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See, when Zoro had set out to become the strongest, he never really expected to become a pirate of all things. It never aligned with his goal, and it would bring needless enemies when he only needed one (he had a promise to keep after all). So when some strange boy takes a few bullets for him, an idiotic grin on his face as he sends them flying back towards the marines, he never thought he would agree to the kid's demand.
The thing is, Zoro wasn't expecting his so-called captain to be an idiot with a rickety boat and no other crewmates. Zoro wasn't prepared for the oddly melodic sound of his laugh or the blinding light of his smile. Zoro didn't think about how his respect for the boy would grow, how saying the word 'captain' would become second nature. Zoro hadn't thought about how as two slowly became three, then even more.. that he would still be standing at the boy's side. In all honesty, Zoro was nowhere near mentally ready for the person that is Monkey D. Luffy. Not even close.
-
Luffy was fast asleep, snoring softly on the lawn of the Thousand Sunny, straw hat hiding his face from the rays of the sun. Usopp had asked Zoro to wake him up, said something about how he didn't want the boy to get in trouble. In reality, he probably was just trying to save himself from getting yelled at by Nami, the witch. So of course, Zoro being Zoro, he was going to say no. But Usopp had already scurried off, probably to go build something with Franky.
Reluctantly, Zoro leans over to shake him awake. As soon as he looked at him though, Zoro's heart came to an abrupt stop in his chest. He sees Luffy every day, so he would obviously know his face by now. (How could he not? He stares at it so often, even outside of battle or when they talk. His gaze always seems to gravitate towards his captain.) But the swordsman can't help it when his carefully trained eye (used to protect, observe, and defend-) notice the tiniest of things.
There, on his cheeks, across the bridge of his nose, his knuckles, on the back of his neck, Luffy had freckles.
Tiny constellations spread all over his body, it was almost as if Zoro were stargazing. He finds himself thinking, does he have more? Do they dance across his back? Maybe on his thighs? His traitorous eye trails down to the younger boy's legs, but he quickly tears his gaze away. The hot shame rushes to Zoro's cheeks, where did the thigh part come from? And why was the thought so tempting to find out?
A strong swordsman can't give in to temptation, he must have a stronghold on his desires so he can focus. Zoro knows this, and yet his control wavers once more, eye wandering the expanse of exposed tanned skin that lay in front of him. A line of stars trail down to where Luffy's skin is covered by his signature red shirt, freckles peeking out almost teasingly from where they are hidden. Zoro's breath catches in his throat as his eye lingers on the spot where Luffy's neck met the shoulder. How he longs to touch, to feel the warmth his captain practically radiates against his own calloused hands. The grip on his swords tightens as he continues to watch the slow rise and fall of Luffy’s body.
It only made sense to have those tiny stars laid across his skin, he was the sun, the center of the universe (Zoro’s universe.) Bright, obnoxiously shining, always seemingly one with the clouds and space surrounding it. Bringing light to everyone around him, letting the darkness that plagued someone’s life hideaway. Though when he was asleep, eerily calm and quiet, Zoro found himself comparing Luffy to the moon. The moon who always seems to draw the attention of the ocean, which was funny considering the fact that the ocean denied Luffy constantly. Though that never seemed to stop that idiot from jumping headfirst into it. And Zoro could relate to that, no matter what he did, the pull that tugged on his soul always seemed to lead him to Luffy.
Dammit, this was doing some damage to his quickly weakening resolve. Zoro really does wish he could figure out the answer the to question that has plagued him ever since he took his spot by his captain's side.
How the hell could someone like Luffy, make him feel like he was the only man on earth? How could his foolish captain who never thinks before taking action, look so beautiful but so far out of reach? Someone so strong, but kind... Though it's not like he regrets joining Luffy's crew. He wouldn't have it any other way, after all, Luffy was truly the only man capable of being Zoro's captain. No one else was worthy.
(His thoughts travel to Thriller Bark. His healed wounds ache as he remembers Luffy's pain that almost tore him to shreds, and how he would've gladly taken more if it mean the crew was safe. If it meant Luffy was safe. He would never be able to live with himself if he let Luffy get hurt, get taken away from him. His captain-)
Zoro shakes himself out of his trance, hoping no one noticed his staring. He quickly looks around, sighing when it seems everyone is off doing their own thing. Guess he was off the hook for now. That would be embarrassing.
Zoro reaches over and gently shakes Luffy, if his hand lingers in place, he doesn't do much about it. The sleeping captain mutters something unintelligible under his breath, probably about food, before moving closer into Zoro's touch. The swordsman freezes, his body stiff and unmoving. Luffy seemed so content, so pleased, and the way his body seemed to relax when he felt Zoro's touch sent his heart and soul running. Watching the way his face morphed from one of annoyance to something akin to joy was whiplash. Luffy had always been the expressive type, so it shouldn't be surprising. But Zoro's mind short-circuited, unable to comprehend what just happened.
No longer able to hold a single coherent thought, much less a denial of an urge he usually keeps in check, Zoro brushes his hand against Luffy's cheek on an impulse. The bastard fucking giggles in his sleep. GIGGLES.
What. The Fuck.
Zoro refuses to acknowledge the heat creeping up his neck, the tips of his ears burning as he stares dumbfoundedly at the boy below him. Luffy just simply lays there, completely unaware of the wave of emotions he made Zoro go through.
After trying to recover from the awkward moment, as well as the lapse of his resolve, Zoro tries to shake Luffy awake once more.
The boy groans, brows furrowing at being interrupted. He was pouting, it was cute. He moves away ever so slightly before shifting back towards Zoro’s touch, the swordsman inhaling sharply at this. He shakes him again, a bit more force this time, to which Luffy finally opens those pretty (PRETTY?!) eyes of his. Zoro’s breath caught in his throat once more as he stared at his captain’s warm honeyed eyes. They were glazed over with sleep, but they shined so bright, they practically sparkled. If Zoro thought his freckles were constellations, then his eyes were like mini galaxies. It was as if Zoro was a mere asteroid floating aimlessly within Luffy’s orbit.
Luffy blinks the haze away, his eyes finally focusing as he looks up at Zoro. Seemingly trying to recognize who woke him up, He kind of just stares at the swordsman for a second before smiling. And fuck it was that smile, the one that made Zoro want to sink his teeth into Wado’s hilt and cut the rubber bastard up. The one that made Zoro’s body want to melt into a puddle. He’d be damned if he didn’t want to make Luffy keep that smile on him forever, to always be the cause of it. He wanted, he wanted, he wanted and-
Oh.
"Thanks for waking me up, Zoro!" He whispers, before finally sitting up and running off, probably to go bother someone. The only thing is, Zoro couldn't tear his gaze away from his captain.
Someone taps on his shoulders, but Zoro already knew who it was. He could recognize the smell of cheap cologne mixed with nicotine anywhere. He slowly turns, jaw set in annoyance, and meets Sanji's all too knowing gaze. He smiles, no, he smirks around the cigarette in his mouth. Raising an eyebrow before looking over at Luffy and then Zoro. That fucking curly-browed piece of shit.
Zoro lunges.