Work Text:
The salty air whipped Luffy's hair into a frenzy as he perched precariously on the edge of the rickety dock. Below, the ocean churned, a restless beast yearning to swallow the world whole. He watched, entranced, as a lone figure walked towards him, their gait purposeful, their eyes fixed on the horizon.
It was Koby.
Luffy had known him for only a few days, but those days had been a whirlwind of shared laughter, whispered secrets, and stolen glances. Koby, with his kind eyes and gentle smile, had become a beacon of light in Luffy’s otherwise turbulent world. He was the first person Luffy had met who truly understood him, who saw past the wild hair and the insatiable appetite for adventure.
Koby, on the other hand, was everything Luffy wasn't. He was quiet, reserved, with a longing for a life of order and structure. Yet, despite their differences, they found solace in each other's company.
Luffy, with his infectious laugh and his unwavering faith in his dreams, had shown Koby that the world was full of wonder, that there was more to life than the rigid confines of his small village. Koby, in turn, had shown Luffy the beauty of kindness, the power of empathy, and the importance of standing up for what was right.
Their bond was fragile, a delicate flower blooming in the harsh winds of fate. They knew it wouldn't last, that their paths were destined to diverge. Luffy, a dreamer with the sea in his blood, was drawn to the allure of freedom, the whispers of adventure calling him to distant shores. Koby, on the other hand, was bound by duty, his heart yearning to protect the innocent, to uphold justice.
As Koby approached, his eyes met Luffy’s, a silent conversation passing between them. It was a conversation filled with unspoken promises, with a bittersweet acceptance of their inevitable parting.
'Luffy,' Koby said, his voice a soft whisper against the wind.
Luffy grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes. 'Koby! You’re here to see me off?'
Koby nodded, a flicker of sadness in his eyes. 'I wanted to… I wanted to say goodbye.'
They stood there, the salty air swirling around them, a silent testament to their unspoken love.
'I’ll miss you, Koby,' Luffy said, his voice thick with emotion. 'More than words can say.'
Koby reached out, his hand trembling slightly. He took Luffy’s hand, his fingers interlacing with his own. 'I’ll miss you too, Luffy. But… you have to follow your dreams, don't you?'
Luffy squeezed his hand, his own eyes brimming with tears. 'I do, Koby. But… I wish you were coming with me.'
Koby smiled sadly. 'Maybe someday, Luffy. Maybe someday.'
He pulled back, his gaze lingering on Luffy's face. 'Promise me you'll stay safe, Luffy. Promise me you'll come back.'
Luffy's heart ached. 'I promise, Koby. I’ll come back for you.'
He knew it was a lie, a desperate attempt to cling to a future that was slipping away. He knew that the sea held him captive, that his destiny lay beyond the horizon. Yet, he couldn't bear to let go, not yet.
He leaned in, his lips brushing against Koby's ear. 'I love you, Koby,' he whispered. 'More than anything.'
Koby's eyes widened, a blush spreading across his cheeks. He leaned in, his lips meeting Luffy’s in a soft, hesitant kiss. It was a kiss filled with promises and longing, with the bittersweet ache of a love that was destined to be lost.
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the moment was over.
Koby stepped back, his eyes filled with tears. 'I love you too, Luffy. Always.'
He turned, his back to Luffy, his shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs.
Luffy watched him go, his heart a heavy stone in his chest. He knew that this was goodbye, that their paths were diverging, that their destinies were leading them to different shores.
He turned to face the sea, the wind whipping his hair, the salt spray stinging his eyes. He raised his fist, a defiant gesture against the cruel hand of fate.
'I'll become the Pirate King, Koby!' he shouted, his voice carrying across the waves. 'And when I do, I'll come back for you. I promise.'
He knew deep down that it was a promise he might never be able to keep. But for now, it was enough. It was enough to fuel his dreams, to propel him forward, to keep the ember of hope alive in his heart.
He turned and leapt onto the weathered wooden deck of his ship, the roar of the waves a comforting symphony in his ears. He raised his arms, a wide grin spreading across his face.
'Let's go, guys!' he shouted, his voice filled with the unbridled joy of a man who knew he was finally free.
The ship creaked and groaned, its sails billowing in the wind, carrying Luffy towards the horizon, towards a future that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
He knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger, that the sea held secrets both beautiful and deadly. But he was ready. He had to be. He had a promise to keep, a love to fight for, a destiny to fulfill.
And as the ship sailed into the open sea, Luffy’s gaze remained fixed on the distant shore, a silent vow etched upon his lips: 'I'll come back for you, Koby. I promise.'
The salty wind whipped Luffy’s hair, a familiar and comforting sensation. He stood at the helm of the Sunny, his straw hat perched jauntily on his head, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The vast expanse of the ocean stretched before him, a promise of adventure and danger, of laughter and camaraderie. He had a crew now, a motley bunch of pirates who were already like family. Nami, the navigator, whose sharp wit and clever mind always kept them on track. Usopp, the sniper, whose fear was only surpassed by his loyalty. Sanji, the chef, whose elegant kicks were as impressive as his culinary skills. Zoro, the swordsman, whose stoic demeanor hid a heart of gold. Chopper, the doctor, whose youthful enthusiasm was infectious. Robin, the archaeologist, whose wisdom and knowledge were invaluable. And Franky, the shipwright, whose booming laughter could be heard across the ocean.
Luffy loved them all, each one a unique piece of the puzzle that made up his crew. But even surrounded by so much joy and laughter, there was a small, nagging emptiness in his heart. A longing for something he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
He remembered the last time he had seen Koby, his boyfriend, before setting out on his journey. The bittersweet feeling of knowing he wouldn’t see him for a long time, the promise to write letters, the silent vow to return to him someday, stronger and more capable. Koby, with his kind eyes and gentle smile, had always been a source of unwavering support and love, a beacon of light in Luffy's often chaotic life.
He missed Koby’s soft laughter, the way he would always listen patiently to Luffy’s stories, the warmth of his hand in his. He missed the simple act of sharing a meal, the quiet moments of companionship, the unspoken understanding that flowed between them. He missed the way Koby would sometimes scold him, his voice laced with concern, and the way his eyes would light up with pride when Luffy accomplished something.
Luffy clutched the worn, leather-bound journal in his pocket, the one Koby had given him before he left. He had started drawing in it, filling the pages with stories of his adventures, his victories and defeats, hoping that one day, he would be able to share it with Koby, to let him see the world through his eyes.
He looked up at the sky, the orange hues of the setting sun painting the clouds in a breathtaking display. He smiled, a bittersweet pang in his chest. He knew that his journey was far from over, that more challenges and dangers awaited him. But he also knew that Koby’s love was a constant, a guiding star that would lead him home.
He would write to him tonight, tell him about his new crew, about the adventures he was having. He would tell him about the world he was exploring, the people he was meeting, the challenges he was overcoming. And he would tell him, with all the love in his heart, that he was coming back to him, stronger and braver, ready to face the world together, side by side.
Luffy, perched on the railing, his straw hat tilted at a jaunty angle, scanned the horizon. His eyes narrowed, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. 'Hey, look! An island!' he announced, his voice booming across the deck.
His new crew, a motley bunch of pirates he'd gathered on his journey, responded with a mixture of groans and excited cheers. Zoro, the stoic swordsman, grumbled about the lack of sake. Nami, the navigator, meticulously checked her charts. Usopp, the sniper, adjusted his makeshift goggles, his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
The island was a vibrant tapestry of lush greenery and turquoise waters. As they docked, Luffy bounded off the ship, his enthusiasm infectious. He was particularly excited about the prospect of fresh fruit. He'd barely gotten used to the taste of his new crew's cooking, which, while delicious, lacked the familiar sweetness of his favorite fruits.
As Luffy wandered through the bustling market, something caught his eye. A familiar figure, clad in the navy's uniform, stood by a stall, his brow furrowed in concentration. It was Koby, his childhood friend and the one he'd secretly harbored feelings for. Luffy's heart leaped. He hadn't seen Koby in months, not since their last tearful goodbye.
'Koby!' Luffy bellowed, his voice echoing through the market.
Koby, startled, turned around. His eyes widened in surprise, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. 'Luffy? What are you doing here?'
Luffy, beaming, rushed over to him. 'I'm a pirate now! I have my own crew and we're sailing the seas!' He gestured to the Going Merry, now docked in the harbor. 'Come on, join us! We're having an adventure!'
Koby hesitated, his gaze flitting between Luffy and his navy uniform. 'I... I can't. I have a duty to the navy.'
'But you can't always be serious, Koby!' Luffy whined, his eyes pleading. 'Come have some fun! I miss you! We can eat all the fruit you want!'
Koby, unable to resist Luffy's infectious enthusiasm, finally relented. 'Alright, alright. But just for a little while.' He took a deep breath. 'I need to report this to my superiors though.'
Luffy, ecstatic, grabbed Koby's hand and practically dragged him towards the Going Merry. 'Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it!'
Time skip:
In the tumultuous aftermath of the Battle of Marineford, a solitary figure emerged amidst the shattered remnants of the battlefield. It was Monkey D. Luffy, his heart heavy with an unbearable weight.
As he stumbled through the wreckage, a familiar voice pierced the chaos. 'Luffy!'
Luffy's head snapped up, his eyes widening in disbelief. Standing before him was Koby, his beloved boyfriend, clad in the uniform of the Marines.
A surge of conflicting emotions washed over Luffy. Joy mingled with sorrow as he rushed into Koby's arms. 'Koby...' he whispered, his voice choked with tears.
Koby held Luffy close, offering silent solace. They stood there for an eternity, the roar of the battle fading into a distant memory.
As the sun began to set, casting an ethereal glow over the battlefield, Luffy finally broke away from Koby's embrace. He looked up at his boyfriend, his eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and a profound sense of loss.
'Ace...' he began, his voice trembling.
Koby's heart sank as he understood the pain Luffy was enduring. He gently led him away from the carnage, towards the safety of his ship.
Once they were alone in a secluded room, Koby turned to Luffy and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. 'I'm so sorry about Ace, Luffy. I know how close you were.'
Tears began to stream down Luffy's face as he broke down in Koby's arms. The weight of his grief had become unbearable, and he finally allowed himself to release the pent-up pain. Koby held him close, his words soft and soothing.
'Let it out, Luffy. I'm here for you. We'll get through this together.'
For hours, Luffy wept in Koby's embrace. He poured out his heart, sharing his memories of Ace and his fears for the future. Koby listened patiently, offering words of encouragement and support.
As the sun began to set, Luffy's tears finally subsided. A sense of peace washed over him, and he looked up at Koby with grateful eyes. 'Thank you, Koby. I don't know what I would have done without you.'
As they walked, Luffy couldn't help but notice how much Koby had changed. He was taller now, his shoulders broader, his gaze more determined.
A wry smile spread across Luffy's face as he realized that his boyfriend had finally surpassed him in height. 'Koby, you're taller than me!' he exclaimed, his voice breaking the somber silence.
Koby chuckled softly. 'Just a little bit,' he replied, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Luffy's laughter echoed through the desolate battlefield, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness. Koby's presence had brought him a glimmer of light in a world consumed by despair.
As they reached the ship, Luffy's mood had lightened. Koby had the uncanny ability to lift his spirits, even in the face of adversity.
Post timeskip:
On the vast expanse of the sun-kissed Grand Line, the Thousand Sunny sailed through the sparkling waters. The Straw Hat Pirates basked in the golden rays, enjoying a moment of tranquility after another thrilling adventure.
At the helm, Monkey D. Luffy, the renowned captain, stood with his characteristic grin. His gaze swept across the horizon, his eyes searching for new challenges. Suddenly, his gaze caught a distant speck in the distance. As it drew nearer, the shape became unmistakable—a ship.
'Nami!' Luffy called out. 'Do you see that?'
The navigator peered through her spyglass. 'Yes, Captain,' she replied. 'It's a Marine vessel.'
A murmur of surprise swept across the deck. The Straw Hats had not encountered Marines since their departure from Dressrosa. Luffy's eyes narrowed as he considered the implications.
'Do you think it's trouble?' asked Usopp, his voice trembling slightly.
'I don't know,' said Luffy. 'But I have a feeling we're about to find out.'
As the ship approached, the Marine on board became visible. Luffy's heart skipped a beat as he recognized a familiar figure standing at the bow.
'Koby!' he exclaimed.
Koby, the former pirate hunter who had become a Marine, smiled and waved. 'Luffy! It's really you!'
Luffys crew were equally surprised as Koby was to seem them. They had no idea that Koby was a Marine.
'Koby, what are you doing here?' asked Zoro, the swordsman.
Koby chuckled. 'I'm on a special assignment. The Marines sent me to clear my head.'
'Clear your head?' asked Sanji, the cook. 'What for?'
'Well,' said Koby, 'I've been having some...difficulties.'
He hesitated for a moment before continuing. 'I've been questioning my beliefs. I've seen firsthand the corruption and injustice within the Marines. It's made me wonder if I'm really on the right side.'