Luffy plopped down next to him, his usual smile absent from his face.

"What's up?"

"Does it hurt?"

Zoro snorted, closing his eyes again, fully prepared to return to his nap. Except a finger was poking at his waist, which was quite distracting. He reached a hand out to snag the offending digit, halting any further abuse against his healing wound.

"Knock it off," he rolled an eye up at his captain, annoyed.

"It still hurts."

"Yes, it still hurts, so don't poke it."

Luffy pulled his hand back, expression downcast in the oddest not-frown Zoro had ever seen.

"What's eating you?" Zoro sat up, concerned by the raven-haired boys unusual demeanor.

"Zoro got hurt helping me."

"So I got hurt. It won't kill me, nothing to get upset about.."

"But I don't want Zoro to get hurt because of me," Luffy insisted, pouting.

"Hey, I don't want to get hurt either, but it's probably gonna happen," Zoro shrugged, trying to be realistic.

Luffy looked even more somber.

"Why the concern all of a sudden?"

"Zoro's important to me," Luffy stated, not the least bit embarrassed to admit his feelings, "Shanks told me you should always protect what's important to you."

"He did, did he?"

Luffy nodded.

"Alright, then. From now on, if you work harder to protect me …" And Zoro leaned in, pressing a short kiss to Luffy's lips before leaning back again, "…I'll work harder to protect you, okay?"

Luffy blinked, cheeks pink. Then a large smile spread across his face, the boy pirate practically glowing as he answered.

"Yosh!"

fin