Kisstober 2022

Summary: Kisstober 2022: Week One: First Date. Benn/Shanks. When Shanks met Benn, he was just a simple carpenter working in a village in the North Blue.

Author's Note: Hey everyone and welcome back to Kisstober! I hope you are enjoying these so far! Sorry, I went through a spill of writer's block and thinking that I was getting burnt out on One Piece. It's been a whole mental mess, but I've seemed to somewhat find my mojo again! I hope you enjoy! On with the fic!

Pairing: Benn Beckman/Shanks

Kisstober 2022: Week One: First Date (Benn/Shanks)

When Shanks had arrived in the North Blue, he hadn't been expecting to meet a man that had almost immediately caught his eye. Benn Beckman. He was tall. Towering over Shanks. Broad and built with muscles. Long, tied back black hair. A cigarette was always between his lips. Shanks could remember the first time that he had seen him. He was helping to repair a local inn that had been trashed by another pirate crew.

Benn was a very kind man from what he was able to learn. Meeting him officially inside of the bar that was in the village. The man having taken a break from his work to have a meal and a drink.

Over the time that they had stayed within the village, he had gotten to know Benn better. The way that his stomach would twist whenever he was around him. The smile that would come to his face the second that he saw him.

Shanks almost hated to admit that he had a crush.

"I want to take you on a date, Shanks." That statement had completely taken him by surprise when he had heard it. The heat that rose to his face as he saw the smirk settled on Benn's face. He was covered in dirt from working in the village that day. The sweat glistening across his skin. Shanks couldn't even speak. "Tonight. I'll come get you." With that, Benn was walking away.

Shanks could only blink as he walked away.

It was so bold.

"See you then." Shanks muttered.

Sure enough, Benn was standing on the docks waiting for him as soon as night fall hit. Shanks shuffled on his feet, shifting his weight on either foot as he got up to him. Benn was cleaned up, in a set of fresh clothes and a cigarette in between his lips. Just like Shanks normally saw him with.

"Hey, Benn."

Benn smiled, tilting his head, "Let's go."

Shanks didn't hesitate to follow as Benn held out his hand and he happily obliged, walking alongside him. In that moment, Shanks knew that Benn Beckman absolutely had to join his crew.

X

The night had gone well. Benn had taken him out for dinner and drinking, and they had ended up in another part of the island, in a quiet field as Shanks twirled around drunkenly on his feet. Not really caring what he was doing with his arms and legs. Just happy to have a moment to just let go. Laughing away as he kept tripping over his own sandals. Benn was tipsy from what he could tell, standing there and letting Shanks do what he was doing. Staying by his side to make sure that he didn't fall over.

"If you fall on your face, don't get offended when I laugh." Benn stated.

Shanks could only laugh from it. Chuckling for a second as he shook his head, "Nah, it's fine."

It wasn't fine.

He had done exactly what he was trying not to do.

One foot had caught the other – at least, he thought that is what happened – and he ended up falling forward. The gasp left his mouth as hands curled around his hips, stabilizing him as he reached out and placed his hands on a solid, broad chest. The flush came to his face as he muttered out a quick apology, but all he received was a chuckle.

"Can't hold your liquor, can you?"

"Hey!" Shanks exclaimed, his face flaring even more as he grumbled for a moment, "You don't have to call me out like that."

Benn just smiled down at him as Shanks peered up at him with glossy eyes. Shanks grinned, reaching up and pulling the cigarette from his lips. Shanks could feel his heart racing. The air catching in his throat as he let his gaze settle on Benn's lips. Benn leaned in, moving one hand to settle in on the back of the red head's neck, curling his fingers into the wavy pieces of hair. "You're kind of cute like this." Benn murmured, leaning in, and connecting their lips for a moment.

Shanks could feel the spark that went down his spine as his eyes fluttered shut. He dropped Benn's cigarette without a second thought, bringing his arms up to curl around the older man's shoulders. This was his first kiss, and it couldn't feel any more special to him. There was just something about Benn that he couldn't explain. Benn's other arm curled around his waist. Shanks could feel his feet coming off of the ground and the smile broke out on his face as he couldn't help the chuckle that left him.

He absolutely wanted this man on his ship.

No one had ever been able to sweep him – quite literally – off of his feet like this.

Shanks pulled away for a second, whispering out, "Join my crew."

Benn chuckled, letting Shanks' feet touch back to the ground. "Was one kiss all it really took?"

Shanks shook his head, letting it stay titled as he peered up at the older man. "No, there's a lot more." He stopped for a moment, sighing before he added, "I want a man like you on my crew."

Benn's face broke out into a grin. "I think I might just have to accept that offer."

Shanks laughed, leaning back as Benn kept his arm on his waist to keep him from falling back. "I would stay here until you told me yes." The red head grinned, bouncing on his toes slightly, "Also… could you, uh, kiss me again?"

Benn smirked, leaning back in, "Is that an order… Captain."

Shanks' face flared again, his mouth dropping open but no words actually coming out. How could Benn Beckman leave him so speechless?

At least, Benn agreed to join his crew.

He had known that he wanted Benn to be apart of them, and now he was going to be.

Still, Benn obliged, connecting their lips together again.

Who knew, this was technically their first date, and not only did Shanks have his firstkiss but also gained another nakama. Though, he wasn't going to tell Benn that. At least, not yet. He would tell Benn at some point. He was just going to bask in what he was feeling at the moment.

Benn was making him happy.

He hadn't felt this happy in a long time.