Hallo and welcome back!
Now I know some of you came here from Shôganai and just in case you were wondering, yes, I'm a masochist.
I have to be! How else could I have thought that writing Perona as a virgin was a good idea? Do you have any idea how hard it is to immerse yourself in a virgin character when you're on the slutty side? So. Fucking. Hard. I give huge kudos to the Vegebul Sinners in the Dungeon and to Lachanophobic especially for all their patience while I bitched and whined, because this stupid brat wouldn't just spread her legs and to the latter for the saving idea to get the stupid woman on the bed. (Check out her new fic The Mandragora Prince on ao3, it's a really cute Dragon Ball AU you can enjoy even if you're not into the fandom)

Now from this little rant, you might have already guessed, this chapter is THE chapter… well not quite… it got two long so I cut it neatly in half, have fun!

It was the third night. The third night of Perona walking back and forth in front of the brute's door debating with herself on whether to just barge in and get thrown out again, knock like his polite little pet, or just leave and toss and turn in her own bed because she didn't know what to do with the constant heat between her legs.

Not that she didn't know at all what to do… she had tried touching herself like the women in the magazines had suggested… She had even turned on one of the toys the hag had recommended, although she had been so thoroughly intimidated by the vibrations pulsing through her arm that she hadn't touched any of them since. It just wasn't enough and so, here she was again. Walking and talking to herself… He could just be a decent human being and invite her in, right? But no, he had to be an idiot brute that completely got off on that weird Powerplay.

That was probably the worst thing about this situation. Since he now knew Observation Haki he knew that she was out here. And he knew that she knew he knew and all that. It wasn't that he commented on that, no, he didn't even seem to look at her during breakfast or dinner. It was just… he was different. Had that special air about him. No matter how offended she had been at old man Mihawk's remark, he was right; at least for the brute, this was foreplay. He enjoyed seeing her this torn. For him, it was enough. He probably didn't even care if he got her kitty at the end, he had already won and it infuriated her to no end.

Really, she should just march in and take what she wanted, hollow his ass to the bed and have her way with him…Not that she exactly knew how she would go about that, but he deserved it for making her suffer so much.

That begged another question though; did she only want him because he was the only choice she had? Before that shaving incident that still made her blush when she thought about it, she had thought that this was just her body demanding long since due attention, she was already 24 after all. And then he'd gone and made her doubt things, because the brute had been soft and considerate and dare she say even a little bit cute with how he had reassured her.

That wasn't what he had promised her should she knock on that door though. If she were to knock it would be dirty, sweaty and downright filthy. Not soft, considerate and cute. Just how had that idiot managed to make her think that just maybe he could make it enjoyable despite all that?

Infuriating. Utterly and completely infuriating.

With a barely suppressed scream she opened his door, as always finding him sitting on his bed reading. Self loathing bubbled in her belly when she thought that it was a shame he didn't need reading glasses because they would make him look cute. What was wrong with her?

"This is getting boring" he said, again not looking up. He could at least look at her! Was that too much to ask? She was about to give him her virginity for- What was that? No, she wasn't!

She stemmed her fists in her sides and just a few steps brought her to the foot of his bed. He had the smallest room in the wing, because apparently too much open space wasn't comfortable for him. Peasant.

"No it's not, you enjoy this, idiot," she pouted, not quite sure what she was supposed to do now that she was inside and had not been thrown out right away.

"I do, but I also told you that indecision ain't cute," he laughed and she cursed his voice for doing strange things to her kitty and him in general for being right.

He had told her those words the last two times she barged in after an hour of stalling in front of his door and she had thought about it. She was a princess, she was supposed to know what she wanted and when she wanted it and she was supposed to get it! It's always been like that and it would stay that way. If she decided that she wanted that not cute brute, then she would get him.

She pouted her rose-red lips, looking about the room. So, yeah, she might want to have his disgusting thing in her kitty but that still didn't help her much.

The first aid kit on his nightstand caught her eye. He had always been more agreeable when he was bandaged, right?

He just sat there and watched quietly as she marched up next to him to dump the kit's contents on his bed and she took it as a win that he actually put the book away.

When he had shaved her, he had told her what he was doing, so she assumed that might be how it was done. And the hag had also said that one should communicate, because openness and honesty was how you made sure everyone was at ease and happy. "Your hands are rough and disgusting, so I'll have to bandage them."

He chuckled, putting his hands up for her to get to work. Grey eye sparkling mischief, which didn't make him look boyish and hence cute. Not at all.

"So, you're gonna prep yourself with me watching?" He asked and she gasped at the insinuation.

She would not do such a filthy thing in front of him! He was the uncultured barbarian, not her. She was glad he said it though, made the decision easier. Raising the bandages she wrapped them around his head one loop at a time. His eye had to go first. Also, it really didn't matter that he wouldn't be able to use his hands, Zombie Nurse had always enjoyed kisses on her kitty more than clumsy touches.

"Just this once." His voice the same low rumble as before as he held his hands steady for her to work. The same rumble that went straight from his lips to hers down there, making them tingle in excitement. She knew what he meant and she hated the fact that she knew the brute so well. Just this once he'd humour her. To put her at ease. He was being considerate because it was her first. Kind of cute.

"Ya still gotta say 'please' though," he added. Nope, not cute at all. And she'd definitely bandage his mouth if it wasn't for the fact that she still needed it. Punched his chest instead and the air around her chilled instantly even before his one unbandaged hand closed around her wrist.

"Don't push it."

It sent shivers down her spine. She was never afraid of him before, but right now? This wasn't like with his long-nosed friend, this was different. This was primal. He was the wounded tiger in the jungle that let her treat his wounds, let her pet his fur, but there was no doubt he'd put her in her place if she went too far. She wanted to snap at him, wanted to send her hollows, but she stayed still. Gaze caught by the ferocious grin on his lips, body trapped by his domineering will alone. Her heart hammered in her chest, her instincts begging her to flee or submit, because there simply was no fighting this beast. Desperately she rationalised that she would flee if he let her if he wasn't holding her wrist in his vice-like hand, but she knew better.

This wasn't cute and wasn't pretty, but some part of her brain accepted it, wanted it, pushed her to stay, maybe even challenged her, while his calloused thumb caressed the soft skin of her forearm, not at all holding her tight. Damn this idiot brute! Corrupting her like that, putting ideas like that in her head! Making her feel that way! All weak and small. How could a brute like him make her feel so much more girlish than she already was? How could a barbarian like him make her feel as if she wasn't crazy for even considering doing that with him?

She called him a brute for a reason, how could she think that he would be careful with her? How could she not mind if he wasn't?

Her body went limp, head sinking to her chest. Damn him! "Can you at least make this nice for me?"

She didn't even want to look at him. That no doubt smug look on his face as he unwrapped the bandages from his head.

"You can do better than that." Even his voice sounded smug.

Fists balled in her lap, eyes clenched. "Please," she said through grit teeth. That despicable human being!

"Can I touch you?" His voice soft and serious. Shouldn't he be gloating?

"Just do it already," she bit and his hand was on her cheek instantly, softly turning her to face him. Her breath caught in her lungs when she saw him. All close, stern.

"I'll let that slide this time, but you better work on your tone. I'll kiss you now, that alright?" So close, his breath clean. Still, she wanted to punch him in the face. Let it slide, just who did that barbarian think he was?

"Yes, please," she breathed instead. And then his chapped lips were on hers and her head spun like the day Mihawk had taught them how to sample wine. His grey eye trained on hers as if trying to get her attention, before slowly fluttering shut and even though she wanted to keep hers open, to stay alert, she followed suit. Her belly tumbled when he sucked on her upper lip, she leaned in, closer, more.

His hand slipped down her neck, thumb resting on her jaw and with a hot chill she became aware that she was nothing but a twig for him to break, those calloused hands easily able to snap her neck and she just didn't care because her heart was beating in her throat and her belly was doing weird things and her kitty pulsed with happiness.

He pulled back, their lips sticking to one another for one more enjoyable second and if it weren't for his hands on her face keeping her focused she would have felt cold and lost.

"Undress for me," he murmured and the snarky voice in her head wondered if he just had no idea how to open her corset. That voice quieted under his stare. He knew, and if he didn't he'd cut it from her body so she better get to work. Maybe, if this wasn't so new for her, if her body wasn't bursting with excitement, with nerves, she would have given him a harder time. She liked to think so. The next time he could stare at her as much as he wanted. The next time she'd let that snarky voice do the talking but just this once… just for now she would give him the benefit of the doubt. Would assume that he knew what he was doing and that it was in her best interest to follow his… his advice, because if she accepted it as the demand, the order that it might have been intended as, her arms would cross over her chest, her head would turn away from him to pout. But it was advice, had to be, so she pulled the ribbon in her back to loosen the lacing, so she could push the front pieces together and unhook them.

She didn't look at him as she unbuttoned her cute frilled blouse, but felt his eye on her. That evil grey eye that was so unlike anything she had ever wished in a boyfriend. Her boyfriend was supposed to have cute black eyes, like the buttons on her dolls. In general he wasn't what she had made her prince out to be. It didn't really matter. She could always find herself a cute boy who would kiss the ground she walked on, worship the air she breathed, while keeping brutish Roronoa as a boytoy on the side if he proved himself useful today, since he really wasn't relationship material. Not at all cute enough. But even she couldn't deny that he had a certain effect on her, not anymore, not now that she was sitting on his bed undressing for him after her first kiss ever that really wasn't as revolting as she had thought it would be.

When she brushed the pink blouse from her shoulders she was surprised she didn't feel ashamed. Somehow it felt like she should be, but she had always liked her breasts. Not too small, not too big and her nipples were a cute pink… pinkish. And if they weren't… She looked up at him, surprised to see him not ogle her goods like a neanderthal but meeting her gaze as if he hadn't looked away once. He didn't care what they looked like.

Of course he hadn't looked yet. He wasn't interested in stealing a glance, she knew that, could see it in the intensity of his stare. The blush on her cheeks flared as she realised that when he looked -because he would- it wouldn't be a shy glance while she was busy otherwise. He wanted her to know that she was on display for him, wanted her to see just what he thought of her and just like that the embarrassment came over her again. She got up and turned away from him, just in time to see the smug grin on his face and while she took off her skirts and panties she felt torn; she wanted to turn around, to shove her assets in his face, embarrass him for a change, prove to him that his stupid mindgames weren't working on her.

They did work though, and she wanted to hollow him just because she would have never imagined that his brain would be capable of playing her like that. He was an utter idiot the best of times!

Fists balled at her sides she sighed in defeat. He won. No matter what she did, he won this game. If she left now if she stayed…

Lifting her chin in defiance she turned around, eyes closed tightly. If there was no way for her to win this game anyway he better make it enjoyable or she'd hollow him 'til kingdom come.

Obediently she opened her eyes at his prompting. Cursing this weird coaxing, encouraging authority of his for not raising her hackles and not immediately urging her to rebel.

His gaze was burning and she briefly wondered how that cool grey of his eye could be so hot as he deliberately took his time to look at her body. She begged it to stop trembling under his scrutiny, she couldn't give him that satisfaction now could she? He'd never let her live that down! Or maybe he would, because this wasn't the same brute she knew. He wasn't this awkward, lanky boy with anger issues anymore, and he certainly wasn't that half depressed shadow or a warrior he had arrived as. Ever since this… thing between them had started it was like he suddenly knew what to make of her apart from his unwilling nurse and a nuisance. He was… like in his element, just as sure as he was while fighting.

He still made fun of her any chance he got, but if she was being honest she might have instigated more of those verbal matches than him because just maybe he might have been right with his assumption that she tried to remind herself he wasn't cute, but… he hadn't once used one of his newly learned secrets against her. Right, so he wouldn't make fun of her for shaking under his hungry gaze, for not even knowing if it was out of embarrassment or giddiness…

He didn't, and it was kind of annoying. That he was being so mature about it. If he weren't she could have just left, because he deserved being left like that, but like this? She couldn't leave, that would be fleeing. Because she was scared.

She was, a little, and it should have put her at ease that she relaxed when he looked at her like that, all approving and encouraging, but it kind of scared her even more. Like he had cast some weird form of magic over her, because she really didn't behave like herself right now. She wasn't shy, she wasn't insecure, she was loud and boisterous, she took what she wanted. But now she stood there butt naked in front of a man that was nothing at all like what she wanted and who was still as fully clothed as he ever got around here, sitting on his bed staring at her like a pervert.

It made her hot and tingly all over and it really shouldn't.

He held an arm out to her and she hesitated. If she came to him now she wouldn't be able to turn back, right?

"You know, maybe this wasn't such a good idea. A cute girl like me really shouldn't be with a brute like you. I mean technically we're enemies, aren't we? What would your captain think? Honestly, this is-"

Had he just rolled his eye at her? Oh, the nerve of that man!

He sighed. "Quit stalling, Perona, either come here or go back to your room, but for fuck's sake, put your clothes back on this time."

So, that was it? "Shouldn't you like, seduce me or something?" She pouted, realising that despite her indecision she was a bit upset by his reaction, or lack thereof. Even more so when he scoffed at her.

"What do you want to hear, sweet Mellorine? That you're the most beautiful woman to have ever walked the earth? Tough. Fucking. Luck princess, you're stranded with the wrong fucking Strawhat. Probably would be a lie anyway," he grunted and swung his legs over the bed's edge, coming to sit right in front of her. And even though her breasts were literally right in his face he opted to look her in the eye instead. It was a bit disheartening, because somehow she had liked how he had looked at her before her nerves had gotten the best of her.

"What I can tell you, is that I want to fuck you and that it's about high time someone taught you some fucking manners."

She should go, she really really should, because nobody was supposed to talk to her like that and especially not during her first time. She couldn't though, because he had his rough hands on her hips and she was straddling his lap before she had even noticed she had moved. He hadn't pulled her, she was sure, he wouldn't do that. It wouldn't be a win for him if she didn't come on her own after all, right?

She turned away from him, didn't want to see the victory dancing on his stupid face. When his hands traveled up her body, just barely grazing the swell of her breasts, the slight scratches of his callouses didn't feel as bad as the first time he had touched her and the goosebumps running down her arms probably betrayed her. Not that it made a difference. As close as they were right now, he could probably hear her heartbeat frantically hammering in her chest and smell the disgusting slime coming from her kitty.

They came to rest on her face again and she hated how much this weirdly gentle touch calmed her frayed nerves. How easily it made her turn back to him to look at his stupidly attractive, serene face.

"Good," he said and her belly fluttered for whatever reason, it wasn't like she cared about what the brute thought of her.

"From now on I won't stop if you babble, I won't stop if you squirm or scream, I won't stop if you start cursing me and I won't stop for any negative hollows your bratty ass sends my way," he declared, her face still firm in his hands, his voice a low rumble against her lips that made goosebumps spread all over her skin. She should be afraid, right? Her heart did beat fast as if in panic but even she had to admit that with all the flutters in her belly it was probably anticipation.

"But if you tell me to stop, I will. So don't do it lightly. That alright with you, Perona?" He asked and she knew that just pouting wouldn't do this time and she wouldn't put it past him to throw her over his shoulder and carry her back to her own room if she didn't answer, or didn't answer correctly.

"Fine." She huffed.

Now I hope you enjoyed this, please let me know what you think about it.

And talking about feedback, there's something I feel the need to address:
Over the past few months, I've become friends with many fanfic authors so I know I'm not being overly dramatic if I'm saying your feedback is our motivation.
We all would like to write for ourselves, and sure we do that to an extent, but to put so much work and thought (and I'm really not talking about myself here, I'm usually just typing away) into a fic and not getting any response… It hurts. We love what we do and we like to think you also like it.
What you read here in a few minutes takes days and sometimes weeks to create, we use our free time for that, we don't get paid (Except for the big ones with maybe). We don't expect a deep analysis of our writing or anything, they are nice, yeah, sure, but sometimes a "thank you" is enough and it won't really hurt you will it? Not gonna lie, I've rarely commented before I started writing myself, always thought there was nothing to say they didn't already know… but there is, "Thank you, I enjoy this story/ I appreciate the work you put into this/ This one scene where… was fun/etc" Nobody is expecting essays but even a simple heart can really pull us up!
Whining isn't very attractive, I get that, so don't comment on this chapter if you don't feel like it, but I'm sure there's lot's of other fics you follow, so keep this in mind for them!

Last but not least, thanks to Ghost for beta reading and Onlyafraidoffear (wtf fanfiction, I'm not even allowed to link to your own site? Sorry guys you'll have to search yourself) for commenting and taking away all my insecurities and disappointment. They do have a few One Piece stories I've been too chicken to check out yet (I'm sorry!), but they might be right up your alley!
I'll see you all next week to the rest of this scene!