ZoLu - To survive

The soft voice of three blades, a katana, /my/ katanas, screaming through the deadly silence of the refreshing ocean air.

The way the polished silver catches the moon's bright beams like a metal net while I train on cool dark nights with only a raven-haired brat to watch.

The complete delight at being a swordsman of the many seas.

The warm, exciting taste of grog after dinner, partying with the other yet never getting sick.

The hum of jolting contact in the heat of battle when everything - including your own breath - is put at risk and the thrill of the fight, the need to move on and command your life a head.

The peaceful rock of the Thousand Sunny Go as it lures you to the realm of sleep while nakamas' voices are all around.

And the way Luffy smiles, a never-ending brightness holding up the sky itself.

It's all I need to survive.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The taste of meat from our wonderful kitchen as it pounces outside to greet me.

The scent of adventure on the horizon - never ever sure what it will have in store for me and my nakama.

The many voices of my nakama -and the gentle snore of a wonderful first mate - as we laugh, play, sleep, cook, draw, read and enjoy the blanket of sunlight filtering down from above.

The always-there whisper of rolling water waves, twisting and turning like a rubberman - so tempting yet so dangerous.

The Thousand Sunny Go's quiet watchful gaze as it calls you when you are on nightwatch.

The freedom of being a pirate; having the whole world at your mercy.

And the way Zoro always knows; wrapping warm strong limps around me and pulling me close.

It's all I need to survive.

The warmth of each other's bodies, curled as one by the glowing campfire.

We laugh together, we talk together.

Luffy eats with me watching quietly. Zoro sleeps while I try to wake him until he grabs me and I turn into a teddy bear or a pillow.

The moments we spend together, just snuggling by the ship's shady masts while the wind dances pass and the days grow endless.

Love, dreams, nakama and belonging.

It's all we need to continue together.

Luffy, my captain, I would go to the ends of the world - no, further - for your smile, laughter and loving ways.

Zoro, my swordsman, I would give up One Piece to spend the rest of my days with your gentle words and soothing touches.