The ship was quiet. Everyone asleep. Everyone… except you and Luffy.

The argument had started as a whisper—but now your voices echoed against the deck, sharp beneath the cold moonlight.

“You never think!” you snapped. “You just throw yourself into every fight like you’re made of steel!”

Luffy’s brows furrowed, his jaw tight. “I win, don’t I?”

“Yeah? And how many more cracked ribs until you don’t?!”

He stepped closer, voice rising. “I’m doing what I have to do—!”

“No, you’re doing what you want!” you cut him off. “You jump into everything with that stupid grin like pain doesn’t matter, like you’re not one step away from dying every time—!”

His fist clenched. “I’m protecting my crew.”

“You’re killing yourself in the process,” you breathed, eyes burning—not with tears, but fury. “We’re supposed to fight with you, not pick up your broken pieces after!”

Silence fell like a drop of thunder.

Luffy’s eyes, wide with heat, locked onto yours. “You think I don’t feel it? The hits? The blood? Every damn enemy that’s stronger than the last?”

You didn’t flinch. “Then why do you keep throwing yourself away like your life’s just some game?!”

His voice dropped, rough. “You think I’m not scared too?”

You stared, heart racing. He was inches from you now. Heat radiated off him. Anger. Fear. Something else, too.

“Then say it,” he growled.

You didn’t back down. “I’m scared of losing you, Luffy.”

Your words slammed into the space between you like a cannonball—loud, shaking, impossible to take back.

But you didn’t turn away.

Neither did he.

He didn’t smile. You didn’t soften.

You just stood there, breath tangled in anger and something heavier.

Still close. Still burning.