"I still can't believe they put on such a cool festival on this island…" Amazed, Ann couldn't hide her bright broad smile, looking around the numerous stands surrounding the market stall, many merry marines happily approaching, eager to buy have a taste of the foods on offer while others seemingly seek trinkets to remember the day well while Ann looks around the snowy island.
"Good way to keep the money going…" Aokiji grunts, his hand firmly around Ann's thumb brushing gently drawing a pattern into her hand, eyeing the crepe in his other hand.
"Yeah, I guess…so what crepe did you get?" Ann asks curiosity clear in her tone towards Aokiji eyeing the crepe in his hand, having munched on her crepe already.
"Strawberry." Aokiji grunts.
"Strawberry? Did not think you had such a sweet tooth." Ann says surprised.
"We all have our tastes…" Aokiji shrugs.
"Fair still I was tempted to get that though they come undone so easily I find." Ann admits to Aokiji.
"Want some?" Aokiji offers.
"But it's yours…" Ann argues.
"I don't mind try it." Aokiji prompts.
"Okay…" Ann shyly bites into the crepe, her eyes expanding shining stunned at the sheer sweetness of said sweet treat.
"…Cute." Aokiji couldn't help but think to himself internally looking over the sparkle shining in her eyes.
"You like it?" Aokiji adds attempting to play cool almost attempting to hide his small smirk at the sight of the gushing girl.
"Wow I actually like that one better than mine!" Mesmerized, Ann admits amazed.
"Want to swap them then?" Aokiji offers.
"Eh we can't just swap that's your order!" Ann argues his cost way more than her one did…
"I don't mind." Aokiji assures.
"But…urgh I feel bad now…" Ann hesitates however Aokiji uses said hesitation swapping said crepes as Ann couldn't help but blush bashfully.
"Really? I'm having a good time." Aokiji admits amused as he reaches out swiping some vanilla from her cheek, cheekily licking it of his thumb, making Ann blush brightly.
"Bastard…" Blushing, Ann couldn't help but squeeze the hand around hers, plopping her head down on his chest, hiding away almost as Aokiji simply smirks down at the flushed mess that is Ann as they continue on through the festival grounds…
"Hm?" Ann hums perking up at a certain stand, eyes expanding in awe at the pink penguin plushie proudly on display, eyes sparkling shining at the prize on display.
"What is it?" Aokiji notes Ann's wandering eye, her interest clearly piqued.
"Oh...it's nothing." Ann dismisses looking away from the pink plushie, the blush however is as clear as day.
"The plushie doesn't look like nothing…" Aokiji follows her gaze over to the pink penguin plushie.
"Nah just reminded me of the plushie my dad gave me when I was a kid…" Ann admits as she sheepishly scratches her cheek with her thumb, embarrassed almost as a piece of vanilla plops down on the ground from the crepe.
"That so…" Aokiji hums eyeing Ann's anguished expression, a part of his brain wandering off thinking of a young Ann clutching the perky pink plushie penguin in her hands, pouting.
"…Cute…" Aokiji couldn't help but think to himself from the image formed.
"What are you imagining?" Ann's eyes narrow noting Aokiji silently staring at her from behind his shades.
"Bet you were a cute kid…" Aokiji blurts out as a whole wave of ruby red hits Ann hard.
"Y-Y-You wanna die?" Stuttering, Ann's voice cracks breaks before Aokiji, steam spewing out of her flustered form however…
"…Cute…Aokiji once again thinks to himself from Ann's flustered expression.
"You want the plushie?" Aokiji looks over to the plushie.
"H-Huh? C-Course not! I'm not some kid I'm a grown woman Aokiji!" Embarrassed, the ruby red-faced Ann looks away from the stand pouting almost anguished as Aokiji simply stares at her for a moment until…
"Okay then…" Tiredly, Aokiji sighs shrugging simply turning towards the stand.
"Yeah…wait where are you?" Ann smirks pleased nodding her head glad she kept her image however she soon falters from the lack of a man by her side, soon enough turning to gawk gape at Aokiji calmly approaching the stand.
"How much for the plushie?" Aokiji asks the man, leaning down slightly to talk to the man behind the stand.
"Aokiji?!" Astonished, Ann gawks gapes at the plushie perplexed, rushing back over to him.
"Here you go." The man happily hands him the plushie.
"Thanks." Aokiji hands the beri over to the man.
"What are…why did you buy it?" Astonished, Ann asks befuddled eyeing the plushie, staring stunned at the man unfazed by the looks sent his way, someone like him holding such a plushie…
"I thought it was cute." Aokiji shrugs unfazed by the pink penguin plushie under his armpit.
"Did not think you were the sort who liked cute things…" Tense, Ann smiles staring stunned at him, she wasn't looking down on him for it she was more stunned by his sheer confidence to be able to buy something so cute so openly…not even Ann had that level of confidence.
"I like you." Aokiji shrugs stunning Ann a whole heavy heat hitting Ann once more gawking gaping at Aokiji's words.
"…B-Bastard do you even think about the crap you sprout!? Urgh honestly…!" Ann blushes brightly baffled he was able to say that with such a straight face as Ann slammed her head in her hands, steam spewing out of her.
"Cute…" Internally, Aokiji thinks to himself once more eyeing the mess of a woman as they head off…
Ann grins giddily at the clock before her, beaming brightly at the countdown in her head as they reside in Ann's apartment. Aokiji calmly on the sofa, arm draped over the top of said sofa silently reading a book, the perky pink penguin plush by his side. Aokiji's coat is draped over the top of the chair around the table in the kitchen section. The two are in their casual clothes of shorts, Ann wearing her pyjamas of sorts smiling.
"Three…two…" Ann continues counting beaming brightly at the clock.
"What are you doing?" Aokiji pries his focus from the book turning to look up from his book at the crouched form of the animated Ann.
"One! Happy new year's Ao-!" Amazed, Ann turns to tell him happily however her eyes expand at the arm looped around her waist, pulling her down on his lap. His arm around her as he brins her down, their lips meeting once more. Ann felt again the rush of helplessness, the sinking yielding, the surging tide of warmth that left her limp. She was normally the one in charge, the one leading and this newfound role was…alien to her.
The faint tinge of fear had hit her briefly by the shy sense of helplessness, but it was quickly washed away by his warmth, a strange sense of comfort hitting her when his hands delve beneath her shirt, feeling his nails scrape against her back, drawing gentle patterns, comforting patterns.
He kissed her, softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity that made Ann cling to him as the only solid thing in a dizzy swaying world. His insistent mouth was parting her shaking lips, sending wild tremors along Ann's nerves, evoking from her sensations she had never known she was capable of feeling. Feelings she would have happily run from but not this time, not with him as she couldn't help her small smile when the swimming giddiness spun her round and round when she knew that she was kissing him back until Ann's lungs had burned forcing the two to separate.
"Haha, you didn't waste a second, did you?" Amused, Ann couldn't help her coy chuckle, her hand firmly on his chest, on the opening of his navy-blue shirt.
"It's tradition." Teasingly, Aokiji leans in once more littering butterfly kisses all over, making her giggle as he nips now and again, simply happy to have her in his arms.
"I thought you were meant to share one kiss?" Ann playfully points out pushing him back bemused by the glint in his eyes.
"You want only one?" He asks a challenging glint in his eye.
"Course not icehole heh…" Haughty, Ann leans in, clasping his lips around her own once more, her arms around him once more, the two-holding hugging each other as soon enough the two are kissing like crazy. Like our lives depend on it. His tongue slips inside Ann's mouth, gentle but demanding as Ann seemingly leans into it, her fingers grip his hair, pulling him closer until…Ann stops herself, separating herself, a string of salvia separating the two as Ann gently places her head to his temple, feeling his arms securely around her own.
"You alright?" Aokiji eyes Ann, concern clear in his tone towards her.
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's just time for bed is all. Happy new year Aokiji." Ann smiles softly pecking his temple before getting off his lap unfazed by Aokiji's frown.
"Time for bed? What are you seven?" Aokiji gently grabs Ann's arm pulling her back lightly onto his lap.
"If you were, what we did would be rather problematic don't you think?" Amused, Ann giggles in his lap, his arms firmly holding her.
"You know what I mean you're an adult you can stay up a little longer…" Aokiji leans down pecking her neck as Ann releases a small moan from the firm nip to her neck.
"I know but I'm just enforcing my New Years resolution." Ann gently pushes herself off Aokiji.
"Your new year's resolution? You actually do those?" Aokiji scoffs, leaning over brow furrowed at Ann making her way over to her bed.
"Nothing wrong with having something you're working towards don't you think?" Ann argues as she goes into the other room, ruffling her hair stretching as she goes to slide into the bed.
"So, what is it then?" Aokiji asks as he stands, taking the perky pink penguin plushie from his side, joining Ann in the other room.
"Hm?" Ann blinks befuddled when Aokiji shuffles into the bed, his arm draped over the top of the bed.
"This resolution of yours." Aokiji hums as Ann cuddles into Aokiji's side softly setting her head on his chest.
"To get more sleep. Last year I was working 70 hours a week and it became a bad habit cause I'm always staying up late. So, I made a new year's resolution to always get my 8 hours sleep. I want to stick to a more realistic goal as I grow older you know. What about you?" Ann answers as she takes the plushie Aokiji hands her, eyeing her cuddling into the plush, squeezing it.
"I guess spend more time…" Aokiji leans down whispering his wish into Ann's ear, her ears ringing, her face turning blood red from Aokiji's, resolution, ruby red hitting her hard, his hand on her thigh.
"…How can you say that with a straight face?" Blushing, the fretful Ann demands lightly hitting his chest playfully bringing a small smirk to Aokiji's lips at the flustered Ann taken aback at his sheer confidence, saying something like that honest Ann swore she felt her soul leave her body.
"Just being honest." Aokiji slides his hand onto her waist smirking smugly down at the blushing Ann. His nails scraping against Ann's thigh as she seemingly sighs at the tease.
"You could also spend more time doing your work." Ann gives Aokiji a look, huffing grumbling, softly setting her head on Aokiji's chest crimson coating his cheeks, grumbling pouting.
"Ah but where would I have time doing that with you?" Aokiji cooly asks as his hand squeezes her thigh sending shy shudders coursing down Ann's spine.
"You really are a dirty old man, aren't you?" Amused, Ann giggles leaning in smirking pleased.
"You're sleeping with this dirty old man." Aokiji reminds Ann, the two sharing one last kiss before the two head to bed for the night…
The fresh sea breeze brush through the short locks of the young Ann as she looks out at the washing waves of the open ocean. She sits seated on the railing; her brow furrowed from the loudness of the people behind her to the ache in her heart. Was her mother doing alright? It had been months since she had last heard from her, her sent letters could only do so much and yet Ann's heart still ached, was she lonely? Was she safe? Was she eating properly?
Guilt gnawed away at Ann she shouldn't have left, how could she leave the only person who had stayed by her side for so long, to abandon her for the man that had hardly even been part of her life…frustration freely flowed through Ann at the thought as she turned to frown at the man merrily playing with Shanks and Buggy bouncing them up and down in his arms alongside Rayleigh, only making the young Ann's blood boil bubble at the sight.
Here he was the man who had abandoned her mother, who had abandoned her for the life on the sea, something she could understand to some extent but to raise two children from infancy alone, two boys behind her back…if he could care for them why couldn't he care for her too!? Ann couldn't help but glare out at the sea, ignoring the tempting thought to just jump and swim back home, she doubts he'd even notice not when he has his sons to worry more about…
"Ann come join us!" Smiling, Roger makes his way over to Ann however…
"No." Ann simply glares ahead.
"B-But you didn't even hea-"Roger reaches out to her however…
"I said no alright!?" Angrily, Ann swiftly slaps his hand away.
"…I…alright…" Roger recoils back brow furrowed at the glaring girl, squirming feeling all eyes on her as she simply clicks her tongue, storming off back into her room. Ann angrily slams the door shut behind her bitterly glaring glowering as she slams her back against the door, blinking back the tears threatening to fall, her teeth tense gritted grinded.
"What a rude girl! Captain, we should just ditch her on some island!" Ann's eye twitches tiredly from Buggy's bellow as she silently slides down the door, curling in on herself, knees clutched to her bowed head. That's right…that's what they should do…they should leave her, wouldn't be the first time…she never needed him before why would she need him now!? She could make it home just fine…she could make it back to her mother just fine! It was a mistake coming here, mistake trying to know the man that abandoned her, that left her…that left them both!
"…Roger…" Rayleigh steps forward frowning at Roger's shadowed features.
"Ann…I thought you might be a little homesick, so I had the cook whip up something from Rouge's recipe. She gave it to me said it's your favourite…" Roger tells her taking the whole group aback as Ann simply gritted her teeth tense.
"…" A still silence sits settles, Roger simply smiling at the swiftly shut door.
"…I'll have someone deliver it to you…unless you'd like to join us?" Roger asks almost hopeful however…he is met by still silence.
"…Alright I understand…I can't begin to imagine what you're feeling." Roger steps back, leaving the glaring girl to it…
How long had the young girl been in this room? Ann did not know frankly she didn't care. She was fine here, no Roger, no Shanks, No Buggy, no one to bother her. This was fine, everything was fine. Ann makes her way over to the bed brow furrowed from the small satchel she took from behind her pillow, the faint sheen of a blade beneath the pillow as she brushed the blade off, opening the pouch. She takes out a familiar notepad, her eyes softening slightly at the blank pages all except one at the very beginning…
Make sure to have the time of your life let go and enjoy yourself love mom…Ann's heart breaks by the familiar handwriting, the small hibiscus drawn by the side.
"Mom…" Ann's voice breaks her heart aching as she clutches the notebook close to her chest how could she just let go of what that man had done to them? He had hurt her, hurt them both and yet she still…Ann crouched down clinging to the notepad, small tears splash against the papers but still Ann holds it how could her mother expect her to let go of so much…all for some man who had done nothing but left them!? How…!?
"Oi Shanks I'm not sure about this…" Ann flinches from the familiar voice turning towards the door.
"Come on the captain entrusted us to look after her!" Shanks sternly reminds Buggy as Ann's blood boils bubbles burns at the approaching footsteps why couldn't they just leave her alone!?
"Did you not see how rude she was to the captain?!" Buggy argues as Ann's grip tightens tenses on the book in her grasp shaking scowling at the door.
"I'm sure she has her reasons…" Shanks reasons as Ann turns reaching for the blade beneath the pillow just as she hears the knock of the door.
"What…?" Ann grunts glaring at the two opening it to stare at the boys.
"Captain wanted to make sure you were eating properly." Shanks smiles at the unamused Ann.
"Yeah, you should be grateful!" Buggy brings up hands haughtily on his hips.
"…Grateful?" Ann's eye twitches tense at Buggy.
"Of course! The captain's letting you join us on an amazing journey! You should be more thankful for his kindness…!" Buggy boasts unaware of the ice-cold glare she sends Buggy's way.
"Kindness huh…I take it this is the same sort of kindness he showed my mother?" Ann asks sickly sweetly.
"I…" Both boys flinch fearful.
"The same kindness that caused him to abandon my mother and me all for this amazing journey as you call it." Ann continues regardless ruthlessly.
"Uh…" Both boys share a look not quite sure what to say.
"Or the same kindness he showed by taking you both in, boys not even related to him by blood over his very own." Bitterly, Ann sneers snippily scowling at the pair.
"Blood doesn't matter to the captain…" Shanks tries to speak but is met by the plate to his face.
"Shanks!" Buggy gasps leaning down to the fallen red hair, food all over the place as Ann glares glowers down at the straw hat the boy adorns.
"…Clearly." Ann swiftly steals said hat.
"Hey!" Shanks gasps lunging for the hat however is met by the swift slam of the door.
"That's my hat! Give it back!" Shanks orders banging on the door, but Ann ignores the boy, silently staring down at the hat in her hand, her back pressed against the door. Silently, she slides down drawing out a familiar knife, her eye twitching tense at both boys yelling.
"Take one more step and say goodbye to this stupid hat!" Angry, Ann threatens taking both boys aback, a still silence of fear hitting both boys sharing a look.
"Caaptaaain!" Buggy cries out the footsteps fading as Ann simply clicks her tongue tense seemingly waiting for the man of the hour…
The fresh brisk breeze brushes through the island of Batrielle as a young Ann wandered through the streets spotting some children playing about, hearing their laughter fade when Ann's eyes meet the group, faltering from the side of her.
"She's so weird…" The group turn away from Ann.
"I hear she doesn't have a father." Another of the girls adds.
"I heard he's a pirate!" Another girl gossips as Ann tenses up.
"Pirate? No wonder she's a freak pirate are scum like father like daughter!" Another girl giggles as Ann bows her head pained.
"Maybe he ran away to become one when he learned how freaky his daughter is!" Another throws in as Ann scowls.
"Yeah, look at those spots! They're so ugly!" One of the girls amongst the group throw in.
Anxiously, Ann slams her hand down upon her crimson cheek of shame.
"Her mother has them too…maybe she's sick like her." Another of the girl's giggle making Ann seethe.
"Maybe she got it from her pirate dad those guys are carrying all sorts of diseases dad told me!" Another girl adds as Ann growls gritting her teeth together tense.
"…shut up…" Ann snarls, fist firmly formed shaking head down.
"Hm?" The group of girls turn to Ann.
"My mother isn't sick! These are freckles maybe if you lot actually read a book in your life, you'd realize that!" Angrily, Ann snaps scowling at the group of girls.
"You wanna fight?" One of the boy's call out.
"Sure, don't whine when I kick your asses!" Angrily, Ann snarls rushing at the children running back at her as she beats them black and blue.
"Mommy!" The beaten bruised bloodied group of girl's sob running to their respective mothers.
"You…you devil child! How can you be so horrible! I'll have a word with your mother about this!" A mother glare glower at the angry Ann.
"Yeah, yeah…" The young Ann grunts glaring ahead as she goes on her way. The young Ann quietly makes her way up a familiar hill, the setting sun shining down upon the bloodied, bruised girl grumbling glaring ahead as she makes her way up. Frowning from the one at Rouge's door.
"So annoying…" The young Ann couldn't help but frown at the mother.
"My kids came home crying saying they were beaten even though they didn't do anything by your daughter! Your child is uncivilised honestly how are you to raise that child without a man in the house disciplining her!? I'll be having a word with social services about this if you don't actually have that child discipline! How are you raising that child!?" The mother yells at the unfazed Rouge.
"I'll take care of it." Rouge answers poker faced.
"Good! Disgusting childlike father like daughter!" The woman huffs heading off muttering that under her breath as Ann unfazed trips up the woman crying out startled when she falls down the hill.
"Oops…" Amused, Ann smirks smugly down at the wailing woman.
"You…!" The woman storms up to Ann raising her hand to Ann when another hand stops her.
"Ann. In. Now." Rouge holding the woman's hand orders.
"What are you doing!? I'm disciplining this wild child! Why are you stopping me!?" Mad, the mother yells at Rouge as the guilt-ridden Ann shyly slowly makes her way inside, eyeing her mother's stoic expression towards the mad mother as soon enough she heads inside, her mother after being yelled at and handing some beri over heads back inside.
"What did you do to them?" Rouge sighs eyeing the slumped state of Ann angrily glaring at the wall.
"Just gave them what they deserved. You shouldn't have paid them they'll just be back for more." Annoyed, Ann grumbles.
"What happened Ann?" Rouge sighs softly kneeling down, taking out the first aid kit mending her up as Ann simply sighs, ready to tell her tale…
Ann furrows her brow stirring slightly from the ache of her stomach scowling. She gets up from her seated form frowning, holding her stomach hating needed to eat something, she could sneak some food from the kitchen if worse came to worse. Ann goes to open the door only for her eyes to expand at the slumped state of Roger snoring.
"Wha…?" Ann blinks befuddled eyeing the nose bubble bursting as Roger's eyes snap open.
"Ann!" Roger beams brightly at Ann.
"What…what are you doing out here?" Ann looks around confusion clear in her tone towards Roger.
"…I thought you probably hadn't eaten in a while so thought to leave this here for you." Roger happily sets the tray of food down, smiling brightly at her.
"…Huh?" Astonished, Ann blinks befuddled by the tray below. Did he…did he not see Shank's soiled state earlier?
"I just…I just want to make sure you're eating." Roger rubs the back of his neck.
"…" Ann rolls her eyes. Liar he just wanted his hat back.
"I know I'm asking a lot I just…" Roger begins but…
"Is this your attempt at getting your hat back?" Ann grunts grumpily.
"That…" Roger begins but…
"You know what I did. If this is some trick to get your son's hat back, then take it don't even know why I bothered stealing such a stupid thing!" Aloofly, Ann throws the hat back over to Roger.
"I was wondering why Shanks wasn't wearing his hat…" Roger picks up the hat.
"…What?" Ann blinks befuddled but…
"…I'm…I'm sorry…" Roger apologises.
"Huh?" Ann frowns.
"I can only imagine how you're feeling right now with Buggy and Shanks and I…I shouldn't just assume we'll get along." Roger bows his head to Ann.
"You shouldn't. Blood doesn't matter to you now does it?" Ann sneers snippily.
"…I know you're hurt." Roger begins but…
"…I'm hurt? How do you think Mom is feeling!? You turn your back on her and raise two boys of your own wha…what even is that!? That…!" Angry, Ann barks back at Roger.
"Ann…" Roger holds his knees pained.
"Just…just leave me alone. I only joined for my mom's sake and that's it alright?" Ann makes it clear to Roger.
"…I understand." Roger nods.
"Good. Now hand the tray over." Ann grunts taking it only to falter from the stomach rumble.
"Hungry, are we?" Roger giggles grinning at the red-faced Ann.
"What do you think?" Embarrassed, Ann barks back at Roger.
"I hope you enjoy it I made sure the chef made it just as Rouge did oh, I also thought tomorrow we could go shopping!" Smiling, Roger reveals to Ann.
"…Shopping?" Ann frowns at Roger.
"Yes, girls love shopping!" Roger smiles.
"…I hate it!" Ann slams the door in Roger's face.
"E-Eh?" Roger blinks befuddled.
"Don't push your luck got it Roger! And stop demanding me to call you papa you have to earn that right got it!?" Ann snaps at Roger from behind the door.
"I…I understand." Roger bows his head pained.
"Good." Ann huffs.
"…Good night then." Roger leaves Ann to it.
"…yeah…night." Ann closes the door in her captain's face ignoring the sharp sting of guilt at his pained smile as she closed it, deciding it best to focus on her meal as she does just that…
"Alright remember Roger's rules guys, no harming civilians!" Rayleigh firmly reminds the crew.
"We know…" Ann grunts grumpily from the railing.
"Do you?" Gaban gives Ann a look.
"Why are you looking at me?" Ann glares at Gaban.
"Need I remind you of the incident last time?" Gaban reminds Ann.
"Not my fault that guy was ticking me off." Ann glares to the side snippily.
"Yeah, how dare he think he can hit on my little girl…!" Roger joins in placing his hands on Ann's shoulders however…
"Urgh don't touch me creepy captain!" Ann kicks Roger off.
"C-Creepy? Ann, can't you call me papa? That is what I am to you, you know!" Roger falls to his knees sniffling sadly.
"You gotta earn it dumbass!" Ann barks back at him.
"D-Dumbass?" Roger sniffles.
"Tch so annoying…" Ann huffs leaping down from the ship onto the port below.
"Aaaann…! I thought we could go shopping together!" Roger cries calling out to the girl.
"Stop following me, clingy guys are the worst!" Ann barks back at Roger as an imaginary arrow impaled into the captain coughing crimson as he falls back from the harsh blow.
"…Captain!" All of the Roger Pirates panicked call out to the man with an arrow embedded in his heart, falling to his knees, the Roger pirates all rushing over concern clear for their captain.
"So dramatic…" Drained, Ann couldn't help but tut tiredly, ignoring the glares sent her way while merrily going on her way…
"Ann, I found these pretty pearls what do you think?" Roger asks Ann calmly trying to learn how to tie a knot from Gaban. She turns to glare at her father frowning from Rayleigh besides him with a whole heap of gold and jewellery in a chest on offer for her however…
"Die." Ann makes the answer quite clear another imaginary arrow impaling Roger as he falls, scarlet spewing out of him.
"Captain!" His men cry out as Ann simply goes back to her knot.
Ann quietly sits out on lookout enjoying the peace from above when…
"Ann Toki found these cute clothes what do you think?!" Roger roars calling out to the girl breaking said peace making Ann's eye twitch tense.
"Die." Ann icily snaps snippily scowling down at Roger as another arrow hits Roger.
"These things take time Roger…" Rayleigh tries to reassure his old friend sniffling sadly outside a bar buzzed.
"I've tried everything Rayleigh all I want is to be called papa is that so hard to ask!?" Roger wails, tears in his eyes, looking longingly at a young girl and dad.
"Papa, can we have pasta tonight?" The young girl asks her father hopeful holding his hand.
"Of course, my dear!" Happily, he promises her.
"Yay!" She smiles.
"All good things come in time." Rayleigh sighs at the mess of a man unaware of him perking up at a Father Roger sniffles sadly sat down on a crate looking towards the fleeting figure of the pair before his eyes expand perking up at the two.
"Here you go sweetheart. Happy birthday!" Happily, the young man hands a young giddy girl a plushie of some sort.
"Thank you papa you're the best!" The young girl grins happily hugging her father as Roger gawks gapes at his solution.
"That's it!" Roger gasps giddily grinning.
"Roger?" Rayleigh blinks befuddled but finds his captain long gone until…
"Tell me where you got those plushies from!?" Roger roars rushing at the young girl happily hugging the plushie.
"WAAAAh!" The young girl however bursts into tears.
"O-Over there!" The father fearful grabs his crying child and flees.
"Roger what are you…!?" Rayleigh catches up to Roger but…
"GIVE ME ALL THE STUFFED TOYS YOU HAVE IN THIS SHOP!" Roger roars slamming his hand down upon the terrified shop keep scared for his life.
"Ann, I've got it this time! I finally have it!" Roger smiles spinning about the place pleased when seeing Ann calmly converse with Gaban, trying to show a certain knot when…
"…D-The hell is that?" Ann turns to shut Roger down before blinking befuddled by the plushie in her face.
"It's a plushie isn't it cute?" Roger beams brightly at her.
"…It's…something." Astonished, Ann blinks befuddled staring at the plushie she finds in her hands. It was pink just like…Rouge's hair.
"You like it?" Roger asks as Ann simply stares at his puppy dog face.
"I…I guess I'll take it." Shyly, Ann accepts it looking away.
"You will!? YES! BOYS LET'S CELEBRATE!" Roger roars.
"EH!?" Ann blinks befuddled by the cheering crowd of the Roger pirates happy to do just that.
A now slightly older Ann couldn't help her small smile happily hugging the prim plushie in her hand as she wrote away in a familiar journal, having written well into the book. A young Momo waves his wooden sword up and down following his father's instruction as Ann, Buggy and Shanks were designated babysitters for the time being, oblivious to the lone baby girl making her way over perking up at the plushie reaching out to it when…
"Oi Hiyori that's mine!" Ann swiftly swoops it out of her hands however the young girl simply burst into tears taking the young Ann back.
"Ann, you made Toki cry!" Shanks frowns at Ann as Shank and Buggy approach the lone girl tensing up at the sudden spotlight shining down upon her, she didn't…she didn't mean to…
"I…I didn't mean to I just…" Ann attempts to explain clutching onto the worn plushie however…
"Is everything alright?" Toki makes her way over.
"Yes, I just…" Ann begins but…
"Hiyori began crying." Shanks hands Hiyori over to Toki.
"I'll handle this." Toki smiles softly at the children heading off to do just that leaving the children to it.
"Oi Ann what's with you and that girly plushie? It's weird." Buggy couldn't help but ask.
"Weird? What do you mean?" Ann frowns.
"I'm just saying a girly girly thing like that doesn't suit someone as monstrous as you are then again girly things don't seem to ever fit you." Buggy explains.
"That…papa got me this!" Ann argues defensively.
"Papa? Pff you're such a kid." Buggy dismisses.
"Shut up!" Ann glares at Buggy.
"No, you shut up you're a pirate remember! The captain's daughter at that! Someone as strong as you shouldn't be playing with such childish things!" Buggy barks at her making her falter from his words.
"It isn't childish!" Ann argues.
"Please kids play with those stuffed toys, babies too do are you a baby?" Buggy taunts teasing her.
"Of course not!" Ann argues anguished.
"You're the pirate king's daughter you shouldn't be playing around with such girly things!" Buggy gets in Ann's face.
"But I…I like it! Shanks?" Ann turns to the boy hopeful however…Shanks simply looks away embarrassed for hr almost as Ann couldn't help but feel the sharp sting of pain.
"Aren't you embarrassed though? Girly things like that belong to pretty girls like Hiyori not someone with man hands like you…" Buggy adds fuel to the fire, fists firmly formed when…
"Man…hands?" Ann uncurls them from his comment alone hurt, eyeing her roughened up hands.
"Come on look at Toki and Hiyori those two are elegant ladies and you…you're just some monster this sorta thing doesn't fit you. You're the pirate king's daughter you're meant to be strong so act like it!" Buggy gestures over to Toki coming over having perked up at Hiyori's tears, calmly holding Hiyori, attempting to cheer her up with Roger and Oden as Ann couldn't help but compare herself to the young woman. She certainly was no Toki, she could never be as pretty nor elegant as her as the young Ann eyed her roughed hands, her chest aching as next thing Ann knew…she sat in her room, separating things left to right.
"Ann isn't this nice? I fou-what are you doing?"" Roger blinks befuddled by the barren room once lit with all sorts of fairy lights and perky pink beads etch to what it once was.
"It's time for me to grow up…" Ann answers aloofly.
"Ann…" Roger frowns at the girl brushing past here.
"Here Hiyori this sort thing suits you anyway." Ann hands her the plushie and a familiar garment.
"Oi Ann that's the garment Toki made you!" Roger recognises.
"It was nice, but it would suit Hiyori better especially when she grows into it." Ann answers smiling at the frowning Roger.
"…Ann?" Roger couldn't help but blink befuddled unaware of Buggy's smug smirk alongside Shanks' furrowed frown conflict clear on his furrowed features when watching the stoic faced Ann clean out her things…
Adult Ann slowly stirs, her brow furrowed from the murky memories as she finds herself in bed, a pair of arms around her as she turns to smile up at Aokiji, sleeping curled up into her side. Ann couldn't help her small smile at him, happily nuzzling into his side, sniffling him briefly, almost at ease from his scent alone as she feels his legs wrap around her own, the two happily cuddling under the bed.
Ann turns to eye the pink plushie by her side softly wrapping her arms around the plush, blinking back the lone tear threatening too small. She turns to him, pecking his cheek. She smiles softly when seeing him stir, blinking blearily at her.
"Mmm…something wrong?" Aokiji slurs stirring, grip tightening around Ann.
"Nothing. Just…thank you." Ann nuzzles into Aokiji's side.
"Anytime." Aokiji hums, the two going back to sleep, no words needing to be further shed between the two.
*So what did you think of Ann and Aokiji in this chapter? Of Young Ann and Roger? Heck her and Rouge? Or her, Buggy and Shanks? As always I'd love to know your thoughts down below!*
