Of Swords And Cola

by Military Mechanic

It isn't always simple, romance that is. It isn't always complicated, either. Sometimes, it just happens. Sometimes it comes in a burst of laughter and dancing and sun. Sometimes, it comes dowm with a clang of metal and blood and sweat. But, one way or another, it always happens. They end up together, and that's just that. It just is.

1. Flying High

A/N: I suddenly realized that there is a distinct lack of this pairing over. Franky/Zolo, that is. In fact, not counting this story, there are literally only three other fanfics for them on this site. Which, honestly people, is just kind of pathetic. :| To make up for that, I'm starting up this! A collection of stories, both super short and fairly long, all dedicated to the pairing of Franky/Zolo!

So, read, review, and enjoy!

PROMPT - RED TAILS AU

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Even in the middle of the war, Italy is an open and accepting place. Far ahead of it's time, or so one of their fellow bombers, Brook, likes to say. On top of that, the scenery is beautiful and the beer's cold. Which, during their breaks between flying, is mostly what Franky and Zolo care about. A brief respite from the action and risk and adrenaline that comes whenever they latch down their canopies and take off into the air.

What better place to go, either, than the Officer's Club? Italian run, yes, but made solely for the soldiers that have come to their bustling city. The air is thick with smoke and the scent of spilled beer, loud with roucaus laughter and traded jokes - on most days, at least. Somedays, the bomber-duo walks into the bar and they know that somewhere, for some reason a battle was lost and men were shot down.

Either way, they walk over to their stools. At the far left corner of the bar, just to the left of the pool table. They order their drinks, two beers on the tap, and Franky will make some smart-ass comment about one of their friends. Usually, it's Brook or Usopp. Then they sit in comfortable silence as they nurse their beers and listen in on the other conversations. Listen, but are never included - because their fellow American's can see how they sit a little too close to each other, arms brushing every so often as they reach for a deck of cards or a smoke. It's just that no one says anything about it, just does their best to ignore it. Why? Because Zolo would kick their asses if they did and Franky would laugh while he does it - they know this because it's happened before.