Chapter Text
The salty breeze of the Grand Line swept through the bustling port town of a spring island, where the towering buildings clashed with the sounds of merchants calling out and the distant roar of waves against the shore. The Straw Hat Pirates had just arrived on the island, their bellies rumbling in anticipation of a good meal after their long voyage. Luffy, of course, was leading the charge, his ever-present enthusiasm pushing the crew forward, off the Going Merry towards the town.
“We need food! I’m starving!” Luffy declared, as he tugged on Nami’s sleeve.
Nami groaned but followed along with a resigned look, and Zoro trailed behind, hands stuffed into his pockets, his usual air of disinterest hanging over him. Sanji followed close behind and Usopp was looking at the town with his eyes wide and filled with wonder. Chopper hopped along beside him, eager to see everything, while Robin, ever calm and collected, glanced at the buildings around her with curiosity.
The town was lively, filled with pirates, travelers, and merchants from all over the Grand Line. The group made their way down cobbled streets, towards the noise of the crowd.
They all found themselves gravitating toward a large, two-story tavern at the edge of the bustling square. The sign above it read “The Golden Goblet,” and the warm light spilling from the windows promised comfort, food, and drink.
“Well, this looks promising,” Zoro remarked, eyeing the sign above the door.
The crew entered, immediately hit with the warmth and noise. The air was thick with smoke and the scent of roasted meat. There was a large bar where patrons shouted over one another, and tables crowded with men laughing loudly, many of them sporting tattoos, scars, and the rough air of seasoned pirates.
Inside, the tavern was a lively, colorful place. The atmosphere was filled with the sound of clinking glasses, loud laughter, and the murmur of conversation. At the center of the room, on a small stage with a glowing spotlight, a jazz band was playing, their music weaving through the air. But what caught their attention was not the lively band or the thick scent of fresh food that wafted from the kitchen—it was you.
A voice so smooth, like honey dripping from a spoon. It wasn’t long before the tavern’s rowdy patrons were all listening, leaning forward in their seats as you sang a ballad, effortlessly flowing through each note. You stepped off the stage, and began to sing towards the patrons of the tavern.
You moved between tables effortlessly, your long hair falling in soft waves as you walked. The dress you wore—tight, low-cut, and revealing—was undoubtedly designed to draw attention, and you received it from every corner of the room. Drunk men leered at you from their tables, their eyes following every step you took, and while you wore a polite smile, your eyes betrayed the exhaustion you felt. You weren’t just a waitress here; you were the star attraction of The Golden Goblet.
But that didn't mean you wanted to be. You hated the way men groped you when the boss was or wasn’t looking, the crude comments thrown at you between orders, and the way you were treated like an object rather than a person. The tips were good, but the cost was too high—your dignity, your safety, and your peace of mind.
Usopp found himself transfixed. His eyes widened as the melody swirled through the air, his heart thudding in his chest. He had heard many singers, but there was something about your voice that made him feel as if the whole world had quieted down just for a moment.
“Wow,” he whispered to no one in particular, his voice full of awe.
The song ended with a flourish, and the crowd erupted in applause. You gave a modest, graceful bow, smiling as you looked out over the tavern, before stepping off the stage and moving fluidly between the tables, collecting empty mugs and food orders.
As the band plays out the beginning of a new song, you slide your microphone on the counter at the bar, exchanging it for a tray of drinks prepared by the bartender. You have three more songs until your next performance. Just enough time to get a few more orders going.
As you approached a table of rowdy sailors, one of the men made a lewd comment that made your stomach turn. You ignored him, placing down a tray of drinks, but your hands were shaking slightly. You wished for something different—anything to escape the constant feeling of being watched, touched, and dehumanized.
"Here you are, gentlemen," you said with a forced smile, trying to push your discomfort aside. "Enjoy your drinks."
Almost as if you were floating, you glided to the next table, swiping up empty mugs.
“Anything else I can get for you, gentlemen? Another round? Dessert?”
“A private evening with you, maybe?” The man leans against his arms on the table, looking up at you. Not at your eyes, of course, but your chest.
You play your acting skills as far as they will take you. Grabbing his empty mug, you force a giggle, “I wish I could, sir, but I’m just so busy here! Maybe you’ll just have to come back and visit.” Not wanting them to stay and talk any longer, you quickly add, “I’ll be back with the check.”
As you quickly pivoted to walk away, you collided with someone. Every glass you had collected comes crashing to the ground. Along with yourself.
“Ah!” you gasped, looking up, only to find yourself face-to-chest with a tall, wild-haired man with a straw hat. His bright eyes stared down at you, a grin on his face that was so wide it could have swallowed the world.
“Oops, sorry!” Luffy said, rubbing his head, clearly oblivious to your distress, but offering a hand.
You don’t take it. Opting to push yourself up to your feet and brushing off your dress. Vowing to never trust a man. The men who come here would absolutely shove you to the ground just to get the opportunity to touch you and play the hero.
“Okay… But hey! You work here, right? We’re hungry! Got any food?”
You blinked, momentarily thrown off by his energy, before nodding with your usual, polite smile. “Yes, we have plenty of food. I’ll take you to a table.”
“Great!” Luffy cheered, already making his way to a round table near the stage, followed by the rest of the crew. Sanji was already eyeing the menu, Zoro and Robin sitting down in silence, and Usopp, eyes wide, looking over you with an unreadable expression.
“[Y/N]” The jarring sound of your boss’s voice cut any thoughts you had about those pirates clean away.
“Yes, sir!” You called back, knowing immediately what he was asking you for. You rushed behind the bar to grab the broom to clean up the mess of shattered glasses from your encounter with the straw hat boy.
Sweeping the glass into a pile by the hostess stand at the front of the tavern, you hear one of those pirates speak up.
“Hey, Luffy!” The blond one starts, “You caused that mess! You’re really just gonna let the pretty lady clean that all up by herself?” He glares at the boy.
“What?!” He fights back, “Doesn’t she, like, get payed for that? Why would I have to clean it up!”
“You have no class,” He rolls his eyes and pushes off the table to scoot his chair back and stands up. Sauntering over to you, he apologizes, “Miss, I’m so sorry for our captain’s behavior. Please, dear, let me clean that up for you,” He places a hand on your broom.
“I’m fine!” You yell, taking a step back. Your volume surprised you, and you glance back to see your boss at the bar, judging your every move.
“I’m sorry,” You say much softer, “It’s my job to take care of you. Just head back to your table and have a seat, I’ll be right with you guys to get you started with drinks,” You smile for a short second before crouching down with the dustpan.
“Absolutely not,” He snatches the dustpan from your hand, you yelping at the contact. “A lady shouldn’t have to squat on the ground to clean up a mess, especially not in this dress you’re wearing. Please, let me take care of it.”
You blink. Shocked at the confident kindness of this stranger. While you’re busy processing, he takes the broom from your other hand and bends down to collect the rest of the mess.
“I can take care of it from here,” You grab the full dustpan and broom, “But, thank you,” you turn without another thought.
“I’m Sanji,” He tries to add, but you’ve already walked off. You dump the glass into the trash bin behind the bar and leave behind the broom to grab your notepad. You rush to take orders from tables, avoiding the reaching hands in the crowd.
You finally reach the table of the straw-hatted boy who had bumped into you and the blond man who cleaned up the mess.
“Hello, folks! Welcome to The Golden Goblet!”, you greet them cheerily, relieved to find two women sitting at the table with them, without a pirate forcing his greedy arms around them, “My name is [Y/N], and I’ll be taking care of you today,” You flip open your notebook to a blank page,
“Could I start you off with something to drink?”
“I want meat!” The straw hat blurts out.
“Luffy! Listen!” The blond knocks Luffy on the head, “Drinks first.”
“Fine…” Luffy mumbles, crossing his arms.
“I’ll just have a water,” The redheaded girl begins the order.
“Me too!” The friendly looking creature next to her adds. The rest of the crew goes around the table, requesting their favorite beverages.
They’re an odd looking bunch, definitely different, for sure. But different in a way you like. It doesn’t feel like anyone is staring at you. You don’t sense the same pressure to perform with them like you do with the regular guests here. They look you in the eyes, they smile, they seem like real people for once.
“I’ll be right back with those drinks!” You rip the page out of your notepad, “Take a look at the menu while I’m gone and you can order when I return,” As you stroll to the bar to place the table’s order, you grab a few plates off the near tables on your way. The band begins to play another tune. You recognize this one in the set. It’s a signal that means you have to return to the stage to perform the next song. You quickly get going, hoping to finish as much work as possible before you next take the stage.
“Drinks for 14,” You say as you place the paper in front of the bartender. You receive a simple “Got it!” from him and take a few more orders from your most recent tables. When you drop the tickets off at the kitchen, you swirl back to the bar and grab the tray labeled “14”.
"Here's your drinks," you say, voice still melodic even in the midst of the chaos. "Anything else I can get for you?"
Usopp was quick to smile, offering a friendly, disarming grin. “You’re amazing up there,” he said, his voice tinged with genuine admiration. “Your singing... it’s like the sea breeze on a perfect day.”
You blinked at him, taken aback by the compliment. Most people were too busy ogling her or making lewd remarks, but Usopp’s words felt different—sincere and respectful. Your expression softened.
“Thank you,” you reply quietly, voice tinged with a faint sadness that didn't go unnoticed.
“I’m Usopp, by the way,” he said, offering a hand. “These are my friends: Luffy, Nami, Chopper, Robin, Zoro, Sanji.”
“Of course! Nice to meet you all,” Your face relaxes, and a genuine smile seems to form on your face. Hearing anyone introduce their “friends” at the tavern is pretty uncommon.
“Are we ready to place an order? I’d like to get the kitchen preparing it before my next—“
“Meat!” Luffy interrupts, “Meat, meat, meat, meat—“ Usopp corrects him, pointing out the specific menu items that everyone had discussed and agreed on while you were gone.
“You’re gonna perform again?” Nami asks, still hung up on your comment.
“Yes..? That’s kinda my job,” You look at her with a puzzled look.
“Sorry, I’m not trying to diminish your talent or anything—“
“Yeah, you’re really great at singing!” Chopper adds.
“And waitressing,” Nami continues, “It’s just…aren’t you a little overworked? You’re the only server in here!”
“She’s got a point,” Zoro comments, “Plus you have to keep taking breaks from your main job to go perform.”
You can’t believe it. These are the only patrons you’ve ever seen in here to care for your wellbeing as a stranger. No one else has ever acknowledged your business. Just as your eyebrows begin to furrow, a hand reaches your shoulder.
“[Y/N],”
You shriek. It’s your boss.
“Mr. Grey! I’m so sorry!” You frantically apologize, hands quickly retreating to your sides.
“You’ve got a job to do…” He grabs the ends of your hair and begins to walk you toward the stage.
“Yes sir! I-I need to pick up my microphone first,” He lets you go, and heads for a seat at the bar to watch over the tavern.
You swipe your microphone from the counter where you had left it, sure to drop off your most recent order at the kitchen window before quickly running to the stage as they begin playing the introduction to a new tune. You climb the steps and make your way center-stage.
You begin softly, sitting on a stool, “Take me,” a soft melody from the guitar joins in, “Away from here,” The whole audience leans towards your glow. Your eyes shut while the music takes over.
“I’m told to live,” Your grip on the mic loosens, “to love,”
Your eyes open. You’re still here. This miserable life you’ve always known. Your eyes pan around. A lively, glowing tavern, rich with laughter, feasts, and conversation. It would be any man’s dream to spend an evening in a place like this. Eyes fixated on the gorgeous Golden Goblet girl centerstage.
“Yet my heart is missing,” But you hate it here. To you, the atmosphere reeks of criticism, harassment, and terror. Your eyes search and search the sea of sin around you. Hoping to find something–anything–different. But it’s all the same. Whether the customers are returning or new, they’re all alike deep down. Nothing ever changes around here. Except the requirements for your job since you turned 18.
Your eyes continue to search frantically. Desperate to find the youth you once had.
“Take me,” Finally, your eyes land on Table 14. Maybe there was something different, “Anywhere,” Those pirates. You’ve never had an interaction like the one you had with them today. Things have changed.
“And maybe one day,” The atmosphere seems to change too. The glow and laughter of the tavern that everyone else claims to feel is finally here. A bright light leads your eyes to that table. A light in his eyes. You couldn’t help but notice the way Usopp was glancing your way. He was trying to be subtle about it, but you could feel the weight of his gaze. It was different than the usual eyes that landed on you.
He was the one who had caught your eye the most. There was something warm about the way he smiled, and the way his hands rested on the table, almost like he was trying to look confident despite the nervous twitch of his fingers. That comment he made earlier today won’t make its way out of your head. You’ve never heard something so simple and poetic in years.
“We will find it there,” Your legs shift, turning to face the table of pirates who treated you so kindly.
You can’t quite make out what they’re saying, but you continue to sing your song in their direction.
Robin is the first to say anything, “Have any of you been paying attention to these lyrics?”
“Yeah! That’s definitely a cry for help,” Sanji turns away from you to face his table in conversation.
“No, no way. Have you seen that creepy boss lurking around? There’s no chance she could get away with sneaking some code into a song like that, right?” Nami says as she glances toward the bar. Your boss is holding a mug of beer, with three empty glasses beside him.
Usopp doesn’t dare look away from your eye contact. Convinced that your safety is in danger if he loses the lock his gaze has with yours, “No,” His brows begin to curl, “You’re wrong,”
“But–”
“Just look at her!” They all turn their heads to face the stage once again.
You gently stand up, preparing to sing the final chorus. Hands lingering on the stool, you long for its safety as you step towards the edge of your platform. Your steps down the stairs are rhythmic, following the tune playing on the bass.
“Take my,” You flow through the tavern, circling tables just the way you had rehearsed, “Heart of Gold,” Following the same routine you do for every song, full circle around Table 5, halfway around 4, between 2 and 3, another full circle around Table 1.
“Melt it down,” But your eyes never part from those Straw Hat Pirates.
“Sell my heart,” You dodge the hands swiping for your body as you pass, all too used to the rhythm, “For all it’s worth,” You skip the next few tables in your choreographed path, determined to reach the edge of the tavern you’ve been longing to discover.
As you approach the table, your hand reaches out, and your delicate fingers brush across Luffy’s shoulder. He looks up at you and smiles.
“Buy me a ticket,” Your gaze lingers on that stretched out smile, until your digits find Sanji’s back, and your eyes snap to his, “Out of this town,” He melts under your touch, but your hand pulls away much too soon for his liking.
“Take me anywhere,” You step towards Usopp, his eyes still looking at you with the same sparkle he shared when he arrived. His soul seems to burn with yours.
“Take my Heart of Gold,” Your hand follows the warmth, drawn to his flame. Your soft fingers make their way to his chin, the hairs of his young face gently scratch your fingers, slowing them down with friction yet sending life to the embers that tingle in your chest.
“And show me yours,” Your hands follow that blazing feeling in your heart, tilting his jaw up toward you. Swiftly, you place a delicate kiss to his cheek, and that fire ignites into an inferno of hope. Your dreams of one day escaping this place seems to glow right in front of you.
Suddenly, waves crash, and your flame is extinguished.
The whole tavern seems to roar, and the sea of pirates seems to sweep you under its current. Everyone is upset. The Golden Goblet’s star girl, who wouldn’t let a single man touch her or take her home, happily trailed over to a table of newcomers and gave them the attention everyone else had been begging her for.
The tide rises, and you return to reality. Glasses crash against tables, plates begin to shatter in your direction.
“You damn dead weight woman!”
Without warning, your boss has already grabbed a hold of your hair, and your mic drops to the floor, broadcasting the sound of porcelain smashing against the wooden floors.