❤️

"Hi (Y/n)...It's been a long time... It's me... Sabo"

"...Do you remember me?"

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You digested the phrase... then digested it again...and again.

'This guy is... Sabo?'

"(Y/n)?" Liv's concerned voice acted as an unknown ignition of action.

The house shook as the door slammed shut with unpredictable force. An action that had resulted more so on reflex rather than reason.

"Wow" Liv whistled "you literally shut the front door on him"

'I shut the door... why did I shut the door? .... what's happening?... wait, what's happening?....WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?' Your brain started to overheat from the curveball announcement to the point your face became red 'Did I really shut the door? That's so rude! Just because he's blonde and has the same name doesn't mean it's him! But he said do you remember me? Have we met!? That would be the case if it was Sabo! But that's impossible!.'

"Right?" You breathed

Your mind was currently dealing with questions racing through your head at the speed of light without any successful results.

"Then I've either seen a ghost... or I'm still dreaming..." you concluded

'Did I eat something funny this morning?' you suggested to yourself to which your mind replied 'but that's impossible, I'm ultimate house wife material, I wouldn't make a mistake like that'

A sharp and content whistle sliced through the madness of your thoughts.

"Wow" Alivia clapped her hands together "let's first acknowledge the fact that you literally 'shut the front door' on him"

"A-Alivia?!"

"I f this was a dream" she pinched your cheek, hard "Would you be able to feel this?" she smiled.

"O-OW! OW! ALIVIA!" You squirmed around in her grasp.

Eventually, she released you from her unforgiving grip and your hand flew to your face to ease the pain.

As you massaged, it ushered the tears out.

"Alivia, I've told myself so many times that this could never be possible! That my Sabo is gone! And that-!' You're eyes stung as more unwanted tears fell. '...Liv, don't give me hope if it's going to hurt me later"

Alivia said nothing. It was a rare sight to see you so physically and mentally bothered by anything.

"(Y-Y/n)! It really is me! I have proof!" He yammered.

A shuffling noise could be heard from the other side of the door. With piqued curiosity, you stared in amazement when a little white piece of paper slid between the small gap in the door. You plucked the small sheet free and straitening the crease, you came face to face with indisputable proof. Your hands trembled.

Home

There was no doubt about it. It was your handwriting. And it was moving right towards you.

"SABO! ARE YOU MAD?!" Another voice from behind the door yelled

Both you and Liv jumped as the door trembled on its hinges. From under the door frame, you could just make out the shadow of the man who you'd so rudely left on your doorstep.

"Did he just head-butt the door?" Immediately you ran to open the door and check but then.

"(Y/N)!!!" The blonde's voice came across as somewhat strained and desperate, you would've even gone as far as to describe it as strangled. "(Y/n)!"

"I don't blame you for not wanting to see me after everything that's happened. All these years I've left you to suffer on your own and now, when it's convenient for me I've selfishly turned up on your doorstep..."

"That's not true Sabo! You had amnesia! You only just-!" another muffled voice interjected

"That's no excuse for the pain I've caused! I should've been here a long time ago!" He protested

With one hand against the door and the other over your heart, you listened carefully through the final physical barrier between you. The frail, musty fingers of disbelief were secure around your throat, preventing you from uttering a word.

"I came here today, to apologise for not being there for you (Y/n). So if you're still listening, then I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry." The shadow from the door disappeared. "...and goodbye"

Much like the times when Luffy's arms would reach out and coil around you even though you couldn't actually see where Luffy, himself, was; your heart sank. Did he really just apologise and leave?

For the final time today, the poor door swung open with great force. You loomed in the doorway for a moment.

"(Y/n)?" The shocked blonde swivelled round to face you.

Your eyes locked on the target.

"You're my Sabo alright" you growled with clenched your fists.

"Huh" everyone flinched.

'Is she mad?' Was the thought that shot through everyone's mind.

You stormed down the path at a terrifying speed. There was no time for the young man to brace himself for impact. He'd already prepped himself to take the brunt of your wrath from you, but if he was being completely honest he was expecting a punch or two. Instead, he received an almighty tackle that sent you both tumbling down the hillside. Grass, dirt and the faint scent of flowers protruded your nostrils as you both spun uncontrollably.

'She's livid' they concluded

In due time, you'd both slowed to a stop. You could feel his hand pressed against your hair, protecting your head as you rested against his sturdy chest, the sound of his erratic heartbeat urging you on. Forcing yourself up, you sat upright on his torso, pinning him down by his shoulders you stared directly into those familiar silvery eyes.

"(Y/n)!? Are you-!?" Sabo started but halted when the salty tears spilt onto his cheeks and ran down his face.

"You're definitely my Sabo alright! Because only my Sabo would do something so crafty, selfish and utterly stupid!" you gripped the fabrics of his shirts as he stared in wild confusion. "How dare you! You think you can just show up unannounced apologise and then just disappear again!?"

"I didn't-!"

"Screw that you jerk! Take responsibility!"

"H-Huh? Take responsibility for what!?" Sabo panicked

"For all the times you should've been home resting! And all the times I was meant to listen to your problems! And all those times you were just meant to be with me!" You ranted "If you're really sorry then make up for it ten times over and don't ever scare me like that again!"

Sabo's silver pupils constricted and then relaxed and flooded with tears.

'huh?' You blanked

"I-I-I just meant that!"

"I thought you'd want nothing to do with me" he wrapped his arms across his face "as soon as you shut the door I thought 'that's it!' she never wants to see me again"

"A-Ah! That was an accident! I was just shocked!" You tried to explain "Wait, Sabo! Don't cry! If you cry, then I'll start crying!"

"Pfft! You're already crying (Y/n)! That's so contradictory!" he chuckled as he peeked under his arms, his eyes glistening from the water droplets "you haven't changed at all"

"I-I!" You flushed

"I'm so glad you haven't changed, it feels like home" He sat up resting on his right arm, using his left to pull you in.

It was comfortable you were both giggling as tears continued to spill, enjoying each other's long-overdue embrace.

"Welcome home" you smiled through the tears "I've missed you"

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"You're rather confident for an uptight scavenger" A familiar voice growled "Didn't think you'd be brave enough to take (Y/n) right from under my nose"

Axel cracked his knuckles menacingly.

"Axel?!" you gasped.

Since last time, he'd seemed to have gotten a lot better, his nose anyway. He glanced briefly in your direction before going back to glaring at Mihawk.

"Now now Axel, there's no need for that! Right?" Briggs strolled up and placed a hand on the young man with a smile on his face. "He's just playing the game like everybody else, besides, I'm sure even pirates have use for tone dials"

Mihawk was still unphased and you could only manage a nervous chuckle.

"I guess it won't be as easy as we think" you fiddled with your hair

"No, I still believe this will be an easy win" Mihawk affirmed.

Any tension that was previously there, melted from the flames of rage which Mihawk had now created. It felt as though everyone in the immediate area was ready to kill this man. His being a pirate only added to the fuel.

"Alivia you're awfully quiet?" Briggs pointed out

To your surprise, Alivia was right behind you. She smiled.

"No one plans a murder out loud Briggs" She beamed

You shivered.

"Liv? Are you participating as well?" you barely got the words out

"No, it wouldn't be a fair competition at that point, I would in everything because I'm always the star" She proclaimed "No, I'm just one of the judges"

"Oh, is that so..."

'I can't tell whether I'm relieved or concerned after hearing that'

"We'll be going ahead" Mihawk swiftly took your hand and expertly directed you towards the main stage.

His grip was strong, not painful but rather comforting and dependable. Still, it couldn't disperse the anger from previous.

'I can feel the murderous intent ' you sighed.

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The announcer began.

Cheers rose from all around, two of them being very distinct.

"WHOOOOO COME ON (Y/N)!!!"

"YOU GO HAWKY!!! KNOCK EM DEAD PRINCESS!!!"

Mihawk let out a deep sigh.

"That idiot..." he groaned as you laughed and waved.

"...WHAAAAAAAAAAATTTT!?!?!?!" Eyes were popping out of sockets from contestants

"HHUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHH!?!?!?" The crowd agreed.

"YOU KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY PRINCESS HAWKY!?!"

"Are they being serious?" you sweat-dropped "There's no way I can-"

"We're in it to win Mihawk!!!" you declared

"You just contradicted what you were saying earlier" he stated calmly

"Don't worry about the small details" you hushed "All we have to do is-Ah!"

You let out a squeak when Mihawk lifted you with ease... princess style...

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"YOU'RE A DEAD MAN HAWKEYE!!!" Ace, Shanks and Alivia

"M-Mihawk!!! Isn't this embarrassing!?" you flushed "Quick! put me down so we can-!"

"There's no need, I'll be fine holding you like this" He assured "Just relax"

'Rest in pieces, my poor, tattered, dignity' you died inside.

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'How did it get to this point' you face sighed.

A very intense battle had taken place on stage and there were only two reasons you had to explain this unnecessary battle. 1) People realised they couldn't carry their partners as long as their fellow competitors so they proceeded to sabotage each other to win, 2) They didn't like Mihawk. So in the end Liv forced her way into the competition, carrying Shanks in her arms, and by some miracle, you ended up being the last ones left.

'Well, I guess I don't mind as long as Liv or shanks gives me the flame tone dial' you yawned.

Now that the ruckus had died down you were starting to notice how mindful Mihawk was being of you. During the brawl, he'd only made simple movements, as to not disturb you as well as his challengers. What should've been a rollercoaster felt more like being gently pushed on a swing. It lulled you into an unusual sense of security.

"You seem quite relaxed (Y/n)" Mihawk pointed out.

His golden-red eyes shone brightly under the festival lights, which made them all the more impressive. And to top it all off, his dark beard, hair and sideburns were all cut to perfection. There was not one thing about this man that you could say was out of place... except for you being in his strong arms.

"I guess, being held like this is making me quite slee-! AGGGH!"

Mihawk tossed you into the air only to catch you again, and like any normal person you immediately clung onto him for dear life, your face pressed hard into his neck.

"MIHAWK WHY DID YOU DO THAT!?!"

"You sounded bored" he chuckled.

"I SAID I WAS RELAXED!"

"Stop flirting already!!!" a voice from the crowd called.

"AGH!!!"

"WHO SAID THAT!?"

Liv had dropped Shanks by this point jumping into the crowd to probably castrate the poor soul who dared to steal her spotlight; that, and you were sure you saw a stray fireball. Your hands flew to your face which was now a bonfire. Only Mihawk could make out the mumbled apologies you were chanting. His smirk grew.

"Told you we'd win"

'I will never do this again'

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✨✨

"Ooooiiii! Are you two ok!?" A familiar voice called. "You really fell quite far..."

You perked up instantly almost giving yourself whiplash.

"I know that voice" you breathed as you turned to face the owner who was now running to your aid.

He stumbled clumsily down the hill before skidding to a reckless stop. Letting himself collapse in a heat he threw his head back causing his orange cowboy hat to drop to his neck, letting his raven locks free.

"Agh! I turn away for two seconds and you're already trying to get a headstart!" He smiled "Ah well! I guess I can let it slide this time cause it all worked out"

"ACE!" You grinned

"Hey (Y/n)! How's it going?" He beamed

"I'm home!"

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