Two Popular Men

Sorry yall, it just takes a long time to come up with shit completely off my noggin, ya know? Anyway. Heres a chapter off my noggin.---

The guide and I walked down a few halls that I tried to memorize in case I was able to sneak away toward Sanji's room later. The pawn guy was marching alongside me, sharply turning at corners. I wonder why Big Mom chose chess pieces as a costume for these guys.

"So, any news on the blondie since he got here?" I asked the pawn, a little bored from the silence.

He looked to me and then forward, "On the way here, he was confronted by Straw Hat Luffy and Cat Burglar Nami. He was said to have one-sidedly fight his former captain. The revenge army for Cracker-sama should be heading to Straw Hat now."

My eyes widened, "What.... I didn't know he'd go that far..." I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He left the crew. Now he finally got the chance beat up the kid who continued to steal food from the kitchen.

"This is Sanji's door! I will be waiting outside to safely return you to your room," the little man informed me.

I nodded and stood in front of the wooden door. I could hear him talking behind it, though it was muffled. I reached forward and pushed the door open, letting myself in. Just as I did, he hit his palm into his fist, saying, "Yea! I can't make a lovely girl like her sad! I have to be my usual self! I'm the love cook! Pudding-cha-" He nearly fell over when he spotted me standing in the doorway.

"...Continue, don't let me stop you from your love claiming," I waved a hand to motion him to go on.

"(y-y/n)-san? When did you get here? Why are you in the castle?" he asked, his visible eye wide as he stared at me.

"Apparently I'm watching you accept your future wife," I replied half jokingly. I don't know why, but I can feel a trace of irritation at him. He's just coming to terms with his situation, plus, she's a woman, of course he'd happily marry her if she wanted to. I'm the one who need to come to terms with his personality.

He grabbed at the cigarette in his mouth and took two more intakes of smoke. When I opened the door earlier, he had just stopped walking, so I'm guessing that he was pacing. He's stressing out. Of course he is, (y/n), he's being forced to be married you idiot. "(y/n)-san, I'm not joking, why are you in the castle?" he repeated with concern deeply laced in his voice.

I closed the door behind me and I crossed the room, sitting down on the couch placed in the middle of it. "Big Mom has taken an interest in me, and so I was brought here by your sister, Reiju. She's beautiful by the way. Your sister, not Big Mom," I clarified.

This caused him to take a few more inhales of his cigarette while his free hand clutched at his hair. "She said she'd spare all of you and let you leave..." he seemed almost panicked.

"What do you mean? Who?" I asked.

He shook his head, "Nothing. What does she want to do with you?"

"She's gonna try to marry me off," I replied truthfully.

"WHAAAAAT?!" the man screeched, breaking his cigarette and becoming red in the face as his swirly brows furrowed.

I raised a brow, "What're you getting so worked up about? You do know that you're literally going through the same thing, right?"

"NO! I mean YES! Why wasn't I told of this?! What the hell?! None of that is okay!" he stressed, clutching at his blond hair and facing away from me, talking to the air.

"Then why the hell are you in here convincing yourself that staying is the best option for everyone?" I shot back at him.

He spun around to look at me and yelled, "Because I'm trying to keep everyone safe!" His eye widened and he placed a hand over his mouth. I was staring at him in shock. Did Sanji just yell at me? He frowned and staggered back a bit, saying, "Sorry... I'm sorry. I just... need to stay. I need to stay in order to save everyone. And I need all of you to realize that."

I rubbed my temples and stood up, startling him. "We all already know you want to come back and you're doing this to protect us. We're not that dumb, Sanji. I don't need you to spell it out. What we want YOU to understand is that we don't WANT you to protect us. By the end of this, no one is getting married unless they want to. If you really want to marry Pudding, then just bring her on the ship," I ranted.

"I won't- I wouldn't bring her," he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Oh yea, because its dangerous, huh?" I hummed in realization.

"...No, I didn't even think of that," he mumbled in what seemed like surprise. He brought his hand away from his face and stared at it like he was having an epiphany. He then looked at me, like he'd figured something out, like he was sure of whatever it was.

I looked back at him, then I started walking towards the door, "Well I'm glad you didn't deny we're getting out of here. Make sure you're ready for whatever crazy things happen next. My room's a little ways away from yours. Feel free to come find it if you need."

I was forced to stop walking when a hand grabbed hold of one of mine. Turning around, I looked at the swirly browed blond. "Did... did Big Mom assign you to marry anyone yet?" he questioned.

"No, she didn't. With all the foreshadowing so far though, I think it may be a really huge guy. Some brat told me he's too old for me, but it's legal. I can do what I want. Not that I want to," I told him.

He sighed, "Of course you'd joke in a time like this."

I scratched my cheek awkwardly, "Right, I'm joking. I'm not into older men even a little bit."

He raised a brow, and we stared at each other in silence. I smiled awkwardly. He let out a little laugh. "I'll definitely find your room later, (y/n)-san. I need to go tell Pudding-chan something now," he smiled warmly.

I smiled normally right back, "Alright, I'll wait up for you, unless Luffy finds me first. And make sure to tell me about why you're wearing those weird bracelets next time."

He nodded and let go of my hand. I hugged him to me, then I opened the door, giving him a little wave before heading out and closing it behind me. I looked to the chess piece that was supposed to be to the right of the door. He looked to me and the two of us walked down the halls back to my room.

~~~

"Yes, yes, Mama wants you to change your clothes!" a maid said, showing me a dress.

I sweatdropped, "There's not other dresses? Like, longer ones? What in the Nami Fanservice is that piece of clothing?" I motioned to it dramatically.

"You have to wear this one, (y/n)-sama! Mama picked this dress... She's decided on who you'll be marrying! She set you to meet with him in about 20 minutes!" the woman chimed.

"Alright alright, give it to me," I sighed. She happily handed it to me, and I threw off my clothes and put on the dress. I looked back at her, seeing that she caught all my flying clothes magically. "Can you at least get me some shorts or something to go under this?"

She smiled and nodded, leaving soon after. I sat on my bed and rubbed my face. I'm pretty sure it's gonna be that huge guy. I dunno how she expects me to have children with him but she said it should work after whatever project Caesar was working on. It's got to be some kind of shrinking thing. Or maybe I'd get bigger? Hmm... I mean I can get pretty big if I take in a bunch of metal or hallow myself out, but I can't go back to flesh and skin in that size. I wish it worked that way.

I was so lost in thought that I didn't even realize the maid was back. She handed me the shorts and I put them on under the dress skirt. "Thanks. Are you gonna lead me to wherever that guy is?" I hummed, sitting back down.

"Yes I am! And please do not refer to him as 'that guy' in the presence of members of the family, it will most likely get messy...." she warned, trying to sound as respectful as she could.

I smiled and nodded, "Alright, sounds good to me. Sorry for making you uncomfy."

"No no, it's fine! I truly hope your marriage with Katakuri goes well so I can be one of your main maids. You are one of the nicest women to step food on this island!" she chirped happily. Her eyes widened. "My goodness! I forgot! It was supposed to be a surprise!"

"Aw, at this point I should just marry you," I joked. "Plus I could guess it was him anyway." She giggled and opened the door, so I walked out.

We walked side by side down the halls and eventually made it into a strange dome-like room that had the sky painted on it with clouds. Plus, there was grass on the ground and some other plants, like bushes and flowers. It looked like a kid's wonderland.

"It's a pretty room, isn't it?" she asked. "It's one of my favorites to visit."

"You've got favorite rooms?" I asked as I sat down at a chair that she so nicely pulled out for me.

"Of course I do. A girl's got to keep her sanity somehow," she mused.

I tipped my chair back slightly as a kind of fidgety motion, "A girl? Damn, I must be an infant then."

"WOW! Don't be bratty with me!" she gasped, her hand on her chest. She was middle aged at most. It's not like she looked old, though.

My chair almost tipped all the way over but I grabbed onto the ridiculously huge table. Must be this big because of Katakuri. "I'm kiddingggg... You're great, lady. What's your name, anyway?" I asked.

"Oh I'm S-" (this isn't for suspense. I just couldn't think of a name)

The door to the room opened. We both looked over there in a hurry. It was Katakuri in all his giant scarfed glory. "I'll talk to you later," I whispered to the woman.

She nodded and whispered back, "Okay... good luck...? People will be in to drop off food soon." Then she scurried out of there.

Katakuri made it over to the table I was at and sat in the larger chair across from me. I sucked my lips in awkwardly and tapped my foot on the floor. "So uh... hey," I greeted with a small wave.

"Hello," he replied. "Were you informed of why we are having this meeting?" I didn't even get to actually say anything before he said, "So you have."

"How do you keep knowing what I'm about to say? It's kinda irritating," I huffed, leaning my elbow against the table.

He stared at me for a second and then spoke, "It's an ability of mine. You're very informal. I'm surprised Mama hasn't attempted to correct it."

I shrugged, "Well she wants a Celestial, and I'm the closest thing she'll get without having too much problems. She'll probably look over a bunch of things I do since she's heard I'm difficult enough as is."

"She has. Though the pardoning will stop when lines are crossed," he informed.

I waved my hand, "I know I know. So... why did we have to meet anyway? It's not like us not getting along would stop her from wedding us, right?"

He nodded, "You're correct. The answer is simply formalities."

I nodded and tapped my chin. One of his eyebrows raised. I ignored it and raised my own brow, leaning back in my seat. "Soooo she mentioned kids. How would that work? I'm 100% sure that none of what you have in your pants is right now is coming anywhere near me. I'll conjure whatever power I need in order to avoid it."

The magenta haired man rubbed at his temples, mumbling, "I saw you saying this. I can't believe you really did."

"I am an enigma," I flatly said, waving my hands around sarcastically.

"....I'd agree," he responded, staring into me. "Mama has been paying Caesar to make a gigantification drug. Since he's here now, that must be why we were paired together."

"Oh... How is that even possible...?" I mumbled, rubbing my chin.

He sank a little in his chair in thought, closing his eyes with his arms crossed. "I don't believe it is. Caesar was probably lying to Mama about his success in the experiments in order to keep his life. If he doesn't have a break through in the next two weeks, he won't be able to lie any further," he explained.

"That definitely sounds like Caesar. I bet he's sweating his ass off right now," I chuckled to myself. Then I focused on the man in front of me and raised a brow, "How tall are you anyway?"

"I don't know," he flatly stated. He opened his eyes again and looked down to me, "Yes, my eyes and hair are the same color."

"....ok thanks. Why didn't you make that tattoo on your chest the same color as your hair and eyes then?" I asked.

"Why should I?"

I scratched my head, "I mean, fair enough. How long is this little meeting anyway? No offense but you're super dry, buddy."

He shifted in his seat, "It ends whenever one of my siblings calls for me."

I sighed and shook my head, "Alright. What's up with your scarf then? I can see stitches coming from the side of your-"

"It's none of your business," he interrupted, his eyes sharper than before.

I couldn't help but shrink back into my seat at his look. "Sorry... I didn't think it'd be a touchy subject. I guess I should have known since you literally have a scarf covering your mouth. Unless it's not your mouth. Other parts of your face are under there, obviously. Your neck is under there too. It could really be anyt-"

"Stop talking," he grunted. I coughed awkwardly and stopped. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. Then I heard what I could have swore was a huff of amusement. "It's fine. You're fine."

"I'm fine?" I repeated. "Yea, I agree," I joked, trying to shake off the feeling of guilt I had a second ago. He shook his head at me. I leaned my elbows on the table in front of me and continued, "You're pretty fine too."

He didn't get the chance to say anything because a bunch of guys came in, all in chef attire. They've got good timing. I wiggled my fingers at them with a grin and watched as they set down... food with faces on it. And by food, I mean sweets. I'm all for eating sugar, but I need my proteins too. I'm a growing woman.

The tea containers hopped toward me and asked which one I wanted, and I chose green tea, which made the regular tea container cry out in despair. Once I got my tea, which wasn't alive, I looked to Katakuri who glared at all the singing desserts at the table, making them shut up.

"Wow, it's like you read my mind," I chirped, taking in the irony of what I said. His eyes closed and I could see one of his scars move. He's smirking or half smiling. Something like that because it moved up, not stretch down.

"You're amusing, Silver Goddess (y/n)," he voiced.

"Thanks," I replied. I noticed that they didn't put any food in front of this huge guy. It must be a known fact about whatever was under his scarf is a sensitive topic. Something he doesn't want to show even when he needs to eat.

"Why are you staring at me so intensely?" he questioned.

"You don't already know?" I shot back.

"I didn't see you saying anything until I did," he said.

I rolled my eyes, "It was a joke Einstein. What if I just like to look at you?"

He sighed while I just looked at the weird little roll cake that was smiling up at me. I was literally just saying that it was weird to eat singing food when I met big mom. Maybe she read my mind too. I awkwardly cut the little cake in half and just ate it.

Katakuri looked at me for a second before saying, "No, I did not know that Flampe visited your room. What did she say?"

"She has forbidden me from being with you, of course," I mused, eating more of this cake roll thing. It's actually really good. I'm guessing it'd have to be, considering they serve under Big Mom.

"She did that?" he furrowed his brows.

"Yup. Isn't she a ray of sunshine?" I chuckled. "She had convinced herself that she could go to Big Mom and change her mind. Seems that she never got the chance."

"BIG BRO KATAKURI~!"

"Speak of the devil," I muttered to him.

He gave me a look of amusement and then stood up, looking at the teenager who imposed on our little meeting. "What do you need, Flampe?" he asked the girl who was surrounded by a bunch of what I would guess are her followers.

She blew a bubble in her gum before smiling brightly at him, "I need you to overlook something for me. Could you do that, please~?"

He stared down at her, then looked at me. "Make sure you stay on the island. You've got potential that shouldn't be on the opposing side of my family," he said. Then he looked to Flampe. "Lead me."

I wiggled my fingers at the little brat that led him away. She looked soooo frustrated that it made me happy.

---Man wtf... I literally started this like.... 5 days ago. Like that authors note at the top was such a long time ago LMAO. I'm also kinda afraid of catching up to Wano cuz IDK what's gonna happen like I do in other arcs so I can't. plan. Ya know?Here's some fan service pictures to make up for my lost time 😌(I left the tiktok name on the Zoro one so u could go see this vid if u must)

What? Did u think I'd give u the whole collection? No bb.