[And then watching that fidgeting again with naked interest again.]
[And the cigars flat out snap in half, pretty much like Smoker's self-control when Ace says he really needs him.]
[He throws on his coat, literally heads to his bike, and lights a fesh set of cigars when he's in the garage, revving things up.]
All right, do you want me to come over or are you just--?
[RED RED RED.]
[HUFF.]
I know I said I'd give you direction but... [Snorts and shakes his head.] I can't. Not if you're going to be that...
[Huff puff.]
[Focusing on the cigars. Breathe. Gotta be steady enough to drive.]
Portgas, I wasn't kidding when I said you pretty much set my world on fire and wrote your name in the ashes.
I'm not good with words. I just... do what I want. You know?
[Kicks his feet into gear.]
I compartmentalize too. Don't try so hard.
I wasn't ever jealous over Faye, you know? I stepped aside for Namur, but he had a promise to someone and her on another world, I stepped aside for another guy who disappeared, and then Aizawa had a massive crush on her, and I stepped aside for him too, but he was worried he'd leave her and she'd be worse than ever. Go figure.
But you? Every time you're honest with me, real with me, fucking trust me... [CLOSES HIS EYES AND TAKES A DEEP BREATH before blowing a cloud of smoke directly up.] You blow me away, Portgas. In those moments if you asked me to find you some rare exotic flower, or level a mountain with my bare fists, or go diving exploring the ocean with Namur, I'd do it. All of it. Any of it.
The only times I stop overthinking are when I run on instinct with you. It's a little harder than before in some ways, and a little easier in others. I don't blend everything at once as well as you. You're honestly better at a lot of this shit than I am, and being older isn't enough to make up for it. So if you want to know how to lead me on a leash? You've got it. But I'm not as acrobatic as you. I don't switch gears well. It takes me longer than you to catch up to you. So really serious shit, you can distract me from if you want to. But if you want to deal with it, don't mix both in or I'll go insane.
More insane.
[Small grin.] Does that help?
So yeah, I can talk... anything you want. But if you'd rather fuck, I'm down for that too. But I'll pretty much be useless until I settle down and switch gears back to thinking. [Waves a hand.] I'm this way about work and fighting too. It's another reason I chose bikes. I don't get so absorbed I can't be interrupted.
[video] / [locked]
[And then watching that fidgeting again with naked interest again.]
[And the cigars flat out snap in half, pretty much like Smoker's self-control when Ace says he really needs him.]
[He throws on his coat, literally heads to his bike, and lights a fesh set of cigars when he's in the garage, revving things up.]
All right, do you want me to come over or are you just--?
[RED RED RED.]
[HUFF.]
I know I said I'd give you direction but... [Snorts and shakes his head.] I can't. Not if you're going to be that...
[Huff puff.]
[Focusing on the cigars. Breathe. Gotta be steady enough to drive.]
Portgas, I wasn't kidding when I said you pretty much set my world on fire and wrote your name in the ashes.
I'm not good with words. I just... do what I want. You know?
[Kicks his feet into gear.]
I compartmentalize too. Don't try so hard.
I wasn't ever jealous over Faye, you know? I stepped aside for Namur, but he had a promise to someone and her on another world, I stepped aside for another guy who disappeared, and then Aizawa had a massive crush on her, and I stepped aside for him too, but he was worried he'd leave her and she'd be worse than ever. Go figure.
But you? Every time you're honest with me, real with me, fucking trust me... [CLOSES HIS EYES AND TAKES A DEEP BREATH before blowing a cloud of smoke directly up.] You blow me away, Portgas. In those moments if you asked me to find you some rare exotic flower, or level a mountain with my bare fists, or go diving exploring the ocean with Namur, I'd do it. All of it. Any of it.
The only times I stop overthinking are when I run on instinct with you. It's a little harder than before in some ways, and a little easier in others. I don't blend everything at once as well as you. You're honestly better at a lot of this shit than I am, and being older isn't enough to make up for it. So if you want to know how to lead me on a leash? You've got it. But I'm not as acrobatic as you. I don't switch gears well. It takes me longer than you to catch up to you. So really serious shit, you can distract me from if you want to. But if you want to deal with it, don't mix both in or I'll go insane.
More insane.
[Small grin.] Does that help?
So yeah, I can talk... anything you want. But if you'd rather fuck, I'm down for that too. But I'll pretty much be useless until I settle down and switch gears back to thinking. [Waves a hand.] I'm this way about work and fighting too. It's another reason I chose bikes. I don't get so absorbed I can't be interrupted.