Chapter 13: Picnic Plans

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It was a gloomy day outside with dark clouds and rain everywhere, but for Luffy it was a great excuse to stay in with Zoro as they talked about everything and nothing.

But somewhere else in the city, two women and two men were trying to reach their friend, only to conclude that the said missing person was at the man's place.

"What's the deal with this Zoro guy anyway?" Usopp asked.

"He's a friend of Luffy's, what's more to know?" Nami said as she took a bite from the cake that Sanji made.

"We got that." Sanji said. "But the last few times we saw them together, I swear they were more than that."

"That's true, but maybe because they're just that close." Vivi said with a smile. "Sometimes a lot of people confuse relationships with friendships just because they do things that couples would do, but it's far from the point."

'Good thinking.' Nami thought with a proud smile.

"Yeah… I guess you're right." Sanji said as he took a sip of his tea. "I just can't get that guy."

"What's there to get?" Nami said.

"I mean the last time we talked to him."

"What do you mean?"

"It was almost a month ago, but it was the first time Usopp and I talked to him. I warned him not to hurt Luffy, and he said that they were just friends and it was impossible to be more than that."

"Huh? You're still thinking about that?" Usopp said.

"The guy just annoys the hell out of me for some reason."

"Because he's with Luffy?"

"No… Luffy proved himself that he can handle himself, but that guy… I know there's something off with him."

Nami sighed. 'May as well tell them.' She thought. "There is. He's sick."

"Huh?" The two men said in unison. "Who is?"

"Zoro." Vivi said. "He has a bit of a weak heart."

"A weak heart?" Usopp said.

"And Luffy's friends with a guy with that condition?"

"That's what we thought as well, but it looks like they found a good balance somewhere." Nami said.

"How did you find out?" Sanji asked.

"We eaves dropped on their conversation once and Nami decided to confront him." Vivi said.

"Like you guys I thought Luffy was hanging out with another guy, turns out he's been a great help to Luffy and are just friends."

"Huh…" Usopp said. "But wouldn't a condition that serious be hospitalized?"

"That's what I thought too." Vivi said. "But apparently he's stable enough to live out a daily life, but has to manage his stress or he'll have an attack and die."

"Huh…" Sanji said. "And with Luffy around… That would explain a bit of why Luffy acts differently around that guy."

"Yep." Nami said. "Now that you know, would you stop wondering if they're more than friends? Because that's what they are and will stay that way."

"But what if it develops to be more?" Usopp asked.

"You're too much of a romantic then." She said as she waved him off.

"But if it happens, what then?"

The two girls looked at each other and sighed.

"We tried not to think of that possibility." Vivi admitted.

"We figured that someone…" She glared at the blonde. "Broke his heart he would avoid going into any relationships at this point and just want simple companionship."

"And it seems Zoro needed the same thing as well. Being alone for so long can make anyone seem cold and uncaring about others." Vivi said.

"He did seem less scary the last time we saw them together." Usopp admitted.

"See? Even with their odd friendship they benefit from each other." Nami said.

"Maybe we should invite those two to an outing." Usopp said. "I'm sure a picnic would be a great idea for all of us to know Zoro and him to know us."

"Doesn't sound like a bad idea." Sanji said.

"And we haven't seen Luffy in a while either." Vivi said.

"I kinda miss having him around." Nami said as she smiled. "Okay, I think we can arrange a nice calm picnic day for all of us to come together."

That's when the phone rang.

"I got it!" Vivi said as she picked it up. "Hello? Oh! Luffy! We've been trying to call you."

Everyone waited as she talked to Luffy.

"So Luffy, we've been talking about going to a picnic with everyone and we were wondering if Zoro would like to come. You know to meet everyone." She said as there was a pause before she smiled. "Really? He agrees as well?"

"He's over at Luffy's?" Usopp asked.

"Apparently so." Sanji said.

"Okay! We'll let you know when. Okay! Bye!" She hung up the phone and looked at the others. "He says its okay."

"Well, it's settled then." Nami said. "We're going to have to pick out a good day for our picnic."

"Yeah, don't want it to suddenly turn gloomy on us." Usopp said.

"I better start making up something for the picnic."

"Oh, that's right." Vivi said. "It seems Luffy and Zoro have been making meals for each other."

"Huh? Since when does Luffy cook?"

"I knew he took up cooking a while back, but I didn't think he would keep it up." Sanji said.

"I thought it was odd as well, but from what Luffy could tell me was that they visit each other's apartments and cook for each other. Sometimes they cook and bring over to the apartment."

"Wow…" Usopp said. "They're really good friends if they enjoy that kind of thing."

Nami laughed. "I could just picture Luffy cooking in the kitchen. I bet it's a wreak after he completes what he sets out to do."

"I think he's pass that now…" Sanji said. "If he's been cooking for this long then he must've been reading that cook book and making sure he does it in a clean way."

"Huh?! You mean he can actually cook!?"

"It was shocking to me as well." Vivi said. "But it looks like he enjoys it."

Nami sighed. "We really need to get together, I'm being left out on what that guy does!"

"All of us has." Usopp said.

"Great idea, Usopp, a picnic is perfect for this." Sanji said with a laugh. "I better give him a call to make something as well. You know how he is with food."

"Yeah." The others said in unison as they laughed.

_/\/\/\_

Back in Luffy's apartment, he sneezed and groaned. "Jeeze! Someone really likes to talk about me!"

"I bet it's your friends." Zoro said as he finished up in the kitchen. "My bet is that they can't believe we're coming."

"I guess. I haven't realized how long I've seen my friends since last time." He said with a smile. "And that they want to know you is a good sign."

"How so?"

"They're curious about you and want to know you too."

"I guess it won't be that bad." He said as he sat down next to the other on the couch.

"When will the casserole be done?"

"About a half hour."

"Oh…"

"So, I pretty much got an idea what Sanji and Usopp are, and I remember meeting all of your friends at some point."

"This is their way to making you official then."

Zoro grinned. "Oh well, as long as I don't have an attack it would go smoothly."

"Oi! Don't say things like that so casually." He said with a pout.

He smiled. "Sorry."

"No you're not."

He chuckled. "You're right."

Luffy smiled as he settled back on the couch. "Bet you didn't expect this to happen, huh?"

"Nope, not once." He said as he stared at the television. "Thinking back on it, I'm glad I helped you that night. Even though it was the worst time of your life, without that, we wouldn't have met."

"Yeah…" Luffy said as he giggled. "Strange how things work out, huh?"

"Yeah…" He said with a smile of his own.