The Marine Trio

Lucci instead got transferred as a normal marine due to Garp's objections at a youngun doing what he did. Transferring to the same base as SB and Smoker. And SB actually listened to Garp's advise and didn't go to CP9.

Some would say a bullet was dodged. Fate changed for the better.

Smoker says that a cannonball wasn't. And the pools of blood and maniacal laughter is evidence. He needs more cigars...

Younger Marine Days!AU
Crack!AU

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"ENSIGN SMOKER!!!"

A shout so desperate, so scared that it noticeably made the man's voice crack made Smoker quickly turn his head in attention. Stopping immediately from his task to escort paperwork to Vice Admiral Garp, tensing.

"What's wrong?!" He asked, as the petty officer ran towards him until he stopped in front of him. Pale faced and panting and on his knees. "Is it an attack on the base? Pirates?!"

"I-there's...oh God...we—grounds—"

At the shaking man's lack of answer and poor stuttering, Smoker grabbed him by the collar and brought him to his level.

"Spit it out! Lives are at stake! You're a marine to protect aren't you?!"

The words seemed to snap the man's attention, as he clenched his eyes shut and shouted, "LIEUTENANT (Y/N) AND LIEUTENANT LUCCI ARE FIGHTING IN THE SQUARE AGAIN!"

Smoker stared.

The petty officer slowly opened his eyes only for his eyes to pop out his sockets in fear.

Smoker dropped the officer and headed towards the direction of the Square.

The petty officer laid on the ground with tears and snot going down his face.

"E-ensign Smoker is so scary..."  He thought back to Smoker's fury red eyes matching his red face and shuddered. But he thought back to what he saw in the Square and—

A warmth spread below him onto the floor. The officer looked down and cursed and immediately stood up. Going to find a chore boy and tell them about the suspiciously yellow fluid left on the ground that definitely wasn't him again.

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

Smoker walked into the Square, the middle cleared out besides two brats. The sides clearly had a crowd, those with guts to stick around and not care if they get hit by a stray strike. The Square is where the base had both grocery stores or stores with other essentials made of stone and simple decorations. While others were mainly to buy certain weapons by the blacksmith or to request certain changes by the blacksmith as well as other ware stores. It is also where they have movie night.

He doesn't really care for movie night.

"HEY! PUSSY DICK! STOP COMMANDING HATTORI TO TRY TO LAND A DUECE ON ME!" (Y/N) yelled as you blocked Lucci's taloned attack only for you to quickly pounce away. A stain of white landing where you were a second ago. Smoker noticed there's a lot of white stains on the cement floor. He can also spot some red if he looked closely. "HATTORI STOP IT!"

"Coo coo~." The pigeon cunningly cooed as he flew above. Smoker would imagine that (Y/N) would think the bird is mocking you and being haughty. He was proved correct when you just scowled, a tick mark on your temple.

Lucci fixes his battle posture, hands out in front of him. One in front of his chest and the other by his head, both arms half transformed into his Zoan form. From where Smoker stood, Lucci's face showed no indication of expression. But it's been a year since he's joined at the behest of Garp, so everyone might not see what Smoker has.

Smoker squints his eyes and spots it.

And what do you know, he spots the ghost of a smirk.

"It is of no consequence to me of what Hattori does. Not my fault he knows how to properly use the toilet."

"Coo Coo~!" Hattori seemed to answer. It looked like he saluted for a moment.

Smoker palmed his face and heard (Y/N)'s screech.

"Calling me a toilet now, huh?! Big talk for someone who's a pussycat with his tail between his legs. A small one too!"

The crowd seemed to murmur and Lucci's own face twisted up.

"Vulgar pirate scum."

(Y/N) snapped and dashed forward with Kuroi ten'nosabaki in a swing as Lucci took a defensive position.

"STOP!"

(Y/N) faltered and skidded to a stop a few feet away from Lucci, sword still up in the air and drooping in disappointment. Both (Y/N) and Lucci turned their heads, one sheepish and one that looked irritated at the interruption.

Smoker stepped up out of the crowd and walked towards the young marines, eyes analyzing the both of them the closer he got.

(Y/N) had noticeable slashes to your marine uniform, quite a few of them on your arms. Lucci perhaps trying to make your drop the buster sword with the taloned attacks. The scratches on your face were nicks, but the most noticeable attack seemed to be on your right thigh. A gash on your skin, although still shallow but he can spot the blood. There were some spots that were a different shade of white from your uniform.

Lucci wasn't much better, cuts and slices upon his own uniform. His hands were the most damaged however, them feeling the brunt of (Y/N)'s buster sword would cause anyone some harm. Lucci however is not anyone, so he only suffered a few cuts. Most of them still fresh as blood drips onto the floor. Smoker knows that (Y/N)'s blood from her gash has joined Lucci's.

Another tie.

Smoker stopped in front of them, eyes shadowed.

"Ahh...hey Smokey! What brings you to the Square?" You laughed nervously, rubbing the back of your head as you did so.

Lucci rolled his eyes and scoffed. You whipped your head towards him.

"What?!"

"Ridiculous to act innocent." A flap of wings came down, landing into its familiar nest. Hattori giving a coo in agreement. Lucci's dark eyes turned towards to Smoker's. "As ridiculous we stopped for a mere Ensign."

Smoker's chin lifted, eyes now in the light to meet with Lucci's.

"Hey!" You turned towards the Zoan with clenched fists still around your sword. "Leave Smokey alone!"

Lucci's lips lifted, still staring into Smoker's eyes.

"The nickname doesn't quite help in his authority, does it? Ensign Smoker."

Smoker continued to stare silently at the teen. He puffed his cigar and glanced towards you, face still hot from your fiery short temper. He darted his eyes towards Lucci's shoulder.

He closed his eyes. A flap was made.

And than chopped them both.

Hattori flapped his wings in front of Lucci's face(on purpose?), as the teen stood in shock. Smoker took the opportunity to grab both of them by their collars and dragged them away from the Square.

"SMOBAKA! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Your yelling was back on full volume, but you didn't struggle too much. Already used to such actions. Perhaps your head is getting more hardheaded due to him. The exact opposite of what he wants.

Lucci was still in shock at the hit the cigar man managed. His eyes than turning up towards the sky, Hattori cooing up above.

"Trick~ Trick~"

"...traitor."

The crowd cleared away from the Square, allowing Smoker to continue to drag the troublesome teen duo.

"Thought it was gonna keep going for a sec! Wonder what would've happened if Ensign Smoker joined?"

The marine, an officer, gasped and hit their friend on the shoulder. Aghast.

"Don't even say that Bell-mére! The battle would've turned to a massacre than. Everyone knows how close Lieutenant (Y/N) and Ensign Smoker are. Lieutenant Lucci wouldn't have had a chance!"

"Ehhhhh..." The purple haired woman blinked, cigarette in her mouth as she looked up with a hand behind her head. "They all seem pretty close to me. That's why I think it would've been interesting!"

The officer, her vermillion hair shrouding her face, stared at her friend strangely with her brown eyes.

"You don't see what everyone else does, I see. You alright?"

Bell-mere could only laugh and a hum, glancing back to see the trio still leaving with two being dragged by the other. Both of them letting it happen. One with shouts and curses and the other with scowls to the sky.

She hummed.

"Mmm...No. They're close, Isuka."

"Err, yeah okay. And pirates are great once you get to know them."

Both of them laughed at that and went to their quarters. Wondering what the teens will get punished with next.

An army of chore boys and girls came and all of them wanted to cry.

Bird shit and blood are so hard to clean!

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

Smoker did his absolute best to not tap his foot as he stood in front of the teens. Crossed arms over his bare chest as (Y/N) looked everywhere but him with her sword now safely on her back, outside a few glances only to quickly turn away. Lucci just staring with his hands in his pockets, not taking his dark gaze away from Smoker's form. Hattori cleaning his wings upon the teen's shoulder, innocent as if the bird didn't help him distract Lucci for the successful chop.

Smoker needs to reward the pigeon with a promise of top tier bird seed. Hattori likes the sunflower seeds imported from Dressrosa.

Seeing how neither one will crack, no matter how close (Y/N) always looks, he breaks the silence.

"How, why, and who?"

Those blasted three questions seems to always what he has to ask. He's given up asking other questions six months ago. He needs to save his oxygen. Or as (Y/N) says, his lungs.

In sync, almost comically, they pointed to each other. (Y/N) whipped her head to see Lucci's thumb casually pointing at her over his shoulder.

"Why you pointing at me? You know what you did!"

"I don't recall doing anything that can result in screeching." Lucci replied, giving a sideways glance towards you. "I do recall something bumping into me on my way to the Chef Special's."

You fully turned towards him now, brows furrowed and pointing at him quite close as Lucci leaned back. Unamused.

"I said 'Sorry'. You think I wanna touch you on purpose?" You seemed to make a face at that and Lucci's right brow twitched. Smoker took a huge puff of his cigar and was getting ready to light another one. "I wasn't paying attention. If you're as great as an assassin as you think you are, you would be a better observer to see that!"

Lucci scoffed.

"Like you know the capabilities and requirements to be an assassin. Your head is in the clouds clearly. I'm surprised that your head isn't filled with air because of it."

"Hey!" You scowled, waving your arms. Your buster sword seeming to glisten dangerously. "Don't call me an airhead, Neko. Your disappearing act isn't that hard. And last I checked, airheads don't think as I was clearly doing."

Smoker spotted Lucci's lips. Smoker puffed and threw the heavily used shirt cigar away. Lighting another one and putting it immediately in his mouth with closed eyes. Yet, he could still see Lucci's smirk.

Not good.

"You? Thinking? Did it hurt?"

"Eh? Did what hurt?"

"Your brain. Exercising it like that can make you grow weary. The signs are already showing."

"..."

"..."

"I will kill you."

"Don't." Smoker spoke up, opening his eyes to see you glaring at Lucci heatedly while the Zoan could only find amusement. He blew out a puff of smoke, placing the cigar back between his lips as he stared down at the duo, before turning his head towards you with a furrowed brow. "What were you thinking about? You're usually aware of your surroundings."

Lucci rolled his eyes at that, which you spotted making you scowl. But you looked away to the side, an interesting expression on your face with brows upturned and biting your lip. Despite Lucci's rudeness, the teen stared at you in thought.

'He finds that odd as well. What a brat.' Smoker thought without poison.

"It's not important," you mumbled rubbing your arm.

Smoker straightened, his annoyed exasperation gone. Worry taking its place , he took a step forward.

"(Y/N)." You tightened the hold on your arm. "Tell us. You want to go somewhere?" He questioned, but he aimed for privacy with just them two. He has a suspicion it may have to do with Lucci due to how violently you reacted, but you shook your head. Smoker glanced at Lucci, him observing you more closely.

"Look guys, it's okay." You looked up at them, a weird awkward smile on your face. "I know."

They both blinked as Smoker scrambled.

"What?" He asked.

'Don't tell me she found out.' Smoker thought. He was introduced by a Captain to be stationed back into their hometown. He didn't know how to answer. He misses Lougetown despite its flaws and it would be good to branch out and grow. But (Y/N)...he's not sure how you would react. 'We can't be together forever.' The Captain allowed Smoker time to think about it. However, (Y/N) implied she knows something about Lucci too.

It was silent for a few moments, Lucci could only stare at you. He nodded.

"I see. Who told you? Vice Admiral Garp?"

Your jaw dropped.

"What?! He knows too?! Does everybody know?!"

Smoker didn't tell Garp, not yet. He's planning to soon. But that must mean Lucci has his own plans. Something is wrong though.

"Too?" Smoker echoed. "I didn't tell anyone."

"Oh come on guys," you waved an arm at them. "Clearly I was just too oblivious I guess. Hina even told me so."

A pause.

"I didn't tell Hina." They said in unison in equal confusion. Smoker is glad he's not the only confused. Seeing Lucci's sharp brows being furrowed is a rare sight to see. He recalls you saying it looks like two snakes trying to kiss when Lucci did it. He can't unsee it. He tries not to stare.

"Well, obviously you guys were trying to hide it. The lifestyle you guys want is hard. Sorry I didn't...see it." Smoker took note that your awkward smile was actually an embarrassed one. "BUT, I support it! Even though I never thought this would happen in a million years!"

"What are you going on about?" Lucci said with narrowed eyes, annoyed and bewildered. Hattori have a confused Coo of his own. "What lifestyle?"

"What he said."

You looked around, whipping your head from side to side to see if anyone could possibly overhear. With how obvious you're being and moving your head almost like an owl, someone would definitely look now. Nonetheless, you stepped closer to both of them and cupped your mouth.

"The lifestyle of kissing each other in corners."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Him and Lucci stared down at you, but no. Your big eyes are sincere and embarrassed on their behalf. His cigar fell out his mouth and he got in your face with Lucci doing the same, causing their heads to be too close together.

"WHAT?!" He shouted with red cheeks.

"Where'd you hear that?!" Lucci followed suit, and his scowl was so tight it seemed his face could get stuck like that.

"COO?!" Hattori seemed to add, a wing over his mouth in shock.

You raised a brow and scratched the back of your head in confusion.

"Hina said she saw you guys being all, you know—"

"No I don't." Smoker interrupted with a scowl.

"Being all cozy with each other. Ya'll were, you know, the k word."

"If it's kill, I would like to do that right now." Lucci said tensely, shoulders tight. "Specifically, you."

"Hey, hey! I'm just a supporter here! You guys are my friends, don't kill a friend!"

"We didn't do that, (Y/N)! Hina was lying. She was messing with you." Smoker tried to reason, veins on his neck and already feeling a headache coming on. He reached and lit another cigar to calm down.

"Than why were your heads so close to each other just now?"

A breeze moved and you blinked as you saw Lucci and Smoker now standing a few feet apart. Smoker facepalming with Lucci looking up at the sky with a heavy frown.

"Sooo....you didn't kiss?"

"No." "No!"

You made a disbelieving face.

"Don't make that face!" Smoker yelled, turning even redder.

"BRATS!"

All three of you turned and quickly turned wide eyed as Garp seemed to steam roll over passing soldiers. With an interesting vein on his face. Smoker counted three actually when Garp drew closer, only for him not to stop at (Y/N) and instead barreled towards him. He grabbed him by his arm and Smoker was sure he felt his neck break when Garp darted towards Lucci next. Garp held each of them by the shoulder under his hand in seriousness.

And than...

Smoker and Lucci tilted their heads.

Tears?

"Why didn't you tell me you were an item?! And here I thought you scoundrels were chasing my sweet (Y/N)-!"

"THANK you!" You interrupted, only to tilt your own head. "Wait, what?"

"WE'RE NOT TOGETHER!"

Smoker and Lucci spent the rest of the day in a large shirt together. Punishment by Garp for yelling at him and to learn to get along. He also said something along the lines of bias training but Smoker thinks it's bullshit. Him seeing Hina outright laughing at both of them at dinner was evidence.

Thankfully, after an hour, you were out in the Get Along shirt as well. Garp finding out about your fight at lunch.

Smoker would say it didn't become that bad when you got between them in the slowly tightening shirt, but that would be a lie. When you're involved, chaos and yelling and accidentally elbowing likes to follow.

If there's a God, let them give him patience to not just turn into smoke and float away.

(At a Sky Island, a young dude with too long earlobes, a weird horse, and an old man sneeze.)

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What is this you may ask? I have no idea.

Enjoy!