Daydreams
Coby just cannot concentrate on paperwork. And who could blame him, with a view like that?
For Sun, hope you like it!
Hot days were great! The sun gleamed down, the sky a bright horrendously flawless shade of azure. A few seagulls drifted over the sea, a dolphin breaking the waves. The sound of the ship, sails rippling lightly in the breeze, men swabbing the deck. Hina ran a tight ship, always clean, always efficient. He could probably learn a lot from her. Coby stared at the open back deck, his eyes drawn to the sight before him like a moth to flame.
Broad shoulders shining with sweat, the X emblazoned across his chest like an epithet. Drake's amber hair was damp with sweat as he went through the motions of practicing with his mace and sword. His biceps flexed under the sun, each movement precise and correct. A marvel to watch really.
Fast footwork grabbed Coby's attention, his eyes flicking away from Drake's rippling abs to the other side of the deck. Helmeppo's long hair was pulled back tight against his scalp, his usual vest off, letting the sun illuminate his lean figure. Like a dancer, he stepped through his katas, kukri blurs. Perhaps not as refined as Drake but faster, not weighed down by the heft of his weapons.
Coby swallowed. Actually, no, hot days were terrible. Just awful. Coby shifted on his deck chair, the rough canvas material sticking to his skin. He stared at the wood boards beneath his feet, trying to focus on the clipboard of papers in his lap.
But his eyes just kept wandering!
Drake wiped sweat from his forehead, a drop sliding down between his pecs. Coby stared, watching like it was the most interesting thing he had ever seen. He wondered what it would be like to walk up and slip his arms around Drake's waist, press his lips against his back, right between his shoulder blades.
Dating him would be like a dream. A montage of images flashed before him. Drake wearing a suit and handing Coby flowers on their first date. Holding hands on a lazy walk down the beach. Staying over at Coby's apartment and watching the morning light play across Drake's face through the blinds.
"Captain Coby."
It would be a starry night lit with fireflies, they would be sitting on a lakefront. The sky clear, the stars so bright it felt like gazing at eternity. He'd turn to Drake, listening to him tell a story about the stars, so enamored with the sound of his voice that it would take a moment for Coby to realize that Drake was telling him an interesting story. One about two lovers and a ring…
Drake would turn to him, swallow and pull a small box from his pocket-
Coby shook his head as Helmeppo did a backflip after hurling one of his kukri skyward, catching it between his teeth. Coby bit his lip as his blonde haired best friend twirled, the lean muscles of his back flexing, the freckles across his shoulders like little constellations.
What would it be like to join Helmeppo in his dance? To twirl across the deck, never stepping on one another's feet, eyes locked. To be dragged to a fancy restaurant, the kind of place Coby would never have even thought to go, Helmeppo explaining each little thing to him in a way that made him feel special. They'd go to operas, ballet, learn falconry. All things on the finer side of life, Helmeppo holding his hand the whole way.
"Coby."
But it would be while they were out taking a much needed break day, sitting in a tiny rundown dingy, fishing poles in hand that it would happen. The sky would be a little overcast, and the weather a little muggy. He'd be wearing his only pair of clean clothes because it was laundry day. Helmeppo would have his hair in a messy tired bun.
He'd take off his glasses and nudge Coby with his shoulder, pulling something small and shiny from his pocket-
"COBY!"
He jumped so badly his glasses nearly flew off. He shoved them back into place, his heart beating wildly. Tashigi stared at him, a folder in her hand. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Y-yes? W-what?" he stammered.
"This missive from Vice Admiral Garp came for you," she said, passing him the folder. He blinked and took it from her, putting it on top of his clipboard. On top of papers he still had yet to do. Tashigi gave him a last smile and walked back towards the front of the ship, sparing a glance over where Coby had been staring so strangely.
It was just Helmeppo and Drake training. She stopped, tapping her lips, putting pieces together. She shook her head, how silly. If he liked them, he should just say some-
Hina rounded the corner, her pink hair flowing like waves. Her long legs in tiny tight hip hugging shorts, pink sandals that laced up her calves. The cigarette between her lips was unlit as she observed her crew working. Wow she was so good at bossing people around-
WHAM!
Tashigi smacked into the door she had been walking towards. Smoker from atop the cabin shook his head.
Idiots, the lot of them.
Notes:
Omake-
Smoker's fingers caressed the rolled edges of a cigar gently. What a perfect shape. Perfect size. Perfect...everything. He placed it reverently, lovingly between his lips and lit the end. Hina, Tashigi, Coby, Helmeppo, and Drake all watched him and shook their heads.
Happy Valentines Day everyone! I adore you all, you make my heart go honk 3
I hope you enjoyed this fic, let me know your thoughts!
As always, thank you for reading and you can find me on twitter at buggyisbest!
