Chapter Text
The first time Luffy heard those three words he was four. He was on his way to have an adventure on the beach, when he passed a father and son duo. They were laughing and repeating those three words to each other. 'I love you'. Luffy was confused. What did those words mean? So he did the same thing he always did when he found something confusing. He ran back to the bar to ask Makino. She was standing behind the counter, polishing mugs. It was that time of the day when no clients came and inside was all empty.
"Makino!" shouted Luffy as soon as he ran up to her "Makino!"
"Yes, Luffy?" asked Makino, smiling softly at the excited kid. He always had a big smile on his face and was curious about just everything, even if half the things she explained to him went right over his head.
"What does 'I love you' mean?"
For a second Makino was sure she misheard. Surely this sunny child, that she was asked to take care of, didn't just ask her that question? Didn't just admit that he never before has heard anyone say that they loved him?
Meanwhile Luffy was starting to silently panic. He never saw Makino wear that kind of expression before. It looked similar to the one his gramps had when he asked him what dad was. Luffy didn't like it. Did he do something wrong? Why did she look as if she wanted to cry?
"Oh, Luffy" said Makino, her heart heavy with sadness, as she crouched to pull him in a hug.
"What's wrong, Makino?"
"Nothing, nothing at all." she kissed his head and hugged him tighter, then started explaining "Love is the feeling when you like spending time with somebody and you don't want them to be hurt. Love is when you care about them very much and want them to be safe. Love is when you want somebody to be happy and when they are, it brings you happiness too. Love is the warm feeling you feel towards people most important to you."
Luffy listened intently, and when Makino stopped talking, he mulled over it for some time. Then he nodded hard to himself, and tugged Makino's arm, so she would let him go.
"I decided!" he said, trying to make his face take the most serious expression he could. He righted himself on the ground, placed his hand on his sides and declared loudly "I love Makino!"
Makino gasped, and tears appeared in her eyes. She watched as the comically serious expression he had on his face melted down into a big sunny smile. She pulled him in the hug again and choked out "I love you too, Luffy."
Luffy laughed and returned the hug. The warm feeling in his chest, that now he knew was love, kept getting stronger and stronger. Luffy didn't think he was ever this happy before!