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Maybe becoming a pirate without knowing how to swim wasn’t the best idea. But lots of pirates did it all the time, hell even (Y/N)’s own captain. Sure they might have devil fruit powers on their sides but still, if someone like Luffy is allowed to become a pirate captain without being able to swim then (Y/N) should be allowed to be a pirate.
Surprisingly, in the months of being out on the open sea with the Straw Hat pirates it never came up, any time it might, the rest of the crew was more distracted by Luffy freezing up. Whoever would have thought that his friends would find out while taking a break from their day to day piracy, deciding to drop anchor on a small tropical island and spend the day having fun.
Zoro, Chopper, Usopp, and even Nami were laughing and playing in the water while Sanji attempted to cook lunch for the crew while fighting off a drooling Luffy, with Robin sunbathing a few feet away. (Y/N) sat off to the side, watching his friends have fun in the sun.
“Hey, (Y/N)! Aren’t you gonna come in? It’s hot out and the water is super cool!” Usopp called out, everyone taking a break from splashing each other to stare over at (Y/N), eagerly awaiting an answer.
“Ah, no I’m alright. But thanks for the offer.” (Y/N) waved them off, leaning back into the little chair of sand he had made for himself.
“Are you sure? It’s lots of fun!” Chopper called out from his perch on Zoro’s shoulders, who looked thoroughly unimpressed by the little reindeer.
“Yeah, I was actually thinking about heading back up to the ship for a little bit.” (Y/N) stood, dusting the sand from his shorts and walking towards the rope ladder that hung from the front of the ship. There was a chorus of teasing ‘boos’ from his friends as he climbed up the ladder that he laughed off, climbing over the railing and moving towards the kitchen to find a quick snack.
(Y/N) watched his friends from above, leaning against the railing while eating the apple he had found. Though he wasn’t really paying attention, just enjoying the cool sea breeze and the warm sun on his face. He was paying so little attention that he didn’t notice Zoro sneaking up the ladder with a mischievous grin on his face, or Usopp calling after him that maybe what he was about to do wasn’t such a good idea.
He heard footsteps behind him but assumed it was just Sanji coming back to get something for lunch. (Y/N) kept his gaze on the horizon, until Nami’s angry shout shook him from his gaze, but by that point it was too late. Zoro’s shadow loomed over him with a mischievous laugh. Suddenly, strong hands grabbed (Y/N)’s waist and his feet left the floor, and before he could let out a shout of surprise he was hurtling towards the water below him.
(Y/N) managed to turn himself in the air to see Zoro, standing on the railing laughing, clearly not noticing the look of pure terror on (Y/N)’s face. His back hit the water hard enough to knock the wind out of his lungs, and for a moment the cool water was calming in the summer heat. The moment quickly ended however when reality set in, he couldn’t swim and he had barely any breath left in his lungs.
The salt water burned his eyes as he flailed and clawed against the sea to no avail, sinking down further into the ocean, the vague shadow of the ship and Zoro still above him.
Zoro stood on the railing laughing, waiting for (Y/N) to resurface before he jumped in after. His laughter slowly trailed off the longer (Y/N) took to swim up, stopping completely when the air bubbles stopped surfacing. Oh no.
“Zoro what did you do!” Nami’s scream really set the terror into his head, that it really wasn’t just him thinking that (Y/N) was taking too long to come back up.
“Shut up!” His shout was rushed as he quickly dove into the water where he had thrown his crewmate. How the hell was he supposed to know this would happen, he was just trying to have a little fun. Of course when he tries to tease the guy he liked it ends up like this.
He was glad the ocean was clear, he could still see (Y/N) despite how deep they had sunk. He swam down as quick as he could, one arm stretched out as far as he could to try and grab a hold of (Y/N)’s limp arm. His hand grabbed (Y/N)’s wrist and he pulled him close to his body, quickly wrapping an arm around (Y/N)’s torso for a better grip for the swim back up to the surface.
His head breached the water and Zoro took in a big gasp of air, quickly doing his best to tread water while rearranging the passed out man in his grasp to keep his nose and mouth above water. He did his best to swim with only one arm available, the pit in his stomach digging itself deeper for every second that (Y/N) lay limp against his shoulder.
“Zoro you idiot! I think you killed him!” Nami met Zoro where the water was shallow enough that they could both stand, grabbing (Y/N) and helping Zoro drag him up into the sand. Zoro lingered on one side of him with Nami on the other. “Great you got him out of the water now get out of my way you idiot!” Nami shoved Zoro back into the sand, starting compressions on his chest.
It wasn’t long before (Y/N) coughed back to life, accidentally pushing Nami back trying to sit up. He kept coughing as the crew crowded around him, though he quickly rolled over to vomit up the water that had filled his lungs. (Y/N) crouched over the sand, heaving in air, body occasionally shaking with violent coughs.
“(Y/N)! Are you okay?” Chopper was the first to return to his side, patting his back with his small hooves, trying to help ease the coughs. (Y/N) nodded weakly, pushing himself upright with another cough, cringing at the sand now stuck to his wet body and clothes.
“What happened? Did you pass out when you hit the water? Why didn’t you swim up?” Luffy suddenly appeared in his face, eyes wide in excitement, almost as if the idiot wanted to try and jump into the sea from the railing.
“No, nothing like that.” (Y/N) let out another weak cough, shivering a little bit.
“Well what was it?” Zoro was now back at his side, trying and failing to hide his concern under an angry face.
“Well, I-” (Y/N) paused, suddenly very aware of all the eyes of his crewmates on him, of how close they were crowding around him, of how embarrassing what he had to admit was. “I don’t know how to swim.” (Y/N) murmured.
“You can’t swim!” His friends all roared in shock, making (Y/N) flinch down into himself.
“What are you doing on a pirate ship if you can’t swim?” Nami yelled.
“Well neither can Luffy!” (Y/N) was quick to shout back, face burning in embarrassment.
“Well Luffy has devil fruit powers! And we all know that Luffy can’t swim, what were you thinking, never mentioning it!” Zoro was shouting again. “You could have died, you idiot!”
“It wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t throw me overboard!” (Y/N) pushed his face close to Zoro’s.
“Yeah, well! I!” Zoro sputtered over his words, embarrassed over his blunder and because of just how close (Y/N) had gotten to his face. “It was supposed to be fun! I didn’t know that you were gonna go drown!” (Y/N) was about to shout something back when Sanji cut him off.
“I think we should all get back on the ship. Today’s been exciting enough, I’ll finish making lunch and then join you.” He stood back by his little grill, pointing a spatula at the crew.
“Aww, but-”
“I wasn’t asking!” Sanji was quick to cut off Luffy, kicking him in the back and pointing towards the ship. “Get moving!”
(Y/N) once again sat himself away from the rest of his friends, quietly eating his lunch while everyone else laughed and joked around. He was still damp, still sandy, and still very embarrassed by what happened. And tired, who knew that almost drowning was so exhausting.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” (Y/N) jumped, looking up to see Zoro standing over him again, he’s really gotta stop letting people sneak up on him.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” (Y/N) looked down again, picking at the food left on his plate.
“Can I sit next to you?”
“If you want.” (Y/N) almost blushed when he noticed that Zoro was still in just his swim trunks, the warm skin of his arm brushing against (Y/N)’s.
“You know I really didn’t mean to, you know, drown you.” Zoro muttered the last part, very embarrassed about almost killing his crush.
“I know. It’s not really your fault, I definitely should have mentioned it before.”
“What’s done is done now, so don’t worry about it. But, you know, you should probably learn soon. You know, in case something bad happens.”
“What, like my friend trying to drown me again?” (Y/N) laughed tiredly, turning to grin teasingly at the swordsman.
“Hey, that’s not fair! I already apologized, didn’t I?” Zoro’s face flushed dark as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. (Y/N) laughed harder, leaning into his shoulder, smacking his thigh, making Zoro blush harder. “Anyways, I could teach you, to swim I mean. If you wanted.”
“Oh, would you? I didn’t take you for a teacher.” (Y/N) continued to laugh, still leaning against Zoro’s warm torso. “Well then, I might have to take you up on that offer.” (Y/N) yawned, shuffling down into a more comfortable position, settling down for a nap.
“Oh come on! The water’s not even that deep! Just get your ass in here, you’re the one who asked me to teach you to swim!” Zoro stood in the water that reached his chest, pointing and yelling at the pirate who hesitated to go any further into the water than what just barely covered the tops of his feet.
“You brought it up first, asshole!” (Y/N) stamped his foot, splashing water up onto his legs and cringing. “And what if something happens, huh? Then what, we’re still in the ocean, with waves!” He stepped back out of the water, digging his feet into the sand. Zoro waded towards (Y/N), slowly revealing his strong torso, making (Y/N) flush.
“Then I’ll fish your ass out of the water like I did yesterday.” Zoro stopped when he stood toe to toe with (Y/N), hands on his hips in challenge. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”
Zoro held out a hand to him while taking a half step back.
“If I drown, I’m haunting your ass.” (Y/N) begrudgingly took his hand, following Zoro deeper into the sea. They stopped when the water reached (Y/N)’s waist, he stood, stiff as a board, arms up by his shoulders to keep them away from the water.
“Yeah, yeah. Now come here, I’m going to show you how to float first.”
“What do you mean by that? You still haven’t even taught me anything about actually swimming! And there’s waves!” (Y/N) tried to turn tail and run back to the shore but was stopped by Zoro’s sharp glare.
“It’s easy, humans naturally float, you just have to stay calm and take it easy. Like this.” Zoro dropped backwards into the water, going under for only a second before floating calmly on his back, spread out like a starfish. (Y/N) could only stare in shock, not even caring that Zoro had splashed him in his little show. “If you just relax your body and take slow, deep breaths it’ll be no problem.” He stood up from the water, the water droplets on his chest glistening in the sun. “Now you try.”
“But-but!” (Y/N) snapped out of his stupor, shivering at the thought of the sea water passing over his head again.
“You’ll be fine, I’ll even hold you up until you get used to it. But you agreed to let me teach you to swim and I’m not letting you back out of this, you little coward.” Zoro pointed to the water in front of him. “So lay back and float, idiot.”
(Y/N) lay back into the water hesitantly, keeping a foot firmly planted into the ocean sand. He tensed when Zoro’s hands rested under his back, lifting him up a few inches in the water.
“I said you had to stay calm.” (Y/N) almost wanted to snap back that it was hard to focus on staying calm with Zoro’s massive, wet chest inches from his face while being delicately cradled in his arms, but decided quickly that drowning again was less embarrassing. “And get your foot off the ground, this is floating not balancing.” (Y/N) kicked his leg up, trying his best to float just under the surface of the water, flailing a bit when he started to sink. But Zoro was quick to catch him, laughing a little at the nervous look on (Y/N)’s face. “You’re alright, just take a deep breath.”
(Y/N) took a deep breath, shifting his gaze to the sky next to Zoro’s head, relaxing a little when he felt his body rise up in the water, lifting up out of Zoro’s arms. He laughed, making eye contact with Zoro.
“I’m doing it!” Zoro nodded, smiling along with his crush. (Y/N)’s joy was cut short by an unexpectedly large wave splashing over his face, filling him with panic when he inhaled the bitter salt water, suddenly feeling like he was drowning again. Zoro lifted him up fully out of the water quickly, allowing (Y/N) to latch onto his upper shoulders to try and get away from the water.
“Hey, you alright?” (Y/N) only coughed in reply, hiding his face behind Zoro’s head so that he couldn’t see his embarrassment at being wrapped around Zoro’s torso.
“You’ve gotta stop trying to drown me, man.” Zoro grumbled, wading back towards the shore while still allowing (Y/N) to keep his perch.
“Do you expect me to be able to control the ocean now?” He now stood on the beach, hands on his hips, the only thing keeping (Y/N) up on his torso was the man himself.
“Maybe I expect you to keep an eye out for waves when you make me lay in the water.” (Y/N) pouted, making Zoro laugh.
“Well I think you were doing good, especially for learning in the ocean. Now. Are you planning on getting down anytime soon?” (Y/N) slid off Zoro with a pout, planting his feet into the sand. “Are you ready to keep trying?” Zoro raised an eyebrow, admiring (Y/N)’s figure while waiting for an answer. (Y/N) brought his hand up to his chin in over exaggerated thought, before nodding when he “decided” on his answer.
“No, I think I’m actually gonna go get something to eat. I don’t think I need to know how to swim, I’ll drown if anything happens. I seem to be pretty good at that.” He quickly spun on his heels to walk back towards the ship, though was immediately stopped by Zoro’s warm hand.
“I told you I’m not letting you chicken out.” (Y/N) was spun back around to face Zoro again. “What do I have to do to convince you to get back in the water and take this seriously?” Zoro’s arms crossed, glaring at his crewmate.
“Y’know I’ve heard that rewards are a good motivation.” (Y/N) threw him a smug smile, crossing his own arms in return.
“Not drowning isn’t enough of a reward?”
“Not even close, and I know for a fact that you’re broke so what do you think you’re going to offer me?” (Y/N) watched Zoro’s brow furrow with an even smugger smile, starting to think of what snacks he might consider stealing from the kitchen.
Zoro on the other hand was genuinely trying to figure out what he could offer because (Y/N) was right, he was broke. Only one thing came to mind, a kiss, but that would only work if (Y/N) was also interested in him, which he was very nervous to ask about. Fuck it, now or never.
“What about a kiss?” It took (Y/N) a moment to process what Zoro had offered, because why the hell would Zoro offer to kiss him? It’s not like the swordsman would like him back right? But when it did click in his skull, (Y/N) choked on air, nervously sputtering and mumbling, trying to find the right words to reply.
“Well. I- If you. If you really think I was doing so good don’t I deserve at least part of my reward before we start again?” He finally managed to sputter out, feeling like he was about to pass out from the heat rushing to his cheeks.
“Y’know? You’ve got a point.” Zoro took a step closer, bringing a hand to (Y/N)’s chin, drawing their faces closer with each passing second.
Their lips met softly, parting for only a moment to give either a chance to back out if they wanted before meeting again. Zoro pulled back for real after a moment, chuckling at (Y/N)’s love sick smile as he leaned forward after his retreating face.
“I think that was enough of a reward for how far you made it, so why don’t we get back in the water and you can earn more rewards.” He stepped back, pausing at the water's edge to see if (Y/N) would follow. Like a sucker, he did, trailing after Zoro back into the calm ocean to continue his lesson, and hopefully earn more rewards throughout the rest of the day.