Test the Waters (Cracker x Reader)

Sorta Good with Kids

Cracker had never been happier than when you finally said the words he'd been waiting for. You thought it'd go straight to sex as it was basically his normal reaction to you doing something that made him esctatic in any way. It was something you learned as things got better, he had a hard time talking things through at times but if he felt good about something he liked to make you feel the same way and getting intimate was an easy way for him to do that.

But this time he took you to bed, hardly giving you enough time to dry off before rolling around in the sheets and smothering you in kisses. He was completely giddy with happiness and you couldn't believe this was the same man that used to have you feeling trapped in your own life. When he eventually relaxed, he curled up with you, suggesting different names for the baby until you both fell asleep.

The morning after, he got you up and took you to breakfast. You were followed by the whispers of the locals as you went through town, the news of one of the Big Mom pirates being in town having spread quickly. Neither of you minded though. He liked the attention and you were in your own little world, enjoying getting the chance to spend the morning with him and then see the rest of your family. Nothing could bother you with as good as you felt.

There was a local place that had pastries, which you knew he'd love so that's exactly where you went. It didn't compare to the sweets in his mother's territory but it tasted like home and that was better than anything you'd had on Whole Cake Island.

"I don't know if Atticus told the kids I'm pregnant or not, but I'm going to assume he didn't." You licked a bit of icing off your fork from the cinnamon roll you were working at. They only did giant ones here so Cracker was slowly helping you finish it. The thing was the size of the plate it came on, definitely a lot for one normal sized person.

"Why's that matter?" He said around a mouthful of the sweet pastry.

"They get about as excited to see me as you do, except they're less delicate about it."

"So you're telling me I may need to intercept the bunch so they don't take you out?" He smiled, giggling at whatever images were conjured up in his head.

"There's a strong possibility I'll need you to do that, yes. Just don't scare them too much." You joined in on the laughter, it was a little contagious.

"They won't be scared of me." He scoffed, pushing the last bite over to your side of the plate that you took gladly.

"Have you met yourself? You're a little on the intimidating side."

You remembered when you first met him. His grin used to always creep you out and his height was no joke. Nothing more terrifying that a man easily more than twice your size towering over you. It was something you were used to now and it helped that he loved you. While the kids knew about him, they'd never seen him, so it was hard to tell how that'd react.

"I'll play nice." There was a happy glint in his eye as he spoke. "Promise."

----

"Marco!" You let yourself into your old home, Cracker following closely behind.

There was a pause as the house quieted down and a few small heads poked around corners to see if you were really home or if they were collectively hearing voices.

"Soooo, is no one going to say polo?" You put your hands on your hips and were met with shrill cries of happiness as everyone who heard you scrambled to greet you. Just as you thought they would.

"Shit, you weren't kidding." Cracker chuckled as he swooped in to pick up the two nearest kids, keeping them from jumping on you. "Hold your horses."