We're Not Broken, Just Bent.

Summary: A series of one-shots with our favorite Straw Hats. Mostly angsty, hurt/comfort, with lots of nakamaship and brotherly love (when Ace eventually joins the story).

A/N: I'm never promising to work in one particular story again. It never works out. Anyway, this series of one shots is basically the place where I'll dump most of my one-shots and drabbles so I don't have to create a new one every time. The first one doesn't have so much angst, just easing our way in this… XD

Disclaimer: I own nothing. Isn't that the point of fanfiction?

Sea Breeze

Early on their journey, Chopper realized how distinctive each crew member's scent was. Even as more joined in, he somehow seemed to associate each and every one of them with a particular odor. It was amazing really. He was able to understand who was near him with his eyes closed and those scents helped soothe his heart a little during their two year separation.

Usopp smelled like gunpowder. Gunpowder and graphite from the endless hours he spent sketching away and trying to design new inventions, new weapons. After their split something sweet entered the combination, probably because of his plants but the little reindeer couldn't put his finger on it. Wait... His finger?

Anyway… Robin held a beautiful scent. The smell of books, old, used books that had fulfilled their purpose.

Mikans were for Nami. She smiled when Chopper once told her. They held a special meaning to her and she was glad to know she held a bigger part of them with her than just the color of her hair.

Zoro's was grass. The cool, soothing grass after the rain. Though the young doctor wasn't sure why. If he asked Sanji, though he would blame the hair.

Speaking of, Sanji smelled like... Well, food. Spending all day in the kitchen could do that to a person. Not that Chopper minded. Sanji's cooking was the best after all.

Franky's was like Cola and metal. A weird combination, if you asked him but somehow had something SUPER about it.

Brook had the smell of milk. Chopper loved milk. And Chopper loved Brook. Really he couldn't have asked for anything else.

But one scent that truly struck him was the one of his captain. Luffy smelled like the sea...

Ironic, wasn't it? A man who couldn't swim bearing the scent of the sea. But Luffy loved the sea. He loved the adventure it offered him, the opportunities, the places, the people. He dreamt of the sea since he was a child and his biggest dream was to be the freest man of all in it.

For Chopper, the sea reminded him of their adventure together, of the friends he now had. So when they had to sleep all together instead of their rooms or when the poor thing just needed some comfort, Chopper snuggled close to Luffy and was reminded of everything he had worth living.

And when he spent two years in Torino Kingdom and the wind brought the sea breeze to his face, he smiled because suddenly, Luffy was there with him, urging him to go on and reminding him of what he was fighting for.

Each crew member had their own scent. But Chopper always snuggled close to Luffy. Because his seemed to include them all.

A/N: I seriously wrote this on my phone last night before going to sleep in fear I would forget everything I wanted to write in the morning. Stupid plot bunnies! The idea for this came from wondering why in the world some people have specific scents and others didn't… O.o And as for the snuggling part, I once saw a drawing on deviantart with the Strawhats sleeping (and sorry I can't remember who did it for the life of me but if I find it I will post it) where Chopper was in walking point with Luffy's arms wrapped around him like he was a stuffed toy. It was so cute.

Anyway, please leave a review. This actually wasn't quite that angsty but I am thinking of a overly depressing sequel for this one. Will think about it.