“Sit down.”
As commanded, Zoro plops down on their shared apartment couch. Sanji with his laptop in hand settles down next to him. His laptop fits nicely on his lap. Zoro leans over his shoulder trying to get a good look at the screen. His hands also wander around Sanji’s waist, riling up the other.
“Marimo! This is no time for games. Uta-chan’s new single is out and you are over here trying to feel me up?” Sanji scowls and Zoro’s response is a nasty smirk.
“Okay then pay attention. Hit play already.” Sanji rolls his eyes and finally hits the spacebar. Zoro’s hands are still at his waist.
The music video rumbles up from silence to a flash of reds and purples. Uta takes centre stage and sways side by side. Her red glittery microphone is in her hands. She belts out powerful lyrics.
Zoro watches Sanji mesmerised by the popstar. His eyes twinkle as Uta twirls, enjoying the stage. He turns his attention back to the screen. The reds and purples turn into blues and greens.
“Look. It’s our colours,” Zoro commented. Sanji’s response is a harsh shush, telling him to shut up. But Zoro wasn’t one to listen, obviously.
His own reply was to pinch Sanji’s waist, resulting in the laptop being tossed aside and Zoro being pinned down by his boyfriend.
“You want to go, Marimo?” Sanji’s fist was clutched and hangs beside his face.
“Whoa, that was kinda hot.” Zoro’s hands rest on Sanji’s waist. They were painfully creeping further up towards his waist and before they could find purchase on his ass. Sanji lodges himself off his boyfriend, pulling the laptop back into his lap.
“As punishment, we will listen to Uta-chan until I’m satisfied,” Sanji glares at Zoro who is still lying on the couch. But he swiftly sits up upon hearing that terrible punishment.
“We have to listen to her till-” Sanji hits play before he could continue. Sanji was relentless with these weird punishments he had. One time, they listened to Uta’s album every single day on repeat from the bathroom to the car. He even played it in the Baratie, a five-star restaurant that should be playing the weird aquatic nature sounds. Even the good sex did not abstain him from the punishments.
It wasn’t that Uta’s music was terrible. It’s just that it being on repeat drove Zoro a little insane. And so he quickly shuffles through all the ways he could appease the cook. He grins, concocting the perfect solution to his problem.
As the music video ends and his boyfriend tries to hit repeat again, his arm slips around the cook’s waist. His lips nibble at the curve of his shoulder before resting his head on it. “What if I buy you her new album?”
“Mhm, with what money?” His boyfriend’s head tilts giving him more access to his neck. Sweet, he’s got him hooked.
“Payday’s next week.” His lips continue to work up to his jaw. Sanji muffles a moan, trying to not give in to the sensation.
“Don’t you owe Nami money?” Sanji tries to suppress another moan as Zoro’s hands wander down his inner thigh, caressing the skin with his fingers getting closer to his groin.
“I’ll manage.” As Zoro was about to go for his growing erection, Sanji stops him with his hand over his. He stares at Zoro dead in the eyes.
“Is that a promise?” Zoro slowly nods, slightly confused because since when did he say something and not commit to it? Sanji observes him for a while before he stands up and pulls Zoro up with him.
“Okay, bedroom. So you can fuck me-” Zoro grins. “To Uta’s new song.”
“Cook! I’m not fucking you to Uta’s new song.” Zoro groans while Sanji giggles, sautering towards their shared bedroom.
They didn’t know how they lasted in that bedroom before actually getting some sleep but it’s safe to say they did not hear Uta’s new song till morning as it softly played from Sanji’s laptop.
~
Two girls wander through the music shop. They walk up aisle after aisle with their eyes scanning up and down the shelves. The orange-haired girl walks in front of the blue-haired girl. It seemed she was more passionate about whatever they were looking for. Finally, the girls stop in front of a panel of CDs and albums from one singer.
“It’s here. Vivi!” The orange-haired girl, Nami cheered. She loops her arms around the other girl’s neck. Vivi hugs her back, arms looping around her waist.
“She really keeps getting bigger and bigger,” Vivi comments looking at the huge banner.
“It’s gonna be hard to keep her as our little secret,” Nami replies, picking up her latest album and immediately searching for the price tag.
“It’s also gonna be hard to fight for the tickets to her next concert.”
“Let’s not talk about it,” Nami cries. Her eyes catch sight of the price tag. “$49.90? That’s daylight robbery, Uta-chan.” A series of sobs continue from her.
“Should I get her old album too or just the new one so that we can boast the sales of the new album?” Nami mumbles to herself. Vivi smiles even her girlfriend’s worried expression is cute to her. She knows her girlfriend can afford both the albums but Nami has always been frugal about her purchases.
Nami picks up Uta’s old album and her eyes immediately catch sight of the price tag. Her eyes widen at the price and she hurriedly places it back on the shelf.
“Let’s go, Vivi. If I stare at it for a while longer I might cave in,” Nami quickly pulls her girlfriend with her to the counter. “Sorry, Uta-chan! I’ll just boost the sales of this album so that you can rank higher on the charts. I’ll get your old album next time!”
The two girls make their way to the cashier with Nami pulling Vivi along behind her. As Nami hovers her phone over the magnetic card reader, she bites her lip and her eyes subtly wander back to the shelves. Vivi catches on and suppresses a laugh bubbly up to her lips. Her girlfriend thought she could be subtle.
When they exit the store, Vivi starts to pat down her body. She rummages through her bag.
“What’s wrong?” Nami asks.
“I can’t find my phone. I think I left it on the shelf.”
“What! Let’s go get it!”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll just go grab it real quick. Stay here I’ll be right back.” Vivi slips back into the store. In her back pocket, the outline of her phone could be seen.
When they finally arrived home, Vivi pulls out Uta’s old album that Nami was eyeing and presented it to her as a gift. Nami had leapt into her arms and planted a kiss right on her lips, thanking her girlfriend for the wonderful present.
“You didn’t have to you know. I could have gotten it for myself the next time,” Nami pouted, feeling bad for making Vivi spend money on her.
“Who says you’re the only Uta fan in this household? I’m gonna listen to it too.” Nami smiles at her witty reassurance.
“But I get to have the photocard right?”
“Of course, you can add it to your collection now and I’ll admire them.”
Nami laughs and pulls her girlfriend into another hug as Vivi kisses the side of her jaw.
The night concludes with a small dance party to Uta’s new album. The disc spinning inside the music player.
~
The loud bass thumps against his skin. The venue comes to life with screams and cheers as the pop princess sings the first track on her setlist. His ear drums felt like they were about to blow.
“Let’s go closer!” Luffy yells over the crowd. Law nods and lets himself be pulled by his boyfriend. With Luffy’s hand in his, they squeeze their way through the crowd. However as the crowd gets denser and breathing space tightens, Law’s claustrophobia slowly starts to surface. His breath hitches at his throat and he unknowingly gives Luffy’s hand a tight squeeze. The boy stops and Law almost bumps into him.
“Let’s stop here!” Luffy once again yells over the crowd. Law nods, grateful his boyfriend didn’t continue further but he was also confused. Luffy had wanted to go further into the crowd so he could catch the attention of the singer. So why did he stop here?
His thoughts stop when Luffy starts to jump in the beat of the music. Law smiles at his boyfriend and loosens up, dancing in smaller motions as compared to Luffy. They sway and groove to the music and scream the lyrics to the songs. Luffy’s big motions must have caught sight Uta’s attention as she sends a wave over the duo. Luffy excitedly waves back and turns to Law to gush over the interaction. Law who had seen the interaction, grins at the boy’s enthusiasm. His energy infectious to the people around them and it doesn’t die till the concert comes to a conclusion.
As they squeeze through the crowds and make their way out of the venue, Luffy’s hand loops into his and Law doesn’t let go even when sweat was building up in his palm from the heat of the venue. When they had made it out of the crowds, Law stretches his aching bones while Luffy chucks back a water bottle. Luffy hands it over to him when he was done with only half left. Law finishes it and tosses it in a bin.
“Just now, why did you stop? I thought you wanted to see Uta,” Law asks. His hand in Luffy’s as they make their way to the train station.
“Torao, doesn’t really like crowds right? Besides, I got my interaction with Uta anyway. She caught sight of my moves and waved at me. That was so cool!” Luffy reenacted his dance moves, his hand still in Law’s even with his arms flailing around. Law laughs at his antics and tugs at his arm causing Luffy to stop. His lips swoop in and capture his boyfriend’s. Luffy caught by surprise. As he was about to go further, Law had pulled away.
“Thank you,” Law whispers. The street lamp illuminating the slight pink blush on his cheeks. Luffy turns away in embarrassment.
“It’s fine,” Luffy mumbles back. They continue walking towards to the station in peaceful silence. Law however could feel Luffy fidgeting beside him. His boyfriend had a terrible time when he was nervous about something.
Law squeezed his hand, hoping that would reassure him of his worries. Luffy looks at him curiously and smiles, getting his message.
After a few more steps, Luffy turns to him and they both stop under another street lamp.
“Torao, do you maybe…” Luffy pauses. “Want to do this again?”
Law caught by surprise at his question and stares back into his boyfriend’s big puppy eyes who awaits his reply. Before he finally smiles and pulls him closer to his chest.
“Of course, I had fun.” Law was feeling giddy from Luffy’s concern and hugging him was the only excuse to grounding him. How could he ask for a better boyfriend than this?
Luffy grins against his chest and wraps his arms around Law’s waist.
“Let’s go again! When Uta has her next concert!” Luffy cheers excitedly, still buried in Law’s arms.
Law pulls away. “We can ask her when’s her next one.”
“Next week? I wonder what food Shanks is gonna prepare.” His stomach lets out a growl. Law chuckles.
“Want to grab a snack?”
“I want takoyaki!”
~
“Shanks!”
Silence.
“Shaaaaaaaaanks!”
The popstar’s voice only echoes through the hallways. She had finally been home after concluding the leg of her tour in Japan and in two weeks she was flying off to Asia to continue the rest of her tour. She had finally gotten a long-awaited rest day and her father was nowhere to be found.
“SHAAAAAAAAANKS!”
Her voice getting loud with every call. Her large mansion was to blame for this hindrance. She hadn’t wanted to get such a big house and preferred a small apartment but her dad just had to want a big house for his parties and all his friends. Uta groans, thinking back to the previous party they had where they had trashed the house leaving trash scattered in every corner of the room.
She continues wandering down the hallway, walking towards the entertainment room, hoping to find her father doing his retirement hobbies. That’s when she catches her father’s voice commanding instructions. Who was he talking to?
“Shanks, why are you talking to yourself? Have you finally gone senile? I’m sending you to the retirement home and selling this hou-”
“Congrats on the album and tour!” Confetti and streamers burst into the air. Her friends pop up from every corner of the room, catching her by surprise. She screams as a flying object tackles her to the ground.
“Uta! The concert was AMAZING! Torao cried!” The flying object of the name Luffy kneels in front of her between her legs.
“I did not!” Law pulls him away from her as the others come up to her. Nami pulling her to her feet.
“The new album is so good though Uta-chan. I did shed a few tears,” Nami sobs. Vivi is beside her patting her on the head.
“Congrats, Uta-chan!” Then Vivi’s voice turns into a low whisper. “Send us an exclusive photocard so I can add it to our collection.”
Uta laughs. She’s always amazed at how those two can be so lovestruck with one another.
“Uta-chan! The music video is so pretty and you’re always so gorgeous. My pop princess!” Sanji does his signature twirl and hands her favourite drink, a strawberry soda. As he does another twirl, he’s caught in the arms of the marimo. His grin instantly swaps to a grimace. “What do you want Marimo! You still haven’t bought me the album you promised!”
“We are going to the store tomorrow, quit your complaining. If you weren’t squabbling about the perfect party, we could have gone earlier.” That shuts him up for a while before he throws back another insult and the duo’s bickering is now shelved at the back of Uta’s mind.
“So when’s the next tour?” Luffy chimes in after they settle on the couch, Law on his right and Uta on his left. A plate of meat rests on his lap.
“In Japan? Not so soon but I’m going to Bangkok in 2 weeks and then Manila, Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong and lastly Singapore,” Uta replies munching on her meat skewer.
“Torao, want to go on vacation?” Luffy turns to his boyfriend.
“Two weeks might be a little hard for me to get off work.” Law replies, munching on his own meat skewer.
“Then I’ll ask Ace and Sabo!” Law jumps in surprise as Luffy is already off the couch in search of his brothers. He swiftly wraps his arms around his waist and pulls him back into his lap.
With Luffy still thrashing in his lap, Law turns to Uta and asks: “What about in a month?”
Uta ponders, recalling her schedule. “I’m going to Australia after.”
“What about Australia, Luffy?” Luffy perks up, upon hearing about the vacation destination.
“Let’s go! We get to see the koalas and kangaroos!”
“I can help get you tickets too,” Uta chimes in.
“Really! You’re a lifesaver, Uta. Torao was so bad at ticketing last time.” Law’s hand pinches Luffy’s thigh in retaliation. His boyfriend yelps and jumps out of his grasp. Law easily lets him go.
“Torao! That’s not fair. I’m leaving,” Luffy pouts with childish anger. Law knows Luffy isn’t actually mad so he finds it cute.
“Leaving to the grill?” Law calls him out as his boyfriend stomps off in the direction of the outdoor grill. Law turns to thank Uta for the last time before following in his boyfriend’s footsteps. Uta smiles and watches them go. Law had caught up and looped his arms around Luffy’s shoulders. Luffy was still ignoring him but lets him off, clearly liking the attention.
She was busy watching them and doesn’t notice the couch sinking down beside her. Her attention turns to her father who was nursing a bottle of sake in his hand, probably something he stole from Zoro. Her expression flickers into a slight annoyance but she quickly masks it with a devilish grin.
“Oh. What do I owe the pleasure of my dear father?” Her voice was smeared in fake sarcasm.
“Your dear father hosted such a fun party with all her friends but his daughter wants to sell his precious home and calls him senile. I’m really sad Uta-chan,” Shanks’ voice matches her sarcastic one and his words end with a few crocodile tears.
Uta’s expression falls as she recalls her words. She looks around the crowded room. The laughter from her friends merrily rings. The scent of food wafting through the air. The occasional scuffle for the controller in a fierce battle of ownership. The love in the air was a little sickening to her sometimes but she was so comfortable in the presence of her loved ones.
“Won’t you be lonely? Whenever there isn’t anyone around in this big mansion?” Her voice falters at the end of her sentence.
Shanks studies her for a while as she fiddles with the empty skewer stick in her hand. Then he smiles. “But your friends and my friends are always welcome here to fill up all this space. And this is our home. The place that you’ll return to at the end of the day after all the studio recording, the touring, the performing.”
Her face slowly lights up at the realisation.
“I’ll always be here for you to return home to. After all, it’s the people that make it a home.” Shanks reaches out and ruffles her hair. Uta hadn’t realised how tired she was after hearing what her father said. But despite how tired she was, she was right where she wanted to be. Relief washes over her as she holds back the tears that threaten to fall.
“You’re only saying that cause you want to keep the house right?” Her voice crackles for she did not want to cry at her own party in her own home.
Shanks laughs at her comment. “Congrats on the album and tour, my dear daughter.”
He pulls her into a side hug and Uta buries her head into his chest, drying her eyes with his shirt.
She wasn’t crying!