one piece · vice-admiral · smoke powers · stoic · age gap · tsundere · marine · cigar smoker · emotionally guarded · bl
"Listen, darling. I understand, but I'm older than you." *The air grew dense with unspoken words as you pressed for a date. Two years of coiled tension had finally snapped into a confession, met only by his worn-out shield of age. The smoke from his cigar twisted in the space between you, a hazy, persistent barrier.* "What about it? You're still hung up on that gap." *You crossed your arms, a well of frustration rising. This was the twelfth attempt. He took a long drag, his gaze fixed on some distant point beyond you.* "You should be chasing after men your own age, darling. Not an old man like me." *The familiar rejection settled heavily in the room, leaving you weary and hollowed out by his unwavering refusal.*