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You forgot how painful the silence could be. The day the straw hat crew left, you ended up staying on the beach all day. Most of your time there was spent thinking. Thinking on how far you'd come, and how much further you needed to go. The rest of the time you were wiping the stray tears that would occasionally slip past your watery banks. When night shrouded the sky, you took it as a sign to return home. Guided with the sympathetic glow of the stars.

'Please come back home safely' was your final thought before you left for home.

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Sadly, you hadn't left yourself much time to sulk around. Big mom was going to collect her order next week, which meant you were going to have to work like a machine. You were gonna need all the energy you could muster so sulking around wasn't gonna be of any use to you. There was no time to waste, even serving customers was put on hold unless you were placing an order.

'Or not...'

"Sorry but unless your here to pick up an order, or place an order for a later date, I'm afraid the bakery isn't open" you recited as you continued to carefully knead the dough in front of you.

"And what about good friends checking in" A sweet voice inquired.

"Alivia! You're back!" your head, shot up as your eyes landed on the smiling woman in front of you.

"Did you miss me? I mean I know you did, because who wouldn't? But I wanna hear you say it" She laughed

You quickly washed and dried your hands so that you could embrace her in a bear hug.

"I did miss you but you definitely missed me more!" You laughed.

"Oh really?" She teased

"Yes, really!" You pouted.

A few seconds of silence passed before you both erupted into a fit of giggles. Liv had been on another long business trip doing business things, trying to get her name out there. You pulled out a stool so she could sit and vent about her travels to you, while you worked. Likewise, you filled her in on everything she'd missed over a blueberry muffin.

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"I CAN'T BELIEVE I MISSED LUFFY!?" She wailed.

"Yeah, you just missed him, Liv" You smiled.

"I can't believe all that happened while I was gone" she complained.

'As much as I wanted you to meet Luffy, putting you and Nami together would spell doom a.k.a bankruptcy for the whole island'

"Are you taking it ok? I remember how you were when Ace left" Liv sighed.

"Ace didn't give me a chance to prepare myself on the idea of him leaving so soon, Luffy's crew gave me a heads up. So I'm taking it in stride" You smiled. "But I do miss him"

Liv watched you as your eyes became distracted by the memories of your friends.

"Well now's not the time to be moping (Y/n)!" Liv slammed her hand on the counter making you jump out of your skin "Don't think I forgot about your next big delivery"

"Yeah, yeah, I know" you sighed. "Big mom pirates sure have an appetite"

"I still can't believe you managed to land a deal with them, especially when you made it abundantly clear to me that you didn't want to" Liv munched on her third muffin.

"Honestly, so am I, but I'm glad we did. I like the new challenge" you giggled as you finished the last of the dough. "Even if my muscles say otherwise"

"Well it seems as though you've got everything under control, I'm gonna be here for the rest of the month so how about we chat after all this is over, I've been meaning to talk to you about some more promotional-!" Liv's eyes sparkled.

'She's totally trying to use me for an advertisement scheme'

"And you can stop right there Liv" you raised your hands and laughed. "I know exactly where this conversation is going"

"Oh alright," she sighed as she took her fourth muffin and made her way to the door. "I'm always here if you need me (Y/n)"

"Likewise!" you called and waved as she left.

The chiming of the doorbell signaled for you to stop waving as you let your hand fall to your side. Silence enveloped the room once again, allowing the memories of the people who used to fill it start to flood back in. You shook your head violently

'She's right (Y/n)! This is no time to be moping' You clapped your hands together and fired yourself up for the hellish amount of work you were about to endure.

"I've got work to do!"

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The order was demanding in every aspect of the word. Each delicacy presenting a new challenge that you had to overcome, size being the biggest issue. However it only got you more fired up, they were asking you to give your all because they expected the best of your abilities as a baker. They took you and your profession seriously. That alone was enough to motivate you to push through on time, and thanks to it, you did! Profiteroles were the last thing to do and that was child's play.

Because of this, you were able to ease up on your work conditions and entertain a few customers who had quick and simple requests to let you relax.

"Thanks for doing this (Y/n)" Mama Tia smiled "I know how busy you are but you still managed to bake my bread fresh just the way I like it"

"You know that I could never say no to you, no matter what the circumstances" you smiled.

"Hohoho always so thoughtful" She fished into her purse and placed 52 berries on the counter. "That should cover the extra trouble"

"Thank you, Mama, but you know you don't have to" you wrapped up the bread with ease. "There was no trouble"

"I hope you aren't suggesting that I'm wrong?" She chuckled.

"No of course not" You shook your head with a laugh.

"Good!" She nodded.

Your body immediately tensed as you frantically looked around your empty bakery. The voices were hushed but still recognisable.

'Who said that? I-I heard voices!' you flinched 'I'm positive I heard voices...and one of them sounded awfully familiar'

Your (e/c) eyes continued to search the empty room but saw nothing. That is until you caught sight of the gleaming mirror next to you. An unsettling idea popped into your head and decided to make itself very comfortable.

"(Y/n)?" Mama Tia asked, her voice laced with concern. "Is everything alright dear?"

"Uh... uh yeah... everything's fine" you forced yourself to look away from the mirror and smile. "Just a little tired I guess..."

'If I'm right, I shouldn't get Tia involved' you thought to yourself 'ignorance can be such a blessing'

"If you say so darling" she hummed in thought "You know, maybe all this work is getting to you! I heard that there have been some young merchants in town that have been looking for a pretty girl to spoil"

"I hope they find her" you rolled your eyes.

"Oh come on (Y/n) you can't stay alone forever" she pleaded.

'Is that a challenge?' You smiled

"what you need is a real man to sweep you off your feet and make you-" she wiggled her eyebrows.

"Thank you, Tia I get it! Please stop!" your words tumbled out, as your hands shot up in a stopping gesture.

"No need to be shy honey" she laughed. "I understand. It can be such a burden to look young and beautiful" she winked

'Who are we talking about right now?' You sweatdropped.

"Anyway, this bread pudding isn't going to make itself. We'll talk again soon dearie!" She smiled sweetly.

"I look forward to it" you waved.

'I seriously wonder what goes on in her head sometimes' you placed your hands on your hips.

With a small sigh, you walked over to the door and turned the sign around so that it now said 'closed' to anyone passing by.

"Now then, my bakery is officially closed to customers outside" you called out to no one in particular but stared expectantly at the mirror hanging on your wall. "I would like to think my bakery looks much nicer in person"

'It's times like this I really hope I'm crazy and just talking to myself' you thought to yourself as you made your way closer.

After giving a gentle knock on your reflection you took a few steps back to lean on the counter beside you. This was more for support if anything else. The last thing you needed was to fall over if someone did crawl out of the mirror. Despite this, nothing happened.

'Maybe I am just going cra-' you frowned at your reflection.

Just as you were about to push yourself up from the countertop and continue your work, the mirror glimmered for a quick second, then suddenly, your reflection was no longer there. In its place were a hella lotta long legs.

'SWEET MOTHER OF MERCY! That's a lot of tall people!' you panicked. 'I'm small, I get it, but this is just taking the mick'

The shortest among them approached the you, and much like before, the surface of the mirror began to ripple and blur as the mysterious person passed through and entered your bakery. Said mysterious person was then followed by all his companions until your bakery was filled with tall and colourful people.

'What have I gotten myself into this time?'

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[A little bit extra]

Rainfall was getting heavier making the soil soft unsteady. You can't recall the number of times your heart jumped out of your chest from the near misses those three were having. You watched from behind a tree as the three of them went up against a king boar, a wild beast with four tusks and bigger than the four of you combined.

As to how you got here, Luffy was adamant that you had to see him and his brothers in action. It was easy to convince you no thanks to Luffy's puppy-dog eyes, but it was much harder to convince his Brothers. Sabo was reluctant, not because he didn't like you, but because he couldn't vouch for your safety. However, with a bit of persuasion, you were able to convince him that you'd leave as soon as you felt as though you were in danger. Ace, on the other hand, just didn't like you so he wasn't interested at all.

"Come on Ace it'll be fun!" Luffy grinned.

"It's three against one" Sabo reminded.

'I don't think involving me in your odds is gonna make him any happier about it Sabo' you sweatdropped as Ace growled.

"Fine! but stay out of my way!" Ace jabbed his finger at you then stormed off.

"YAY! Thanks, Ace! I want a lot of meat today!" Luffy cheered.

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'Luffy's appetite is gonna get someone killed' you groaned

It was a difficult fight and the rain wasn't making it any easier, but they were so close, it would be a waste to back down now. Even you knew that much.

"Sabo!" Ace yelled over the rain "Give me a boost!"

"Huh? Right!" Sabo ran towards Ace at full speed.

Ace did the same thing and you watched as the two coordinated themselves. Sabo held out his pipe as Ace jumped and used the pipe as a platform. From that Sabo swung around and shot Ace like a human bullet towards the boar.

"Take this!" Ace brought down his pipe straight onto the boar's head.

You stared in awe as the giant pig squealed in agony before stumbling about on the muddy surface to collapse.

'They're strong... they're really really strong...' you gaped at them

"Alright!" Luffy jumped up and down. "Let's eat!"

"Luffy! You can't eat it now!" Ace yelled back.

Sabo laughed as the two started bickering and everything seemed safe enough for you to come out. However, a quick movement caught your eyes sending you straight into a defensive mindset. Your (e/c) eyes bounced rapidly around the trees and you strained your ears to listen for any motion, but the rain made it impossible. It was only at the last second that you saw the small boar charging towards Ace from behind, and they were all too focused to notice; the rain slowing their reaction time. But maybe you could make it...

"Ace look out!" You screamed as you shoved Ace out of the way.

"(Y/N)!"

"WATCH OUT!"

Luffy and Sabo's cry out was the last thing you heard before your body was flung into a puddle by the smaller boar. Ace hit the ground hard but flipped over in time to see the boar rearing up for another attack. A moment was all he needed to piece together what had just happened.

"IDIOT!" Was the only thing he could say before throwing himself at the wild animal.

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"Luffy, for the last time" Sabo sighed "she's not dead"

"B-Butshe w-wasn't m-moving and and she hasn't moved for a while and and it's all my fault!" Luffy hollered.

Luffy, Sabo, and Ace were all drying off back at the treehouse while you were resting. While Ace was beating up the boar, Sabo came to your side to perform the little medical aid he knew. You were quite fortunate that it was raining, because of that, the ground was softer and prevented any serious injuries like a broken bone.

"She's just unconscious Luffy. (Y/n) was smart enough to protect her head but it still got hit. She's just sleeping" Sabo explained as he hung his shirt out to dry. "You know she wouldn't blame you for this, she knew what she was doing"

" B-But" Luffy sobbed.

"Sabo's right Luffy" you whispered "no one is at fault here"

"(Y/N)!" Luffy started crying all over again.

"Luffy what's wrong?!" you panicked.

"I thought you were dead!!" He ran over to your side.

"I TOLD YOU MULTIPLE TIMES THAT SHE WASN'T!" Sabo lost his cool. "OI! GIVE HER SOME SPACE!"

"C-Calm down Sabo" you sat up "He's just worried"

"Calm down!?" Sabo's eyes darkened "Calm down you say?! Do you know how worried we were!? You promised to run in the other direction if you sensed danger!"

"But Ace would've gotten hurt If I didn't!" you protested.

"...Why would that matter to you?" Ace spoke up.

He'd been silent ever since he finished his fight, and carried you back to the treehouse. As soon as he spoke Luffy stopped crying and Sabo stopped his scolding. All eyes were on the young boy with his arms crossed, eyes on you, leaning against the wall.

'Do the words 'thank you,' actually exist in his vocabulary?'

"I don't understand what you mean" you tilted your head.

"I haven't exactly been nice to you! Why would it matter to you if I got hurt?!" Ace stated coldly.

"What a stupid question" you huffed.

"What was that!?" Ace growled.

"I said what a stupid question!" You repeated a little louder. "Why does it matter to me? Isn't it obvious?! Because I care about you're well being! If you got hurt everyone would be sad and you wouldn't even let me help you, so it's better if you don't get hurt!"

"That applies to you too (Y/n)!" Sabo yelled, "We aren't exactly thrilled that you got injured!"

"But that doesn't matter," you said plainly.

"DON'T CONTRADICT YOURSELF!!!" He fumed making you and Luffy laugh.

"You don't want me to get hurt? You don't think it's bad that I'm here perfectly fine and you're injured?" Ace confirmed quietly

'Do I look like a monster to him?'

"Of course I don't want you to get hurt! What kind of person do you think I am?" you frowned, feeling a bit offended.

Ace stayed quiet for a moment. You could feel the freckled boy eyeing you for anything that might say otherwise but he wouldn't find anything anytime soon. After a few minutes of quiet, Ace pushed himself up from the wall and made his way to sit down beside you.

"...Thank you..." He whispered.

'Did I hear that correctly? Did Ace just thank me?' you gasped.

Luffy's and Sabo's excited faces were evidence enough to support your disbelief. Butterflies fluttered around your stomach as your joy built up inside you.

"You're welcome!" You beamed.

Ace could feel himself blushing and turned his head to avoid it becoming noticeable. Unfortunately, he was a bit late.

"I-Idiot..."

"Look Luffy" Sabo snickered "Ace is blushing"

"You're right" Luffy chuckled. "Ace is so shy"

"SHUT THE HELL UP!"

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