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Oda would definitely describe himself as an observer. He liked people, and enjoyed studying their behavior just as much. Oda would also describe himself as a caring person, if he analyzed himself, but the focus wasn’t usually him.
Often, the object of his attention was his children: Shinji’s favorite pastries, Sakura’s favorite dresses, or the games they enjoyed playing the most. Those were mostly practical observations, useful to know how to take care of them, but he also took other mental notes, like their peaceful and innocent expression when they were asleep, or the mischievous smile they had on their lips while coming up with a prank.
After them, Oda had two other people who were the objects of his almost constant attention: those were Sigma and Ango, his partners. Oda met Ango first, when he was still a Mafioso, and it intrigued him how he couldn’t quite figure out the man who knew everything there was to know about the Port Mafia. Even at this point, with this man as his husband, Oda still wasn’t quite sure if he was able to know everything about him, but he was sure he knew a lot.
For example, Oda knew Ango would come back home whenever he had a break, and that those weren’t frequent; or that he wasn’t exactly good with kids, but he tried his best to be, for Oda. He also knew that Ango fixed the position of his glasses more often when he was reading, and that the scars that were all over his chest were a sensible point — he didn’t mind when Oda touched them, though.
And, of course, there was Sigma. Oda had met them after him and Ango were already together, but it was undeniable that they had a charming personality, that drew him in. Ango had to stay at the Sky Casino for a few days, for a job, and they were both quite impressed with each other. So, when Ango had brought the casino owner for Oda to meet… well, it was safe to say that Sakaguchi wasn’t the only one smitten.
Oda closed his eyes, remembering the first time Sigma had visited his house without Ango.
“Do your kids know how to play cards?” They had asked, as the kids stared.
“No. I mean… I taught them how to play Uno.” Oda laughed at Sigma’s frown as they announced they’d teach the kids how to play ‘a decent game’.
When Ango, Sigma or both visited, Oda noticed the kids became quieter — more observant, just like their father. And, when the kids were around, Sigma seemed to adhere to more common forms of affection, while Ango seemed to just panic, not knowing how to act around them.
When they left, Ango would sigh in relief, and would seek for Oda’s embrace, an attempt to find comfort — not that he verbally said it, and not that the writer would ever point it out. Then, they’d both lie on the bed together; Oda would ask about Ango’s work, and the latter would tell, because if there was a job that provided stories to tell, it was his. And, even though he didn’t like his own job, Ango liked Oda’s sympathetic, creative, and dorky remarks.
Sigma, on the other hand, would make a comment about something they did with the kids, or about how much they had grown since the last visit. Then, it was likely that they would ask Oda to let them read his stories, which he would do. They would spend too much time on the same page, and, when questioned what was taking him so long, they would answer that they wanted to memorize every word.
To that, Oda’s response would be a kiss on their forehead. “You’re so gentle,” he’d reply, and Sigma would smile, sincerely, illuminated by the sunlight that would be passing through the curtains, or by the artificial light from the lamp — beautiful, either way. “I am, only for you.”
And then, they would kiss, a common aspect in all possible scenarios during his lovers’ visits, Oda’s little piece of heaven.