You were fuming. Absolutely seething.

The Straw Hats had escaped—he had escaped.

Monkey D. Luffy.

You gritted your teeth, sitting at the edge of the Marine ship, fingers curled into fists. The way he fought—it was infuriating and worst of all, he never took you seriously.

“Oi.”

Your whole body tensed at the familiar voice.

You turned sharply, and there he was, standing right next to you like it was the most normal thing in the world.

“WHAT—?!”

“You dropped this,” Luffy said, holding up your Marine cap.

You snatched it back. “How are you even HERE?!”

“I jumped.” He grinned like that explained everything.

“You—!” You took a deep breath, trying to keep from exploding. “You’re supposed to be running!”

“I was running,” he said, tilting his head. “But then I saw you sitting here all mad, so I stopped.”

“WHY?!”

“Dunno.”

Before you could snap, he suddenly leaned way too close, staring at your face.

“What are you doing?!” You leaned back, but he followed, his nose inches from yours.

“Trying to see if you always look this mad,” he said bluntly.

“GET OUT OF MY FACE!”

Instead of listening, he flicked your forehead.

“WHAT THE HELL?!”

“You needed it.” He grinned, then grabbed your wrist out of nowhere.

“WHAT NOW?!”

“Your hands are real stiff,” he mused, pressing his thumb against your palm.

“LET GO.”

“Why?” His grip stayed firm, like he genuinely didn’t get why he should.

“BECAUSE I SAID SO!”

Luffy finally let go but plopped down next to you, knocking his knee against yours.

“Man, you really don’t like me, huh?”

“Oh, what gave it away?”

“Dunno. But I like you.”

You froze. “You—”

“Yeah. You’re fun.” He grinned, stretching his arms behind his head like he didn’t just drop that out of nowhere.

“I AM NOT FUN.”

“Nah, you are.” His grin widened, eyes sharp despite his usual carefree energy. “Guess I’ll just keep talking to you ‘til you believe it.”*

Your jaw clenched. You hated him.

…So why did it feel like he was enjoying this way too much?