DISCLAIMER: Once more I don't own One Piece but Oda Eiichiro sure as heck does, and I wouldn't have it any other way. :D Nor anything else One Piece related.
Turned out all those notes I took were for nothing as I really didn't even look at them once while writing this chapter DX I just wanted to cry whenever I looked at them.. three pages front and back of freakishly small handwriting.. that is until I was just like 'Screw it!' then I started to write bigger.. Anyways enough of my stupid complaining and onto the chapter that you came here to read. :D
I would have had it up soon but I got sidetracked by reading some comics and manga plus rereading it for errors was a real bitch.
There is ZoLu but it's nothing to be too weary about just yet.. ^^ Also there is some language.
Also, I'm sorry for any grammar, spellings, or any other errors in general that may have occurred within this fic. So, if you spot some please let me know.
Any Japanese words/phrases used in this story shall be noted in bold and translated in the end. Though like I said no repeats.
-:: CHAPTER 7: AWKWARD ::-
Luffy had just been eating some snacks that Sanji had made in the lounge with Usopp and Carue when he had noticed that his swordsman was nowhere to be found and so he left to go look for him. Sure enough after searching the ship Luffy found him at the stern of the boat but he didn't dare to call out to the swordsman as he was working out. The Luffy's eyes staring at the man's nude back as he watched the muscles rippling underneath his tan sweaty skin as he would lift the iron bar with five huge weights on them over his head and then bring them back down. The boy being careful not to make any noise that would give him away as he continued to watch, but he knew it might be weird to try and explain if Zoro caught him staring so he quietly hid himself in the cover of Nami's orange trees. He wasn't exactly sure why but he just couldn't seem to take his eyes off the sight of his swordsman. It was then that he had realized that he man had been counting out his reps.
"2603 2604 2605 2606..." Luffy watched in amazement but when the bar stopped in mid swing he couldn't help but to wonder if the swordsman had realized he was there. The beating of his heart was becoming faster and the sound pounding in his ears but it began to fade when the swordsman didn't look his way. "I'm weak. If only I had been able to cut that wax.. I must get stronger!" His work out continuing on after taking a quick breath.
Luffy's eyes moving down Zoro's body catching a glimpse at the scar on his chest before stopping where bandages had been wrapped tightly just a bit above his ankles. He cringed inwardly in remembrance of when Zoro had almost cut off his own feet in order to free himself from Mr. 3's wax. He couldn't help but to silently disagree with his swordsman as he knew that he himself needed to become stronger. Especially if he wanted to be able to protect his nakama from Baroque Works. The name itself taking him down memory lane as he began to recall how exactly it all began.
First of all when their descent from reverse mountain was about to end they had come across a whale blocking their path. In order to save their ship from crashing into the whale seeing as the helm was broken so they couldn't change course Luffy had shot the canon. It had worked but it didn't spare the figurehead from breaking off the ship in his rage over his special seat breaking he had punched the whale in the eye as they were trying to get away. The whale had then eaten their ship but Luffy managed to avoid being eaten however upon finding another way inside the whale Luffy went after his nakama. In the process he found them and came across Mr. 9 and Miss Wednesday who's objective was to kill the whale, Laboon.
It was after Luffy had made friends with Laboon that the two asked for them to take them back to their town Whiskey Peak. Of course Luffy agreed and once they arrived a big party was thrown to welcome them. However the party was just an act which caused a few misunderstanding between their crew for example when Zoro had sliced everybody up and Luffy thought it was because they didn't have his favorite dish or something and so the two had began to seriously fight each other. Though Nami ended the fight between them with a good bonk to their heads and the whole misunderstanding had been cleared up. The townspeople were actually bounty hunters and that Miss Wednesday was actually the Princess of Arabasta who had infiltrated Baroque Works in order to undercover Mr. 0's identity and save her country. When Luffy asked who it was Vivi refused to say but accidentally spilled the beans anyways landing Nami, Zoro, and himself on Baroque Work's Death List. So when asked by Igaram formerly known as Mr. 8 to protect Vivi from Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine and take her to Arabasta Luffy agreed.
It was after grabbing Sanji and Usopp that they quickly departed but even so Miss All Sunday suddenly appeared upon their ship. It was then that she tossed them an enteral pose to a country nearby Arabasta so they could bypass Little Garden but Luffy broke it and told her that she didn't decided the course of their ship. Then upon their arrival at Little Garden Luffy, Vivi, and Carue went off to explore and in the process met a giant named Dorry. Who had been on the island for 100 years fighting with another giant by the name of Brogy. It had been after one of their fight that Dorry went to take a drink from the ale Brogy had given him it exploded inside his stomach. The giant assuming that it was Luffy and Vivi was who behind it but at the time they had no idea that Mr. 3, Miss Goldenweek, Mr. 5, and Miss Valentine were behind it. In the end they had once more defeated Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine along with Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek. The group soon departing from the island and to Arabasta with the enteral pose that Sanji had managed to swipe from the unluckies.
The memories fading as Luffy quickly brushed them aside as there was nothing else to remember. His eyes still glued onto the swordsman's feet for just a little while. Luffy couldn't help but want to reach out and help his swordsman as he had done for him. Even so he just stayed hidden within the cover of the oranges trees for just a bit longer before leaving the grove and heading back into the lounge.
Back at the stern
Zoro paused in his work out as he could hear the straw hat boy leaving. His eyes turning back to look at the grove where the boy had been hiding. At first he hadn't realized that the boy was there but soon enough he had came to realize that he was there. Though it had surprised Zoro that the boy hadn't jumped out from his hiding place or even tried to make conversation with him. Which in a way bothered him as the smaller boy had always talked to Zoro but he knew it was probably because of what the boy had overheard that made him hesitant to appear in case everything became awkward.
A small sigh upon Zoro's lips as he put the iron bar down and plopped down right beside it. Even as much as he wanted the smaller boy to come forward he had just as much of a chance to call out to him but in the end neither had taken the chance. His hand moving to wipe away a bit of sweat on his face and there was a very slight a tint of red which flushed his face at the thought that maybe Luffy had just simply been checking him out. However he quickly scoffed at the idea and shook his head as if to rid himself of the idea as he went back to working out.
Though it was momentarily cut short when Vivi cried out that Nami had a fever so while they were all checking on Nami Zoro decided he would keep them the ship on course while continuing to work out. Even so it turned out that by judging their course based on clouds and not the compass wasn't a very good idea. After getting back on course their ship had been attacked by a weird pirate named Wapol and the night passed without further indecent as everybody, minus Sanji who was on watch, slept all together in the same room.
In all honesty Zoro had been thinking about talking to the smaller boy at the time but when he gotten there the boy was already asleep while everybody else was up. Then as he had been waiting for everybody to fall asleep he had almost dozed off a few times himself but managed to stay awake. When everybody was fast asleep Zoro made his way over to the boy and tried to wake him but proved unsuccessful and then he tried to wait for the boy to wake up on his own, but in the end Zoro was overcome by sleep as he leaned against Carue.
By the time he had woken everybody was already up and about so he left to go get some food and help out with the ship for a bit before he had decided to go check on his captain, who he had seen enter into Nami's room. However as he came down the steps he could see that Luffy was trying to get her to smile but it wasn't working and thus he was pouting. Then when he asked what was wrong he was very surprised to see the boy's face was doodled on in a way that he found scary to say the least as he began to pull on his mouth. "Cut that out!"
He watched the rubber boy just shake his head as he laughed. "Yada!"
Zoro couldn't help but to sigh at his captain's behavior but then when the boy leaned in closer to him he grabbed the boy and proceeded to not so gently rub the doodles off his face. A pout on the other boy's face as his face was a bright red and rather warm from the rubbing but he didn't say anything as he just went and sat back down in his chair. Which made Zoro raise an eyebrow as the boy would have normally began complaining but he hadn't causing Zoro to think that there was most certainly something wrong with the boy. "Oi Luffy is something up?"
The other boy just looked away and shook his head. "No not really."
Zoro was just about to ask another question when Sanji's voice could be hear. "Island ho!"
It was at that and Luffy happy outcries that Zoro let it go and told the boy. "Go check it out. She'll be fine here." In response to that the boy just smiled and quickly left leaving Zoro leaning against the bookcase.
After landing in Drum Island
Luffy, Vivi, Sanji who was carrying Nami, and Usopp all followed Dalton up to his village Bighorn. However after finding out that the there was only one doctor and a 'witch' that only came down from the tallest mountain to treat patients whenever she feels like it. Luffy decided to take Nami up to the castle where the witch lives so after getting Nami's okay him and Sanji began their journey. Everything was going just fine until they came across the Lapahn who after a lot of fighting and chasing finally caused an avalanche. During which Sanji was swept away but after searching through all the snow Luffy had soon found him and in the process helped rescue a Lapahn buried under the snow.
After Luffy had started back walking he was rudely interrupted by Wapol and his two lackeys Chess and Kuromarimo but then the Lapahn came to his aid. Then as the reached the base of the central mountain he began to climb it with Nami still resting on his back while he carried Sanji by his mouth. By the time Luffy had reached the top his entire body was frostbitten and both his hands and feet were bleeding.
However after the doctor found them and treated them appropriately all of them were pretty much good to go. Then after waking Luffy even asked the Doctorine, Dr. Kureha, to become their nakama but she declined. It was then that Luffy shifted his attention onto the reindeer, Chopper, as he tried to make him his nakama. Yet the attempt was short lived as Wapol finally reached the top of the mountain causing Luffy to say rather aggravated. "Damned Jamaguchi!"
Then of course after Chopper kicked Chessmarimo's ass Luffy was able to kick Wapol's ass and sent him flying. Then as Luffy stood at the top of the castle but when he saw two people come forward he remembered the clothing and thought that they were Wapol's men so he launched himself at them. However when he got close enough he realized that it was just Zoro and Usopp. Luffy smiling and laughing as Zoro yelled at him for what he had done. Though when Usopp saw the tonakai he couldn't help but to yell out,
"Monster!" Which earned him a good whack on the head from Luffy as he chased after the fleeing Chopper.
It was only after a lot of chasing and calling out to the reindeer that Chopper came forward to politely reject his offer and say thanks. However Luffy responded to the little guy's reasons with two simple words, "Shut up!' Then to which Chopper then agreed to become their nakama and after telling Doctorine they quickly left. However as they were leaving they heard the multiple booms of canons and after stopping to look they witnessed the beautiful sight of sakura blooming, which was red dirt sticking to the white snow turning it bright pink.
Back on the ship
Everybody was laughing and having fun as they were busy celebrating the addition of a doctor, Chopper, to the crew. "Kanpai!" They all cheered as they all toasted once more and began to drain their drinks the partying continuing on until early morning. It wasn't long after that everybody retired to their quarters. While Zoro stayed behind on the deck of the ship because his captain was sprawled out on the deck. His hand automatically going to ruffle his boy's hair as after everything it had simply become a habit of his while his eyes looked at the boy's face. There was a small smile on his lips as he just looked at the boy's sleeping face. His hand slowly slipping free of the black locks as it trailed along the side of his face and rounded his chin before letting his fingers run along the boy's lips. Zoro wasn't even sure why he was doing this, but it that span of time where he had just been looking at Luffy's face he could feel something stirring within his body that compelled him to reach out and further that simple touch.
So it hadn't surprised him when he soon found himself leaning in even closer to the smaller boy. He could feel the distance between them closing slowly as they were almost face to face. The answer to the question that he had sought finally popping into his mind but even so he had a hunch along that it might have been that but he just didn't want to think it was true. After all they were both men and it wasn't exactly right for members of the same sex to be together, right? Though as he moved his face even closer he knew that he didn't care about any of that stuff but just about the boy below him. Their lips just about to touch when the smaller boy suddenly opened his eyes.
"Zoro..?"
"..H-hai.. Luffy?" The man answered back a bit hesitantly as he was a little too surprised to pull away just yet. However when the smaller boy asked him what he was doing that sent him moving as he just nervously chuckled a bit and tried to explain. "Ahh you see there was really really big bug on your face and I was just trying to get it off.."
"Kakkoii~!" He watched the boy smile and then suddenly frown as he tilted his head to the side. "A bug.. but there aren't any bugs here.." The smaller boy now staring directly at him causing Zoro to look away with his cheeks a little flushed as Luffy just grinned. "Or.. were you trying to kiss me..?"
"Moron! Why would I do that!" 'Yabai.. I've been caught..' His eyes not daring to look at the boy as an idea popped into his head and he quickly turned the situation around. "What about you Luffy spying on people when their working out..?"
It was at that the other boy stopped laughing and looked away sheepishly a nervous look coming onto his face. "I don't know what you're talking about.."
"Luffy you're a horrible liar you know that right? Just as bad as you were at hiding in the orange trees. Why didn't you say anything..?" Zoro's previous embarrassment gone as it now fell onto the other boy.
He watched the other boy as he opened his mouth as if to say something but then closed it. His eyes now looking away as he spoke, "I don't want you to have to do something like that again.." The other boy's eyes looking a spot just above his ankles and it all clicked in his head and he was just about to say something when the other boy continued on in a slightly lower voice, "Plus it was kind of interesting watching you.."
A surprised look appearing on Zoro's face as it turned out that Luffy had been indeed checking him out in a way. Then in turn for the smaller boy's honesty Zoro decided to be honest as well.
The smaller boy just nodded his head after he had finished. "Ah I see.. so then you shouldn't mind if I do this.."
Zoro raised an eyebrow at the boy's words as the next thing he knew the boy suddenly moved closer to him. His face coming in fast and quick as Luffy's lips met with his own. There was a moment of silence as the two just stayed like that for a while. Then before Zoro could react any further than his initial surprise the smaller boy slowly pulled his lips away.
"I'll get stronger for you.. for everybody so that we can always be together like this. We'll get stronger together, right?"
This caused Zoro to smile as he let his arms wrap around the boy and pulled him into a hug. "Aye Captain." The two remaining like that for just a little bit longer until the others began to stir. Their secret embrace breaking as they continued on toward Arabasta.
This chapter was a lot of fun to write but of course the beginning and the end were the funnest while the middle part just made me want to stab myself.. Anyways as you can now see things are going to get a lot more interesting. XD Uhm well I don't think that I have much else to say.. other than shortest author notes ever!
Also for those who watched the English series and not the Japanese subbed Arabasta is the same thing as Alabasta, and in case anybody has forgotten Carue is Vivi's spotted bill duck and the Lapahn are vicious giant bunnies!
Well if you've made it this far then hopefully enough you might just go and review this for me :3
Jamaguchi=Big Problem Mouth, Hai=Yes, Kakkoii=Cool, Yabai=This is bad
I hope that you enjoyed it.
-:: R34L17Y HUR72 ::-
