Cute awkward blonde ahead
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The heat out on the deck was blistering, the clothes you wore stuck to your skin as you worked on the new ship.

Many a man in Water 7 had either taken cover in the shade or stayed inside on such a hot and hazy day.

Not these men, no.

These were some of the most precise workers you had ever worked with.

You wiped sweat from your forehead, pulling your h/c hair back into the tight bandana that wrapped around your head.

"Y/n! Come on and hurry up we're getting a ten minute break!"

The relief that washed over you was immense, the heat was getting to you.

You make your way over with the other workers, huddling around a bucket of cold water.
"So who gets the first sip?"
"I do obviously! I've done the most work around here!"
"Bullhocky you have! You're the one that ruined my hammer!"
"That wasn't me you imbecile!"

"That's enough!"

A deep and gruff voice sounded out through the small crowd, smoke billowing from his lips.
"Miss L/n will take the first drink, you animals can wait your turn."

You smiled and chuckled as you stepped forward to drink, enjoying the cool liquid running down your dry throat.

"Paulie, always the gentleman.."
"Gentleman my deep fried a-"
"Don't talk like that around a woman you morons!"

The crowd hushed, your face turning a bright pink as you stepped back, allowing the men to all take their share of the water.

Paulie's eyes met yours for a brief moment, a small smile flashing across his tan face as he turned.

"I'll be back with Iceburg..if these bafoons cause you any trouble just let me know."

He winked, walking back in the direction he came.

You blushed slightly, the hairs on your arms pricking up as he glanced back one final time.

You bit your lip slightly and hummed, resuming your work as the others carried on.

'Y/n come on now...let's get realistic here.."

You brushed it from your mind for the remaining of the hour, it only recurring when you stopped to pace yourself.

"Y/n, come on now.."

You shook your head, stretching slightly.

'Can't help it..goddammit! I really can't help it..so awkward and cute...'

Your cheeks lit up in red, eyes wandering around as you clattered to the other side of the frame of the ship.

You shook your head, beating up a few boards and nails before the day ended.

Everyone sorted out, packing and stacking the boxes up before they all left.

You walked down the way you'd always come, passing by Paulie and Iceburg.

You his your face, looking down at the ground and walking as quickly as you could down the way.

However you didn't get far, someone's hand on your shoulder stopped you and you turned around to a grinning Iceburg.

"Y/n! It's been awhile since I've seen you, sorry about that."

You shake your head.

"No no! Its okay Iceburg, you're the mayor I can get that you get busy."
"Oh yeah..I am the mayor."

He smiled, picking his nose a bite before flicking it away and standing back at attention.

"So...do you need me for something Iceburg?"
"Hmm? Oh yes! I was wondering if you'd help Paulie with something right about now."
"R-right now?"
"Right now."

You blinked and adjusted the bag on your shoulder.

"Uh...okay...what is it exactly?"
"Just helping me rearrange my office a bit, move my desk and all of those little accessories.."

'Uh huh..little my sunbleached ass..'

"Think you're up to it?"

You glance over to Paulie, his cigar held tightly between his frowning lips.

"Sure..."
"Fantastic, come with me!"

He lead you back up to Paulie, grabbing him and walking towards the office space.

"Now, the desk needs to be in the middle, I can't have it all angled on the wall my paperwork piles up too much."

You glanced over at a distraught Paulie, a blank expression plastered on his tan face.

"...got it?"

You snapped back to attention.
"Um...yes...desk in the middle and files and yup.."

You stepped forward and sigh as your shoulders droop.

"Alright, I'll be back in a few hours to check up on you both."

He quickly deserted the room, leaving the two of you alone.

"So...desk in the middle.."
"That's all I got from the rambling.."

You heard something pop,around to watch as he cracked his back and discarded his jacket.

You turned to the desk, licking your lips as you quickly grabbed the papers from the surface and placed them on the floor.

You yawned and hummed, wiping the wooden surface off clean before shoving it a bit.

"Come on Paulie, get the other end of the desk.."

He raised an eyebrow, grabbing the other end of the desk and quickly picking it up as you did the same.

"Okay..start walking..towards the middle.."

He backed up carefully, glancing back at you for approval as he made it to the middle of the room.

"That's about right.."
"It better be just right, I'm not doing this again.."

You chuckled, resting your arms across your chest as he did the same.

He leaned against the desk, closing his eyes as his mouth twitched slightly.

"You okay Paulie?"
"Hmm...oh yeah..I'm fine.."

You nod, humming quietly as you go to drag a filing cabinet across the carpet to set beside the desk.

"Y/n, don't do that.."
"Why not? I'm just trying to get done faster.."

You stumbled a bit, nearly losing the grip on the filing cabinet and falling.

"Well that's one reason..I don't need you hurting yourself.."
"Well I'm doing more work than you're doing.."

You heard him grunt, a small from plastered in your face as you were shoved gently to the side.

"Doing more work than me, I do more work than you do in a day than you could accomplish in a week.."

He picked the cabinet from the floor, setting it down beside the desk with ease.

You chuckle silently as he picks the other one up, setting it beside the other and propping himself up against the wall.

You grab Iceburg's chair, scooting it behind the desk and quickly sorting the papers back across his desk.

"There, now we got done within an hour..."
"Uh huh..."

You frown slightly, averting your eyes to your lap and fiddling with your hands.

You heard the door open, Iceburg popping his head into the room.

"Looks much better in here now, thank the both of you."

You got up from the chair and smile slightly, making your way out the door, Paulie not far behind.

"Remember to be back here tomorrow first thing in the morning Paulie, we have those other passenger ships to look over.."

A grunt filled in the soon following silence of the office door closing.

You followed the blonde out, walking beside him in the cool night air.

"So..y/n..you mind if I walk you home?"
"I mean..I don't mind.."

You could feel the heat from his cheeks.

"No I mean like Its dark out and it wouldn't be very safe for a pretty lady- I mean nice lady!- like yourself to walk all the way home-!"
"Paulie.."

You raised an eyebrow, a small smile forming on your lips.

"You okay?"
"Um..yes..I think so.."
"Uh huh.."

He stopped walking, chewing on the rolled tobacco in his mouth.

"Actually no..I'm not okay..not really anyway..."
"Oh, well what's wrong?"

You stood in front of him, looking at him.

"Well...you see I like this girl.. She's stubborn and sweet and really pretty..but.."
"But what?"

You raise an eyebrow, hands secured to your hips.

"But I don't know how to tell her how I feel.."
"Well...why don't you try telling her?"
"I..I'm not sure how she'll react and..I don't want things to be awkward.."
"Well..if you like her that much then you should tell her no matter what she may think."

He nods and breathes in as his eyes close.

"Okay...okay I'll tell her.."

You smile. "Good."

"...u-um...y/n."

Your cheeks heated up, your eyes widening.

'You awkward little shit, you better not say what I think you're about to...'

"You see, uh, I was going to tell you earlier but I didn't want to have to put all that pressure on you with those workers and people around so..I uh...I love you. A lot."

His eyes opened, his cheeks darker and redder than you've ever seen.

'You....you...you cute fuck..'
You frown looking up at him.

"I know um..I'm sorry-"
"Dammit Paulie! I was going to tell you first but here you are being all awkward and stuff and my heart literally can't take all this cute!"

He blinked down at you, mouth twitching up slightly.

"S-so...so you love me too?"
"Of course I do you tangled bunch of ropes!"

His smile spread across his face as he picked you up, pressing a soft kiss to your lips, your arms wrapping around his neck.

"You're too much sometimes..."
"You work too much sometimes."
"Good point, but you're a large part of my work schedule..."

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Sorry if this is complete shit. C: mamas breaking down rn