Chopper checked Luffy's temperature yet again. The others had gone downstairs to eat the dinner Sanji had prepared. They would be back later to check in. Zoro was implacable. He stood to Chopper's right and watched his every move.
"He's still very hot," Chopper used a stethoscope to listen to his heart "he also appears to be suffering from hypotension[1]."
"Is there anything we can do?"
"At this point we can attempt to alleviate his symptoms. He just has to trudge through it. Time will tell whether or not the treatment has been effective. I am going to get some soup. You should eat too."
"I'm fine. I will be here with him."
Chopper respected his choice and did not push the matter any further. Zoro sat down at Luffy's bedside and stared at his chest as if it would stop moving without his supervision. Luffy took a raspy breath. His eyes fluttered open. Zoro remembered the words exchanged before Luffy lost consciousness and he braced himself. All traces of animosity were gone and Luffy looked more confused than anything. He opened his mouth, about to speak but fell silent. His face was stricken with pain. He pointed to his neck and gaped.
"You're thirsty? I'll get you some water."
Zoro raised his head and carefully helped the boy drink. When Luffy finished he coughed and gave a weak smile.
"Better."
"That's good. I'll be sitting just over there if you need anything."
Zoro began to back away. He did not want to crowd him and he wasn't sure Luffy wanted to see him right now. To his surprise a small hand reached out and wrapped around his wrist.
"Zoro stays right here."
"Very well, Zoro will stay right here."
Luffy scooted over a few inches and patted the spot beside him. Zoro sat obediently. The rain had almost completely died down and now there was only a light pitter patter on the roof. Nami and Sanji had brought more camping supplies with them. Luffy was now tucked under Nami's blanket. With a wink, she had said she would waive the fee…this one time. Within a few moments Luffy was out cold yet again. Good. It's best that he sleep as much as possible. It can only help.
"Oi, marimo, come have a drink with me."
Zoro turned around to face their lanky cook. He had walked up so quietly that Zoro didn't even notice he was there.
"Thanks but I'll have to pass. I will not leave him."
Sanji squatted beside him and looked Luffy over. The kid really looks like shit. He thought with a sigh.
"Come on, there's nothing you can do right now. You can spare a moment. I've got Ginjo-shu.[2]"
Zoro stared at Luffy a little longer before standing.
"Fine, but just one."
Sanji smirked.
"I knew you couldn't say no to quality booze."
Their faces were bathed in warm light as they stepped into the living room. Chopper was eating from a large bowl of chicken soup. Usopp and Nami watched with delight as Robin's many arms put on a small show with shadow puppets.
Zoro crossed his arms. At least they aren't being as noisy as usual.
Sanji grabbed a tokkuri[3] and a couple of glasses.
"It sounds like the rain has stopped."
The two gentlemen stepped outside. The clouds were beginning to part and moonlight poured through the cracks. It was deathly silent. The whole town was one giant tomb. Sanji poured a drink for Zoro and one for himself. They each raised a glass to Luffy.
"Kanpai."
The chilled beverage went down smoothly and Zoro was grateful for it. He could use a drink after the day he had had. There was an amber glow as Sanji flicked his lighter. After lighting his cigarette he had another drink. Neither of them spoke, they weren't exactly what you'd call chatty people. After their third or fourth round Sanji finally opened his mouth.
"He doesn't hate you."
"What? Who?"
"I swear, sometimes you're even more stupid than you look."
"Oi! You trying to start something, chef?"
Sanji clicked his tongue.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk first you drink my alcohol then you challenge me to a fight?"
"When you're being an ass I will."
Neither of them was particularly committed to the brawl. It was all empty banter to fill the time.
"Luffy," Sanji continued as though nothing had happened "he doesn't want you to leave the crew and he won't hate you. He may have lashed out but that's all it was; nonsensical babbling from someone in pain."
"…I know."
"Then why the long face? It really doesn't do you any favors. You weren't particularly easy on the eyes to begin with…although I'm sure some people would say otherwise."
Sanji smiled coyly and flicked the cigarette butt into a puddle. He retrieved the pack from his pocket. Zoro was dumbstruck. Sanji chortled at his flummoxed expression.
"Jesus, marimo, don't tell me you're falling for me." Zoro nearly choked and he fell backwards. "I thought not. It's pretty obvious you've already fallen for someone else. You know, if you two turned your little back-and-forth into something real I don't think there's anybody on the crew who would judge you…Well, not for that anyway."
Zoro grew serious. He finished off the small bottle and belched. It wasn't something he hadn't considered before. He realized his feelings toward the captain had been fuzzy for a while. If he had to say when it started he would guess it was around the time he lost to Mihawk.
"Luffy can you hear me?"
"Yeah!"
"Sorry for worrying you. If I don't become the greatest swordsman in the world, you'd be in a dilemma now, right?"
He had coughed up some blood. His injuries had been bad, not the worst he had ever received in his journeys with Luffy but substantial. He continued his speech despite protests from Johnny and Yosaku.
"I will…I will never…LOSE AGAIN! Until I defeat him and become the greatest swordsman, I'll never be defeated anymore! Any problems with that, Pirate King?"
He still remembered the way Luffy laughed. He only said one word in response.
"None."
It was so simple, so pure and so like him. That was the exact second that Zoro fell in love with Monkey D. Luffy.
"And what about you?" Zoro addressed Sanji bluntly "Do you mean even half of that lovey-dovey shit you spout or is it all for show?"
Sanji blew out a large smoke ring that billowed around his head like a halo. He shrugged after a pause.
"Who can say?"
Chopper bust through the door and into the cold.
"Zoro. He's looking for you."
Zoro rushed inside without a second thought.
1. Low blood pressure.
2. "Made with rice that has been 'polished' (as the industry puts it), or milled, to remove at least the outer 40% of the original size of the grains. This means that each grain of rice is only 60% or less of its original size."
3. "…a small, usually ceramic flask . It's usually bulbous with a narrow neck, but there are other types, such as katakuchi, which looks somewhat like a tea kettle."