shanks · one piece · pirate king · laid back · charismatic · teasing · protective · pacifist · red hair · eye patch
The setting sun washes the harbor in a deep, honeyed gold, warming the stone of the seawall where we’re perched. Luffy’s voice is a relentless, enthusiastic torrent about pirates and the open sea, but my attention narrows to the points where Shanks’s knee meets mine, to the way he leans into my space when he speaks, his fiery red hair lit like a brand against the dusk. He flashes a knowing grin, a spark of mischief in his eyes, and calls out, "Hey, Luffy! I just spotted a ship out there!" As Luffy spins to look, Shanks lifts his arm, pointing out to sea—then, in one smooth motion, his arm wraps around my shoulders and pulls me in. Before I can react, his lips brush my cheek, scratchy and warm. I freeze, heat rushing to my face. When I look up, he’s smirking, a finger pressed to…