This little bit of Nakama-ship came about after a little idea I thought of literally a second after I updated with the last group of little one-shots. So I hope you enjoy.
Credit for the English lyrics of 'Bink's Sake' goes to Bowen13.
Warning: May contain a bitter sweet ending. If you see the sweet side of the ending, you get a cookie.
Scars
He had too many scars. Every time Luffy looked at him, he seemed to be more beat up than usual.
When Luffy had seen him in the doctor's office of Cocoyashi village, he had noticed just how deep Mihawk had cut.
In Little Garden, Vivi had told him how Zoro had tried to cut off his legs to escape and whilst Luffy assured her that the green haired man wasn't that crazy, he silently glared at Sandai Kitetsu when he was sure no-one was looking.
In Alabasta, the way Chopper complained to him about training made Luffy slightly curious about his first mate. When Luffy had asked the swordsman about his injuries, he had merely smiled.
"Just a scratch" had been Zoro's reply. Luffy had laughed quietly.
"The scar on my cheek's just a scratch" he had thought to himself "You're more like a walking zombie"
Through Skypeia, Water 7 and Eines Lobby, Luffy had noticed that the swordsman was taking more and more risky moves and was getting more and more hurt as a consequence. He couldn't help but shudder whenever Zoro reached for his blades. Wado Ichimonji, Luffy knew he could trust. Yubashiri was a little bit lazy but seemed good and therefore, Luffy accepted Zoro's use of the blade.
Then there was Kitetsu.
God, Luffy hated Kitetsu.
The blade always glinted in the sun whenever it was drawn, as if it was saying to Luffy "Watch me or else your friend will find his arm missing"
The sword just seemed to be forged of pure evil.
What made Luffy even more worried was that on some level, he knew Zoro knew about the blade's evil too…
And that scared Luffy…
It scared him because it showed that Zoro was using an evil blade that the swordsman knew could kill him at any moment…and he was fine with it.
Even with all those problems, Luffy still respected and trusted Zoro's judgement…
Until now…
"Going to bring Bink's sake
A pirate's job for pirate's pay
Like a stone, our boat skips on
And slices through the seas"
As one could probably guess, Brook was singing joyfully as the rest of the crew partied. Franky had joined the skeleton on stage with his banjo, playing the melody and singing along with Brook. Chopper and Usopp were the closest to the stage and were pretty much dancing to the tune of the song. Robin chuckled at the duo's antics. Sanji stood beside her, listening to the music and waiting to provide for the two females of the crew at a moments notice. Nami was nearby, drawing her maps on a garden table whilst listening to Brook's ballad. The captain, however, knew where he was going and it wasn't here. He walked away from the party. Nami seemed to notice him leave and quickly called to Sanji to make her some food. The navigator knew Luffy needed some time along with Zoro and with Zoro's main punch bag indisposed, it would be a lot easier for Luffy to talk to him without the swordsman being distracted.
Zoro was currently leaning on the rail at the back of the ship and was watching the stars and the peaceful ocean behind them. He flinched hearing the footsteps and turned his head to see his captain.
"Hey Luffy" he greeted "Why aren't you at the party like everyone else?"
"What happened back at Thriller Bark between you and Kuma?"
The air suddenly turned cold. Zoro looked out at the ocean, his welcoming grin now a fierce scowl at the sudden turn in the conversation. Luffy continued to stare at his first mate from under his hat. The swordsman finally replied with a small chuckle.
"I don't know what you're…"
"DON'T LIE TO ME!" Luffy yelled loudly. Zoro instantly fell silent. The music of Bink's sake still flowed on the wind, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"If the waves dare dance too high
If dark clouds obscure the sky
Beat the drum and never run
Before that fateful dance"
Zoro sighed.
"I should know better than to think you're that stupid Luffy" he said sadly. Luffy continued to stare at Zoro.
"Tell me what happened Zoro" Luffy commanded angrily. Zoro looked up and met Luffy's eyes. The captain meant business, even Zoro could tell that. However, Zoro instead continued to look out at the sea.
"I don't have to" Zoro argued in a quiet voice.
"Why not?" Luffy asked angrily.
"Because I can tell you already know"
Now it was Luffy's turn to fall silent. The music once again took centre stage.
"Going to bring Bink's sake
And find our dreams along the way
Wave goodbye, try not to cry
We'll never meet again"
"Who told you?" Zoro questioned. He didn't really need an answer. He knew what Luffy was going to say.
"Robin" the word made Zoro shiver slightly as Luffy's cold glare watched him.
"I found her last night in the library" Luffy explained "Franky was calming her down when I arrived…"
"She'd been crying Zoro" The green haired man flinched. The idea of Robin crying was so alien to him. He had only seen her cry once, at Eines Lobby. It was horrible for him. Zoro was even sure he heard Sanji sniffle at the sight of her upset.
"How'd she know?" Zoro asked calmly, hiding the hint of remorse in his voice.
"You know Robin" Luffy muttered "She's definitely smarter than a lot of us on this ship. She put two and two together" Zoro stayed silent and nodded. Luffy continued.
"Chopper was having nightmares last night Zoro, Nightmares about you dying"
"Sanji's always checking up on you whilst you're sleeping, making sure your wounds are alright…said he didn't want to lose his favourite punch bag"
Zoro chuckled at this but his Captain's glare soon silenced him.
"Zoro…everyone knows what you did. Brook knows, Usopp knows…Nami…she didn't say anything to me when I saw her this morning…but she knows too Zoro" The swordsman couldn't help but twitch as he knew what was coming next.
"We're all worried about you Zoro" he finished. Zoro gave a grunt.
"You'd don't need to" he stated. Luffy was not ready to leave however.
"Why did you do it Zoro?" Luffy asked, his voice faltering for a second due to his eyes watering. "Why did you take my pain for me?" Zoro looked back at his captain with sympathetic eyes.
"You know my answer" he said. Luffy nodded.
"Then you know what I'm going to tell you not to do" Luffy confirmed. Zoro nodded.
"And you know that I'm not going to listen and I'm going to do it anyway if I ever need to" Zoro said. Luffy nodded again, this time with tears leaking from his eyes.
"And you know that I won't let you do it" he said, his eyes staring at his first mate in desperation. Zoro nodded, his own eyes watering.
"I don't care" Zoro said as he walked past Luffy "I'm always going to be there for you Luffy" He then turned to speak to his captain eye to eye.
"Whether I need to give my life for you or not, I'm not going to let you die before you become pirate king" The straw-hat captain growled.
"Sometimes, I really hate you Zoro" he muttered darkly.
"Same" Zoro replied as the two parted ways.
Bink's sake still echoed joyously in the background.
"Everyone meets Davy Jones
One day we will all be bones
Until then, we'll sing again
And bring Bink his Sake"
Until then, I'm Shadowonthewall6 and I hope you've enjoyed this story.
Please review. Positive criticism is welcome.
