Qualities Of A Lover

Luffy and the girls entered the house after Caria left.

"That was exhausting."

Rindo collapsed on the first couch she saw. She was lying face down with her previously groomed hair a mess. Daisy sat next to her and started fixing her hair.

"Hahaha, I can't believe we were found out on the first day."

Unlike Rindo she was all smiles.

"I told you this plan was gonna fail."

Elder Nyon sat on a chair.

"I thought it was gonna be an all-out war."

"What are you guys talking about? It was fun. We got to eat a lot of food and met some strong people."

Luffy stood with his hands folded behind his head and a huge smile on his face.

"I'm glad you had fun, Luffy."

Hancock smiled lovingly at Luffy for a bit before looking away.

"I guess even you can't overlook everything that happened."

Elder Nyon spoke to her.

"That Tate guy and his sidekick are planning something and I don't like we don't know what it is."

"They don't look hostile though. Then again, they are men so they can't be trusted."

Ran said while she took Hancock's jacket from her and hung it up.

"Come on, guys. I said they're good people. Isn't that enough?"

"Of course it is, Luffy!"

Hancock skipped to the frowning Luffy's side with heart eyes.

"If Luffy says they're good people then we'll trust them!"

"No, we will not, you stupid little girl!"

Elder Nyon shouted.

"What, you walking corpse? Are you doubting Luffy's judgment?"

Hancock popped up in front of Elder Nyon and looked down at her with a glare.

"Of course I am, and you should too!"

"Doubt my man? What a blasphemous thing to say!"

"Listen, you fool blinded by love! Just listening to everything your partner says isn't proof of love, it's the behavior of a slave!"

Elder Nyon's eyes widened and she covered her mouth the second she realized what she said. She looked at Hancock's face.

"I am no slave."

Hancock's calm voice shocked her. Her eyes were bright and showed no signs of turmoil.

"I am just a woman in love."

"I-I see."

Elder Nyon's tensed body started to relax.

"Even so, if you truly care about someone you can't just agree with everything they say to please them. If they're wrong you need to be firm and let them know. If they're straying from their path you need to guide them, with force if necessary. A woman who loves a man will help him become a better person any way she can."

Elder Nyon poked Hancock's chest.

"It's alight to doubt your lover's judgment, there's nothing wrong with voicing your concerns regarding their actions. After all, the source of your doubt is the love you have for them. It's also born from your desire to protect them."

She locked eyes with Hancock.

"Doubt them, talk to them, understand them, and guide them. You must do these four things if you truly want the best for them."

"......"

Hancock looked at Elder Nyon in silence. She lifted her hand in front of Elder Nyon's face.

"Huh?"

She flicked Elder Nyon's forehead with such force she was thrown to the grown.

"Ow ow ow!"

Elder Nyon rolled on the ground holding her head.

"You little—You used haki!"

She looked up at Hancock with a glare. Her glare softened when she saw Hancock's face. She showed no obvious emotion and only looked down on Elder Nyon with a peculiar gaze. Elder Nyon didn't know why, but the vibe she was getting from Hancock extinguished her anger.

"That was calling me a slave."

Hancock turned away from Elder Nyon.

"I'm sorry about the noise, Luffy~! I hope you weren't annoyed?"

"No, I'm good. Did you make up?"

"Ah, don't worry about that. We have that kind of relationship."

"Oh, so like Zoro and Sanji? Cool, then you're super close!"

"......"

Elder Nyon looked at Hancock as she was helped up by Sweetpea.

"Well, I guess I deserved that flick."

She mumbled.

"Luffy."

Hancock looked at Luffy with a serious expression.

"Do you really trust those people?"

"I do."

Luffy nodded without hesitation.

"Can I ask why?"

"Because they gave us food and a place to stay."

"Is that all?"

"Do you need more of a reason to trust someone?"

Luffy looked genuinely confused.

"Yes, I do. I'm responsible for everybody's lives, so I can't afford to trust people when I know they're scheming something. I especially can't trust they won't try to hurt you."

"I'll be fine. I'm strong after all. Also, I don't think they want to hurt us."

"How do you know?"

"Hmm, a gut feeling I guess."

(Is it perhaps his instincts?)

Hancock thought. She looked into his eyes. There were no traces of doubt.

"Fine, I'll believe your judgment."

She smiled.

"I'll believe in you so if things go south please step up and help me."

"Of course. I will always protect you, Hancock."

Luffy's innocent smile caused Hancock's chest to tighten and her face to become flushed.

"Thank you."

"Look at them having a grand time."

Elder Nyon grumbled while Aphelandra put a Band-Aid over a large bump on her forehead.

"It looks like things are going as planned though, Elder Nyon."

Ran whispered in Elder Nyon's ear.

"What are you talking about? We were found out."

"No, I'm talking about the plan to make the Snake Princess and Luffy get closer."

"Ah, I forgot about that."

She frowned.

(With the way this woman has been treating me I don't really feel motivated to help her love life though.)

She watched as Hancock spoke with Luffy with a gentle expression and slightly blushed cheeks.

"Tsk! Why did God make her so pretty? She should've given her looks that match her personality."

She grumbled.

"Hey, Luffy!"

"Hm? What's up, Granny?"

Hancock glared at Elder Nyon for disturbing her time with Luffy.

"How did you like the town?"

"It seemed cool. The "everybody having the same presence" thing was strange but other than that the town looked cool."

"I see. Then why don't you good have a look around? I saw a few of those water horses you like walking around town. Maybe if you go in town you can ride one."

"That's a great idea!"

Luffy's eyes started sparkling. He looked at Hancock.

"Let's go in town, Hancock!"

"B-But it's dangerous. We're in enemy territory."

"It's fine."

Elder Nyon interjected.

"You've already decided to trust Luffy's judgment, didn't you? Then you don't have anything to worry about. If that mayor truly means us no harm then he won't reveal our true identities to the public. As long as nobody knows we're pirates then we can do as we please."

"See, Hancock? It will be fine! Besides, this is an island we've never been to before! We should explore it and find all kinds of fun stuff to do!"

Luffy was overly eager to go out.

"Okay. Let's go then."

"Alright!"

Luffy was jumping from happiness.

"Alright, everyone let's--"

"Oh, we're not going."

Elder Nyon cut off Hancock.

"Huh?"

"You see, because of a certain someone hitting my head I feel a bit light-headed. I'm an old woman so I'll need people to help look after me when I'm unwell."

"And you want all the girls to do that?"

Elder Nyon shrugged.

"What can I say? I'm a needy person."

"Alright, it will be just you and me, Hancock!"

Luffy held onto Hancock's arm.

"Y-Yeah. Looks like it."

Hancock was flustered.

(Just me and Luffy? Doesn't that mean it's a d-d-date?!)

Her eyes started spinning in her head.

"My first date with Luffy in 6 months. I need to prepare!"

"That's a good idea."

Elder Nyon grinned.

"Daisy redo their disguises but this time let's add a bit more flavor."

"Yes, Elder Nyon!"

Daisy's eyes sparkled as she popped out brushes from out of nowhere and slowly approached the two. Elder Nyon's smile widened as Daisy started working her magic.