Saturday, Luffy and I went on a date. We found ourselves in the Central park of the city. We walked through the park and looked around.

"Right in front of the giant fountain is where Dad proposed to Mom. It was on the Fourth of July, right as the biggest firework went off and they changed the colored lights in the fountain to red." I told Luffy.

"Wow." He said with a grin. I looked up at him.

"Luffy... What about your parents?" I asked. Luffy sighed.

"I... I don't know. I never met them. I was a baby when the old man adopted Ace, Sabo and I. From what I was told, my mother died and I have no idea about my dad. I don't know if he's alive or dead, why he didn't want me, or anything." He said. I wrapped my arm around his waist.

"Sorry." I said.

"Nah, don't worry about it. I was going to have to talk about it eventually." He said. I rose up to my toes and kissed his cheek. He smiled at me, but I could see sadness in his eyes. I noticed there was a small band playing by the fountain. I smiled as I got an idea.

"Dance with me?" I asked. He looked over at the band and smiled brightly with a nod. We moved closer to the band so we could hear better and Luffy pulled me in closer. We began to dance to the music. I giggled as Luffy twirled me around. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and kissed him.

He laughed as we pulled away. The small crowed that had formed while we were dancing applauded us. I giggled and hid my face in his chest. He kissed my head.

We got some ice cream and sat down on the fountain's edge and ate it. Luffy wrapped his arm around my waist and I rested my head against his shoulder. He rested his cheek on my head. I took that moment to really admire Luffy.

Everyone always called him a kid, said he was childish. And I guess they were right. He did still pout when he didn't get his way. He wasn't the cleanest of eaters. He wasn't exactly what most people would define as mature. But... Well, I guess that was his charm, really. I loved his childlike nature. His big kid grin, his unique laugh, even when he was pouting he still looked so cute.

I had often heard people call him clingy. Some guys even asked me how I could stand Luffy being so clingy. Well, maybe he did cling to me a bit, but after everything that we've been through together, can you blame him? I mean, I was bullied in front of him, I was kidnapped and kept away from him even if it was only for a few hours. Besides, It wasn't like he was controlling my life. He wasn't keeping me from hanging out with my friends and family. He let me be me. He wasn't clingy, he was just protective of me. He cared.

I love these things about him. I love everything about him. His messy black hair, the scar under his eye, the way he always had his straw hat, his smile, his laugh, the way he always defended those that couldn't defend themselves, the way he seemed to make friends with almost anyone, even the way he always got himself in trouble. I loved it all.

I love him.

My heart raced at the realization. I was in love with Luffy. I loved him with all of my heart. What do I do? Should I tell him? What if he's not ready for that level? What if this scared him away? What if he changed his mind?

"Ai-chan? Are you okay?" He asked me.

"Huh?" I asked, snapping back to reality.

"You've been really quiet. Are you alright? You're not sick, are you?" He asked. I shook my head.

"No, I'm not sick. I was just... Just thinking." I said. He smiled and pulled me in to his lap, wrapping his arms around my waist and locking his fingers on my hip.

"What were you thinking about?" He asked. I smiled at him.

"You." I said. He gave me his big kid grin, making my heart flutter.

"Me? Why were you thinking about me?" He asked with a small laugh. I rested my hands on his shoulders.

"You're always on my mind." I said. He smiled and nuzzled my cheek before kissing me really quick.

"I'm always thinking about you, too, Ai-chan. How pretty you are, how your smile makes my heart feel funny, the way your laugh sounds, how cute you look when sitting in my lap, how much I like holding your hand." He listed off until I kissed him. I rested my head on his shoulder.

"Luffy... Can I ask you something and have you give me an honest answer?" I asked. He hugged me tight.

"Of course you can, Ai-chan." He said and kissed my head. I locked my fingers behind his neck.

"If... If you ever found out something about me... something that didn't make me as pretty... would you still like me?" I asked him. His hug tightened around me.

"What kind of question is that?" He asked me. I looked at him. He scowled at me.

"Are you stupid? Nothing will ever make you seem less pretty to me, Ai-chan. You're the prettiest girl in the world. Nothing can ever change that." He said. I smiled and kissed him passionately. He returned the kiss with just as much passion. I threaded my fingers in his hair. He rubbed my back softly. Air became a must and I reluctantly pulled away from his lips. He gave me another quick peck on the lips and I rested my head on his shoulder again.

"Aisuru, why would you ask me that?" He asked, using my full name for once, meaning he was worried about me. I sighed softly.

"Because... Because of what my mother's husband did to me." I said softly.

"You don't have to say anything else." He said and kissed my head. He tipped my chin up with his index finger under my chin, forcing me to look in to his deep brown eyes. My heart thrashed against my ribs at the intensity in his eyes.

"I know you're not ready to talk about that with me, but when you are, you don't need to be scared. I'm always going to be here for you, Aisuru." He said. I felt a tear roll down my cheek. He brushed it away with his thumb.

"Don't cry." He whispered. I kissed him again.

"Luffy?" I asked when we broke away.

"Yeah?" He asked.

"I love you." I breathed nervously. He stared down at me and I felt my heart freeze.

"It's too soon! He's not ready! You've scared him off!" My mind screamed at me.

"You... You mean it?" He asked. I nodded slowly. He grinned brightly and threw his head back and laughed.

"SHE LOVES ME!" He yelled out. I stared at him in bewilderment. He dropped his head and pulled me in to an intense kiss.

"I love you, too, Aisuru." He said and kissed me all over my face. I grinned.

"Really? You mean it?" I asked. He grinned and nodded. I laughed in relief. I threw my head back like he did.

"HE LOVES ME!" I shouted out and immediately buried my face in his neck with my face blazing red.

"FINALLY YOU SAY IT!" I heard my father's voice yell.

"Shanks! You ruined it!" I heard Makino say. I peaked up and saw my father and Makino standing there. Dad gave me a sheepish grin.

"You followed us?" I asked.

"Well, Luffy told us he was going to tell you he loved you tonight and I wanted to see my baby girl in love!" Dad said. I hid my face in Luffy's neck again.

"Actually, she said it first." Luffy said with a light blush.

"Aww! My baby is all grown up!" Dad said, wiping away tears. Makino giggled at him.

"You're so dramatic." She said. We were then interrupted by an angry voice.

"You!"

--

RT_Strawhat_Ninja: Hey! Hate to leave ya on a cliffhanger, buuuuut I'm taking a family vacation to South Dakota. I'll be back on Sunday or whenever I have wifi again! Byyyyyeee!

*turns to Luffy Plushie* since I know I can't trust you in South Dakota, stay here and watch them.

Luffy Plushie: ON IT!