Chapter 12: Recovery
Zolo slowly opened his eyes, the world seeming to spin above him. He closed his eyes and gripped the sides of the bed convulsively. The room slowed and finally stopped and he ventured to open his eyes again. This time was better and he was able to open his eyes fully and look around. Unfortunately, the first thing he saw was Sanji. What a way to wake up. Zolo thought.
"Finally moss head, I thought you were dead and was about to have a party." Sanji said. He had a smoke in his mouth but it wasn't lit. It was a no smoking area. Zolo gave him a short smile and It was then Zolo realised he was in a hospital bed. He tried to sit up but pain took over his body and he fell back with a groan.
"Don't try and move." another voice said. He looked over and saw Nami sitting on the other side. Usopp was there as well and was clutching a book to his chest.
"Where's Luffy?" he asked. Sanji pointed across the room and Zolo saw Luffy laying in a bed similar to his. The boy had a bandage around his chest and hands. He still hadn't woken up. Zolo felt a pang of sadness that he wasn't awake and smiling, but the boy had been through a lot. Shanks was sitting beside him, seemingly fast asleep in the chair.
"What happened?"
"You were stabbed. You turned your back on an enemy you idiot. I came in just as Crocodile was about to finish you. I kicked him back into the wall and then the police arrived and arrested him." Sanji said and stood up.
"I don't need a lesson from you." he replied with a frown. Sanji chuckled.
"Same old moss head." he said. "Visiting hours are over, so, we'll come back tomorrow"
"Whatever." Zolo replied trying to seem like he didn't care, but the truth was he was happy they cared.
"Here. This is for you and Luffy. I've been working on it since I met him. Give it to him when he wakes up." Usopp said and laid the book on the table beside Zolo. Zolo nodded and watched as the three walked out.
"You still owe me the money!" Nami called back. Zolo groaned and pushed his head back against the pillow. He looked out the window and noticed with a start that it was dark.
Nami hurried back in and Zolo thought she was going to wheedle the money out of him while he was injured, but she merely went over, woke Shanks up and then went out. Zolo sighed when they left. He lay back and reached over to grab the book. He opened it and gasped. It was a comic book that Usopp must have drawn himself. It was good too. But Zolo noticed something else. It starred them all.
It was on a huge pirate ship that had a ram's head. Luffy was sitting on the front of the ship dressed in a red vest and blue jeans that were rolled up. He was grinning and holding the straw hat to his head. How Usopp had found out about the straw hat Zolo would never know.
Luffy probably rang the curly haired boy up after he and Shanks had left. Zolo saw himself dressed in green pants, a white shirt and his three swords fastened around his waist. He was leaning against the mast of the ship fast asleep and Zolo felt a slight pang of annoyance.
Nami was leaning against the rail with a compass in her hand. Sanji was standing next to her dressed in a black tuxedo and a smoke in his mouth with his hands dug deep in his pockets. Usopp was up in the crow's nest wearing his trademark overalls and a slingshot in his back pocket and there was a new addition to the crew. A little reindeer by the name of Chopper. Zolo read the book, marvelling at how well the pictures were drawn.
Luffy was the captain and the ship's flag was a skull and crossbones with a broad grin and a straw hat on it's head. Luffy could stretch like rubber and battled many foes as he travelled to the Grand Line to become the king of the pirates. Zolo was his first mate and he was in training to beat Mihawk, the best swordsman in the world so he could be the best. Nami was the navigator and she still had her trademark love of money. Sanji was the ship's chef and he was forever flirting with Nami.
Usopp was the lookout and Zolo was a little proud of the man for letting himself be cowardly in the book and Chopper could turn into a gigantic man and was the ship's doctor and he wore a big pink hat. It was funny, but cool and Zolo was sure that Luffy would love it!
Speaking of. He looked up to see Luffy stirring. He closed the book and placed it on the bed stand. Luffy's eyes opened and blinked, looking around carefully. He panicked, jittering in the bed thinking he was still in Crocodile's place and then realised he was in a hospital and relaxed. He looked over and saw Zolo who grinned and waved.
"Where's Crocodile?" Luffy asked.
"In jail." Zolo replied. Luffy relaxed against his pillows and smiled. His eyes closed again and he fell asleep. Zolo smiled at him fondly. "I love you Zolo." he muttered before falling completely asleep. Zolo nodded.
"I know." he said softly.
They both stayed in hospital for a week and then were finally allowed to go home. Luffy was not completely healed and so had to stay in his bed for a little longer but Zolo stayed by his side. He even slept in Luffy's bed with him a few times because Luffy didn't want Zolo to leave his side.
"I feel safer with you around." Luffy kept saying and Zolo didn't mind. Luffy had loved Usopp's book and had even treasured it enough that he had put it inside a dust cover and put it in his new desk that Zolo had bought. Apparently, it turned out that Crocodile was a wanted man, worth at least $30,000 and Zolo had gotten the reward money.
He had given ten thousand to Shanks who had been nearly in tears, making Zolo feel very uncomfortable. Zolo had finally paid Nami back and then offered two thousand dollars to Sanji for his help but the apprentice chef had refused. Zolo hadn't pushed but he had bought Sanji a new tuxedo for which the blonde headed moron was at least a little grateful. He was sitting downstairs when he heard pattering footsteps and looked up to see Luffy wander in.
"What are you doing up?" Zolo asked standing. Luffy grinned.
"I'm better." he said. Zolo walked over and inspected the boy's body. His hand was healed and had a large circular scar, and his other hand was fully flexible and healed also. His nose was realigned and healed, and the cracked ribs were pinned back together and when Zolo gently pressed Luffy's chest, he giggled instead of wincing in pain.
"Am I better enough to watch TV?" Luffy asked. Zolo smiled and nodded. Luffy whooped but for some reason waited until Zolo sat down. He then jumped into Zolo's lap and leaned against his chest.
"Hey, guess what! I forgot to tell you." Luffy said suddenly and turned so he was facing the swordsman.
"What?" Zolo asked. Luffy grinned.
"I fought back. I broke Crocodile's nose and even knocked him to the ground! It was so cool! Well, not cool beating him up but cool that I had that much power!" Luffy cried and Zolo laughed.
"Good on you Luffy." he said.
"And it's all thanks to you Zolo." Luffy said and then kissed him. Zolo smiled and wrapped his hands around Luffy's back. They broke apart and Luffy snuggled closer to Zolo.
"Your welcome Luffy." Zolo said and kissed the top of Luffy's head.
The end
I had an alternate ending to this, and it involved Zolo still finding Luffy, but Luffy is dead and yeah, but, it was too sad, so I changed it. There you go everyone, it is finally finished. Hope you enjoyed it and happy fanfic reading:)
