Chapter 15: Anniversary!

*_+_*

"Luffy… Where are you taking me?" Zoro asked as he was blindfolded.

"I told you, it's a surprise."

"I don't do well with surprises."

"You'll like this one."

"I'll take your word for it. But if I die because of this, you're paying for my funeral."

"Yeah, yeah, I heard you the last few times you mention that." Luffy said with a laugh as he held the other's hand as he guided the other towards the harbor.

"I smell dead fish."

Luffy laughed as they walked on the wooden board towards a boat. "Okay Zoro, you have to watch your step here."

"Can I take the blindfold off?"

"No, not yet!" He said as he guided the other on the steps and onto the boat.

"I smell dead fish and by the awkward footing I'm in, we're on a boat. Luffy, why did you put me on a fishing boat?"

"It's not a fishing boat!" He said with a laugh. "But it is a boat."

"Can I take the damn thing off now?"

"Nope! Just wait a little longer!" He said as he guided their way to the front and sat down on the bench. "Wait here for just a minute. Don't you dare peek!"

"Okay…" He said as he just relaxed on the bench.

Luffy went to the captain cabin and saw a man that could barely fit in the small space. "Okay Franky, we're set."

"Okay Bro!" Franky said, a man of thirty-two, muscular upper body, thin lower body, and has light blue hair that would give Elvis's do a run for its money.

"Thanks Franky!"

"Ah! It's nothing!" He said as he started the boat.

Luffy quickly went back down to the front and laughed to let the other know it was him.

"Okay Luffy, can I take the damn cloth off now?"

"Just wait a little bit longer." He said as he held onto the other's arm.

"Just where are you taking me on a boat?"

"You'll see." He said as he watched that they were leaving the harbor and going through the two rock structures before going out into the open ocean.

_/\/\/\_

Once they were a mile away from the harbor he smiled and guided the other up and towards the wood rail. "Hold still for a sec." He said as he took the cloth off.

Zoro only saw blue as far as he could see. "Damn…" He said as he held onto the railing for what was worth.

"Isn't it great!?" Luffy said as he was gripping the rail. "But the fun part doesn't happen until a bit later."

"Huh?" Zoro said when there was a small jerk nearly brought him off balance if not for Luffy correcting his balance.

"Spread your legs out a bit and bend them a bit."

"What's the point of this trip?"

"This is my version of a roller coaster!" He said as another jerk made itself known and this time Zoro was prepared and found the jerks almost exhilarating, but not so much that would make him work up.

_/\/\/\_

By the time the waters evened themselves out, they sat back down on the bench and Zoro laughed loudly and full heartedly before bending over and holding his chest.

"Zoro!" Luffy said as he went to his side.

"I'm okay Luffy." He said with a few deep breaths, took a pill out and swallowed it whole, and sighed in content. "That was great!"

Luffy smiled, knowing the other was going to be okay and that he had fun. "Happy Anniversary!" He said.

"Anniversary?"

"Yeah! We've been friends for a few months now, I figured it's a good time to have an anniversary to celebrate the months that we've been together."

Zoro smiled as he let it be. "Happy Anniversary, and thank you."

He smiled as he hugged the other. "You're welcome!"

The other hugged back as they looked out to the ocean and got a chance to see some dolphins jumping alongside the boat.

When they were going through the jerky waters on their way back, Luffy didn't expect it and was about to fall back when the other caught him. "Thanks Zoro!"

"You helped me." He said as they continued to do their roller coaster fun before they were going back into the harbor.

_/\/\/\_

Once they got back onto land, they headed to the Baratie and had lunch there.

"So, what gave you the idea of that little boat trip?"

"Well, I knew you wouldn't do well in a carnival setting and the roller coasters would be a bit much for you. So I asked my boss, Robin, if she had any good ideas for something for us to do without putting your in huge danger. So she recommended that boat trip thing and ta-da!"

He chuckled as they ordered and continued to talk about many things.

"I figured you'd be here." Sanji said as he served their meal.

"Hey Sanji!"

"Yo."

"Haven't seen you in a while, and this is your first time here?"

"Yep!" Luffy said for both.

"Yeah, pretty much dragged here against my will."

"He'll do that." He said as he looked at the two. "So, what's the special occasion?"

"It's our anniversary!"

"Eh!? When did you two start dating?"

"What are you talking about? Isn't there an anniversary for being friends for a good long while?" Luffy said as he took a bite of his steak.

Sanji face palmed. "Should've known…"

"This isn't bad." Zoro admitted.

"Thanks." Sanji said as he pointed to Luffy. "You okay with this 'anniversary' thing?"

"What else would you call it?"

'Damn…' He thought as he was called back in. "That's me, enjoy."

"Enjoying!" Luffy said as he finished his steak.

"You done already?" Zoro asked.

"Yep!"

"You're unbelievable."

Luffy laughed as the other continued to eat his meal while watching the other start talking lively about anything and nothing at the same time.

_/\/\/\_

Later that day, Sanji walked into his apartment, only to see Usopp painting away at their half studio apartment.

"Hey Sanji, busy day?"

"It's busy when Luffy is there."

"Really?"

"And he wasn't alone."

"He's dating again?"

"No, it was Zoro, but they were celebrating their friendship anniversary."

" 'Friendship anniversary'?"

"Don't ask."

"Well, as long as he's happy I don't care what he really calls it."

"What can you call something like that?"

"Good point." He said as he took his paint brushes down. "Only Luffy can call it that and not give a damn on what people would think."

"I don't even think Zoro minds it either." Sanji said. "You should've seen how laid back he was when I practically picked my jaw up from the ground."

Usopp laughed. "That's a pretty good visual."

"Funny to you…" He said as he grabbed a cigarette and went out to the fire escape to smoke.

"Oh come on, Sanji. You and I both know Luffy is a bit off but means well at the same time." Usopp said as he went out as well. "And that's something that most of us lost somewhere along the way. And that's what makes most of us like him so much that it worries us."

"No kidding… But it looks like that guy is a good match for him, as long as that baka doesn't start dating again."

"You and me both. I actually started to see them more as a couple the more I think about it."

"You haven't started a painting with them are you?"

"I was actually starting it."

"Really?" Sanji said as he finished his smoke and went back inside to have a look at it. "Hmm… Innocent enough."

"Well, yeah, they're just friends you know. And the idea from those kids didn't hurt either."

"What is this picture for?"

"Don't know. I figured it was innocent enough for Luffy's work place, hearing that the kids have taken a liking to Zoro."

"Sounds good." Sanji said as he headed to the kitchen. "I'm going to make something."

"You need to stop bringing work home!"

"That's what you do every day!"

"Shut up!" He said as he sat back down and looked at his almost finished painting of Luffy, wearing what a pirate captain would wear in a blood red and gold thread, and Zoro in another pirate inspired outfit that wasn't fancy but not dragged out from the drain either. Luffy was on the figure head of the ship while Zoro wasn't far from the other, leaning against the railing.