Luffy wrapped the towel around his waist. He borrowed Zoro's brush, situating his hair with a neat little part. He studied his reflection, sucking in his stomach and flexing his biceps. He turned slowly from side to side, examining himself critically. He didn't realize he was insecure until only a thin, wooden door separated him from Zoro.
He pressed his finger against the fogged mirror. He drew a heart, writing an 'L' and a 'Z' on either side. With a satisfied smile he switched off the lights and opened the door. He was bent over, retrieving his clothes from the floor when he noticed that Zoro was sitting on the bed, his hands nervously folded in his lap.
"Oh, hey, Senpai…" Luffy breathed out, tugging the towel lower on his hips.
"Are you putting those clothes back on?" Zoro asked, staring at the wall.
"I was, yeah…" Luffy murmured.
"You can, uh, borrow something of mine…" Zoro offered, pointing to the dresser.
"Don't be so damn nervous, Zoro." Luffy groaned, shaking his arms out. "It's contagious."
"You, uh, you can stay like that if you want…" Zoro whispered, barely loud enough to be heard.
"I have no idea what you're thinking in there…" Luffy breathed, climbing onto the bed. He kneeled behind Zoro, his bare chest pressed against Zoro's clothed back. He pressed his lips to the back of his neck, where his skull met the spine, and he kissed Zoro sweetly. "Relax. There's nothing to worry about."
"What if it doesn't work?" Zoro asked, turning his face slightly. He eyed Luffy, licking his lips anxiously.
"There's nothing that complicated." Luffy promised, his hand sliding over Zoro's shoulder and onto his chest. He pressed his hand over Zoro's heart, his fingers spreading out. "I only care about this part right now…"
"Franky psyched me out, damn it!" Zoro accused. "I never worried about this shit before…"
"Don't talk about other guys when you're in bed with me…" Luffy murmured, placing kisses down Zoro's neck. His fingers curled around the hem of Zoro's shirt and he pulled it over his head. Luffy's groin tightened and he felt the blush staining his cheeks. "I'll get jealous."
"Oh, please…" Zoro groaned, shaking his head. His exposed skin prickled and Luffy was delighted by the way Zoro's skin glowed.
"Turn around." Luffy instructed, kissing all over Zoro's back. "Get comfortable."
Zoro lay down on his side, propping his head on a pillow. He settled into the bed, stealing glances at Luffy's nakedness as often as he dared. Luffy held the towel into place as he lay down beside Zoro, face to face. He pushed his legs between Zoro's legs, intertwining their feet together.
"Is this alright?" Luffy asked, wondering how suddenly he was supposed to be the patient and mature one. But then again, if it was for Zoro, he thought he could probably do anything.
"Yeah." Zoro agreed, his minty fresh breath fanning across Luffy's skin. It excited Luffy knowing Zoro had brushed his teeth in preparation. He knew they were going to make out when Luffy got out of the shower. The thought, the instigation, warmed Luffy's belly.
Luffy kissed Zoro, their toothpaste flavored spit mingling. Luffy kissed Zoro even harder, deeper, until he could taste only him. Zoro's hand rested on Luffy's narrow hip, his fingers cautiously pressing against his skin. Zoro brushed his thumb firmly over Luffy's hipbone, tickling the sensitive flesh. Luffy growled, his skin prickling in an arousing domino effect. "Don't tickle or I'll tickle… and you won't like how much better I am at tickling than you…" Luffy pulled away from the kiss to warn.
"What?" Zoro asked, between kisses. "You challengin' me?"
"Shhhhh…" Luffy murmured, one hand in Zoro's hair and the other on his chest. "I'm trying to behave."
"Luffy," Zoro sighed, adjusting his pants a little self-consciously. His cheeks burned scarlet and he held his bottom lip between his teeth.
"What?" Luffy asked.
"Your hand…" Zoro breathed out.
Luffy looked at his hand, seemingly working with a mind of its own. He pinched Zoro's nipple between his fingers, teasing the erect flesh. Luffy smiled guiltily, "Sor-ry, Senpai. I didn't even realize what I was doing. Is it bad?" Luffy asked, leaning in closely. He breathed against Zoro's skin teasingly. "Do you not like it?"
"That's…" Zoro exhaled shakily.
"Is it okay to keep going?" Luffy asked.
"Yeah." Zoro rasped. He nodded, letting Luffy push him flat on the bed. He covered his eyes with his forearm, a gasp escaping his lips as Luffy's mouth covered his nipple. Luffy sucked gently before biting. Zoro jumped in surprise, a delectable noise escaping his lips. "Hey! Damn it, Luffy…"
"Was it bad?" Luffy asked, eyeing Zoro expectantly. His tongue darted from his mouth, toying with the flesh.
"No." Zoro groaned, his fingers curling in Luffy's hair.
"Did you like it?" Luffy asked, his mouth against Zoro's chest. He started teasing the other side, his fingers twisting the nipple slowly.
"Luf-fy…" Zoro whined, his hands smoothing down Luffy's head and to his shoulders.
"Zor-o…" Luffy said, continuing to suck, lick and bite at Zoro's chest, pleased with how sensitive Zoro was to begin with. He hadn't intended to go so far with Zoro, but he showed no hesitation or discomfort and God- if he hadn't spent years imagining this exact scenario. It felt like seconds to Luffy, but he worked Zoro's chest over for nearly fifteen minutes, until Zoro was groaning and writhing beneath him.
"Damn it, Luffy!" Zoro blurted out suddenly, his legs twisting together awkwardly. "Wait…"
Luffy sat up, instantly feeling the sticky moisture that had leaked from Zoro pants and into his towel. At first he thought Zoro had come in his pants, but when he realized how close Zoro was to orgasm he was nearly frenzied. "Can I?"
"Huh?" Zoro asked slowly, lifting his head.
"Can I?" Luffy repeated, his hands already on Zoro's zipper.
"Whoa. Wait. That's dirty…" Zoro protested as Luffy pulled his dripping and erect cock from his wet underwear.
"It's not dirty." Luffy refused, stroking Zoro's cock lovingly. "Relax. This will feel good."
Luffy lapped at the pre-come on Zoro's tip, all the way down the shaft. He licked Zoro clean, his hand sliding up and down expertly. He brought Zoro to his mouth, moaning as he pushed the tip against his tongue.
Zoro covered his face, the blush settling as far down as his chest. His legs trembled, pressing closely around Luffy's shoulders. He moaned loudly as Luffy took him inside of his mouth. It felt beyond amazing; Zoro thought he might melt away. "Luffy…"
"'Or-ro…" Luffy attempted to say, his mouth completely full. He sucked Zoro off skillfully, his eyes locked on Zoro's face. When Zoro finally dropped his hands Luffy got a clear view of Zoro's aroused face. Luffy moaned loudly around Zoro's cock, his hands teasing the sensitive area behind Zoro's testicles.
"Hold on… Wait… Ah, shit…" Zoro groaned, his toes curling tightly. "Luffy!"
Luffy swallowed, pulling Zoro from his mouth quickly until it was just the tip. He licked the glans firmly, swallowing every drop with great pleasure. He felt dizzy when he finally released Zoro. Zoro pat his head affectionately, continuing to pat him as Luffy slid up his body.
Luffy was rolling to sit up when Zoro grabbed him. Zoro held Luffy's face in his hand firmly, turning Luffy to face him. Zoro kissed Luffy deeply, his tongue shooting inside his mouth. Luffy laughed into the kiss, so relieved, so surprised, that Zoro would willingly kiss him after the act. Zoro looked up at Luffy, a crooked smile stretching across his face. "Where ya goin'?"
"Nowhere…" Luffy decided, shaking his head.
Zoro placed his hand on Luffy's stomach purposefully. He licked his lips, looking away from Luffy's intense gaze. "I wanna do something too…"
"Yeah?" Luffy murmured unsurely.
"Yeah…" Zoro breathed out. He nodded, as if convincing himself, before untucking the soaked towel and pushing it aside.
"You don't have to…" Luffy assured him, feeling a little vulnerable while lying there naked.
Zoro stroked Luffy's cock slowly. It wasn't strange like he'd thought it would be. He moved his hand a little faster, his fingers delicately tracing every dip and curve. Even though he just came, touching Luffy, watching Luffy's expressions, hearing Luffy's sounds, all of it made his groin throb.
Luffy pinched one of his nipples and Zoro yelped in surprise. The way Luffy's cock twitched in his hand made Zoro flush with heat. That stupid, embarrassing noise he had made had excited Luffy that much. He rubbed faster, harder, his slick palms pleasuring Luffy's length. "Hey, Zoro…" Luffy groaned.
"Yeah?" Zoro replied, watching Luffy's stomach muscles clenching.
"Kiss me, Zoro." Luffy begged. Zoro obeyed. He kissed Luffy, wet, sloppy, needy kisses. Luffy's body stiffened and then Luffy came, his sperm dripping down his cock and onto Zoro's hands. Zoro stroked slowly until Luffy finished.
"You're kinda a mess." Zoro whispered, unsure of where to touch with his dirtied hands.
"Sorry…" Luffy groaned, grabbing his towel and wiping Zoro's hands. "I'll get a washcloth…"
"Don't worry about it." Zoro said, shaking his head in refusal.
"It's no problem." Luffy insisted. "It'll take two seconds…"
Zoro grabbed Luffy tightly, pressing Luffy's head against his chest. "Just wait a minute."
"Okay." Luffy agreed, adjusting himself on Zoro's broad chest. He settled into the crook of Zoro's arm comfortably.
"Let's just lay here for a bit…" Zoro suggested, holding tightly onto Luffy.
Luffy inhaled deeply, relishing the masculine scent of Zoro's skin. He felt his throat tighten up and he willed away the tears that threatened to fall. "Okay."
"It was amaaaazing!" Luffy declared, dropping backward onto Usopp's bed. "I'm telling you, he's the best."
"Uh huh." Usopp muttered, tinkering with some new invention of his. "That's great, Luffy."
"I was really worried about it, but he was totally receptive." Luffy continued. "Thank God."
"Not too many details." Usopp reminded Luffy, throwing him a look. "I already know too much."
"Ah, come on, Usopp!" Luffy complained. "You're my best friend. You have to listen to me. It's not like I'm telling you that I sucked him off after some nipple play… That's too many details…"
"And there we have it!" Usopp groaned, dropping his wrench to the floor. "I have a very active imagination. I won't be able to jerk off for days because of you."
"And then he gave me a hand job." Luffy added, grinning mischievously.
"Hand job? Huh." Usopp murmured, busying himself with his invention.
"And then we cuddled." Luffy blurted out happily. He rolled across Usopp's bed excitedly. "He's already such a perfect bottom. So needy…"
"Yeah, about that…" Usopp began, looking up as he spoke. "He, uh, knows you're a seme right?"
"Nah." Luffy shook his head, making a face. "I don't wanna give 'em too much information at once. If I start talking in specific terms he'll run away." Luffy grinned. "Trust me. That's typical first-time uke behavior…"
"You read too much manga." Usopp accused, shaking his head.
"It's fiiine…" Luffy drawled, waving his hand dismissively. "I know Zoro. He'd rather the surprise."
"That's one hell of a surprise, if you ask me…" Usopp muttered under his breath.
"Oh, come on…" Luffy said, his voice low and serious, and more than a little sensual. "I touched that body, I know. The more I touch it, the more obvious it is. He's built to be my little neko."
"Pervert." Usopp said with an exaggerated shudder.
"I'm happy." Luffy admitted with a smile, stretching his arms over his head. "Don't rain on my parade."
"Hey, Franky, wanna grab lunch?" Zoro asked, removing his hardhat the instant he crossed his barricade.
"No can do, brother." Franky refused apologetically. "I got a lunch date with the little woman."
"Agh." Zoro groaned, throwing his hardhat at Franky. "You're so annoying."
"Whaaat?" Franky drawled, smiling despite himself. "The jobsite is sooo close to the Uni. She said she could use her conference…"
"Enough." Zoro spat. "Go on. Get lost. I didn't need ya anyway…"
"Awww, brother…" Franky groaned. "You're breaking my heart."
"Hello, boys." Robin called in greeting, waving her slender fingers.
"Heya, Robin." Franky replied, an instantaneous smile spreading across his face.
"Yeah, hey, Robin…" Zoro murmured, grabbing his hardhat from Franky.
"Wanna join us for lunch?" Robin asked, eyeing Zoro thoughtfully.
"Say no. Say no. Say no." Franky began to chant under his breath.
"Nah. I'm good." Zoro refused. "I'm just gonna head to the konbini."
"Growing boys should eat more than rice balls." Robin insisted with a smile.
Zoro was irked. He forced a smile and nodded. "I wasn't gonna…"
"Later, brother." Franky announced, hooking his arm around Robin's. "I'll be back."
Zoro walked to the nearest convenience store, following along with the flow of traffic. He walked around the familiar store, grabbing prepackaged onigiri. He took some time and looked around the shop, grabbing some anpan and a sports drink. He bumped shoulders as he turned the corner. "Oh, sorry… Excuse me."
"Yeah…" the student muttered, not even sparing Zoro a glance.
"… He hasn't quit yet?"
"No. He showed up to practice yesterday…"
"He didn't change in the locker room. Did ya notice?"
"He should just quit. He's crazy…"
"Or stupid."
"I thought sending him flying down the staircase would've been enough…"
"Fu fu fu…" It was the laugh that caught Zoro's attention. He looked up immediately, his eyes narrowed. He looked the blonde man up and down, a strange acidic taste burning down his throat. "He'll quit."
Zoro busied himself with the selection of snacks in front of him. He grabbed a bag of curry flavored potato chips and stuffed them under his arm. His jaw set tightly as he walked away. He carried his items up to the register, standing in the lunchtime queue.
"He's just a small-town bumpkin with a delusion of grandeur."
"He is strong though."
"Don't make me laugh."
"Fu fu fu. He's total trash."
Zoro's vision blurred. That voice grated on his every nerve. He swallowed thickly, stepping forward. He was almost to the register. He was almost out the door.
"Speak of the devil. It's Monkey D. Luffy."
Zoro turned, watching Luffy enter the store. He didn't see Zoro, but he certainly saw the judo team. He immediately pulled off his bag, handing it to Usopp who stood beside him. Usopp shook his head, clutching the bag in his hands. "Luffy, don't."
"It's you." Luffy growled, rolling his sleeves up. "I'm gonna kick your ass!"
"Shut up!" Zoro snapped, stepping up to the register and spreading his items across the counter. "Don't make a scene, dumbass."
"Zo-Zo-ro?" Luffy stammered in shock. He blinked unsurely, completely sidetracked by Zoro's sudden appearance. "Senpai? What are you doing here?"
"I'm getting lunch." Zoro answered, paying the cashier as quickly as possible. He shoved his wallet back in his pocket and grabbed his bag. He walked toward Luffy, pushing him and Usopp out the automatic doors.
"Whoa…" Luffy murmured, still stunned. "What are the chances, huh?"
"Damn it, Luffy." Zoro growled, pushing Luffy up against the brick siding. He pressed Luffy painfully into the wall, his face inches from the younger man's. "What the hell are you doing? Are you really picking a fight in the middle of the konbini?"
"That guy-"
"I know who they are." Zoro interrupted. "Even more reason for you to steer the fuck clear of them!"
"They're coming out…" Usopp whispered, knocking his elbow into Zoro's side. "Let him go."
Zoro released his hold on Luffy, pressing his back against the wall. The group stepped through the doors and turned, the blonde flashing them a wide, wicked grin. "You two are friends. What a small world."
"Your face pisses me off." Luffy declared, pushing off from the wall. His body stiffened as Zoro's hand wrapped around his wrist. Zoro didn't pull, but it was undeniably obvious he didn't want Luffy to get any closer to the group of men.
"Such a blast from the past." The blonde taunted. "Roronoa Zoro."
"Do I know you?" Zoro asked, furrowing his brows.
"Donquixote Doflamingo." The blonde announced. "Usually people remember me. I have a commanding aura."
"Oh, so that's your name…" Luffy murmured, tapping his fist against his palm. "I've been trying to remember it since you pushed me down the stairs…"
"A nobody like you…" Doflamingo hissed in irritation.
"Let's just go." Usopp urged. "I'm hungry."
"Run along, little Luffy…" Doflamingo taunted. "Your girlfriend's getting scared."
"He's not my girlfriend." Luffy barked. "And he's not a girl. Usopp doesn't have anything to do with this. If you've got a problem with me, you handle it with me!"
"This is pathetic." Zoro groaned. "You're exactly the same. Are you a child?"
"I don't wanna hear that from you." Doflamingo snickered. "You ran away so fast your head was practically spinning…"
"Tch." Zoro spat.
"I see you've done real well for yourself…" Doflamingo pressed. "Blue-collar trash like you should just stay out of my sight."
"Don't you dare look down on Zoro." Luffy shouted, straining against Zoro's grip. "I'll knock those teeth right outta your head."
"Luffy…" Usopp groaned, grabbing hold of Luffy's other wrist. "We've already been arrested once because of this dick. Let's not make it twice…"
"He's right. Let's not fight." Doflamingo suggested in a falsely sweet tone. "How 'bout this, eh? You and me, in the locker room, tomorrow. Whoever taps out first has to use the girls' locker room…"
"Just quit." One of the other teammates suggested. "You don't stand a chance."
"Let him try." Doflamingo drawled. "At this rate, he can be the new "Chopper"."
Zoro didn't realize when he released Luffy. All he knew was one minute he was holding the other man back and the next his fist was barreling toward Doflamingo's face. Zoro missed Doflamingo's face, striking him in the neck as the taller man dodged. He raised his fist to strike again but Usopp grabbed him.
"Stop it! Stoooooop!" Usopp pleaded.
Zoro didn't want to stop. He wanted to pummel every single one of them an inch from death. He wanted to hurt them. He wanted to wipe the grins from their fucking stupid faces. He couldn't see a reason to stop. He couldn't think of one thing to hold him back. And when he turned to look at Luffy, he knew that Luffy was up and ready for a fight.
"Luf-fy!" Usopp nearly screamed. "You'll be shipped off the Self-Defense Force if you don't stop! Do you want that?!"
And like a light switch, Luffy was out. He pulled back, his hand resting on Zoro's shoulder. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
"Tomorrow, Luffy." Doflamingo challenged. "Go ahead and resign if you're too scared."
"Tomorrow." Luffy agreed, his lips held tight.
"Alright… We're leaving…" Usopp urged, grabbing Luffy and pulling him down the street. "Keep walking. Keep walking."
"You're quitting judo." Zoro said firmly, the moment they stopped walking, their backs pressed against the side of a shop.
"The hell I am." Luffy breathed out. "I'm gonna go kick his ass first."
"Quit judo, man!" Usopp groaned. "There's no reason for you to go!"
"That guy…" Luffy shook his head. "He's going down."
"You're an idiot if you think he's going to fight one on one." Zoro spoke quietly.
"Creeps like that don't deserve the air they breathe." Luffy muttered.
"You don't have to accept every challenge thrown your way." Usopp explained. "It doesn't make you a coward. You know that guy is a sadistic bastard…"
"If I don't go. If I quit the team. What then?" Luffy wondered. "When I run into him at school or around town, will I be safe? Will he leave me alone?"
"School and around town isn't a dark and creepy locker room where no one can hear you screaming!" Usopp panicked.
"I need to talk to you." Zoro said suddenly. "But I have to go back to work."
"Okay…" Luffy nodded.
"Come by my apartment tonight." Zoro instructed. "I should be home around 6."
"You're gonna tell him not to go, right?" Usopp whispered into Zoro's ear. "Please!"
Zoro just looked at Usopp for a long moment. "We'll talk more about this tonight, Luffy."
Bang. "Senpai?"
A moment later Zoro appeared at the door, ushering Luffy inside. "Hey…"
Luffy was quiet. He walked past Zoro, who smelled like bar soap, and into the apartment. He inhaled deeply, something was cooking in the kitchen, it smelled delicious. Luffy sat down on the couch, his legs spread far apart. Zoro sat down next to him, their thighs touching.
"Dinner will be ready in half an hour." Zoro explained. "Go ahead and stay."
"Thanks." Luffy said, trying to maintain his nonchalant air. In truth, he was incredibly nervous about what Zoro wanted to talk about.
"So, uh, that bastard is the captain now, huh?" Zoro asked, shaking his head in disapproval.
"Yeah." Luffy confirmed.
"Do you have a problem with those guys?" Zoro asked, his hands shaking in his lap.
"Nothing I can't handle." Luffy replied, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why? Are you going to tell me I can't go?"
"You can't go." Zoro said firmly.
"My pride won't allow that." Luffy responded.
"That guy… He's… not normal…" Zoro tried to explain, his eyes darting from side to side.
"I know." Luffy assured him.
"No, you don't know!" Zoro snapped. "He's not looking for a fair fight. He wants to hurt you…"
"I know, Zoro." Luffy repeated. "He was just goading you. Chopper told me everything. I know."
"If you know, then why the hell are you even considering this?!" Zoro barked, turning to face Luffy.
"They want me to quit." Luffy said simply. "So I won't."
"Don't be an idiot!" Zoro pleaded. "How can you? I mean… There were five of them against Chopper! What the hell do you…? Luffy…"
"I won't run away." Luffy refused. "And I won't lose."
"You're being stupid. He's older than you, way bigger than you, and he won't fight fair." Zoro pressed. He turned on the sofa, his hands gripping Luffy's wrists. He yanked Luffy roughly, sprawling him out on the sofa underneath him. "If you can't stop me, you can't stop him…"
"Sen-pai…" Luffy groaned, struggling to free himself from Zoro's grip.
"You're strong, Luffy…" Zoro breathed, pinning Luffy's hands above his head. "But you're only human."
Luffy pushed his arms up off the couch and into the air. He fought to free himself from Zoro's hold. He lifted his knees, thrusting them into Zoro's stomach. Zoro flinched but didn't ease his grip. Luffy snarled in irritation, finally pulling one wrist out of Zoro's hand. "Let go!"
"You need a reality check." Zoro breathed out, recapturing Luffy's free arm. "I'm not hurting you am I?"
"Zor-o!" Luffy grunted, his fist knocking violently between their bodies. "Stop it!"
"Don't go tomorrow." Zoro demanded, his body sinking down on Luffy's propped up knees. Zoro's superior weight crushed down on Luffy and Zoro slid between Luffy's thighs. "He's stronger than me. He's bigger than me. He won't care if he hurts you."
"Get off!" Luffy shouted, suddenly feeling claustrophobic as he sunk further into the couch.
"Don't go." Zoro repeated, his heart beating wildly in his chest.
"I'm not kidding…" Luffy began to cry, his body slackening. He stopped resisting, his body going limp beneath Zoro's. "Stop it."
Zoro sat up, his skin flushing with color shamefully. He didn't know what to do. He just knew that Luffy couldn't meet that bastard tomorrow. He knew he couldn't let Luffy face that guy alone. Zoro swallowed thickly, leaning over to peek on Luffy who remained motionless in the crack of the couch. "Hey, Luffy… You okay?"
Luffy sat up slowly, his hair sticking out at weird angles. He pulled his legs off the couch and turned, sitting properly on his cushion. The veins in his arms were pronounced and even though his face was obscured by his hair, Zoro could imagine the angry tears flowing down his cheeks.
"I'm sorry." Zoro said softly. Luffy's shoulders shook silently. He leaned forward, his arms wrapping around his stomach as if he might be ill. He licked his lips incessantly.
"Luffy, I am so sorry." Zoro continued, placing his hand on Luffy's knee. "I was trying to prove a point. I hope I did. I'm sorry if I scared you…" Zoro exhaled heavily. "But I will do everything in my power to convince you not to go."
Luffy's fist connected with Zoro's jaw roughly. The pain shot across his mouth and into his neck. Zoro grunted loudly, his hand flying up to the injury unconsciously. Luffy stood, his hands shaking by his sides. "You caught me off guard, is all. That bastard won't have the same advantage."
"Damn it, Luffy." Zoro groaned, blood filling his mouth.
"Don't ever try to teach me a lesson again, Zoro." Luffy said flatly.
"Fuck!" Zoro spat, standing up. "I didn't hurt ya, did I?"
"You humiliated me." Luffy admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "Because you could."
"I'm… I… I'm just trying to stop you. Please…" Zoro groaned, his hands running through his short hair. "Stay away from that guy. I'll do anything. You don't have to quit judo. Just, please, stay away from him… Stay away from all of them."
"I'll settle it tomorrow, Zoro. Count on me." Luffy replied.
"I'll do anything…" Zoro pleaded. "Don't go."
Luffy smiled tightly, "Then trust me."
