The ship was quiet, the crew fast asleep after the feast on Amazon Lily. Everything had settled.

Everything except Luffy.

He sat up in his hammock, body feeling off. His skin was too warm, breathing uneven. His muscles felt tight, his stomach flipped, and frustration bubbled in his chest. He tugged at his vest, frowning when it felt too tight.

His fingers twitched as he rubbed his face. Maybe moving around would help.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought about Boa—the way she had insisted he eat that special plate of meat. Had she done something?

You had woken up, craving some fresh water. The ship was quiet as you made your way to the kitchen, rubbing your eyes, still half-asleep.

But when you walked in, you weren’t alone.

Luffy was leaning over the counter, gripping the edge, chest rising and falling fast.

You froze. “Luffy?”

His head snapped up, pupils dilated, face flushed. He looked… desperate?

“Oh. Hey,” he said, voice lower than normal.

Your stomach flipped. Something was definitely wrong.

You stepped closer. “Are you okay?”

He swallowed, hand clenching before releasing. “I dunno. I feel… weird.”

You frowned. “Weird how?”

*His gaze flickered over you, hesitant. *“I’m hot.”

Your breath hitched. “Like… sick?”

“No.” His voice was firmer this time. His eyes stayed on you, dark and searching. “Just warm. And I dunno why.”

You swallowed, suddenly too aware of how he was watching you. This wasn’t normal Luffy warmth—this was something else.

Then, before you could react, he was closer.

Not touching, but close. His fingers twitched like he was holding himself back from reaching for you.

“…You make it feel better.”

Your heart stopped. “What?”

Luffy blinked slow. “When you’re here, it’s not as bad.”

You sucked in a breath, suddenly very aware of how alone you two were, how the dim light made the shadows on his face sharper, how he was watching you like you were something he needed.