Description
The freezing wind was so strong your whole group had packed up like a flock down the dark streets.
«Tell me again why we didn’t take the tube!» Shachi yelled over the wind to no one in particular.
«Because “walking is fun”!» Usop grunted, quoting Luffy.
The latter was running ahead like he couldn’t feel the cold.
You were squeezed between Ace and Bartolomeo, pushing them in front of you to shield yourself from the wind.
«Well, aren’t you selfish!» Ace groaned.
«No, I’m adorable.» you replied, but your words were muffled by the scar.
«It’s so gonna snow.» Perona sighed.
Finally, the club came in sight.
«Okay, they won’t let you in there with this on.» Penguin declared, taking his hat back. The cold hit your head, as you dived deeper in your scarf.
Barto grunted.
«They won’t let you in there with that either, ya’know.»
Luckily, they did let Penguin inside.
Despite the early hour, it was already filled with people, maybe because of the cocktail night, or maybe just because of its popularity.
The Germa 66 was wide, original and it usually played good music. During that period of the year, it was decorated with Christmas stroboscopic lights.
Since it wasn’t late, the guys hadn’t to pay the entrance (women never paid there).
«Reiiiijuuuuu!» Perona chimed, throwing her slender arms around the other pinkette’s neck.
«Hi guys.» she greeted, graciously caressing Perona’s hair. She was always impossibly refined.
«You should have told me you were coming, I’d have reserved a table.»
Nami shrugged.
«We improvised.»
«Yeah, Y/n was down because Kid is dating a superhot chick, apparently.» Perona explained.
You sighed, hiding your face in your hand.
«Thanks, P. How about we prepare a banner on my sentimental issues and we expose it here, on the club’s front?»
Reiju clicked her tongue.
«I’m afraid Ichiji wouldn’t approve.»
«Oi, Sabo!»
Ace’s arm circled his brother’s neck.
«How about you be my shoulder tonight? Like sweet old times!»
Yeah, you remembered the sweet old times.
Whenever you went out with Ace and Sabo, two seconds of distraction were enough, and you always found them back surrounded by chicks.
The blond sighed.
«You know I can’t, bro. I’m in a committed relationship now.»
Well, Koala was a lucky girl.
Ace groaned, retreating his arm.
«You’re sooo boring.»
He checked his other male companions with a meditative gaze. His eyes lingered on Law, but he finally grabbed Zoro’s sleeve.
«Very well then. You’ll be my partner tonight!»
«Wha– wait!»
But Ace dragged him in the crowd before the grenette could protest.
«Guys!» you called, faking an outraged expression.
So much for “come have fun with your friends”.
Law huffed, while Penguin quietly elbowed Shachi in the ribs.
«There’s another one! It’s already six hot girls checking Law out.»
«What a waste. We should put him in a better use!»
«I agree.»
Shachi waved at a little group of girls standing nearby.
«Hey, beauties! Do you know my friend Law?» he shouted.
Hearing his own name, Law’s eyebrows knitted together. Penguin was quick though, and he grabbed his arms, pulling him near the group of suddenly very interested women.
Bepo quietly followed them.
“…aaaaand they’re also gone.”
Of course, Luffy had already disappeared.
Almost reading your mind, Sabo patted your shoulder.
«Don’t worry, Y/n. Ace told me Marco should be here any moment.»
Reiju lifted her curled eyebrow.
«Oh, that’s interesting.»
You pouted, feeling a sudden heat on your cheeks.
«Guys, please… why is my sentimental life of public domain? I said he was cute once, ONCE, and now the entire world is trying to throw me at him!»
The blond chuckled at your whining.
«Don’t you laugh! I’m serious here!»
Not at all impressed, he ruffled your hair with a wide smile on his face.
«It’s because Marco is actually a nice guy, and we want to see you happy, Y/n. You deserve a little happiness.»
Usop and Nami nodded like Sabo explained the whole point perfectly.
His words made your mouth snap closed as a knot squeezed your throat.
«Hum…» you muttered, lowering your eyes.
«Well, now!» Sabo turned his back to you, friendly hitting Barto’s shoulder «Why don’t we go find you a nice girl?»
Bartolomeo’s eyes grew wide.
He and Sabo were never actually close, so his behaviour caught him by surprise.
«Yay!» Nami chimed «I’ll help!»
«Wha…! I wanna come too!» Usop uttered.
«What?! But… I should keep an eye on the girls, we cannot leave them alone!» Barto tried to protest.
Sabo just shrugged.
«They can take care of themselves. Plus, Reiju is one of the owners. C’mon!»
They quickly disappeared in the crowd, and you were left alone with your two pink-haired best friends.
«So what now, owner?» you sighed.
Reiju smiled confidently.
«Now we drink.»
Normally, Reiju was busy working and dealing with important clients at the club. That night, anyway, there was no particular event, and all her siblings were there too (with the exception of Sanji, but he was the only one who had nothing to do with the family business).
The three of you sat at the counter, and Yonji served you many drinks.
A lot of men tried to approach your trio, but you always had the impression they were interested in your illegally beautiful friends, so you didn’t even pay attention to them.
«Here you are, yoi.»
The familiar voice had you gulp. You turned to the two men who just arrived in the crowded club.
Gosh, Marco was handsome. He was wearing a black shirt, a bit unbuttoned to the top, and denim trousers.
The man beside him had a white shirt instead. He was taller, with a scar on his left temple.
«This is Thatch, yoi. He works with me and Ace.»
The brunette flashed you a wide smile and shook your hand.
«Nice to meet you! We couldn’t find Ace, so…»
A loud yell made you all turn to the Dj platform.
Ace was on a podium, shirt completely unbuttoned, surrounded by gals, and he was moshig around like crazy.
Down the podium, Zoro was also surrounded by dancing girls, but he looked more like he was desperately trying to get away.
«…well, never mind.» Thatch concluded.
«I bet he’s druuuuuuunk!» Perona chimed, obviously not that sober herself «And guess who’s gonna take care of him, then?»
She leaned on you and you quickly grabbed her sides to prevent her from falling from the stool.
The pinkette pressed her finger on your nose.
«It’s gonna be youuuuu!» she smiled, cheeks flushed by the alcohol.
You sighed.
«I’ll have to take care of you too, if you keep going.»
Perona giggled.
«That’s true!»
She hugged your arm, rubbing her face on your shoulder, than she turned to Marco and Thatch.
«Y/n is the best! She’s always taking care of us.»
«You do it for me too.» you replied, patting her head.
«Buuuuut! We were supposed to cheer you up, tonight!»
«Cheer her up?»
Marco’s look turned inquisitive on your face.
«Enough.» Reiju decided, getting up «You’re coming with me, Lolita.»
She put a hand on Perona’s arm, gently but firmly, and leaded her down to the stool.
«I’ll take care of this chipmunk now. See you later, it was a pleasure to meet you.»
Reiju threw a little knowing smile to you before escorting Perona away.
«I’ll better get Ace back too.» Thatch mumbled, rubbing his temple «I’m pretty sure Pops wants him on call tomorrow.»
Marco nodded.
«Do you need help?»
«No, don’t worry. Beside, we cannot leave this beautiful lady alone.»
You frowned as he winked in your direction, before disappearing in the crowd as well.
«…and I thought I came here with a lot of people!»
A light smile graced Marco’s lips while he took a seat beside you and gestured to the waiter.
«Classic.»
He ordered a Martini and you were pretty nervous. It was the first time you two were alone, if you didn’t considerate the occasional greetings in the complex.
«What did your friend mean with “cheering you up”, yoi?» he casually asked.
You bit your lips. Talking about your ex with your current crush wasn’t the best idea, but you didn’t want to lie to him either.
«Nothing serious. It has been a stressing week.»
«I bet the stumble of this morning didn’t help, did it.»
You blushed and look at his face. He was smirking.
“So he’s a troll, after all.”
«Ugh, you remember it.»
«Vividly. And you run. Priceless, yoi.»
«Okay, okay, you got me! I’m super clumsy.»
He giggled and you grimaced.
«Aw, don’t make that face, yoi. It’s cute.»
You tried to swallow, but your throat was suddenly dry.
«I’m happy you take care of Ace, yoi. He talks about you a lot.»
«Really?»
«Yeah. I mean, not as much as he talks about his younger brother…»
A fond smile curled your mouth.
«That would be impossible. He used to talk about you too, but he quit after he got outclassed by you with the girls.»
Now it was Marco’s turn to blush lightly.
«I don’t know what you’re talking about.» he groaned.
«Oh, come on!» you giggled «I know he asked you to be his shoulder for a few nights, but then all the girls were more interested in your phone number.»
Ace’s frustration by that time was quite fun. He couldn’t figure out how a man almost twenty years older than him could be that popular with girls his age.
Maybe that was the trick.
Of course Ace was handsome and confident, but you could find a bunch of guys like that in every club. Marco was something different, with his calmer yet smart demeanour.
The blond shrugged.
«So that’s what happened. He did look kind of discouraged.»
You disclosed your eyes at him. Was he serious? Or was he playing the troll again? With that poker face, it was always hard to tell.
«You look so mature and calm… I don’t blame those girls. They couldn’t know you’re actually a troll, deep down.» you sneered.
Marco seemed baffled for a moment, then he smirked.
«Same goes for you. Not that I’m surprised, yoi, you have to be to live with those guys and be Ace’s best friend.»
You sipped proudly at your drink.
«…yet, you land face down in someone’s else dirt laundry, yoi.»
The drink got stuck in your throat and you had to cough it out. He giggled.
«Clumsy and troll. Worst combination ever!»
«I thought I was cute.» you huffed, not looking at him.
«You are.»
Your cheeks heat up at his warm voice.
«S-So!» you uttered, trying to shake away the embarrassment «Are you dating one of those girls?»
«Nope.»
«How come?»
«I’m not a fan of dating. I guess I prefer when things happen spontaneously.»
Your eyes met and, for a few seconds, no one talked.
Your heart was pounding in your chest.
When the silence was a little too prolonged, he spoke first.
«Listen, why don’t we–»
«Let me go!»
A high shout close to you got your attention.
Nami was trying to shake her arm free from some big creep with a pointy bald head.
«C’mon lady, just a dance!»
«I said no!»
«Hey!»
Without thinking, you jumped to your feet and quickly reached them.
You sank your nails in the guy’s arm, tugging him.
«Get away from her!» you hissed.
«What do you want, bug? Get lost!»
Woha, he was surprisingly strong.
The guy banged you against the wall, and you felt the air cut in your lungs.
«Y/n!» Nami cried, but you were already back in the fight, a vicious light in your eyes.
«You need to get lost!»
His fist closed in a punch, but before he could raise his arm, his expression suddenly paled.
A strong hand had landed on his trapezium, squeezing it.
«I wouldn’t do that if I were you, yoi.»
With a small movement of his wrist, Marco forced him to step back from both of you.
You immediately grabbed Nami’s waist, tugging her away from the guy.
«Is there any problem?»
Niji’s sharp voice interrupted the creep’s efforts to get free. He stared at the electric blue-haired man in horror.
«This guy molested me!» Nami declared, pointing at him with contempt.
Marco let him go, since he seemed frozen enough.
Niji moved his gaze on you.
«Is it true?»
«Yes!» you uttered before the creep could add something.
The Vinsmoke nodded.
«Very well then.»
He secured his grip around the guy’s elbow, and you could see in the way he wrinkled his expression how painful it was.
«Please, follow me so I can explain to you why those things don’t happen in our club.»
You all stared at the guy been dragged away and you suffocated a smirk.
Niji was the worst thing that could happen to that man. Among the brothers, he was the more vicious.
Normally you wouldn’t like him for the hell he put Sanji through when they were children, but that night you didn’t mind his entrance.
«You okay?» you asked Nami, rubbing her shoulder.
«Yes. Thank you, Y/n.»
«Namiiiii!»
Luffy’s yell made you both jump. The ravenette pushed his way out of the crowd and flew to you.
«What happened?!»
«Just a creep, but now I’m fine.»
Luffy creaked his knuckles.
«Where is him?»
Nami giggled, secretly flattered by Luffy’s concern.
«It’s okay, really! Niji is taking care of him.»
«He better! Let’s go home then.» he stated, grabbing her hand and heading to the exit.
“Wow, I knew Luffy was protective with his friends, but to think he could be that serious…!”
«You too, yoi.»
You blinked, moving your eyes back to Marco.
«What?»
«That guy was really bigger than you. It was quite irresponsible to rush in the fight.»
«But he was…!»
«I know.»
Marco placed both his hands on your shoulders and you closed your mouth.
His touch was warm and reassuring. That feeling was almost unknown to you. You felt… protected?
«You could have got hurt, yoi.»
The blond stared at you right in the eyes while saying it. He looked so serious.
Then, his lazy lips curled into a smile.
«It was hot, by the way.»
It was…
“WHAAAAAAAAT?!”
Marco let you go and checked his phone.
«I need to get going.» he sighed, before looking around «Where are your friends? I don’t want to leave you alone, yoi.»
A wave of disappointment washed away the flutter of his previous sentence.
“He needs to go already? So he’s not that interested in spending more time with me…”
«Y/n!»
You turned to see Perona waving at you. She and Reiju quickly reached you.
«I heard Niji is… settling things with some creep. Are you okay?» Reiju asked.
«Yes, it was nothing, don’t worry.»
«I’ll be leaving then, yoi.» Marco smiled to the two pinkettes «Please, keep an eye on her. It would be great if she doesn’t put herself in another fight tonight.»
«We got this!» Perona grunted, resolute.
Reiju nodded.
Marco lazily waved at you.
«I’ll see you around then.»
«Wait!»
You ran to him, although he just made a few steps, and gently touched his arm.
«I didn’t thank you for your help, back there. You saved us.» you muttered.
He smirked, before briefly ruffling your hair.
«Anytime, yoi. Call me if you’re in trouble, okay?»
And with that, he was gone.
Mixed feelings were agitating your chest. How should you feel about the night? His behaviour was a little confusing.
Still lost in your thoughts, you returned to your friends.
«So, how did it go?»
You raised your eyes on Reiju.
«I honestly have no idea.»
«Good. Let’s go dance!» Perona shouted.
Nami created the group “Party night”
Nami added you
Nami added Luffy
Nami added Zoro
Nami added Prince
Nami added Sogeking
Nami added Sabo
Nami added Ace
Nami added Law
Nami added Chicken boy
Nami added Bepo
Nami added Penguin
Nami added Shachi
Nami added G Lolita
You are now an admin
| Nami: okay guys, add whom I forgot
| Nami: for Sanji: we’re at Germa 66
| Nami: someone keep an eye on Zoro
| Ace: got this
| Prince: why there?
| G Lolita: it was easy to reach
| G Lolita: don’t be a baby and come
| Prince: fine
| Prince: just because a princess asked <3
Sabo added Koala
| Shachi: guys you cannot believe this
| Shachi: Law is drunk!!!
| Sogeking: true, I don’t believe this
| Penguin: come and see!!
| G Lolita: how on earth
| Bepo: Luffy challenged him
| Bepo: I thought he could stand more booze??
| Law: Im not funk
| Nami: I need to see it
| G Lolita: oh we know you’re not funk, Law
| Nami: where are you guys
Shachi shared position
| Sogeking: …
| Chicken boy: holy shit
| Law: gET A WAY
| Luffy: drunk Law is fun!!!!!
| Sabo: yeah, I don’t believe this either
| Sogeking: someone saw Zoro?
| Nami: hopefully he’s with Ace
| Penguin: you mean the moshing on that platform Ace?
| Nami: …
| Nami: crap
G Lolita added Reiju
| Nami: guys, Luffy and I are going home
| Sogeking: wait, I’m coming too
| Koala: shouldn’t someone take Ace down from there?
| Shachi: no
| Penguin: no
| Prince: no
| Sogeking: no
| Chicken boy: no
| G Lolita: no
| Sabo: …
| Sabo: I can see where this is going
| Koala: <3
You hadn’t checked your phone in the whole night, so you didn’t really believed Perona when she told you about Law. You handed her your purse instead.
«Can you watch it for a second? I need to go to the toilet.»
«Yup.»
«And you watch Perona, Reiju.»
«Obviously.»
When you were far enough, the gothic Lolita quickly unlocked your phone. Reiju lifted an eyebrow.
«What are you doing?»
«It’s for her own good! I’ve got a bad feeling…»
The app was filled with notifications, but Perona ignored the chat group.
«…aaaaand I was right.»
She showed your phone to Reiju. The Vinsmoke girl frowned at the sight.
3 lost calls from RedDevil
8 unread messages from RedDevil
«This is not good.»
«Of course not! What should we do?»
«Nothing. It’s her life. We’ll ask her about it tomorrow, let’s just keep her distracted for another while.»
Perona sighed, shoving your phone back in the purse.
«I hate you being so wise, R.»
When you came back, they put a filled glass in your hand and dragged you to join the fray.
«Do you mind another drink?» Perona asked.
«I don’t mind other 3000.»
Nami changed the name of the group in “Worst Generation”
| Nami: let’s keep this group for future events!
| Nami: add other people
| Chicken boy: except for redass kid
| Koala: why not him?
| Sogeking: it’s a long story
| Sogeking: but the bottom line is
| Sogeking: we’re not liking him atm
| Ace: AMEN TO THAT
| Nami: omg
| G Lolita: can we add just Killer?
| Chicken boy: no.
| G Lolita: but everyone likes Killer!
| Chicken boy: no.
Nami added Robin
Nami added SUPER
Nami added Vivi <3
Nami added Becca
Nami added Carrot
Nami added Kayme
| Penguin: finally the WOMEN
| G Lolita: oh for fuck’s sake
G Lolita added J gimmefood Bonney
G Lolita added Carina
| Sogeking: I can see this going down
| Prince: *-*
Koala added Leo
| Nami: we’re home
| Nami: analysis of the night?
| Penguin: deceased: Ace, Law, Y/n, Perona(ish)
| Nami: Y/n too??
| Penguin: missing: Zoro
| Prince: good
| Prince: WHERE’S MY POOR Y/N???
| Sogeking: well that’s new
| Sogeking: Zoro I mean
| Reiju: they took off already
| Chicken boy: WHAT
| Chicken boy: the girls went away on their own???
| Reiju: obviously not
| Nami: oh jeez
| Nami: who’s taking care of the deceased?
| Sabo: that would be me, sadly
| Koala: J
| Nami: ALL of them??
| Sabo: almost
| Sabo: Perona was just dizzy, Koala is taking her back to her flat
| Shachi: how did you find Law
| Shachi: we looked everywhere
| Sabo: being Luffy and Ace’s mature brother, I developed some skills
| Penguin: you really did
| Sabo: can I put them all in Ace’s bed?
| Sabo: I mean Y/n and Law are cousins
| Sabo: Ace and Y/n are like siblings
| Sabo: plus they kinda passed out already
| Carina: that’s interesting
| Chicken boy: doesn’t look like a good idea
| Sabo: too late
| Sabo: goodnight
| Nami: don’t forget to send pictures
| Sogeking: did anyone look for Zoro?
| Prince: no.
*
OKAY GUYS I NEED YOUR HELP!
I didn’t decide where this is going yet. So, please, express your preference here.
Who do you want to end up with?
- Kid
- Marco
Please, note that I’m taking votes also on Wattpad and AOO.
See you soon with the next chap!