Chapter 3

Luffy wandered the streets of the town, his hand on his hat in the wind. He had just eaten a good meal and was now looking for something to entertain him.

There was a book shop? No.

Petting Zoo? No.

Compass seller? Hmm, no.

Shoe shop? No way!

Ooo, a sword shop. Zolo liked swords, perhaps he could find something in there to give to his friend as a present.

Yeah! Luffy walked in and looked around. There were some cool looking swords in here. Luffy spotted a sword cleaning kit and as far as the captain knew, Zolo didn't have one of those. He looked at it, checked his money and then whined. He didn't have enough. Luffy decided that he would go and ask the man behind the counter if there was anyway he could get a discount.

"No way kid. That's high quality stuff that is." the man said. Luffy pouted.

"Please?" he knew the guy wouldn't fall for his pout like his crew did, but, it was worth a shot. The man glared at him and shook his head. Luffy bowed his head and walked out miserably. He was staring at the ground as he walked out and then walked into something warm and soft. He looked up and saw Zolo staring down at him, an eyebrow raised.

"Where have you been?" he asked. Luffy put on his trademark grin.

"Around." he replied.

"Around where? You were supposed to be back at the ship. It is now sundown and we should have sailed out by now." Zolo said angrily. Luffy blanched and lowered his head.

"Sorry." he mumbled. Zolo sighed. It was too hard to stay mad at his crush, but, it was the only wayLuffy would learn.

"Come on captain. Sanji's already pissed that you haven't returned." Zolo said and began walking off. He didn't say anything about the girl, or Luffy would have been nagging him the whole way back. Luffy shuffled behind him, like a scolded child.

"Zolo, are you mad at me?" Luffy finally said. Zolo stopped and turned to look at his friend.

"I'm not. But Nami and Sanji are." he replied. Luffy tilted his head to one side and Zolo looked at the water. Luffy just looked so…cute when he did that, and if Zolo looked at him any longer he was in danger of pouncing on the boy. Damn, he looked at him again and his face flushed.

"No, I know that. I'll never be out of trouble with those two, I mean, you. Lately you don't want to be near me, why?" Luffy asked innocently. Zolo's heart suddenly hurt and he turned to gaze at the boy who was now staring at his feet.

Because I love you damn it! "Oh…Luffy, I am so sorry." Zolo said quietly. Luffy's shoulders shook and Zolo realised his captain was trying to be tough by suppressing the tears that were already coursing down his face. Zolo walked over to him and placed his hands on Luffy's shoulders.

"Luffy, don't…please? I…I have just been distracted, really distracted, it had nothing to do with you." he said quietly. Luffy looked up, his eyes shivering.

"Really? Because, you don't avoid anyone else and, whenever I want to play with you, you want to sleep, a-and you snap at me when I talk to you. Tell me what I did wrong and I-I'll fix it. Please Zolo, I don't want you mad at me!" Luffy wailed and fell forward clutching Zolo's shirt. Zolo was momentarily stunned by Luffy's sudden outburst and then he realised what his captain was doing and placed his arms awkwardly around Luffy, who sobbed.

"Luffy, there's nothing to fix. If anything needs fixing it's me." Zolo said. Luffy pulled back and gazed up at him, eyes shining.

"Y-you?" he choked. Zolo nodded.

"Yeah. I was being my broody usual self and I let it get out of control. Luffy, you are my best friend in the whole damn world and no matter what you do, I will always be your best friend. Heck, I can't stay mad at you for more than five seconds let alone a few weeks. Luffy, please, if I have done something to hurt you, I am eternally sorry that what I have done caused you harm or grief or pain, it wasn't right. Do you understand?" Zolo asked looking down at his captain.

Luffy gazed at him for a moment and then smiled. "Ok Zolo. I trust you." Luffy said.

Zolo felt the muscles contract in his stomach from shock. I trust you. Why did those three words affect him so deeply all of a sudden. It was like someone had kicked his stomach, but instead of pain there was a pleasant, happy feeling. His love for Luffy was rearing it's head again and Zolo couldn't really push Luffy away this time, so, instead he pulled him close. Hugging the captain so tight, like if he let him go it would mean Luffy would disappear. Luffy wrapped his own arms around Zolo's waist and squeezed as well.

"Come on Luffy, apart from dinner, there is a surprise on the ship." Zolo murmured, not really wanting to let Luffy go but knowing he would have to eventually. Luffy immediately broke their contact and bolted for the ship yelling something about meat and shiny objects. Zolo followed, his mind just a little bit lighter.

Awww...Zolo is such a pushover.