word count: 300
the cat
…
an: so, the first drabble over 100 words! I wasn't sure it was ever going to happen, but here it is! I know it's a break in the current arc, but it was just sort of an idea that popped into my mind and I didn't want to forget it. Hope you like it. Reviews are always appreciated.
dedication: kallakkala, yo wuz up, and silverstream101, thank you for so consistently reviewing, it's so nice to see.
…
One lazy afternoon the straw-hat pirates found themselves with nothing to do but to stretch out on deck, hoping to catch a spare breeze as the sun beat down and soft, rolling clouds passed overhead.
Usopp was working away from his lounging crewmates when Luffy crawled over to him, hovering from shoulder to shoulder. "Watcha making, Usopp?" he asked.
"Nothing." Usopp replied curtly.
"Aahhh?" Luffy tilted his head, trying to reach for it. Usopp moved it out of his reach, annoyed. The sun seemed to be getting brighter and hotter. It was miserable, and he wasn't in the mood to put up with Luffy's antics.
"Well, what's it do?" Luffy asked, taking it out of his hands, and Usopp snapped.
"Have you ever heard the expression, 'Curiosity killed the cat,' Luffy?" but immediately paled, knowing; he wasn't talking to a cat and it certainly wasn't curiosity Luffy had almost died from mere weeks ago. He felt so stupid again, always taking things for granted, always acting like a fool.
But Luffy just scrunched up his face, an annoyed sulk, and plopped back down next to Zoro. "Yeah, well, 'Adventure brought him back,' didn't it? So who cares." he replied, and suddenly what little motion there had been on deck was gone. All attention was on Luffy, utter silence save for the gentle rocking of a calm, sun-warmed ocean.
Luffy had given them all the silent reassurance they hadn't asked for, but needed so desperately to hear anyway. He couldn't truthfully give it to them, but he gave it to them nevertheless.
Finally, Sanji broke the silence.
"It wasn't adventure, idiot. It was satisfaction." he said around a cigarette, snorting.
Luffy grinned up at the rolling clouds before tilting his hat over his face.
They sighed as a breeze came in.