Chapter Text
With one more fierce strike, Zoro's opponent fell to the mats. It was over. He knew there was a call from the ref and a roar from the crowd but he could barley hear anything over the pounding of his own heart. His defeated opponent was helped back to his feet as Zoro turned to the crowd. The auditorium was full of people cheering but Zoro could only see three.
His father was sitting ramrod straight with his legs crossed, golf clapping and peering down at him, forever looking like he was sizing up prey. Perona was next to him but their demeanor couldn't be more different. His sister was on her feet, waving, jumping and cheering, all dignity forgotten. Then there was the one that mattered most.
Luffy, his everything and beloved boyfriend, was sitting on Mihawk's other side. He was screaming and hollering louder than anyone else in the crowd. He was also repeatedly jumping up and down as he screamed, flinging a tidal wave of popcorn over everyone unfortunate enough to be within fifty feet of him. Mihawk wrinkled his nose in distaste as buttery popcorn dirtied his otherwise pristine outfit. Zoro had never seen him so tolerant.
Zoro knew he should feel embarrassed by his boyfriend's crazy antics but he couldn't bring himself to. All he felt was pride that the insane boy was his. That alone was worth more than any kendo title, more than the day he would finally defeat his father, more than anything in the universe or any universe. He removed his protective head gear and smiled up at Luffy. Luffy grinned and waved wildly, then stepped back and bent into a crouch.
Zoro's eye widened as his brain processed what he was seeing.
"Wait! Luffy, NO!" Zoro cried but it was too late. Luffy flung himself high into the air and forward over the heads of the crowd. The part of his mind not frozen in horror at what was happening was honestly impressed at how high and far Luffy could jump. He moved on instinct, just barley catching Luffy before he could crash onto the floor. Luffy felt heavy and boneless as he wrapped both his arms and legs around Zoro's face, all the while laughing like a deranged man.
"You idiot!" Zoro yelled into Luffy's hips as he steadied them then fought to pull the smaller man off his face. His attempts were fruitless except in making Luffy tighten his grip more and laugh harder.
"Congratulations! I'm so proud of Zoro!!" Luffy pulled back and beamed down at Zoro before throwing his head back and bellowing, "Zoro won! Zoro is the best! No one can beat him because Zoro is ZORO!!"Then he laughed long and loud. Zoro felt his face explode with heat from his blush. Luffy's voice was full of pride as well as defiance. He was bragging about his lover while simultaneously daring anyone else to try their hand and experience their own inevitable defeat.
It was embarrassing but Zoro felt his righteous anger fade almost instantly in the music of Luffy's joy. He maneuvered Luffy down from his shoulders into his arms so he could hold him more comfortably. Luffy snuggled his face into the crook between Zoro's neck and shoulder and breathed deep as he wrapped his lanky arms solidly around Zoro's neck.
There was a crinkling sound near his ear that he hadn't noticed in the chaos caused by Luffy's antics. Curious, he pulled back from Luffy just enough to see a bouquet clutched in his fist. He looked down at Luffy with an expression that clearly said Really? but he couldn't help the grin spreading on his face anyway. Luffy understood, gave him a mischievous smile, then let go so he could show Zoro the flowers properly.
"Nasturtium for conquest and victory in battle, amaryllis for congratulations, tiger lilies for 'I'm proud of you', small sunflowers for adoration, and red tulips for true love." Luffy rattled off quickly, a small blush blooming on his childish cheeks as he finished. Zoro stared dumbfounded at the flowers, struck completely silent by their meanings. Or, their supposed meanings... He gave Luffy another look but it only drew more laughter from his beloved. "Don't worry! Those are their real meanings!"
"Sabo helped...?" Zoro asked. That was the only way he could think of that would allow Luffy to get the flower language right.
"No, Mihawk helped me pick them out! I told him I wanted flowers that said Zoro's the BEST!" Luffy nearly blinded Zoro with the intensity of his smile.
Shocked into silence yet again, he tore his gaze from Luffy's light and looked up at his father. Mihawk hadn't moved so much as an inch but, as he looked down at his son, he gave a tiny approving smirk. The shock combining with the euphoria were making Zoro lightheaded. He turned back to Luffy who was still chuckling and shining brighter than the sun itself.
"No, Luffy. You're the best." He whispered in awe. He gently cupped Luffy's cheek and once more lost himself in the heaven of Luffy's lips.