered and flushed shut up before blinking at Hattori on your shoulder. Eyes narrowing before looking at the screen by the lobby desk of the waiting room—spotting Lucci's name before looking back at your expression that held a smile.

Paulie and you stared at each other for a moment before he closed his eyes and crossed his arms.

"That asshole is going to get an angry rant when he wakes up," your eyes widened, staring at Paulie when he opened his eyes and gave you a lopsided grin. "I'm sure you have a whole speech ready for that stubborn ass, right?"

You stared, swallowing. Before your belief strengthened more as you gave a strong nod with a grin.

"Yeah...he really is!"

After that, Paulie joined in the conversation as all of you sat around. And when you saw the room Lucci was heading to, the ones at the desk stopped you that you couldn't take Hattori for others safety. You frowning before Paulie volunteered to take the pigeon, while Smoker suggested you shouldn't take your sword in either which was on your hip in its scabbard the whole time and took the sword when you handed it to him before you thought of Paulie's idea. You looking at Hattori apologetically as you scratched him with the pigeon giving you a sad Coo before giving him to your friend, laughing slightly at how immediately Hattori began pecking the shipwrights face as he yelped and cursed with the kids laughing as well as Hina—Smoker chuckling as you turned away. Smoker telling you to your back that you must rest too when you can, you giving a wave in response before arriving to Lucci's room.

And now you sat in this uncomfortable chair as you waited. Hearing the stupid beeping.

"Lucci, you're so selfish you know." You began softly. Annoyed. Maybe thinking he'll wake up by hearing your voice. Maybe it would be annoying enough for him to wake up. "What were you thinking...? Taking a shot for me? You...you must've suspected I didn't pick up a vest as I went through the different locations. You're good at that. Suspecting. Always suspecting with your stupid suspicions and going absolutely fuckin nuts if you even think someone is flirting or touching me a certain way. Not as bonkers when purple shit did...who cares about him. You wouldn't wanna hear that. Or maybe you'll wake up after hearing it, you hate him as much as I do. You started hating even looking at Spam cause it reminded you of his name."

You paused, smiling and chuckling to yourself. Moving your chair more up so you could place your hand atop his left one, rubbing your thumb over the back of his hand when you clasped. You took small notice he was still pale as the heart monitor went next to you.

Going beep. Beep. Beep.

"...I missed you, ya know." You admitted with a shaky smile, clearing your throat as you looked at his sleeping handsome face. Some scratches and cuts you didn't notice earlier on his cheeks and head—but only slightly. His hair still tied and behind him—a stark contrast from the white of his sheets and of the room. Truly a dark ruthless man that has a body to match his personality. You reminded yourself to call someone if they found your husband's hat anywhere—he loves that hat. "You were busy. I know. You couldn't call, not for this one. Tonight was big. Real big. And I know why you're being careful too—or why you were. I didn't forget what you said Lucci...I...I listen to when it matters. At least," you chuckled, moving your other hand to graze his cheek before retracting and leaning your cheek against it, your elbow upon the bed as you stared fondly. "At least I think so."

You paused, looking back down to their clasped hands. You rubbing your thumb or making patterns or words to his skin that was banged up due to all the faces he must've caved in.

"I remember your first words to me. Of course it was an insult, you thought I was too slow when I moved to punch your stomach. I was just testing you. I'm sure you figured that out later. You figure a lot of things out without me having to tell you—although you still act like an asshole about it. Like knowing what my least favorite food was. Just from a stray comment...it's kinda freaky. Or I used to think so. I used to think a lot of things about you when I was younger." Your gaze was far away, a hint of a smile on your face as you thought just how much more childish you were. Even in your mind, you would try to hide your feelings and true thoughts about Lucci. "I still have trouble admitting things. I can't help it. It's either you attack me for when I say something or you get this odd look on your face that I can only see you as actually looking scared. I...I have been wanting to say the words to you for awhile you know. And not just like this."

To show, you wrote again in the back of his hand. Just how you always do when they made love or just when you had the feeling to—like if he just insulted whatever criminals who cursed at you rudely and you joining him but you still wrote it to his back. Or when he got into his irritated fits for whatever reason. Or even sometimes when they're with their friends like in Paulie's house and he's relaxed and content. Or even just by themselves as you sat in the couch of their living room with his head on your lap.

When you started doing it after three years of marriage, he grew stiff—tensing and looked at you questioningly—demandingly as you only looked at him with a tilted head. The stiffness eventually turning to glances throughout the years—him sometimes answering by his fingers grazing or curling around your hair. Before he finally was able to get used to it.

"Eleven years of marriage. And we haven't said it. I know you can't. I want to...but why do I feel like if I actually said it out loud...you'll actually have the guts to run away? It's like you want to keep up this whole unspoken thing for dramatics. You can do it, the whole unspoken thing. I know what you feel. I saw it when we were still in high school. And all the other times too."

You knew with the way that despite them not holding hands for their reasons, he still kept a hand to your waist when you were near—breaking his own reasoning of having to keep both hands free just in case to touch you. You knew with the way he decided trivial things for you when you were indecisive, what to eat or what you wanted to do or watch—always picking something he knew you would like despite whatever complaints you may have along the way. You knew it—by how he looked over at you over the rim of his brandy filled glass when you would glance away after handing it to him—thinking you can't see how his brows were relaxed and his lips were tilted into a relaxed thin smile when he sipped.

You knew—by how when he awoke and he would think you were asleep. You able to feel his stare on you as he laid next to you with an arm around your waist for seconds going to minutes before he would either curl a strand of your hair through a finger or graze your cheek. You leaning towards him at the touch as you sighed, and he didn't pull away. Only bringing you closer to him and nuzzling against the side of your head by your ear or to your neck before deciding to wake you up with a soft nip to your lobe and hand grazing your back when it was time.

You knew with how the both of you trained together, fists or kicks thrown all around—when you would get the advantage his dark eyes would gleam with pride and hunger as you were atop him. Or even how he would get the advantage—you under him as you breathed heavily and glared at him—dark gray with the hint of blue holding arrogance as he smirked before sometimes adjusting your legs around him as he ravaged your mouth.

You knew with the way he had you near him at all times when you decided to drink at parties and able to remember what you did. Him keeping you on his lap when they were sitting as you basically attacked him, a content smirk on his face with his arm wrapped around your waist. The smirk growing more relaxed if he drank as well—him being more gentle with you during those times. He would call you kitten more freely too, with hands curled inside you or him being inside—his face more open when inebriated if he drinks heavily.

You knew with how he would listen—even if it seems like he didn't. Whether it was a random sentence or when you tell him he's going too far.

You knew with how he would graze your hand or your back to calm you if you were angry when they were partners. About to snap and most likely get in trouble if you didn't calm down.

You knew it when he would say you're his. Whether it was verbal or a pressing of lips or a well placed mark to the place behind and a little below your ear—his lips curled with dark promise or in a serious line with eyes ablaze that they can burn.

You knew it in all ways—different ways. The ways that Lucci knows how.

Silent, yet telling.

"But," you continued. "... I don't really like being dramatic or whatever...I like saying what I want to say. But with you...when it comes to this...I just—"

Your smile turned sad, moving to hug your hands between his as you clenched around it. The heart monitor going along in a beep, beep, beep.

"...I can't imagine my life without you, Lucci. So when you pushed me out the way and took the bullet and as you laid there for a mere moment—just a millisecond—I thought the worst. I thought we agreed we wouldn't die for one another—that living is harder and better and more fun and you could be the bird man in the park and I can make fun of you and argue with you like every old married couple out there. Because that's what we said so it has to happen. But than you got up—of course you did. Cause you're my shitty amazing stubborn cool ruthless wonderful know it all husband. A bullet and a hole in you won't get in your way of fighting the runaways. You really do like fighting...just like I do. Like how I fought to go back to how I was before. It's...I guess these are just facts, huh? That I would have my body back despite the scar on my knee. And now that you would be okay with a hole through you. Guess we'll both have scars now, huh? You...didn't want me to have another one...you hate the fact I already have this one...you're such a possessive and selfish man, Lucci. I hate you. That's another way for me telling you. I know you know. But really...I just..."

And now—your eyes widened as your gaze focused, turning your head to see his heart rhythm increasing to the high 100's. Nurses starting to come with one politely telling you to step out the room for the moment as a cart filled with medical equipment came in—four nurses now in total as your heart leaped to your throat.

175 beats per minute. His chest is moving fast too. I—

"Oi, Lucci! Calm down and breathe ya bastard!"

"Ma'm," the nurse said, putting a hand to your shoulder. "We need you to step out for a moment so we have room—your husband is going to shock—"

"Shock?!" You stood so quickly the chair fell back behind you, the nurse pulling you back or at least trying as your expression was a mix of anger and stricken. "That asshole is going into shock because of what I was saying?! Oi, Lucci! Snap out of it and quit playing around! Are you that much of a coward to run away from what I was saying?!" Another nurse came to pull you back but you were angry, they were successful somewhat due to your shock so you were by the door now as the nurses tried to calm you down. You shaking your head furiously. "Calm down?! I'm trying to tell that asshole to calm down! I didn't even say the words to make you literally have heart palpitations, you—you shithead! O-oi! Let go me!"

You said, pulling back at the nurses with a scowl—your heart pumping wildly. The nurses within the room speaking rapidly to one another, handing medicines and connecting oxygen masks.

"Ma'm, I'm sorry but you're disturbing the other patients," the nurse calmly said, face stern as she stood in front of you as you clenched your fists as shaking (e/c) eyes stared at Lucci through all the people—laying in bed and not moving and not opening his eyes as his heart rhythm only now exceeded the 200's. The doctor now in the room assessing the situation and giving his own orders. "You need to stop yelling—"

"Stop yelling?!" You repeated incredulously. "That bastard will hear me today! Oiiii, wannabe cat—you better come back and stop pranking and messing with these people! I like doing that more anyways, you're just a perverted bastard! Ya hear me?! You still have that promise! Or—or your vow—whatever ya wanna call it, I—I don't care just—" Your voice cracked, your hand to the doorframe of the room, clenching tightly and cracks forming as the nurse tried to keep you calm. Pausing when she noticed your eyes turned glassy, a sympathetic expression on her face as grew more and more desperate. "You—remember you can't escape punishments! That—that...that's the w-whole reason you even—that you p-proposed! G—get it t-together! Lucci—L—Lucci, please! You can't—"

You can't leave me.

The nurses and doctor gave updates to each other and commands as you bowed your head, biting your lip hard.

"He's not responding to the fluids!"

"Push the antibiotics! And raise the O2 level of the mask!"

"There must've been something missed in the wound!" Another nurse called, allowing the doctor to open an eye and flash a penlight to it to check his pupils.

"We have to keep following the protocol, heart rate is exceeding!"

"Lucci," you spat his name like a curse, anything to push down the cries as you tried to hold true. "You said...you said to n—not doubt you, b—bastard! I swear—I s—swear to everything good and holy and bad a-and evil that i—if you ev—even have the gall to d—die, I'll drag you by y—your stupid si—silky hair that you're n—never gonna cut even if you spit and curse at me! The demons will be too full—full of piss and—and shit to—to even get in my way! Lucci!" You called in a broken sob, your hand moving to cover your mouth as tears flew down your face—vision blurry as you kept them at Lucci.

Who still wasn't moving. Not even a little. Not even a twitch of his brow or—or just anything!

He's—

He can't.

"Lucci—please—I can—I can try to stop being—being an idiot. I—I can learn how t—to make ahi tuna the—the right way. Or—just any tuna! Any fish! Any—any dish or anything!" You're begging now, snot and tears as you slowly went to the floor—hand still on the doorframe as kneeled. Only panicking more when you heard the monitor flatline, the team quickly preparing the defibrillator and attaching the pads for it and moving his gown down. "H—hey! Y—you—damn it—you can't! You—what about Ha—Hattori?! What—what would I say?! Who's g—going to give him brandy, to—to drink with him?! Huh?!"

"Clear!"

They pressed the paddles, his body jolting but nothing from the monitor. The staff prepping again as they gave oxygen.

"L—Lucci," you sobbed, broken and you feel like you might actually throw up—your heart just feels like it's in the back of your throat as it pumped yet you still felt cold. "Come back! We—we're partners! Re—remember?! We...there's not—not one without the o—other! You can't leave me, dammit!"

"Clear!"

The paddles pressed, the body moved with the electricity but did nothing as the monitor stayed flat.

"You...you... you absolute—fucker!" The nurse tried to hush you again at that but you ignored her, your hand moving to under your shirt and clenching around a ring on a necklace. Pushing through the broken cracks of your voice after every word and not letting your voice get weak. He will hear you. Just like always. "I—I never got to—I never said it. The—the words that—that makes you look scared. So—you—have to stay! Just s—so I c—can see the l—look on your face! But—but also because...because you just—"

"Clear!"

Paddles pressed, the body lolled and yet...

The team looked at one another, frowning before looking at the doctor who was frowning and glanced at you.

These next few words, your lips just moved on their own, your overflowing (e/c) eyes staying on Lucci's too relaxed face. Voice clear and strong and commanding as everyone could look at you only in a mix of awe or curiosity.

"Shitty cat! W—what are you d-doing to me?! You—you chase me around for years and years—acting like a confusing ass that I can't tell if you're helping—helping me or betraying me?! You're—you're quitting?! Just like that?!" Your hand clenched harder around your ring, just as you tightened your jaw. "Lucci, you—you listen good! You better bite the devil's ass and—and scratch him like hell! And shake yourself awake! This...this—this your last chance Lucci!"

You can't. You can't, you bastard. I can't be alone.

You bit the inside of your lip, eyes clenching as you shouted.

I can't have anyone leave me again!

"I love you, Lucci!" You cried out, with sniffles and tears running down as you opened your eyes. "I love you, I love you—I love you, ya bastard, Lucci! I can't—can't have anyone else—it's supposed to be together so—I love you! Come back!"

Silence. And it continued as your body slowly froze over, the doctor looking at you and between the heart monitor before lifting his watch. About to call it.

What...even scared in death? Bastard...

You bowed your head, both hands around the ring on your neck as your body shook—a nurse pressing a careful hand to your back as a beep occurred.

You whipped your head up, eyes zeroing in at the monitor as a small spike happened in accordance to the beep. And than another. And than another. And than—

You sobbed in relief, going to all fours as you clenched your jaw tight—salty drops falling on your hands and on the floor.

This man is going to be the death of you.

You realized as the staff gave you words of comfort, handing you tissues as they helped you up. Moving you back to the chair as you kept your eyes on your husband—whose chest was moving and he's breathing and—you moved your hand to touch his and pressed (skin tone) fingers against tanned ones—and his heart is beating and he's okay and he kept his promise and—the team did their last needed assessments before leaving you be after making sure you had enough water and blankets. Bringing you food without you having to ask for it as they closed the door behind them.

Leaving you alone as you just stared at Lucci, one hand tight around his left ringed one with the other around your own.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lucci's brows pinched together as he blinked his eyes open, carefully assessing as he looked up and felt electrodes on him and heard a monitor next to him—connecting easily he was in a hospital. His tired eyes squinted to across the room to the clock—telling him it was 6:07 AM.

He has been unconscious for six hours.

"You're awake," you croaked.

Lucci turned his head to the left, eyes narrowing at you as he frowned when you stood up from couch and moved to sit beside him on the chair—trailing a blanket behind you as you did. You adjusted the blanket to cover your shoulders more, before turning towards him with tired eyes and a crumple of a smile.

Lucci stared at your red-rimmed eyes, holding dark circles and the way your mouth was in that pathetic excuse for a smile just made him frown more. It didn't help that it sounded like you abused your throat. Your face holding small cuts and scratches as well—now scabbed.

"I...was yelling," you answered carefully, swallowing as if that could help how dry and throaty your voice sounded. Your smile dropping as you looked down, clenching your hand around the hold of your blanket. He could spot you were holding the ring within your hand as well—your hand seeming to clenched tighter. "You...scared me."

Lucci stayed silent, feeling the ache of his right shoulder as he waited for you to continue. Because you couldn't have held fear for his life—that would mean doubt.

You glanced up at him, spotting his curious look.

"You...you died Lucci." Dark eyes widened a fraction as your face twisted—pained. "They...they brought you back but...I thought...I thought—" you shook your head as if to banish the thought away, instead narrowing your eyes at him as you grabbed his hand. Lucci glancing at the action before lifting back towards you. "You dared to leave."

That explained the soreness and pain of his chest—due to how despite the pads placed on chests for the paddles to use their full power on a person. He felt as if his skin on his chest would be red still, how red depending on when exactly his supposed resurrection occurred.

"I didn't," he answered back, his own voice dry from lack of use. You handing him a cup of water next to you with his over bed table, him taking it as he took a few sips with his right hand—ignoring the pain as he handed the cup back to you. You placing it on the table once more as you moved back to keep your hands on his. "I'm still here as you can see. As you said earlier, a bullet won't defeat me so easily."

You said many things to him as you helped with his wound, in a clear panic despite your words. Hattori even looked like he was catching your tears, his feathers seeming to be puffed out and wings a flutter.

"You don't understand...one second I was talking to you hoping your eyes would open with my voice—and the next a whole team of people came in when your heart stopped. Your heart, Lucci." You stressed, bringing the chair closer as you bowed your head and lifted your hands with his and clenched—elbows leaning on his bed as your voice shook along with your shoulders. "I...I almost lost you. You...almost left me alone. What—what would you have me do than? It...we're supposed to be together!"

Lucci stared at your bowed head, spotting tears going down your face before he glanced down to his hands being hugged between both of yours. Tight. As if he would leave his idiot wife alone.

"The staff accomplished their chosen job to bring me back," Lucci reasoned, you seeming to tense. His thumb escaping from your right hold of your hands and pressing at the back of one or smoothing it once as he continued. "That's all that needs to be said. I already stated my reasons earlier as to why I did it. And I would do it again. You're reacting too noisily for all this—it's unneeded. If I recall, you even called me an insect due to how difficult it is for others to be rid of me."

You looked up at him, expression fiery despite how brittle you appear and your tight hold of his hand not wavering.

"I said you were a roach if you want to be specific. I said...I also said a lot when you left your surgery," You glanced away, hesitant before setting your expression as your gaze connected to his. "You're going to listen to what I'm going to say...because frankly, I—I don't want you to not know. You...you may already have an idea but I don't think you fully understand, Lucci. I—" Your lips formed a small thin smile, your right hand moving from his to touch his cheek all while he observed with slightly narrowed eyes. "I really missed you, ya know?"

Dark eyes focused on (e/c) intent and analyzing before glancing towards their connected hands. Lucci shifted to the right on his bed, tugging you as he looked back at you expectantly. You read what he wanted—and what you needed, moving as you carefully went to the left side of the small hospital bed. You having to place half your body atop him and Lucci didn't let you get a hint of his pain of his right shoulder—you also gently laying your head upon his left shoulder and his arm around your waist as you kept your hold of his hand between them.

You releasing a deep exhale of relief, but he could still feel how tense you were—you changing hands to hold his as you placed one to the side of his neck as he turned his head towards you.

Your face mere centimeters away as you laid your head on his shoulder, eyes seeming far away and taking him in as he did the same.

"You know what I think brought you back?" You asked softly—able to lower your voice more and try to heal your throat but it only made it sound how you spoke when you awoke from slumber, moving your hand from his neck to his cheek as Lucci arched a brow up slightly as your lips were twinged up in the corners, it wouldn't be called a smile. "When they...were trying to get you back, I was really cursing at you, ya know. Yelling. The nurses—they tried to have me calm down. But I think you were the one that needed to calm down—your heart was beating so fast—" You released a broken forced chuckle. It looked like you might cry again due to your watery eyes. "I—It just seemed to me cursing at you like always...it didn't work. Not even when I said I was going to drag you by the hair out of Hell."

That sounds like you, Lucci observed with a slight frown as you kept going. Your eyes never leaving his face as your hand seemed to keep shifting from his neck and his cheek—as if the movement would help calm you. Or remind you.

"I...switched it. I mentioned Hattori. Than tuna and that I can learn...Nothing. Not even when I said we were partners. You...you just laid there just—just way too still. And I—"

He grabbed your other hand against his neck, jaw tightening at the pull of his shoulder but that's all. Tears starting to fall once more and starting to get everywhere on him again.

He pressed his hand against yours as you blinked up at him.

You don't have to continue. Not when you act like this.

You shook your head at him as you sniffled.

"No, I—let me finish. I need—need to finish." Lucci only gave you an answering stare and the smallest incline of the head before you went on. His hand to yours upon his neck allowing to be clasped by yours—he distantly noticing your hand felt odd but he focused on to what you wanted to say so much. "Than...than I mentioned the other thing I always wanted to say. For—for a long time. And you were about to leave when you never heard it. So...I did."

So that is it.

"If you already said it, than there's nothing to add." Lucci replied, tone carefully neutral along with his expression as you bit your lip with furrowed brows. "I can't leave. The punishment—it hasn't been fully carried out. As well as what I told you when you were where I am right now. There is much to be done—what's this?"

Lucci stopped when you moved your hand from under his on his neck, putting it in front of his face. His eyes narrowing at a deep circle imprint in the center of your hand, you lowering it and putting it back upon his cheek before you moved your hand from his own between them—showing him it held the same deep imprint. Before placing your hand back to clasp tightly with his as you looked at him blankly but with serious (e/c) eyes.

He glanced to your neck, spotting the necklace that was outside and not hidden.

You must've held the ring he gave to you with a vice grip for hours. Switching between your hands when either your hand got too cramped from the tight hold or the pain from your hand protesting to allow for your skin to breathe.

You leaned forward, careful brush of your lips against his—soft caresses as he held back from answering with more firmness as his eyes were half lidded while yours were closed. He could taste the tears you spilled when he poked his tongue out in a swipe against your mouth—all salt and sadness and naive soft ideals.

You pulled back—head still on his shoulder and nose grazing his, (e/c) meeting dark cobalt.

"I love you, Lucci."

He took a sharp inhale, your hands tightening around his—for what reason he does not know. Most likely this odd misconception he will pull back. Perhaps he would've, if he was younger. Still trying to understand how to act around you when you were like this—the usual insults failing before he understood.

Lucci is aware. He knows.

Just as he knows you aren't glass.

He moved his arm around your waist, hands between them to bring you closer. Shifting his other one to place upon your own cheek just as he gave you an answering kiss—feeling your shudder as you exhaled at his deep kiss, deeper and firmer than yours. Hand to your cheek shifting to side of your head—fingers carding through hair as yours cupped his neck. You still tasted like salt as he swiped his tongue—but he will taste you since he couldn't fully earlier and you were trying to speak without words and only softness.

Lucci doesn't know softness, but he does know you.

And so after a period of absence, he will taste and enjoy what he couldn't.

He felt wetness touch his nose, making him pull back after a pull of your lower lip with furrowed brows.

You were in hysterics again, Lucci observed as you looked at him with a shaky smile—relieved. He tsked at how you were being, bringing you closer by the back of your neck and tucked you under his chin. He leaned his head toward the side of your head, breathing in your faint (fave. shampoo) scent that was currently mixed with sweat and blood and steel—a hypnotizing combination.

"Idiot." He brushed any hair out the way of your ear and nipped at your ear in reprimand as you swiped at your face to clear it. "I don't care for whatever your mouth will spout. Say it as much as you want. But—" His nip turned into a harsh bite, making you gasp as your hand fisted against his hospital gown. His lips curling around your ear as he lapped and you held back whimpers—his other hand that was clasped in your own and conveniently between their bodies pressed at your center through your blanket and joggers. Making you mutter a warning "Oi" as he released but kept his lips near your ear. "You're mine. And I suggest you stop acting like a kitten again unless you would want a repeat."

You pushed yourself away from him with a flush against his chest, not being able to go far else you'll fall off the hospital bed. His lips quirking higher at your scowl and glare.

"You wouldn't dare! And—stop c-calling me that, bastard!"

Back to normal.

Lucci quirked a brow, amused as you still were laying your head atop his shoulder.

"You seem to respond with idiot easily enough." You gritted your teeth, a tick on your face as you hissed at him that you did not as you kept your hands flat to his chest. "Oh. You meant kitten?"

You flushed, brows down turned.

"Y-yes! Stop that!"

You liked it.

It seemed you always did despite your denials. A shame for you that you're a horrible liar to him—which was a pleasure for him. It didn't really matter. He prefers idiot or wife.

"I can say what I wish. You think only you can just say whatever you want? I can care less what you say, kitten."

"You—asshole! Bastard. I have a stupid bastard husband you—you...errrr..."

"Having trouble?" Lucci chuckled, wrapping his left arm around your waist once more to bring you closer as you scowled at him—your face scrunching up making the cuts and scratches apparent. "Did you let someone make an attack to your head? Although you already had trouble beforehand."

"Shut up!" You growled at him, moving a hand up to the back of his neck, pulling him down as your lips brushed against his as you glared. "You talk big for someone who was the one that nearly died. Who's the idiot now?"

Lucci's eyes narrowed at that, only to close when you pressed your mouth firmly against his—demanding and hungry as your hand to neck fisted his hair as he matched you with harsh bites and matching heat. His other hand bringing you closer as well as grabbing the side of your neck.

Outside, the nurses were blushing. Talking with one another at how when the nurse for Lucci's room checked through the retractable folds outside the room—she accidentally saw what the two of you were doing.

"I can't believe what people get up to even in the hospital!" One gasped, shocked but still feeling slight heat to her face at the thought as everyone giggled.

"I'm surprised he can even do anything. A bullet wound is nothing to laugh at! Even if he's an officer!"

"Agent," another corrected with an excited and sly grin. "And what a man too. His wife is really lucky to have a tall glass of water like him."

"It can also be the other way around," another added with a soft sad smile. The nurses turning towards her before they connected at what occurred with the code earlier with this patient, expressions turning serious as they nodded. "They must love each other very much to do all that."

At that, all the nurses agreed. And due to them talking, they weren't able to stop the doctor walk into the famed Rob Lucci's room even if he knocked—it was too quick.

The doctor froze, hand to the handle of the door.

Lucci turning his head to fix the man a piercing glare, you hiding in his chest in embarrassment and your blanket over your head as you steamed.

"Get out."

"I—Excuse me, I just have to do an assessment."

"I won't repeat myself again."

"L-Lucci, maybe we should let him check on you. Besides, your arm will cramp."

"It won't. And he can do it later in the next set of rounds. Right, doctor?"

"I—I'll make my rounds to you later."

The doctor exited.

You frowned up at Lucci through your burrito blanket self when he turned back, irritated.

"You didn't have to glare."

"He should've waited for an answer before coming in after knocking."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few weeks passed after that fateful planned night.

Lucci able to recover quickly in the hospital within four days to the astonishment of the hospital, just a bullet wound scar that had a darker skin tone than his own that is slightly raised being left and was busy with whatever he needed to do to help clean up everything that occurred back in HQ. Apparently his hat got somehow lost so he was annoyed about that, and you were too. You liked how he looked with his stupid yet flattering hat—but there's nothing to be done. But he came home now, late sometimes it may be or just every few days he can stay. And since he came home more, he was taking Hattori with him now to work—they are a pair.

You took Hattori and your sword back of course, and you got a yelling or scolding from almost everyone. Your rash actions almost got you killed but they only got through a few words before stopping. Whether it was Smoker, Hina, Kuzan, Garp, Ace, Isuka, or Paulie.

It was quite tiring really.

You're sure not as tiring as what occurred that night. The big dirty clansmen that were making the neighborhoods worse were put away—Teach, Big Mom, and Kaido. The public thinks it was due to the joint effort of the police stations throughout the whole city of different counties and the FBI. But everyone who was there knew another story.

Those who assisted had a chance to start clean as a reward for the help. Whether it was those like Crocodile or Doflamingo or even those who were in one of the clans that had a clansmen put away. Or those who had their own clan but never caused true trouble or crime—like Marco's and Shanks' clans.

In retrospect, they weren't really clans. I guess the best one could describe those two was a brotherhood or a group that was more like a neighborhood watch but more effective.

So when they 'disbanded' reportedly due to the 'threat' of police after them according to the news, you knew it wasn't true. They just dispersed but you knew that each member in each respective group would help each other if needed.

You know Makino is relieved now though. Shanks can fully focus on her and Gryphon and the bar he had for years full time.

And you're confident with Ace that he will be fine with Marco and his other brothers he made during his time there with them—they won't do anything to ruin Ace's career or his life.

You were just happy.

You smiled as you sat in the bleachers of the Youth Center—watching as your kids played basketball that was inside the gym—the ceiling of the gym being a sun roof so they can openly let in more natural heat and lighting and see the sky. The others who didn't want to sitting near you with books for entertainment reading or studying, some tables off to the side to help with that and chairs. The pile of books being particularly large by Law, who was taking notes from his medical textbooks—determined.

Shanks was right in one thing—the donations didn't stop. He and the others within his clan—now just a helpful group of friends, keep pitching in along with everyone else like Marco and his group like always. Iceberg being the mayor of his county continuing to help too—even talking to the mayor of your county to give you more grants to your center—in turn giving more attention which meant more volunteers. In all, you're receiving a lot of support.

"Luffy! You're hogging the ball!" Usopp complained.

"You have to pass!" Zoro shouted.

"I can make it guys, shishishishi!" Luffy laughed, determined. "Stop worrying!"

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Kidd threatened as he stole the ball and threw triumphant smirk as he went to opposite side of the court. "Later losers!"

"Don't be rude, Kidd." Killer reprimanded.

"You're such a softie, Killer!" Bonney teased with a smile as she ran with her team to assist. "That's what they'll be when they lose!"

"I love your competitor spirit, Bonney-San~!" Sanji called as he love tornadoed towards them with hearts in his eyes. "You can score on me and I can assist if you want!"

"Oi, Ero Cook!" Zoro scowled as he ran and caught up to Kidd and tried to grab the ball only for Heat to block him as Kidd ran past. "Damn it, pay attention!"

"How did I get stuck in the losing team?" Shachi complained as he ran with sweat coming down his face.

Chopper gasped, brown hair in his face as he looked at Shachi askance as he tried to go around Bepo.

"We're not losing! Right Luffy?!"

"Oiiiiiii, Penguin! Get the ball from Kidd since you're closer!" Luffy commanded with a too serious expression as he dashed past Zoro and Heat.

"I'm in the team with Kidd, moron! That's why I'm closest!" Penguin yelled with a tick in his face as he pointed at the panting Shachi who had his hands to his knees. "Shachi is on your team! How many times do we have to correct you on who's who?!"

"Oh? Really? You guys look the same."

"No we dont!" Shachi and Penguin both shouted at once with tick marks and sharp teeth.

You laughed as you watched them and how confused Luffy looked before shrugging it off like nothing and continuing—unfazed as everyone shouted at him but you can spot they were having fun and their happiness.

All these kids greatly helped too. Luffy the most. Taking out Teach...he was stronger than you thought. And in such a short period of time. It amazed you really.

Not to say you didn't reprimand him for his recklessness and everyone else the next time you saw them.

A mix of shame or bowed heads and frowns on their faces when you mentioned that they could've talked to you more about this—they could've gotten hurt. Only for your eyes to widen when Luffy mentioned that you came anyways without them telling you(him still having the hat after Shanks told him to keep it). Law agreeing with a nod and a scold that you were reckless too even though you're supposed to be setting an example. Kidd joining in with a smirk that you're actually a pretty crappy role model. With that, they all got slight smacks in the head with Nami, Shachi, Penguin, Heat and Robin laughing. You turning your head up and away from them with a slight heat to your cheeks that they should do as you say and not what you do. Zoro not seeming to understand what that meant as Bonney explained he couldn't cause he was an idiot. Franky adding onto the fact that you must've kicked super ass and Brook giving a 'Yohohohoho!" while saying he wished to see you use a sword. Bepo having and Chopper having sparkly eyes while they asked if you could show them as you sheepishly grinned while scratching your cheek that since they asked so nicely, maybe. Than giving them a surprise pizza party with pasta and breadsticks in congratulations, Killer commenting lightly that it seemed you were rewarding them for what they did as you shushed him before telling them to eat. Luffy didn't need to be told twice.

Really...these kids.

"You really like this place."

You turned, noticing Paulie as he went to sit next to you. You smiling at him, thanking him for volunteering today as he waved you off. His breath smelling of his cheap cigar and instead a lollipop since he knew the rules of the center. You teasing him that he looks like when they were kids and you tried to make him quit, Paulie scowling with a flush for you to shut up and pushing your shoulder as you laughed, turning back towards the kids in the court—as well as glancing to the others in the bleachers and tables. Seeing they were far enough away as you turned back to face forward and watched the game with a smile.

"Yeah...I really do. Who knew I would end up here, huh?" You shook your head, leaning an elbow upon your knee before placing a hand to your cheek. Eyes faraway as Paulie leaned back against the bleachers with elbows in the seats behind them. "An old gangster here teaching gangster kids to stop it. And not just that. If you told me when we were freshmen in high school and say I was gonna become an officer of the law and marry Lucci of all people—I think I might've smacked you so hard you'll land somewhere in Australia."

Paulie huffed a laugh.

"Hell...I would've smacked myself. But now here you are."

"Here I am," you agreed. You giving a wave when Luffy shouted for you to look at his dunk only for it to fail and hit Zoro's head, making you and Paulie laugh at the moss head's reaction and Sanji's guffaw. You than straightening as you looked up at the setting sky, with orange and red and clouds of cotton. "Man...so much has happened too. Streets are cleaner. Kids are talking more about what they actually want to do to, heck. Look at Law—he's going for it. Franky looking to work at your shop full time too, maybe even Kidd so he can wet his feet a little. Luffy actually listening to his stupid brother—wanting to follow his footsteps. Nami wanting to be those weather people."

"Meteorologist," Paulie supplied with a smile as you nodded your head.

"Yeah, that. And just everything else...it makes me sort of wonder...how much longer they will need this place." You smiled sadly, spotting a cloud that looks like deformed cat if you tilt your head. Paulie glancing at you at your distant tone, furrowing his brows. "They seem to be doing fine...and when they're on their feet and now that the streets are clean—what's the use of this place? They're already doing better than me when I was their age—Lucci really had to force me to take that online course and help only when I swallowed my pride and didn't understand and asked. I really hate school."

"You do suck at it." Paulie commented, making your lips quirk upwards into an amused smile before falling back into that faraway one. "What exactly are you getting at, (Y/N)?"

"...I don't know...I guess I just—I don't know what to do now I guess. Or when the kids leave. Or..." you paused, looking down and frowning.

Paulie's eyes narrowed before slightly widening in realization.

"What's Lucci doing? Has he given you any hints about what that pervert is facing? He has to be in trouble due to giving information away!"

You sighed through your nose.

"He's been pretty tight lipped. But I can tell he's been really high strung when he comes home, and like anxious or something. Or however you would call it for a man like Lucci. Maybe just...I don't know. Stiff."

"Stiff?" Paulie repeated incredulously, grinning around his lollipop at the word. "That man is the picture under an example for the word stiff. But what do you mean high strung?"

"Oh, ya know—" you turned your head away so Paulie couldn't see your flustered expression as you thought of how either Lucci would corner you to a wall or the shower right when he comes home as you had to quickly keep up and just ask questions later or he would come tired with you massaging his shoulders as they laid in bed until he would fall asleep only for you to wake up at dawn when Lucci would normally awake—his mouth to your ear and a hand trailing down to your entrance as he was on top of you and you again having to quickly get your bearings even with bleary sleepy eyes and body still waking up. "Just...being an asshole and all demanding and shit. More than usual."

You covered your face with your hand to try to get rid of the heat.

You don't know if he's trying to make up for lost time with him being away for a month or something is truly happening or if he connected that Luffy was the one you think could beat your husband—but you don't think you could take much more of having to constantly be in guard with him since he expects you to just take it and roll over each time. You're pretty sure he's challenging you or something. It made you have to get creative in showing your dominance when you finally caught on after two weeks of this—whether it was the use of clothes or sipping at his brandy or you choosing to attack first when he got through the door when he came home(he'd get freakin crazy when you did that—like geez, you felt like you had hand marks or bites or marks everywhere in retaliation when you did that—wayyyyy more than when you let him fully take the lead.).

So yes. He's pretty high strung.

And acting like a complete dominant asshole.

Only seems to act somewhat back to normal afterwords when you say or write the words or just look at him and touching his scar with light touches, getting an odd determined gleam in his eyes before giving a deep, searing kiss that only softens at the end.

Paulie rose a brow when you suddenly sighed softly.

"...okay. Sure. Whatever you say, (Y/N). I guess you already tried to tone him down by fighting him off?"

You whipped your head towards him, eyes round and face flustered.

"Wh-what?! What makes you say that?"

Paulie looked at you oddly.

"Cause you're fighting freaks? What else would I—oh." Paulie blushed, leaning forward on his knees and covering his face as your face grew more embarrassed. "I...damn it, why'd you put that picture in my head?!"

"Me?!" You shouted, glaring as your embarrassment grew worse. "Who's the pervert here?!"

"It sure isn't me! God—God damn it! Forget this conversation ever happened!"

"Deal!"

A few beats of awkward silence passed, you staring at the sky and Paulie still facepalming before he sighed and leaned back against the seats on the bleachers once more. Crossing his arms as he stared ahead at the kids cleaning up and gathering the balls.

"...I don't know what you're planning, (Y/N). But you gotta know this—" Paulie motioned an arm outwards to the kids, adults some of them they may be as you followed to where his arm went. "This—you did this. Because you knew how rough it was out there. You're the one who told me about how you wanted to help by doing this in the first place—when this huge place that has a gym and a whole football field outside and a cafeteria and resources to find housing or jobs or whatever was just an idea. And when those kids leave...kids who look up to you a lot too, ya know."

"Oh stop it—"

"No, you see the way they look at you. You get it. And you got out of it." Paulie turned his head towards you and you did the same—seeing his serious expression despite the lollipop in his mouth. "And they will too, thanks to you. And everything else that happened—but you were there to listen. Those kids—they're basically yours." Your mouth parted, eyes connecting to his. "Just cause they leave won't change that. You...you did a real good job at this place, (Y/N). Other kids...they might need this place still."

You don't know what to say.

Now you're just more lost on what you will do when Lucci finally nails Spandam.

It was when you told the kids for them to gather their stuff after they put everything away in the ball bag so you can hand them out pastries in the cafeteria with Isuka and the other volunteers in there—standing by the door to the gym from outside as the kids went to the other on the opposite side of you with Paulie next to you with crossed arms, eager for a smoke outside—did the door next to you knock.

Your eyes turned towards the door questioningly before turning towards the equally bewildered Paulie.

"You heard that, right?"

"Yeah...someone just knocked on a pull to open door."

"(Y/N)!" Luffy called with hands cupping his mouth across from you, you looking at him as he grinned. "I'm hungry so I'll see you in the cafeteria!"

"Yeah, sure. That's okay!" You called back with a wave, telling the other kids they can go on ahead before turning back towards the door. A knock resounding again. You squinted your eyes as you sweatdropped. "What...? There's no way..."

"I think I know who you're thinking, (Y/N)," Paulie said with a slight groan as he shook his head. "There are only a few uptight assholes that even bother to knock even here."

You sighed, muttering that he didn't even call before you opened the door to let him in only for your wrist to get pulled and the door slammed closed behind you as Paulie blinked.

"...I'm not getting my smoke, am I?" He asked himself, staring at the still closed door and stepping away before he accidentally hears something as he walked across to the doors to head to the cafeteria. "I swear, something is wrong with that asshole. As long as it's not in front of me when they get all touchy like when there's a party—I don't care and DAMN IT! Now I'm thinking about when those two—" Paulie furiously rubbed the back of his head with both hands, mussing up his hair to erase the impure images away as he pulled the door open to the hallway leading to the cafeteria harshly. "Damn fighting freaks!"

On the other side of the metal door that you got pulled to the outside, sky now darkening into the dark shades of blue of the night—you basically being held against the door as your husband ravished you before you could even think to stop him. Keeping your legs around his waist and your weight up by having his large hand under your butt—his pelvis pressed against yours as you panted and whimpered against him. Feeling overwhelmed as his goatee scratched your chin slightly as you tried to keep up with his heated kiss—only to stop him with a hand going to chest—the other still around his neck to help keep you up even though you're aware Lucci can hold you fine on his own—when he grinded against you with his hardness.

"L-Lucci!" You panted, flushed as he pulled back from your mouth—only for his mouth to trail down to your collarbone that was exposed since you like keeping the two buttons of your white blouse free. You still able to feel him through your leggings, his hand under you clenching around a cheek making you jolt—head leaning back against the door and allowing Lucci more room to now trail hot kisses and leaving marks along the way to your neck. "L-Lucci, th-this is the center! P...nng... please! The kids...!"

Lucci trailed his mouth up to your ear, hot breaths hitting your ear.

"Let them see," he said, before harshly biting your ear as you felt his smirk as he did it.

He's gone nuts!

You pushed him back once more, eyes narrowed at him as he flashed you a look of annoyance.

"Lucci, listen—you can't just...just..."

You trailed off slowly as you stared openly, mouth parting as you took in your husband's attire. You not being able to take it in since someone decided to just attack you out of nowhere.

His hair was down, how you liked it—free and flowing black locks but covered with a white top hat with a black trim and a single strand of hair in front of his face that made it charming. And replacing his black suit, was instead a white one. A white coat over his shoulders with a high collar—a white elegant vest to match and a blue long sleeved buttoned shirt underneath that. The first three buttons shirt being free and exposing the top of your husband's toned chest slightly. His pants also being white as you also took note of his white dress shoes.

In all, the white contrasted nicely with his dark ebony hair and the blue of his shirt matching nicely to how his eyes had that hint of blue if you looked.

Your mouth did a shaky thing as you flushed.

Sexy. You thought, flushing more when you saw a pleased gleam in your husband's eyes as he flashed you a devilish grin. But why the attire change? Unless—

Your eyes widened, your heart feeling as if it stuttered to a stop.

"Lucci...did you...?"

Lucci answered with cobalt eyes flashing in sadistic pride, head tilting slightly and making his black wavy curls move with the movement gracefully.

"What do you think?" He asked before pressing heated kisses upon your neck, hand to your butt grazing upwards to your crack making you shiver at the touch as your eyes began to be filled with lust and warmth pooled at your center—throbbing in need along with your husband's hardness. His hot breaths on you when he opened his mouth to speak before placing another kiss on your equally hot skin. "I'm the director now. I make the orders after exposing that worm—" his hand on your crack went under your leggings—his skin on yours as he was able to fully palm your ass as you gasped—senses and emotions overwhelming you as he spoke in that husky rough tone of his. Your hand behind his neck clenching around his hair as he continued his attack on your neck. "He's practically fish food now. Won't last even a year. He won't dare even to look at you again—not where he's going. You understand? (Y/N)."

His hand under your leggings reached around, fingers grazing as he hummed—smirking at the slickness as you moaned. Leaning your head to his shoulder and allowing him more space as lips moves to the juncture of your neck and shoulder. Him pressing you harder against the wall, making his stiffness touch you more as you closed your eyes.

"L...Lucci...thank you. I kn...knew you could."

Cause he's Lucci.

Lucci made a noise in the back of his throat in acknowledgement, fingers beginning to enter you as his mouth lowered once more down from your shoulder to your chest—Lucci's other hand finally beginning to join as he cupped a breast.

"You can come back," your eyes widened more at the words than when Lucci's fingers curled, full lips over your chest as he continued, breathy. "Come back to me. Those records—" He lifted his head up just as you lifted yours from his shoulder, serious dark eyes meeting shocked (e/c) ones. "They'll get wiped." He leaned his head against yours, eyelashes touching one another in how close they were. "We will be partners again."

You read what went unsaid.

We could fight together like before. The way we felt like we were supposed to do. As if this was meant to be—how it should be.

But...

You thought of Luffy's laugh, his face he makes when you order Chinese for them when he sticks chopsticks in his mouth and nose.

You thought of Robin's voice as she would tell you what she's reading—a pleased and serene smile on her face.

You thought of Zoro's and Sanji's rivalry—basically brothers despite the harsh barbs and fistfights.

You thought of when Bonney came to you, tears in her eyes as she crunched on goldfish as she spoke of what Teach's men did to her.

You thought of many things.

Of kids needing help.

How you needed help when your mother died and your father has long since been gone, leaving you abandoned to fend for yourself—until you got lucky at a park one day and got a stubborn friend.

How you were desperate to help save Ace—a burning need to stop him from being involved in gangs and clans—no matter how nice Whitebeard was.

You thought of all the times you helped kids throughout your years of an officer or agent—kids who just needed the right push or the right words. Like you did.

And you thought of all the things you did here, in this building. A safe space—a haven for kids like them to not have to be one another's enemies and kill or shoot each other in cold blood. And showing them that you care when low rate criminals tried to mess outside the Youth Center's gates—unconscious bodies as they stared at you in awe and shock and...maybe even a glimmer of hope.

These kids...they became more than you feeling a righteous need to do something instead of stay in the house or doing a normal job somewhere waiting for Lucci's accomplishment of the vow. More than the simple need to fight but in other ways.

They just became more.

Can I leave them due to my selfishness? I can't just leave and go back can't I?

Lucci spotted your troubled look, him frowning as he slid his hand out of you and to the small of your back—his other moving to your waist. But he still kept you up with him against you.

"What are you thinking?"

"...I—I can't just leave these kids, Lucci. It's...this isn't as simple as me just going back."

Lucci's brow rose, eyes narrowing.

"Isn't it? You're making it complicated. With just some large stacks of paperwork—you'll be back in the team." You didn't look convinced. "...you attached yourself to them." You pressed your lips together, nodding. "I see."

You blinked, looking at Lucci's deep thoughtful face as he stared.

"You...do?"

"Yes," he simply answered before his hand went back down under your leggings and underwear just as he used one hand to unbutton your blouse as you started stammering with wide eyes at what is he doing, pushing his shoulder as you said he needs to calm down and you think he doesn't understand your feelings at all—his lips going to your ear. "I understand. You attached yourself to some children. We'll just make our own so your attention can stay on those who matter and not get these ridiculous ideas again."

Your mouth dropped.

"W-WHAT?!" You yelped, only to turn to a restrained moan as Lucci's lips met yours—quieting you as his fingers met your core once more, two entering and slicking in and out as you made noises through your husband's demanding mouth just as he began to rub on you. You breaking the kiss and throwing your head back against the door as your warmth begging to be released called to you but you couldn't. "That...that—nng—they're not stealing me from you, bastard husband. And—" you gasped when Lucci's lips went around your peaks on your chest after he moved your bra out the way. "St-stop you idiot! I still have...nng, my IUD! L-Lucci, I won't ever leave you."

Lucci finally stopped his assault at that, released his mouth around your chest after one final flick of a tongue before meeting your eyes.

"Than what's this?"

Your face formed an exasperated expression, lips twitching besides yourself.

"Something I can call my own. Just like you now have something for your own. I...I can't leave all the kids here. The hard work and the people depending on me to help these kids...those kids that are like me." You placed a hand to Lucci's cheek, skin grazing his unique goatee as you did so as Lucci's brows furrowed—listening. "I can't do that now. I—I miss that, don't get me wrong but...I just can't leave these people who need my help, Lucci. Besides, you said it would take a lot of paperwork to bring me back. You don't have to do that for me, Lucci. You already accomplished your vow to me...and Directors do mostly paperwork right? I don't see myself being patient enough to help you out with those. Do you?"

"You said now. Does that mean there's a later?"

You smiled at him, thumb trying to smooth over his frown on his face but failing.

"I don't know...I guess it depends if I feel they still need me here." You answered as Lucci gazed at you in thought before you looked at him again, in his clothes. That just fit him nicely and his chest just peeking out and begging to come out. He wore this to you on purpose, he had to. And that hair in front of his face and just—you shifted slightly, only to make you jerk at the feeling of Lucci still pressing on you and his hand in you with your chest out. You glancing down at where their groins ached for another. "...did you mean having a kid thing? Or was that just out of jealousy?"

Lucci arched a brow at your odd tense tone, before noting where you were looking at. He smiled a smile filled with sin.

"Eager for one? We can head to your doctor and handle it easily enough."

"I'm serious."

"So am I," Lucci replied, leaning his head forward carefully as his lips brushed gently against your ear. "We would have to use other contraceptives and change the guest room for it. And imagine us teaching them how to fight and defend themselves while you most likely will be able to understand their babbles. A line of communication for you."

Despite his cruel teasing, the image you conjured up for yourself sounded nice. And Lucci sounded serious.

Lucci never says anything that he doesn't truly mean.

Not things like that.

Because you know him, cause he's yours. Cause he's Lucci. Your partner. Your husband. The one who believed you could move like before when numbers said you couldn't—simply because it was you.

And, you thought as you looked back up at Lucci who you could see in the corner of your eye had a toothy wicked grin as his fingers twitched inside you. Only slightly. He knows me too well too.

"....damn it," your hands moved, confident Lucci could hold you up as you unbuttoned the man's nice feeling vest quickly. "Just a quick one, pervert before someone—nngh!"

Lucci's grin widened at your noise as his fingers curled around your spot—knowing all of them after all these years as he rubbed on you through clothing as you shakily managed to unbutton his vest only to whine that you have to unbutton his shirt now at the same time he palmed a breast and took in the perked peak of the other.

"Careful," Lucci warned over your breast, a sadistic gleam as he looked up at your flustered expression. "Don't want your precious kids to hear you."

"Shut...nng...shut up. They won't out...here." You said through clenched breaths as you finally managed to unbutton his shirt too, you rubbing and grazing your hands on his abdomen and shirt appreciatively—Lucci's abdomen clenching each time you passed over it as Lucci sucked your breast and he thrusted his fingers. Staying still at his hips when you unbuttoned his pants, him helping you tug them down to just below his hardness. His fingers moving out of you to tug your own leggings down—making you feel the coldness of the metal door as goosebumps rose. "That office party...was worse."

"It was your idea," Lucci grinned with a slight flush from the sexual actions as you took hold of him yourself, moving up and down despite him already being hard. "You...and that dress...you having no underwear—doing something like that—" Lucci groaned at your increasing pace before you thrusted your hips forward, having him now at the hilt as you gasped. Lucci keeping a hand to your ass and another to your breast as he pressed his mouth to yours to keep you quiet as he thrusted against you—the sounds of skin and skin slapping as he tried to keep you from slamming back to the door lest someone comes to check for sounds. "You're lucky...I went easy." He moved to trail hot kisses to your neck as you kept your hands on his shoulders under his shirt—clenching and surely leaving your own marks as you did so as you kept your sounds under control as best you could.

"Hah...liar. You didn't...ngh...go easy at all, bastard. Acting like...Hah...you didn't attack me first in public...places... acting like a total—hah—shitty sadistic—ngh—handsome bastard...that really...is a nice suit...Hah—but annoying to take off."

Your panting grew harder, as Lucci kept his pace—your mouth leaning to press messily against his jawline and his neck adding other marks as Lucci pinched your chest with his hands while his mouth pressed against another—pulling and nipping and tongue swirling—you beginning to whisper his name frantically as Lucci growled before you came in a mess of juices with Lucci doing the same soon after—moving to press his mouth against yours that just made your breathing harder.

The both of you than catching one's breath as Lucci leaned his head against yours—eyes glazed or dazed from the high and staring at one another. You leaning forward to give him another peck as a hand placed upon his jaw meeting his chin before leaning back just as Lucci pulled out of you—holding you so you could get your footing back. Once you did, him moving to fix your clothes as you did the same—the both of your eyes roving on each other's forms and the marks placed on the others bodies.

"Now you know how I feel." Lucci answered, lips lifted as he buttoned your shirt as you buttoned his vest after his own shirt. You glancing at him in question. "It'd be easier if you wore more accessible clothes. Less of a hassle."

You huffed at him.

"Yeah right. That's like me asking you to just stroll around half naked. I'm fine with my pants and rompers, thanks." You patted his chest after finishing the last button, Lucci already done with you and both his hands on your hip. "That slitted dress is only when I wanna wear it. And those other dresses too. Ya know they're sort of hard to fight in, Lucci. They get in the way."

You looked up at him, noticing his hair was a little mussed. You using your hands to help straighten them out and being careful to not pull on it as Lucci curled a strand of your own hair through a finger, making you smile slightly.

"Kalifa can," Lucci said simply, lips lifted on one side as you threw a glare at him.

"That won't work, Lucci. I'm not like you. And Kalifa can do a lot of things—I can just do more." You ended by fixing his top hat, you having to tip toe and Lucci lean down slightly. You weren't really fixing it, you just wanted to touch it. Lucci knew it too. It felt nice though. You moved your hands to fix his coat too, swiping at anything that may have landed anywhere and look suspicious. The suit really was nice, you thought with a slight blush on your cheeks as you kept your gaze forward. Lest you would see Lucci's intrigued yet knowing gaze on you. You turned when Hattori flapped back, landing on Lucci's shoulder dutifully after the pigeon knew his master's were done. Seeing Hattori have his own white cot and top hat. "Awww, you guys are matching!"

You cooed, scratching Hattori's chest as the pigeon gave a proud Coo back as you laughed before turning around to open the door behind you and holding it so Lucci could get in. Him moving to hold the door himself as you passed through into the gym.

You crossing your arms behind your head as they walked, with Lucci's hand to your hip.

"So when should I make the appointment?"

"I have to see my schedule properly. I can give you an answer after that."

"Ahhhh okay," you said glancing at Lucci next to you and eyes going up and down before facing back forward as they went through the other set of doors. "So, boy or girl?"

"Girl."

"Well,  that was quick! Want a boy myself but girls can come out okay, look at me!"

"..."

"...you don't have to stare at me like I'm an idiot you know. I already get enough of that by you calling me one."

"It's a good daily reminder in case you happen to forget."

"Geez. With how often you do it, I really don't need a reminder, shitty husband."

"Idiot wife."

"Hah...yeah okay...so is that suit your new uniform o-or...?"

"I'll wear it more if you beg like a kitten."

"F-forget it! And st-stop calling me that!"

.

.

.

This broke me more than it should have. I don't know if it was my period that I got when I reached the part where you—Modern Silver Blood—just talks to Lucci before he goes into shock—but you just talking to him sincerely broke me.

I was in hysterics as I was writing. And I don't know WHY.

Don't get me wrong—the stuff with Smoker and you made me cry too.

And the flashback scenes of Lucci believing in you in the hospital.

But you just talking to an unconscious Lucci? Actually being fully honest for once?

Yeah. I cried.

This was also wayyyyyyyyy longer than it should've been.

It was supposed to be just 10k words.

You just in a day of the Youth Center and Smoker and Shanks visiting. You with Hattori. You ending falling asleep in the couch in the living room and Lucci coming home to your peaceful expression that woke up to him here.

Than I thought this needs some action—Lucci and you need action. That's just how the two of you are. I thought SB would need to be kidnapped. But than I thought you aren't weak enough to get kidnapped easily—unless you allow it.

So than I thought of an accident. And explained why you're retired.

And than the 'than's' turned to more than's and here we are!

A oneshot filled with romance, angst, action, drama, smut and just how having someone in your corner can really change things—give hope.

Also yes. When you guys talk during the do, it tends to turn to an argument as well. Crazy huh?  😂

And no, I'm not talking about the supposed office party that happened where you were sick of getting attacked and decided to get revenge by taking pointers from Hina and Kalifa—not letting Lucci see your outfit till you arrive with a nice black slitted dress to mid thigh and you purposefully grazing on him with touches either with yours hands or your back against his chest as Lucci was getting crazy and you were getting crazy too because of how he was looking only for you to tug him to his office and the both of you having a good time.

Yeah, not talking about that.

I am sorry if Lucci came out OOC! in some parts. I was having a hard time balancing what a Lucci would be in Modern day without growing up BRAINWASHED AND A TRAINED KILLER as well as how he would be throughout the years of a real relationship.

Especially with someone like you—Silver Blood.

So sorry ^.^' Although this was difficult in some places—I had an amazing time writing Lucci. I love that man. And the kitty needs more love.

Hope everyone enjoyed!