A/N: Finally some ZoLu fluff.

Dedicated to FlightWulf, because she's super awesome and inspired this early update! Thank you girl! *\(^o^)/*

Chapter 8: Home Visit

Light filtered in through the small windows, and Luffy's eyes gradually opened. The first thing Luffy was aware of was that his alarm clock hadn't gone off. But then he remembered that it was Saturday. And even better... Garp was gone.

A grin broke across Luffy's face. He was finally getting a much needed break, and was actually able to get a good night's rest and even sleep in for once without having to worry about the consequences. Yawning, Luffy got up and stretched. It was a little earlier than 10, and Luffy's shift at Caffe Bene didn't start until noon. That meant that he had a couple hours of free time.

Moving to the kitchen, Luffy grabbed the last two eggs out of the fridge and began preparing his breakfast. After the eggs were finished cooking, Luffy went to the living room to watch some television. He had so much extra time, that he really had no idea what to do with it. But Luffy liked it; it was a nice change of pace from his near daily dealings with Garp.

Still having another hour before his shift, Luffy decided to get a head start on cleaning the apartment. He didn't do any cleaning for the past two days, so all the trash was really starting to pile up. Even though this was always Garp's fault, it was always Luffy's responsibility to clean it up. He picked up the empty beer cans and brought them to the recycling. All of the old takeout containers went straight into the garbage bin, along with the used cigarettes. The apartment eventually began looking livable and normal again.

When it started nearing noon, Luffy grabbed his work clothes and headed out. It was a really nice day outside, sunny with a slight breeze, and it only strengthened Luffy's good mood. He felt as though it would be a good day, but then he remembered that things were still tense between him and Kid. I need to apologise to him today.

Luffy went in through the back door, and checked in. 11:55, perfect timing. After making sure the changing room was empty, he changed into his work clothes. Even though Garp had been holding off on his punishments, Luffy's body still bore old scars. The bruises would heal, but many of the deeper scars would remain. He tried not to look at the marks very often. They were disgusting and Luffy hated them, but he knew that he deserved every single one of the scars.

Clearing his mind, Luffy then went into the kitchen to face Kid, albeit a little reluctantly. Luffy truly had no idea what he had said to Kid to offend him, but Luffy was sure that he had to apologise to him for it. He just seemed so upset...

Upon entering the kitchen, Luffy saw Kid preparing a cake. The redhead was avoiding eye contact with Luffy, who sighed deeply and went up to the older. "Hey, Kid, can I talk to you?"

"What do you want?" came the gruff reply. Kid carried on mixing batter, not even looking up from his work.

"Um, well, I just wanted to apologise for yesterday..." Luffy mumbled out.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Kid set down the whisk he was using. "No, I'm the one who should be sorry."

"What?" Luffy questioned in disbelief. "Why?"

Kid finally looked at him with his crimson orbs. "Well, I overreacted over nothing. It was a touchy subject... So, sorry about that."

"No, no! It's fine, really!" Luffy immediately countered, putting up his hands. He was sure it was him who offended Kid, so he really didn't want the other to say sorry to him. Luffy hated it when other people apologised to him.

"Let's just put this behind us," Kid replied with another sigh.

"Alright!" Luffy quickly agreed. Kid gave him a relieved smile, and Luffy returned it. It looks like things are back to normal. Still, Luffy wondered why Kid had reacted the way he did. I probably brought up some bad memories or something. Luffy knew that it happened with him too. If people mentioned something that reminded him of Gramps, then Luffy would get depressed and upset. He supposed that the same type of thing could have happened to Kid. Or anyone, really.

"Alright, then why don't you help me with these cakes?" Kid asked, moving on from their previous conversation.

Luffy smiled brightly. "Sure thing!"

The two then baked some cakes, and afterwards Luffy moved on to waiting tables. It was Saturday, and lunch rush, so the little cafe was packed. A huge crowd of people were standing in the line, waiting to order, while others sat at the tables, occupying every seat. The line was so long that it extended out of the store and wrapped around the building. Luffy gave a reassuring smile to the two cashiers, who looked frazzled and stressed with the ever growing line.

Luffy had to make his way through the line in order to get to the tables, which was a hassle in itself, especially while carrying trays of drinks and food. Several people in the line bumped and jostled him, and Luffy realised that it didn't hurt as bad as it usually did. I guess my wounds are healing well then. He continued taking food to the waiting customers, who were growing impatient from the long wait.

Nearly four hours of this later, Luffy and Kid approached the end of their busy shift. "Take this out to table one," Kid instructed, handing Luffy a tray with a single drink on it.

"'Kay," Luffy responded excitedly.

Since his shift was almost over, Luffy would finally be able to go out shopping. He'd have to get groceries first, but then he could go shopping for himself. Maybe I can get some new clothes too! Not only was Luffy in short supply of personal possessions, but his clothing was also limited. His wardrobe consisted mainly of school uniforms (several of which had been ruined by Garp), some casual clothes, his work uniform, and two pairs of pajamas. He desperately needed new stuff.

Luffy made his way out of the kitchen, noting that the cafe had almost emptied out by now. Though sitting at table one was a familiar head of green hair.

"Zoro!" Luffy called loudly, almost spilling the drink in his excitement.

"Hey Luffy," Zoro greeted casually.

"Why are you here?" Luffy asked, setting the tray down and taking the seat across from his friend. During his two weeks here, he had really gotten to know his friends. They were all really nice, and Luffy loved hanging out with them. But most of all, Luffy had gotten to know Zoro, and had even gone over to the other's apartment after school a couple of times. Luffy wouldn't really admit it, but he did find the other extremely attractive. He could only hope that Zoro would feel the same for him.

"Well, I heard from Vivi that you worked here, so I came to see you," he replied, taking a sip of the drink. Luffy watched Zoro's adam apple bob as he swallowed the mouthful, and quickly averted his eyes before a blush could form.

"Awesome, thanks for coming!" Luffy smiled, bringing his gaze back to Zoro.

Zoro returned the smile. "When does your shift end?" he asked curiously.

Luffy checked his watch. "Umm... in about seven minutes."

"Do you want to go out after this?" Zoro asked, but quickly realised the meaning of his words. "Like shopping or something?" he clarified, a light blush on his cheeks.

Luffy giggled, blushing as well. "I was gonna go grocery shopping actually, but do you wanna go with me?" he asked with a huge smile plastered across his childish face. Ever since meeting his new friends, it had been easier to smile real smiles. He now smiled much more often than he ever did at his old school, even with the support of Shanks-sensei.

"That sounds great," Zoro grinned back. He had really grown attached to the little monkey in the two weeks he'd known him. Zoro would only show this happy and unguarded expression to Luffy.

"Great!" Luffy exclaimed. "I'll go finish up then. Wait for me?"

"Of course," Zoro replied.

"'Kay, I'll be done soon!" Luffy got up with a wave, and went back to the kitchen to get ready.

"Who was that?" Kid asked when Luffy entered.

"Oh, just a friend from school," Luffy replied nonchalantly, although inside he was bursting with excitement. Not only would he be going shopping, but now he was now going with Zoro!

"He seems like more than just a friend to me," Kid stated with a chuckle.

Luffy tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing really," Kid grinned. "Just that he was totally checking you out from across the table."

"What!" Luffy nearly yelled, a blush rapidly spreading across his cheeks. "No he wasn't!"

"He totally was, and you were checking him out too."

"No no no no no!" Luffy quickly denied, although he and Kid both knew otherwise. Luffy couldn't help but take a peek at his friend's perfect body while sitting and talking with him. He just couldn't help it.

"Sure, sure," Kid chuckled, knowing that he had caught Luffy in the act. "But to be fair he was doing it to you too."

"Wait..." Luffy paused, trying to understand the situation. "Really?"

Kid's grin faltered. "You mean you didn't notice? It was so obvious."

If Zoro was really doing that, then does that mean he likes me too?! Luffy's mind nearly burst from all of the new information and raging emotions. Never did he feel like this towards anyone at his old school. Sure, he thought a few girls were pretty or a few guys handsome, but none made his heart race like Zoro. None had even come close.

"You two need to hook up," Kid said, bringing Luffy out of his thoughts.

Luffy blinked slowly, speechless. So instead of replying, he merely turned away, trying to hide the obvious crimson covering his face, earning another hearty laugh from Kid. He then noticed the clock, which read 4:02, meaning his shift was over.

"Yay Kid, it's time to go!" Luffy shouted, turning back around with his blush mostly under control.

"Awesome, let's go get changed." His words sent a spark of fear through Luffy. He ran into this same problem too often, it seemed.

The two made their way to the dressing room, Luffy excusing himself to change in the bathroom, and then they clocked out. Before leaving, Luffy went to his boss' office to receive his weekly pay, also getting some more leftovers. Kid said his goodbye, exiting through the back to get to his motorcycle. Luffy nearly skipped over to the front to meet Zoro.

"You seem to be in a good mood," Zoro commented upon seeing Luffy's smiling face.

"Well, of course I am!" Luffy stated rather loudly as the two exited the cafe. "I get to go out with you, after all." He said the last part as a bit of an experiment, to see how Zoro reacted.

Zoro responded the way that Luffy was hoping for, as he blushed and turned his face away. Luffy still caught the faint pink on his cheeks, making his smile all the more brighter. At this point, he was pretty sure that Zoro liked him too, which was actually a startling revelation. A couple of people had confessed to Luffy at his old school, but Luffy felt nothing for them. He couldn't date them if he didn't love them. But with Zoro, everything was different. He had never felt like this with anyone ever before.

A warm hand grabbed his which was dangling by his side, and Luffy realised with a start that Zoro was currently holding hands with him. Zoro was still looking away, but the blush had deepened considerably. Grinning, Luffy tightened his grip on the much larger hand, and the two continued on their walk to the supermarket.

They didn't speak much, but there was really no need to. They were comfortable in each other's presence and that was what really mattered. Though inside, Luffy was ready to burst. This hand holding had confirmed that Zoro liked him back. And he was glad for it.

Ω Ω Ω

They finished the grocery shopping rather quickly, Luffy paying and silently saying goodbye to his hard earned money, before the two went on their way to drop everything off at Luffy's apartment.

"Where do you live?" Zoro asked as the two walked side by side, each carrying several grocery bags.

"Not far, it's only about a fifteen minute walk from here."

"Alright," Zoro replied, a little uneasy with how Luffy called a quarter-hour walk as 'not far'.

Luffy then began rambling on about his day at work, while Zoro only half listened.

Zoro was extremely curious to see where Luffy lived. Ever since he had met Luffy, he had been highly secretive about his private life. Only after getting to know Zoro for a week did Luffy really start to open up. Zoro still remembered the first day they met, and were in their music theory class. Luffy mentioned that he played the piano, but Zoro never found out anything more than that. He was still curious about it, as he was about many things with Luffy, but Zoro knew that Luffy would eventually choose to confide in him. Especially with the new direction their relationship was taking.

But besides, Zoro didn't really need to know about Luffy's past. Sure, it would be nice to know, but he liked the Luffy that he knew now. And at the moment, that was good enough for him.

As they continued walking, Zoro noticed that they were entering the poorer part of the city. Apprehension steadily built up in him as he worried about where Luffy lived. He didn't want his friend –and possibly boyfriend– living in some unhealthy and shitty building.

His fears were answered when Luffy walked up to a run down apartment. They made their way up the creaking stairs, lugging the groceries, and stopped at a paint chipped door while Luffy got his key out. Opening the door, Zoro realised that the inside was even worse than he had imagined. The outward appearance of the old apartment was actually better than the inside. There were stains on the walls, wallpaper peeling at the corners, dirt and grime covering the cheap linoleum floors, and a smell as though something had died in there. Zoro wanted to leave right out the way he came. But he had to stay and help Luffy... no, he wanted to help Luffy.

"I know it's not much... but it's home, I guess." Luffy let out a nervous chuckle as he set some of the bags down on the kitchen. Zoro followed him into the room, helping to put away the groceries.

Zoro wrinkled his nose at the overpowering smell of smoke. He figured that the person who lived here before Luffy was a heavy smoker, and that the pungent smell remained even after they had left.

He also couldn't help but notice that the old fashioned cabinets were nearly bare; there were few dishes and literally no packages of food. They were mostly empty, and that sent a wave of concern through Zoro.

"I guess you had really needed to go shopping," Zoro commented, trying to make light of the seemingly grim situation.

"Yeah." Another nervous laugh. Why did he keep doing that?

They continued putting the groceries away, tension thick in the air. Once they were finished, they stood there awkwardly, not quite sure what to do next.

"Do you want me to show you around?" Luffy offered.

"Sure," Zoro replied, still remembering the tour he gave Luffy when he had come over to his apartment for the first time. He supposed that Luffy wanted to do the same for him.

"Right, so this is the kitchen, obviously," Luffy began.

"Obviously," Zoro agreed.

Luffy laughed, and this time it sounded more sure. "Then this is the dining area."

Luffy's 'dining area' consisted of a cheap plastic table with two similarly plastic chairs. Zoro tried to keep his expression neutral, but was wondering what Luffy's financial situation was. Though whatever it was, it couldn't be good, judging by the apartment and furniture. And earlier in the store, Luffy had used a load of coupons, buying everything on sale, consciously double checking all of the prices. Zoro merely nodded, motioning for Luffy to continue his tour.

"And this is the living room."

The living room was in a better state than the dining area, with a single sofa, coffee table, and television set. Though all pieces of furniture were dated, especially the tv, Zoro supposed that it was better than nothing. Still not that great if he compared it to his own apartment, with large new seating areas and a flat screen tv. Like the kitchen, he noticed that the rest of the apartment seemed pretty bare. It was mainly empty save for a few cheap pieces of furniture. Although if Luffy didn't have much money to spare, then that would explain it.

Moving down the short hallway, Luffy opened the first door on the right. "This is the bathroom."

The washroom was in better condition than Zoro had imagined. Sure it was dated, but the whole apartment was old in general. But at least it was clean and had everything a normal bathroom needed– toilet, sink, and tub.

Exiting the washroom and shutting the door, Luffy moved to the next door on the left. "This is my bedroom."

Zoro felt his heart drop. The room was bare and dirty, with a single bed, nightstand, and closet. That was it... there was nothing else.

"Where's all your stuff?" he asked, but he felt like he already knew the answer.

"I don't have much stuff, but it's all in my closet," Luffy replied. The nervous edge in his voice was back.

Zoro automatically went for the closet, opening it, and being even more startled. There were only a few hanging clothes and his school bag inside.

"This is it?" he asked slowly, trying to comprehend everything.

"Umm, yeah... but I lost a lot of stuff on the move." Luffy said the last part quickly, and Zoro was fairly certain it was a lie. And one thing Zoro had learned about Luffy was that he was a terrible liar.

They left the bare room soon after, not really having much to see or say. This whole home visit had reopened some of his earlier worries about Luffy. When he had first met Luffy, Zoro had really been concerned about him. His eating habits especially, and for awhile Zoro and Nami had wondered if he was anorexic or something. Then he started bringing his own lunch, which mainly consisted of pastries. Though if he thought about it, they looked very familiar to the ones sold at Caffe Bene...

A door further down the hall caught Zoro's eye. "What's in there?"

Luffy blanched. "That's my grandpa's room." Since Luffy made no movement to walk towards it, Zoro frowned at him, wanting the other to explain further. "He doesn't really like it when I go in there."

"Okay," Zoro murmured, a little unsure about the whole thing. "Where is your grandpa now?"

"He's..." Luffy paused, searching for the right words. "...out." His face was noticeably paler than before.

Zoro nodded. Luffy's reaction was very odd, and his worry only grew. He wondered why Luffy and his grandfather lived in the condition that they did. Really, what kind of guardian would allow Luffy to live in this kind of environment? He would need to have a word with Luffy's grandfather about this later.

Though at the moment, Zoro was mainly concerned about Luffy's financial state. It really couldn't be good, going from the conditions that Luffy lived in. Zoro tried to imagine himself living in this situation, and really couldn't. This whole place was gross and he just wanted to get out. But not without taking Luffy with him.

"Hey Luffy?"

Luffy turned at the sound of his name. "Yeah?"

"You know, if you ever need a place to stay for awhile, then you can always come to me." He wanted to make sure that Luffy had a place to go to, if he ever needed it. And what better place than Zoro's apartment?

"Huh?" Luffy blinked in confusion.

Zoro sighed. "If you ever need to get away from all of this, then just please, come find me." He looked into Luffy's eyes, trying to make sure that Luffy understood how much he cared about him. To be honest, the whole apartment was really shitty, so he could understand if Luffy needed to get away for awhile.

"Oh... alright." Luffy gave a slight nod.

"Okay?" Zoro asked for confirmation.

"Okay."

The two stood in tense silence for a moment longer before it was broken by Zoro. "It's only 5:40. We can still do some more shopping if you want."

"Sure," Luffy gave him a small smile. "That sounds great."