Just imagine a world full of beautiful stained glass windows which also generate electricity…
[Oxford Photovoltaics]
what does a skeleton call his closest homie
Portgas D. Ace x F!Reader, Modern AU
03- When Luffy’s birthday turns into a group get away to a small cabin by a lake, you cannot deny his own brothers an invitation. Surely the week long get away would leave a lasting impression with his eldest sibling.
Note: listen hangovers are lame and let’s all assume Sanji knows the cure all for them w his cooking. also! listen! i don’t care what size you are. Portgas D Ace can and will manhandle you. so there is absolutely zero body side implications on our reader here (:
Sunday: Take a Hike
The morning starts far earlier than you would have liked after the previous nights events.
Voices boom through the kitchen as everyone is gathered around the breakfast table in waiting for the greasy breakfast meant to cure any lingering effects from last night. You join the group, the final stragglers taking their place, before Sanji is placing plates before every member. He pays extra attention to you and the girls, as always, presenting your own small plates of fresh fruit among the breakfast feast. With a chorus of thanks to the man, everyone digs in.
It was amusing to watch Luffy eating along side his brothers. He always had an insatiable appetite- one closely combated by Ace and Sabo- but he seems even more on guard as he keeps his plate tucked in close to his body. You knew the guy had a tendency to swipe food from your plates, and now you suppose that was a learned trait from growing up around two older brothers.
Moments of silence pass as everyone enjoys the food.
“Let’s go exploring today!” Luffy suddenly explodes forward with a smile, a fork still held tight in his hand despite his empty plate. “A hike in the woods!”
Robin hums in thought, “I don’t believe there are any marked trails around here.”
“Well that’s the fun in it! It’s an adventure!” He beams a blinding smile. “We’re like pirates or something! Exploring unmarked territory!” Luffy makes to stab at something on Ace’s plate but the man is quick to swat his brother away.
“Don’t pirates usually explore the ocean?” You prompt.
“Pirates can do whatever they want!” Luffy huffs out, targeting Nami’s plate next. He manages to swipe a piece of meat before she catches him, swiftly smacking him upside the head, but he was more than happy to take that punishment for the extra food.
“Fine by me, long as we don’t let moss head lead the way.” Sanji snickers to himself as he sips his glass of orange juice. The reaction is immediate, as it always is, Zoro shooting up straight in his seat.
“You got something to say, curly brow?”
“Do, uh, do you guys think there are bears in the woods here?” Ussop questions, poking at a strawberry on his plate nervously.
“Probably, I mean, they are the woods after all.” You grin at him, earning a glare.
Luffy suddenly gasps, “You think so?”
“You are not fighting a bear Luffy!” Nami snaps at him with no hesitation.
“Awh!” Luffy deflates into his chair with a pout.
“A hike sounds like fun, right Ace?” Sabo smiles in support of his brother, turning to the eldest to find his head on his arms as he snoozes right on the dining table. “Ace!” He swats at his brother’s head, curls flying up, before Ace slowly raises his head with a frown.
Ace glares at Sabo, taking in his expression for a moment, before giving a decisive nod. “Yep, sounds good.” He mutters.
Sabo huffs, “You don’t even know what you’re agreeing to!”
Amidst the yelling, Nami turns to you and Robin. “I’m in if you guys are.” She proposes.
But this notion makes you laugh. In all your adventures with your friend, it seemed like Nami was the only one who had a genuine sense of direction. The others simply wander off the beaten path, get lost, or some how get separated from the group. You very well know that the week will turn into wilderness survival opposed to an actual vacation without her. “Nami, you realize they’re all gonna get lost without you, right?”
Nami huffs lowly in acknowledgment.
“I’ll go,” Robin smiles to herself. “I think it will be fun to see what kind of land is around here. Maybe we’ll find something interesting out in the woods.” The thought seems to excite her, eyes a little bit brighter and a satisfied smile staying on her lips.
“Then it’s settled!” Luffy declares, food gripped in his hand as he sends you a cheesy smile. You look down to your plate to see that it’s suspiciously lacking. “Sanji! We need hiking snacks. Oh, and make sure to pack lunch too!”
A distinct clacking sound fills the air as Luffy lead the pack with a stick in hand, smacking at trees as he passes by them.
“Remind me again why we agreed to this?” Nami prompts as you stumble down a decline together, following in Luffys footsteps.
You were approximately thirty minutes into the hike and the red head was already regretting her decision. Luffy, stubborn as ever, paid little mind to Nami’s navigation attempts as he ventured into the forest. He has a direction in mind and plans to stick with it, only requiring the assistance to get back to the cabin, or so he claims.
“I’m not sure what you were expecting.” You simply shrug as the girl bounces down a series of stacked rocks ahead of you- the most adventurous trail that Luffy could think up. “When Luffy puts his mind to something.” Nami waves her hand dramatically at your words.
You move to folllow after her, foot pressing in to one of the many rocks, when it suddenly slips from its place. A gasp pulls from your lips as you feel your body falling, only to be caught mid air.
Ace perches himself on the rocks beside you, annoyingly stable, as he holds your waist. He aids you in standing on your own two feet, a smile on his face as he waltzes a step ahead of you. “Careful there, doll.” His head tips to the side in clear amusement as your body once again lurches on the rocks. Ace grins as he holds out his hand to you, “Wouldn’t want you falling, now would we?”
You offer a glare that lacks any real malice before reluctantly taking his offered hand. His skin is warm and his fingers calloused, barely even a strain in his arm as he carefully guides you down the rocky path and to more stable ground. A smile pulls to his lips as you pause to look up at him with your hand lingering in his for a beat longer than necessary.
Warmth blooms in your chest as you offer him a smile of thanks.
Ace watches close as you push ahead to catch up with Nami.
Nami seems to walk with a new air about her as she turns to you with a wicked grin. “You know, you gotta be more careful, doll.” She drawls out the word exaggeratedly, batting her eyelashes and pouting her lips.
“Ugh, you’re the worst.” You huff out, shoving her shoulder and making you both stumble.
Nami’s cackle of a laugh carries through the trees. “I gotta admit, i’m actually a little jealous.” She shakes her head with a sigh. “Seems like you and Robin both have something going on during this trip,” She nods ahead where Franky and Robin are walking together, her hand placing on his arm as the two share a laugh full of lingering eye contact. “And i’m just left to watch it all unfold.”
“There’s nothing going on with me and Ace.”
Nami turns to glare at you, “Really?”
“Really, Nami, I barely know the guy.”
She shakes her head in response. “I don’t know, Y/N, we have a lot of guy friends and none of them go around calling us-“
“You remember that I know Sanji too, right?” You laugh.
“Okay, true, but Sanji calls all of us names like that.” Nami rolls her eyes. “Ace only says that stuff to you.” You can feel heat settling across your cheeks as you huff. “Don’t sweat it too much. You know me, I support women’s rights and women’s wrongs. So I support you no matter what you do.”
Your brows pull together and the words leave you before you can give a second thought, “And what do you think?” Namis head snaps around at the shift in mood and the lowering of your voice. “You think it would be wrong?” A smile tugs at her lips at this and you feel a bubbling of nerves in your stomach. “In theory.”
Nothing was going on.
Sure, you were well aware that there was just something that felt different about Ace. You felt different around him, comfortable even, despite how long you have known each other. And sure. Maybe there were a few lingering touches and soft gazes…
But it was nothing.
“Well, it’s obviously between the two of you,” She brushes her chin length locks from her face, lowering her voice and walking closer to you in effort to keep your conversation just between you. “You should go with the flow, but keep in mind that he’s Luffy’s brother. That could complicate things if things get complicated, ya know?”
You hum in thought and a beat of silence passes.
“In theory.” Nami adds as she bumps your shoulder with her own.
What felt like hours of sweating and stumbling through the woods continue, until Luffy reaches a clearing and declares that he is starving and it was lunch time. He plops down directly on the forest floor and digs into the packed lunch. Everyone follows his lead, except for Robin and Franky who squeeze together on a fallen tree trunk.
The sounds of nature fill your ears as everyone indulges in the meal Sanji prepared. Even with the knowledge of eating in the middle of the woods, he ensured the meal was perfection.
As you finish up your meal, your eyes cast around your group. Luffy and Ussop are busy tossing broken twigs at each other. Robin and Franky speak quietly together, arms pressed together at their close proximity. Zoro and Sanji bicker as Nami and Sabo ignore their input and discuss the walk back. Ace lounges back against a tree, arms behind his head and eyes closed, looking entirely at peace. You watch him for a moment longer and realize he is asleep.
A smile pulls to your lips.
The group relaxes a bit longer, stretching out sore legs after walking through uneven terrain for hours. You were almost certain that he would go on for hours more without stopping but that notion would certainly be met with protests.
“Alright!” Luffy claps his hands enthusiastically. “Nami, it’s time for you to lead us back!” The woman scoffs as Luffy shoves the empty container into his back pack.
“How did you even manage before me?”
“He got lost a lot until I came around.” Sabo huffs a laugh as he collects his things. “Not really sure what happened after though.”
“Me.” Nami laughs.
Everyone collects their things, ensuring any trash is shoved away, before heading off for the cabin. Nami takes front, Sabo at her side with a compass in hand, and Robin tagging along for the journey.
The group follows and you find yourself falling into step with Franky. The man is focused ahead, watching black hair swaying as Robin climbs the uneven terrain at the front- a bit too focused it seems. A tree root catches his foot and he nearly tumbles to the ground.
Franky catches your eye and the two of you laugh to yourselves.
“Careful.” You raise your brows knowingly.
“I’m all good.” He shrugs.
A song fills the air from behind you, Luffy sloppily keeping time by banging the stick against various trees. Ace and Sanji sing along with him and after what you’re sure is continuous prodding, Zoro monotonously joins in.
Occasional glances thrown Franky’s way, mind deep in thought, but unsure if you truly wanted to breach the subject in mind.
You purse your lips for a moment before finally making your decision. “You and Robin looked awful cozy.” Your elbow bumps against his arm. Franky laughs at this, worrying a hand over blue locks, before offering a half hearted shrug.
“We’ve always been close. Don’t forget that we are older than the rest of you.” He points out as if that had any real influence on their… friendship.
You scoff, “You say that like you’re an old man, Franky.”
“I feel like one sometimes.”
“Yeah, okay. Next thing we know we’re gonna hear all about how it was back in your day, huh?” You tease with a loud laugh.
“Well it was awful different, little lady.” Franky plays into it with a laugh. The silence that falls only gives way to the crunching of shoes on natures floor. Franky sighs, “She’s fun to be around. Let’s me talk about what ever I want and actually listens to me.” He laughs to himself. “As close as we all are, I know you can only handle so many stories from the docks.”
“That’s fair.”
“Plus, she’s super smart too. I like listening to her talk about all of her archeology stuff.” Franky smiles, looking ahead to where the woman walks. “When she talks about the stuff she’s into, she’s just so. So-“
“Cute.” A mischievous grin pulls to your lips as you stare up at him.
Franky laughs, “I wasn’t gonna say exactly that.”
“Ah but i’m sure you were thinking it.”
Franky clears his throat as he rubs a hand over his arm. “I dunno, bro. It’s just this trip I think, letting us all get a little bit closer.” His shoulders bounce in a shrug. “Around each other twenty-four-seven.” He hums in thought before turning his eyes to you. There seems to be something on his mind as he glances over his shoulder, but ultimately decides against it.
Your legs are burning.
You’re all sweaty and tired by this point. There is nothing but relief that flood through the group as you break through the trees.
“Finally!” Luffy booms as he jogs ahead, dropping his bags by the steps of the cabin and looking over his shoulder. “Last one in the lake loses!” Then he is off towards the water still fully clothed.
“Tch, does he really think we’re all down for that right now.” Sanji shakes his head. Your group watches for a long moment until Zoro steps ahead everyone.
“Suit yourself then, loser.” He taunts.
This, of course, prompts the instant reaction of Zoro and Sanji racing into the waters. Ussop, Franky, Ace, and Sabo soon follow suit. You share looks with the two women at your sides who hold their own skeptical looks.
“I want a shower, not a swim.” Nami huffs out, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Let them enjoy their fun.” Robin laughs as the three of you trail towards the group of men. They’re busy splashing and dunking each other, simultaneously cooling off after a long hike and working up a sweat.
Luffy pops up from under the water, swatting Zoro off of him, before looking towards the three of you.
“Come in the water!” Luffy calls out with a grin
“No way!” Nami huffs defiantly.
“Come oooon!” He draws out. At your shared refusal, Luffy turns to say something to Franky and Ace. The three slowly walk towards the sand with Luffy in the lead. “Come on, don’t be losers.” Luffy whines as he approaches the three of you.
You all bristle on edge as they get closer.
“Luffy.” Nami speaks his name in a low warning.
“Just get in the water.” Luffy’s grin grows.
You eye Ace suspiciously, who only smiles sweetly back at you. “We’re fully clothed.”
“So are we, who cares.”
“That was a long hike, Luffy, we want to rest.” Robin adds.
“We have all night to rest.” Luffy simply shrugs. Nami opens her mouth to speak her denial, when Luffy lunges forwards to grab her. A yelp sounds from the woman as her feet leave the ground to be thrown over Luffy’s shoulder. She screams as she smacks at his back, yelling at Luffy to put her down, but this only makes him laugh harder.
Franky was quick to go for Robin as well, the woman attempting to fight him off as he tries to be delicate with her in spite of the goal. He eventually finds an opening and is left with no choice but throwing Robin over his beefy shoulder. She speaks her protest, feet kicking in the air, all to no avail.
Ace has his eyes set on you. You turn to run, feet kicking up sand and attempting to get away from the man while running on the uneven ground. Ace quickly follows right after you. The line of grass is right within your reach- until you feel your feet swept out from beneath you. You yelp in surprise as Ace cradles your body close to his to carry you bridal style towards the lake. Water soaks into your dry clothes almost instantly from the contact.
“Ace! Put me down!” Despite the annoyance, you’re laughing.
“No can do, doll.” Ace chuckles as he walks directly into the water.
The steadily approaching surface makes you gasp as Ace pushes further into the depths of the lake. “Ace, come on, you don’t gotta do this.” You plead at him, inadvertently pulling yourself closer to him in an attempt to evade the water. The man simply grins before you’re both splashing under the water.
He releases your legs but a hand still grips at your waist, ensuring that you surface with him.
Ace’s deep laugh echoes in your ear as you both stand and wipe the water from your eyes. “You’re the worst.” You complain, shoving playfully at his arm. This only brightens the grin on his face.
“Awh, you’re just upset that you were the last in.” He leans in a little bit closer, wet hand poking at your forehead, “Making you the loser.”
You gasp in mock offense, taking your chance to jump on the man’s shoulders to tug him under the water. Ace allows himself to fall with you and your bodies crash together under the lakes surface.
A blanket of wet curls covers Ace’s eyes. “I’m so gonna get you for that!”
You scoff, “You can’t take revenge on my revenge!” The mischievous smile he offers has you turning to swim away.
“Watch me!” He catches your ankle before you can kick away from him and drags you back over to him. You scream out a laugh as he easily scoops you up to toss you over his shoulder.
“Ace!” You squeal as he twirls you around, feet kicking.
Ace grins, “Hold your breath.” At the sound of the sharp intake of breath, Ace tosses you back into the water.
You fall back into the water with a smile on your face. There’s something so freeing about being tossed into the water by someone, like you were a little kid again. Like you’re safe and entirely carefree.
Water drips from the ends of your hair and into your eyes as you find your footing again. Before you’re even given the chance, hands brush away the locks and you’re met with the blurry vision of Ace staring down at you.
Breath catches in your throat as Ace opens his mouth to say something-
“Heads up!” The voice shrieks out and suddenly Ace is tackled into the water in a mess of black and blonde hair. Water splashes into your face and ripples around your waist as he disappears underneath.
Sabo is the first to surface, a hand flailing out and grabbing onto him as Luffy uses his brother to pull himself from the water. Ace is the last up, coughing as dark curls stick to his forehead, glaring at his brothers.
“Luffy! Sabo!” Ace yells at them both, shoving them back as the brothers laugh in his face. “Oh, you’re on!” He lunges forwards to grab Luffy in a head lock, the younger guy struggling to get out of his grip, until he is being tossed into the water. Ace then turns to target Sabo.
Loud laughs and the splashing of water echoes through the air. The burning in your legs and the extra weight of your clothes clinging to your body is but a distant thought.
Series Masterlist
tag list: @flooofity @zzzzzoey @certain-tragedies @kanekisheart @weirdothatreads
THE VAN VIDEOS.
“GO BACK TO SLEEP”.
I THINK I FINALLY UNDERSTAND.
OH MY GOD.
BECAUSE
WE SEEM TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT
THE VAN VIDEOS.
WE ALL KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING ODD ABOUT THEM.
IT’S BECAUSE THEY’RE NOT REAL.
THEY COULD BE DREAMS.
(Y/N)’S DREAMS.
SO THIS OFF-BRAND “MARK” WHO HAS BEEN LEADING US AROUND IN THAT VAN
WONDERING WHY WE WERE SLEEPING IN THERE
(SO ARE WE “AWAKE” WHEN THEIR EYES ARE CLOSED?)
HE’S BEEN LEADING US AROUND, LETTING THESE LITTLE SURREAL EFFECTS GO ON AND ON
(NOT MAKING A WHOLE LOT OF COHERENT SENSE, MIND YOU)
BECAUSE IT WAS SOMEONE INFILTRATING OUR DREAMS?
AND NOW
AFTER “DON’T REMEMBER”
DARK’S (?) VOICE TELLING US TO GO BACK TO SLEEP
(SO WE CAN SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIM IN THE DREAM WORLD??)
WHILE SOMEONE ELSE
IS TRYING TO WAKE US UP??
THE QUESTION IS
THIS HAS BEEN A SCREAMY MIDNIGHT KELLYPLIER THEORY
THANKS FOR JOINING ME.
Context: on a scale from HARD to SOFT, which Hufflepuff are you today?
Hufflepunk: loud, speak their mind, a bit rough around the edges, fights for justice and equality, put a bold front, will fight you with their teeth bared and fingers aiming for your soft spots
Pufflepunk: kind of a softer version of Hufflepunk, One Fear meme, despite their loud voices they still know how to tread soft tunes, not a good person to anger, have a RageMode button
HufflepuffTM: just, kind, loyal, like soft things, would commit the most gruesome murders for their loved ones, love gatherings that contain good food and friends, lovely taste of music
Hufflepuffett: aesthetic af, cute scruffy style, likes warm drinks and soft blankets, always has snacks for their friends, haters gonna hate (but a badger don't care), ready to lend a helping hand (even if it's just burying a body)
Pufflepuff: a ray of sunshine, has the biggest smile around that makes everyone happy, soft-spoken, lover - not a fighter (still ready to punch your lights out tho), everyone's favorite person
On their first month on the Stan of War II, Stan and Ford both come down with terrible colds. They insist they’re fine, even though they show up to the family’s weekly video chat sniffling and bundled up in every blanket they own. Mabel glares as the screen, hands on her hips. “Grunkle Stan? Grunkle Ford? Do we have to run away to look after you? Have you been taking care of yourselves?”
Stan laughs, while Ford blows his nose so loudly it only comes across as static. “We’re fine, sweetie. It just takes a while to get used to boat living. Can’t say this is quite how I imagined things starting out.”
“Funnily enough,” sniffs Ford, “Being cold and wet all the time is not an ideal situation for one’s immune system. But never mind about that, we’ve made some fascinating discoveries …”
When the call is over, Mabel purses her lips. Cold all the time, huh? She knows that her Grunkles won’t take care of themselves, so it’s up to her to keep them warm. The sweaters that Mabel knits for herself are mostly acrylic, because it’s cheap and sparkly, but she saves up to buy heavy wool yarn, even though it’s rough on her fingers at first. She learns how to knit double-layered fisherman’s mittens, the kind that can keep a man’s hands warm even when he’s drenched with sea water, making sure to modify the pattern so Ford will have room for his extra fingers. She sends them thick socks with reinforced heels and a stern note telling them to let her know when they need replacements.
Stan and Ford are no good at remembering to dress warm on principle, but they wear everything Mabel sends them. She beams when she sees her knitwear in their photos.
“Are you warmer now?” she asks during one video call, still sounding slightly worried.
Stan looks down at the Icelandic-style sweater he’s wearing, at the enormous mittens lying next to him, at the heavy socks covering his toes, and at Mabel’s concerned, loving face on the computer screen. He smiles.
“Warm as toast, pumpkin.”
Very
Someone:You can’t ship that-
Me:
Well, since MANY people seemed to like the first editions of Ace (I'm very flattered by the way, THANK YOU SO MUCH! 😳🫶) with the initial design (more specifically the Alabasta and Pre-Timeskip) I decided to bring you a part 2!
Respect to this soldier, he’s basically just put his middle finger up to these bigots.