Luffy leaned further, lips tracing up to Zoro's left ear when a heavy hand on his shoulder caused him to pause.
"Zoro..?"
"Not the earrings," Flat, serious, all previous heat gone.
Luffy sat back, confused at this sudden change in attitude.
"How come?"
Zoro sat up further, but was careful not to dislodge Luffy. With a gentle seriousness he fingered the first earring.
"A vow to find Mihawk: my past."
He moved on, pinching the next earring lightly, quietly amused.
"A vow to join you as a pirate: my present."
The third he barely touched, tracing the teardrop shape with a hesitant solemnity.
"A vow to remain by your side to the end: my future."
Luffy stared at Zoro, speechless. The swordsman leaned back on one arm, his other hand rubbing lightly against the other's hip.
"They're important," Luffy stated, finding his tongue.
It wasn't a question, but Zoro nodded anyway, glad Luffy understood. These were promises that weren't just important to him, but promises that defined him: A man—a pirate—seeking to fulfill a dream at the side of his dearest friend and lover.
He wasn't a pure person. But these promises held a sense of purity. He wanted them to remain as such; few things in his life were.
fin
AN: This is an AU-ish idea I had for another possible meaning behind Zoro's earrings. Meh, I still think it could use some work, but it was neat to explore all the same.