(A/N: They are adults in this one)

(Warnings: None)

To say that the Heart Pirates were a snugly crew was a severe understatement.

Affection was a daily occurrence among the crew - so much so that it was a struggle to go a day without it. It wasn't that people were forcing the affection because of some rule or an attempt to force stronger bonds, but rather because it had just become so natural.

After all these years, it ceases being embarrassing and others actually tend to miss the affection on the off chance that someone gets left out for a day. It seems impossible but it does happen occasionally where a crew member gets left out of Bepo's hugs or Penguins' daily pat on the back, asking how their day went.

Days such as these only go two ways: They can either ignore the nagging fact that they missed out on sentiments for that day OR they can seek out someone to make up for what's missing. A lot of the newer members with too much pride are often found to choose against seeking out affections, not realizing just how much they appreciate these affections until they've missed out on them. Often they feel like they don't deserve to seek out affections or like it's just not that big enough of a deal to bother others over.

Those with stronger bonds or no shame have zero qualms with dragging their closest friend away from whatever they're doing to hug them tightly and talk about their day.

According to Law, hugs released a hormone called oxytocin which raises your happiness levels and lowers your stress. That is very valuable information for everyone to have, finding that tidbit of info pop into their minds whenever they come across an ailing Nakama. Other than that fact, hugs were probably the most common form of such affection mainly thanks to Bepo. That mink was born with an enormous need for affection and a terrible need to give it, handing out hugs like it was free candy.

Without Bepo, sentiments as such most likely never would've reached the heights where they were at now. It allowed other crew mates to become more comfortable with contact and even those who weren't too keen on its concept originally found themselves handing out familiar gestures after not too long.

Hugs could be used as a quick greeting if there was no time or desire for words but oftentimes their purpose was more for comfort. Something about squeezing someone tightly against your chest made all of your problems and stress seem small and insignificant; definitely makes it tough to remain upset when you're wrapped in the secure arms of a close friend. It was common protocol to hug as a gesture to calm someone down or make them stop crying once people found just how well it worked.

The whole 'hugs to stop tears' notion originated from Penguin and Shachi but those two had always been big saps that just can't resist the urge to hug their feelings out. As kids that was really all you could do for someone if they happened to get upset and that mindset just carried into adulthood, affecting the way they cope with their negative emotions now.

Their issues are a lot harsher now than when they were as children (Besides the whole dead parent's thing). Back then all they needed to worry about was slipping on ice or scraps amongst themselves or the other children in the village. Now they dealt with nightmares, regret, and shame from their past and of course all the atrocities they had to endure while sailing the seven seas with their beloved Nakama. Despite these differences though, they still dealt with it in the same way: with hugs.

Since they shared a room, there was no excuse not to migrate to the other's bed for some quick snuggles, especially when the other was suffering from nightmares that night.

Its become such common courtesy for the two that if one randomly climbs into the arms of the other in the dead of night, they won't even need to say anything to understand, wrapping tired arms around the other while stroking their hair until the two fell back into a peaceful state of rest.

Kisses were more formal, the stigma being that it was strictly for romantic purposes and nothing else was a big barrier to it becoming a normal practice. Ikkaku in fact loves kissing her Nakama. Never on the mouth of course but preferably on the forehead or the temple, the cheek if you were lucky. It was her own personal way of showing affection to the people she loved most. It wasn't gross, it was sweet. Others don't really have the same appeal as Ikkaku in order to kiss people as a form of affection so its quickly become a trademark of Ikkaku alone. It would be pretty weird if the Captain kissed people. Ew, no that just didn't even sound right.

Speaking of Law, he wasn't a person that if you were to describe, you would call affectionate. He could be perceived as uncaring to his crew by outsiders but he showed that he cared for his Nakama in a more subtle way where you have to know him in order to see that.

It was like routine to take all their organs out meticulously before a fight, worrying the one time he didn't would be the time he'd lose the most important people in his life. He'd wake in the middle of the night only for a head count, only able to rest after he's finished. His anger would boil over at the sight of his Nakama being endangered for any reason; and as you could probably guess, he's always overreacting over any injuries that enter his infirmary.

It was sweet really to know that their captain cared about them. It made everyone feel more secure even if they never spoke as such out loud for fear Law would become self-conscious about it and stop. He hadn't always been so reserved as he was now. As a child, he wasn't all that different in that regard but he was more open to receiving and handing out affections.

Children are typically more accustomed to love and affection anyway so it wasn't that farfetched even if that child was still Law. As a prepubescent child, he hadn't been so against PDA as he was now, having pushed down his pride to accept it from Penguin, Shachi, and Bepo. He'd be teased that Bepo's habits rubbed off on him but even the teasing wouldn't stop Law from enjoying the polar bear's company. Even now, in fact.

On notably quiet nights, Law had been known to sneak out of his room to timidly knock on the older boy's door. Considering its rarity, especially in the beginning, the two found it so concerning that they just offered their affections with open arms, cramming together in a single bunk to fall asleep.

They wouldn't even question the poor boy after the first time since it had only arose the problem of a red-faced Law trying to hold the embarrassment welling in his eyes from overflowing down his cheeks. He was by no means a cry baby back then, the three only remembering the sight of water glistening in their captain's eyes not even a handful of times.

He was even less of a crier now as an adult. All of the newer members are not even aware that Law was ever capable of such emotion. However, those who take the time and effort to know the captain became lucky enough to know that side of him, meaning he trusted them enough to depend on them.

In spite of Law having grown up plenty since he was a pre-teen, even he needed affection; he was only human just like everyone else (minus Bepo). He's always tried to act so toughly but those three always knew better.

They knew when he needed to be plucked off the mighty pedestal he had placed himself on for a while to chat and be wrapped safely in the arms of the people he trusts most.