Category: Mild Romantic Fluff
Characters: Boa Hancock, Monkey D. Luffy
Requested By: Anonymous User
"No! Oh, no, not this… Not this one, either; I look ghastly!" Hancock wailed as she tossed dress after dress from behind her changing screen. "I'll never find anything suitable to wear," she moped pitifully with a sidelong glance at the mountain of clothes on her floor. After a second of reconsideration, she peered critically at one of the dresses she had tossed aside, then plucked it up and shimmied into it.
Frowning thoughtfully, she inspected her figure in the frame, running her hands over the form-fitting sapphire fabric. Her thighs poked out of the long slit that cut up to her hip, but thankfully the heaviness of the material would prevent any unfortunate flashing. Roses were embroidered across the bustier in sky blue thread, accented by white thorns and leaves. The sleeves were short, hugging the skin of her shoulders to allow the full majesty of her slender arms to be on display. Hancock whirled around to ensure that not even the merest inch of her branding poked out from beneath the fabric. She gave the collar and sleeves a few experimental tugs to ensure that even a good jostling would not betray her previous slave status, then exhaled in relief. She slid into a pair of black shoes and walked over to the window.
The jungle of Amazon Lily encroached upon the walls of her bower; emerald-green vines climbed the stone walls to poke at her window, and ferns clustered at the base of the keep. The trees with their large, fan-like leaves and twisting branches interlocked together like a woolen quilt, crowding all the available space to grapple for the sun's warm rays. The dense, lush forest lands prevented Hancock from seeing the harbor, so staring longingly into the distance did little good. Yet stare she did, imagining the stylized lion figurehead charging through the frothing waves and the gleeful laugh of a pirate captain as he clutched his straw hat to his head.
"Luffy…" she crooned dreamily and practically melted over the stone sill. Ever since his long-awaited achievement of "King of the Pirates," Luffy and his crew had been cruising around the Grand Line visiting islands that they had missed on their first tour. Six peaceful months had passed, and finally, the winds were bringing him within Hancock's reach. I shall take him into my arms and finally make him mine! Hancock immediately cursed herself for such selfishness. No! It is pointless if he doesn't love me… she pouted and laid her cheek against her forearm. It was vexing. Men usually loved Hancock so quickly, but Monkey D. Luffy seemed an entirely different breed. That is what intrigued her so, however. Hancock knew that if she could win his affections, it would be real, not based on her beauty or status. Her lips curled into a smile.
I want him to love me, plainly and honestly.
She gripped the windowsill and slammed her forehead into the stone with an agonized groan. The only problem was that it was apparently impossible to appeal to Luffy's basal urges! Hancock had tried dressing provocatively, body language, verbal cues, and even outright flirting, but it all just sailed over his head. How do I woo a man who seemingly cannot be wooed?! She moped silently. As he agonized over the conundrum, she wiggled her hips and groaned miserably. She then suddenly shot up, little flyaways of her dark hair curling around her forehead.
"It matters not! I will welcome him with open arms and do what I can to express my love to him!" she huffed. She then shrieked and jumped nearly a foot in the air as the room resounded with a loud knock. "C-come in!" she called, hastily smoothing the creases in her dress and fixing her hair. One of her attending ladies entered and bowed low.
"My Lady, the Straw Hat vessel is in view. Would you like to greet them at the harbor?"
"Yes!" she squealed and darted for the door. She then realized how unbecoming scrambling like a lunatic was, so she straightened up and cleared her throat regally. "Ah-ahem, yes," she repeated more calmly. She squared her shoulders and raised her chin, easing back into her dignified personage. Her waiting lady bowed respectfully once more before escorting her out of the palace. As Hancock strode down the well-worn path meandering down to the port, she squirmed and fidgeted excessively. I wonder if Luffy has changed any in all this time… Has he grown more dashing and handsome? she wondered with a dreamy smile rising to her lips. I wonder if he'll think I have become more beautiful, she speculated with a casual flip of her voluminous hair over her shoulder. Her mind pored over the flirtatious fantasies, so she was completely out of it by the time the docks came into view.
"My Lady? My Lady, we are here." Hancock released an unflattering noise when she was yanked out of her daydreaming. The trees had given way to a flat grassy clearing rimmed with white sand. The waves rolled in to slosh at the shore, spraying seafoam up in impressive arcs. Because Amazon Lily was so isolated, it only possessed a single pier, to which a few fishing boats moored. A larger, more remarkable vessel was approaching on the horizon, with a tremendous white wake trailing behind it. Hancock's heart somersaulted in her chest as she clapped eyes on familiar sails, a familiar figurehead, and a familiar pirate insignia.
"It's the Thousand Sunny! Prepare for docking!" shouted one of the dock workers. She and another scrambled over the salt-soaked wood to prepare the mooring rope and ensure none of the fishing vessels would impede the process. The Sunny's mighty hull groaned in greeting as it slid up beside the short pier, and the green-haired swordsman shouted down for the rope while the blonde cook jerked on the rusted anchor chain stretched from the back of the ship to ensure it was set correctly in the sandy bottom. Hancock, abandoning all thoughts of dignity, scampered up to the pretty ship and shouted greeting. Her expression brightened as Luffy's cheerful call floated down immediately after.
"Heyyyy! Hancoooock!" Her heart pumped against her ribcage with excitement as she watched Luffy stand up on the ship's bulkhead and stretch. With a giddy cackle, he stretched both his arms down to grip one of the pier posts, winding the elastic limbs several times around the wood, and sprang down to the dock. "It was nice of you to meet us here," he remarked gratefully as he straightened up and adjusted his worn straw hat. Hancock trilled melodically and scampered up to the handsome young pirate with eyes sparkling like crystals.
"But of course! I extend every courtesy to the love of my l- my dearest friend!" She flushed as she hurriedly corrected herself. Luffy seemed not to notice her stumble and held his hand over his brow as he surveyed the shore.
"Yup, yup! Man, the island hasn't changed at all." Hancock pressed the pad of her index finger to her plump, glossed lips and wiggled her shoulders with a demure flutter of her lashes.
"Have I changed any, Luffy…?" He blinked curiously at her. He then flashed her a cheesy, toothy grin.
"Nope! Not at all!" He whirled on his heel to shout up at his crewmates to get a move on so they could eat, so he didn't notice the disappointed slump of her shoulders. She pouted miserably at his back for a few seconds before straightening up with a determined huff. Maybe that isn't a bad thing! I am sure that he is relieved that I am the same! she told herself. "Hancock, Hancock!" Luffy cried and whirled back around. "You've got food, right? I'm starving!"
"B-but, of course! A great feast has been prepared in your honor." Luffy snickered devilishly and rubbed his hands together with excited mutters of "oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!" Hancock's heart sung with joy, for she was delighted that her gesture had pleased him. The remainder of the Straw Hat Pirates had climbed down from the ship and were milling about. The blond-haired cook was flirting with one of the dock attendants and wasn't deterred when she screamed and threw a pile of mooring rope into his face. As the crew members began shambling up the path, Hancock sidled up to Luffy and smiled shyly. "Luffy, may I accompany you?"
"I mean, duh! What else were you gonna do, stay here? It's not a proper feast without you!" He sniggered and began tromping after his fellow pirates, whistling loudly and swinging his arms with every exaggerated step. Hancock squeaked at him to wait and scurried after him, shuffling fast to keep up with his long strides though she was by no means short. Panting slightly, she tried to keep a pleasant smile.
Okay, Hancock! Now's your time to make your move!
"L-Luffy!" she cried over his whistles. The piercing noise halted as he looked at her with curious, wide eyes. "Th-this path is a little rough, and you're walking so fast…" she petered off as she blushed, hoping he would understand her insinuations. He'll offer to walk slower, and we'll get separated from the crowd… And I can be frank with my feelings! Hancock had decided a classic confession was the only way to break through the dense shell of a man. The trick was getting him alone. Come on! Come on! Hancock willed silently.
"Oh, do your feet hurt or something?" Luffy asked and then stopped walking. Hancock's heart back-flipped, and she squirmed excitedly in anticipation. She jumped when he suddenly cupped a hand to his mouth to yell, "Hey, Franky! Be a gentleman and carry Hancock! Her feet hurt!" Hancock stammered refusals and insistencies that she was just fine, but the giant robot man hulked over to her nonetheless. She yelped as he hefted her up with his metal arms like she was weightless.
"My lovely Hancock! Would you rather me carry you~?" Sanji crooned, appearing over Franky's bulbous biceps with an animated wiggle. Hancock wanted to reply that there was only one man she wished would scoop her into his arms, but she resigned herself to the flirtation failure. She quietly thanked the blue-haired cyborg who grinned and shouted, "SUPERRR!" loud enough to burst her eardrums. Miserably, she huddled against his steel chest and watched Luffy resume his energetic strolling.
It's all right! He merely misunderstood because I was not forthcoming with my desires! It was still courteous of him to insist I be carried. I will just have to try again!
"Ooooooooooooo!" Luffy hooted, eyes nearly bugging out of his head as he clapped them on the splendorous smorgasbord spread out before him. A wooden table that could seat fifty was laden with food: baskets of breads, trays of baked potatoes with freshly-churned butter, sauteed mushrooms and seared asparagus and stir-fried vegetables, salads tossed in vinaigrettes, and a massive spit-roasted boar. Drool pooled at Luffy's feet as he stamped them ecstatically before he launched himself at the table, clambering on all fours onto the seat. "Yesyesyesyesyes!" He grinned with a lolling tongue.
"Luffy! Be kind enough to thank our host before digging in like a pig!" the fiery-haired navigator scolded when he ripped a leg off the boar and sunk his teeth into the tender flesh. Still gripping the meat in his teeth, he grunted, "Thanksh Hancock." The woman giggled and daintily held a hand to her mouth. Her dress swished around her ankles as she sauntered up to him, leaning down with her hands on her knees to fondly watch him pile food a foot high on the plate.
"You are most welcome. I hope you find it to your liking."
"Uh-huh! It's sho good!" He nodded with jam-packed cheeks. "Sit wif me!" Hancock's cheeks flushed pink, but she obediently eased herself onto the wooden bench beside him. Her attendants scurried forth to neatly arrange samplings of the food onto the golden dish before bowing and darting away. Hancock primly ate beside Luffy, carving into the boar with a knife and fork while he attacked it like a starved coyote.
"I specifically ordered a boar be slain for this feast, since I know how much you love meat," she remarked, shyly peering at him through her lashes. Luffy shot her a toothy grin, bits of lettuce and crunchy pig skin caught in his teeth. Some people might find it unflattering behavior, but Hancock relished it, because it indicated just how much he was enjoying the feast she had arranged. A little gravy dribbled on his chin, so she chuckled and dabbed at it with a napkin.
An idea then sparked in her love-struck mind.
"... Luffy, I'm sure you're very weary from your journey. Why don't I feed you?" she suggested, leaning a little into his shoulder but trying not to seem too insistent. Surely he will understand my meaning, right? After all, I cannot ask him to leave while he is enjoying him so much so I can confess to him… She fluttered her lashes hopefully as he considered the prospect. Before he could answer, however, Sanji vaulted himself across the table to try and shimmy between herself and Luffy.
"Hancock, my dear! 3 I'm exhausted; please feed me!" Hancock gasped in horror as his elbow crashed into her goblet of wine and sent it spilling everywhere. It doused her food, soaked into the white tablecloth and the wood, and splattered all down her front to turn the gorgeous sapphire fabric of her gown a winy purple. Her cheeks blazed apple-red from embarrassment and anger. She blacked out for a second, and when she found her wits, she was crushing Sanji's head with her foot and tilted her head back at a ninety-degree-angle.
"You heathen! Know your place! I don't recall asking you!"
"My place is as your humble servant, my magnificent queen~!" Truthfully, Hancock would have turned him to stone if he wasn't one of Luffy's trusted crewmates. She lifted her heel from his cheek so Nami could grab him by the collar and drag him to the corner for a proper scolding. Hancock's ire diminished to be replaced by acute sadness. She whimpered as she beheld the purple stain gradually staining the skirt of her dress, leaving sticky patches of wine on her thighs. It's ruined…
"Hey, Sanji, you ruined the food!" Luffy yelled. He hopped to his feet, ripping the last bite of white meat from a bone, before tossing it into the pile that had accumulated on his plate. Hancock turned away from him, for she was ashamed to be seen in such an unseemly position. "Hey, it's okay! Nami'll pound Sanji good," Luffy reassured with a big grin. "You should go change, Hancock."
Now's my chance! she thought and peeked through her curtains of black hair over her shoulder. Putting her finger to her cheek, she blushed and meekly asked, "Luffy… Would you accompany me? I very much wish to hear about your adventure, and I simply cannot wait." Now! Now must be the time! she pleaded, praying the universe would not throw yet another wrench into her efforts.
"Yeah, sure!" Hancock nearly deflated like a balloon with relief. Still, she managed to retain her composure, sodden dress and all, and escort him out of the dining hall. Per her request, Luffy began to babble about the various new islands they had visited, gesturing wildly with a big smile on his face. Hancock listened attentively at first, but soon became lost in the avidness of his words and the joy in his expression. It was simply so amazing to her, the pure zeal he possessed for adventure. It was nothing short of inspiring. Had Hancock not had Amazon Lily to manage, his words alone would've spurred her to take to the seas, chasing the endless horizon with wind in her hair and salt on her skin…
"-and so then I knock the bastard out, and the nice lady cooked us this huge pot of stew afterward!" Luffy finished his current regale as they strolled through the door of Hancock's bedroom. She had been so absorbed in his emotional state that she hadn't heard one word prior, but she still responded with a cheerful remark and a nod. She indicated for him to sit on the bed, and he did so, plopping down to swing his legs. His ankles repeatedly bumped against the thick mattress as she began rifling through the mound of dresses still lying on her floor. Hancock blushed as she rummaged, wondering if he thought her sloppy and unkempt. "It's a shame about your dress," he frowned with a loose gesture to her form. "I thought you looked nice in it."
"R-really?" she squeaked, whirling around and slapping her hands to her cheeks. He beamed, looking as if it were the most natural thing to say.
"Yeah! I think blue looks good with your hair."
"Is that so?! Well, I shall put on another, and please tell me how it looks!" Hancock flung aside every dress that wasn't blue. Finally, she found a silk ultramarine dress and practically threw herself behind the changing screen. Luffy snickered as her hip bumped it and pushed it a good five inches to the left. Hancock wrestled herself out of the dress, but in her excitement, got her arms tangled up in the bustier. At first, she pretended she was not struggling, discreetly worming about, but she then grew frustrated and started thrashing with angry squeaks. Hancock stumbled over the stone floor in her ire, growing more upset with every fruitless writhe. Oh, dammit, why can't I- She froze when her behind jounced into something thin and wafer-like, and she heard the unmistakable sound of the room divider clattering to the floor. She felt a blush crawl from her toes to the crown of her head, turning her body pink.
"L-luffy! Don't look!" she begged. She bit down on her lip as mortified tears bloomed in the corners of her eyes. Here she was, half-naked stuck in a dress in front of the man she wanted to impress. All I have done this afternoon is make myself out to be a fool! She lamented. She heard the mattress creak as Luffy adjusted himself. She managed to twist the fabric around her head just so to peer out of the sleeve hole. He was still seated on the bed with his fingers laced over his eyes, and she exhaled in relief. No doubt, he saw her compromising position, but at the very least, he wasn't gawking. With renewed vigor, she began fumbling with the dress again, sending rivers of wine running down her belly as it leaked from the soaked fabric. She still could not free herself from the twisted cloth. "… Luffy, please help me," she pleaded in a small voice.
Luffy slid on the bed, keeping his eyes squeezed tight as he fumbled around with his hands held out in front of him. She had to admire his chivalry. "You can open your eyes. You can't help me if you can't see." It embarrassed her to no end to say such, but they would be here all night if he were trying to untangle her virtually blinded.
"Are you sure?" he asked, head turning in the direction of her voice.
"Please! It's so tight; it hurts!" His eyes snapped open and, true to the goodness in his heart, his gaze didn't once travel to her very exposed underwear as he hurried over and began tugging at the twisted dress. She remained patiently still as he manipulated her arms to pull the fabric this way and that, and she relaxed as it gradually loosened around her. Once she could move again, it was no effort to pull it over her head and throw it to the ground. Luffy immediately whirled on his heel and crossed his arms, kindly presenting his back to her so she could change in peace. However, emotional turmoil had overtaken her mind. Choking out a sob, Hancock pressed her forehead between his shoulder blades and clutched at the red fabric of his vest.
"You must think me a fool."
"Why would I think that? I get stuck in my shorts all the time!" She smiled bitterly. Surely, he was only trying to make her feel better. Her fingers twisted into the coarse fabric as tears stained the red surface. "… Hancock? You okay?" he asked after her period of silence.
"No!" she sobbed pitifully. "I'm a fool. I have been trying to impress you all day, and all my efforts have fallen utterly short- and now look at me… getting stuck in a dress and covered in wine." She rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms. "I'm a selfish person… I've made tonight all about me and my wishes, when I should have focused more on your accomplishments and happiness. I'm so sorry, Luffy."
"I dunno what you're apologizing for." His shoulder muscles flexed as he scratched the top of his head puzzledly. "I don't think you're selfish or a fool at all. I love you just the way you are!" The glass shattered in Hancock's mind. Did he… No, he couldn't have. She replayed the moment several times in her head, and sure enough, the word "love"- not "like"- had come out of his mouth. She gulped as all the water drained from her mouth, and she clutched his clothes in a death grip.
"Luffy… You… Love me?"
"O'course I do!" he answered casually, apparently unaware of the emotional weight of the word.
"Like you love your crew?" His face contorted into a confused frown, and he rubbed his chin.
"Well… No, it's not quite like that," Luffy thought aloud. "It's like… I love meat, and then I love the Thousand Sunny, and then I love my crew, and then it's you." As he rattled off the list, he counted on his fingers. Hancock's face blazed with a fierce fire at the realization that she ranked top on his priority list. "I was really excited to come to Amazon Lily and see you! Honestly, I wish you didn't have the island to run, so you could come sailing with me!" he laughed good-naturedly. Tears had begun to pour down Hancock's cheeks again, but not from shame. "Hey, are you still sad?"
"No. I'm so happy. So very happy. All I wanted to know is if you loved me."
"Shishishishi! Well, I do, so… Chin up, okay?" She lifted her head to blearily blink at him, finding him glancing over his shoulder. He patted her head, rubbing her scalp with tender care. Her bottom lip wobbled as the most intense joy she had ever felt bubbled up inside her body, overflowing like a freshly-opened bottle of champagne. In her delight, she leaned in to press a quick kiss to his cheek. He blinked, then smiled roguishly and rubbed the gloss mark she had left behind. "Hehe, so, do I get to see that dress on you or what? I bet it's mighty pretty!"
Hancock then remembered she was in her underwear, very much chest-to-back with the cute pirate captain. Squealing, she flung away from him to bury herself under the changing screen. Cheeks burning, she lamented the comical twist of fate while Luffy just held his belly laughing and strode out the room, telling her to come out when she was ready. Hancock peered out from underneath the thin screen to watch him leave, smiling warmly.
I love you just the way you are, too.