Costumes eh?

[ryu19.livejournal.com]

Title: Masks
Characters: UsoppxNami, Dragon, Iva.
Media: Fic
Prompt: Costume

Dragon's mask was one he never noticed he had had  until his wife was murdered in front of him and his child left behind in the East. Then he realized that he had been fooling himself. His own happiness a mere illusion as he strove onward, certain that he could change the world; the last gift of an absent father to an abandoned son.

Iva's mask was constructed from hormones and flesh and Dragon had been the only one to see the person hiding beneath the man/woman Iva presented to the world. So the okama offered his/her services with a wink and a certainty that he/she would do anything for this shadowy figure who wanted nothing less than the world changed.

Usopp was used to hiding behind masks, though usually they consisted of lies and fantastical tales instead of wood and plaster. But she had seen through him in an instant offering the King of Snipers a warm smile and gentle squeeze of the hand when they were alone, her heartbeat audible to Usopp's ears as she moved in for an embrace.

Nami's mask concealed the truth from everyone, even herself. She took his friendship for granted and when she saw him, bruised and beaten and apologizing with all of his heart, she knew. He didn't need to be the greatest chef in the world, or King of the Pirates, or even a brave warrior of the sea. All she needed him to be was with her, whispering a half-remembered fairy tale to her ears as she kissed him. And in that moment she knew she would never find a greater treasure in all the world.