Work Text:
Luffy really likes Zoro.
This isn’t something new: Luffy likes all his Nakama, that’s why they are Nakama. He trusts and needs them all, yes, but that’s not enough: he also has to like them. He travels with them, fights with them. His crew is the one that will make him Pirate King, how could he not?
He likes Nami because she is smart, bright and scary, and because she cares so much about the people she loves. All of those things make her who she is, and Luffy likes that, Luffy likes her. Usopp can tell incredible stories, he makes the crew laugh, and sleep, and cry. Luffy didn’t know words could make him feel the things he feels when Usopp tells a story. And, like Luffy, he likes bugs, too! Sanji doesn't like bugs, but he likes to smile, and he is really kind. Kindness is something Luffy values very much, so he values Sanji, also. He loves to hear the cook talk about All Blue, another impossible dream they will conquer together. Chopper is fun, and responsible, and very hard-working. He tries, he really tries to match his Nakama, and sometimes Luffy wants to tell him that he doesn’t have to, that they like him like that, that he is enough. This is something that, sometimes, he would like to tell Usopp, too.
Robin isn’t as scary as Nami, but she is dangerous and intelligent and Luffy really likes to see her smile, it makes him very happy. He’s glad that Robin feels at home with them because she smiles more. Franky is just so cool, and he is a robot and an engineer and also a musician. How can somebody be so many things? Luffy really admires him. And finally, Brook. He is a skeleton. A skeleton! How cool is that? And he has been able to continue being happy, even after spending so many years alone. Luffy doesn’t want him to feel alone ever again.
So, yeah, Luffy likes his nakama. It is only logical that he likes Zoro, too.
The thing is that he really, really likes Zoro. He likes Zoro a lot. And Luffy likes a lot of people, but he has never liked anyone as much as he likes Zoro, ever. At least, not in the same way.
Zoro is devoted. Zoro is loyal, and strong, and stubborn. When he is around, the rest of the crew will be safe. Zoro will tell him when he’s wrong, and Luffy will listen, because if Zoro tells Luffy he’s wrong, Zoro really means it. He knows Luffy so well he understands every ulterior motive Luffy can have. He gets him without the need for any words and that’s why Luffy loves fighting by Zoro’s side. Zoro asks for no explanations: if he needs them, he demands them. If he doesn’t, he just trusts Luffy with no hesitation.
But that’s not the reason why Luffy likes Zoro.
Luffy likes Zoro because he gets lost all the time. He likes Zoro because he’s got green hair and it looks pretty on him, and because he is really really stupid. He likes to look at Zoro when he’s training, and he likes the way his earrings sparkle under the sun. He likes feeling Zoro’s strong hands on his wrists when he’s thrown to the sea and Zoro jumps after him. He likes to see Zoro sleeping on deck. He likes it when Zoro laughs, and the way his smile turns dangerous before a fight. He likes Zoro with children, he likes Zoro alone, he likes Zoro with the crew. He likes being able to distinguish each and every one of Zoro’s frowns. Luffy likes the way Zoro speaks, the way he walks, the way he fights. Luffy likes the way Zoro scratches his nape when something bothers him. Luffy likes Zoro’s determination in becoming the world’s greatest swordsman.
All of these feelings are really difficult to understand and even more difficult to explain, so Luffy doesn’t bother. He just feels them, and acts on them, because for him, that’s the easiest way to understand and explain things. It’s the way Zoro gets things, too. They never talked much. It’s not necessary. So one day at sea, somewhere in the New World, Luffy wakes up and realizes he can’t take it anymore. He is not made just to look, to appreciate things from a distance, and he’s not a coward. So he wakes up and he goes to the kitchen, and even when his heart jumps in his chest at seeing Zoro, even when his mouth gets dry, he decides to act. These strange feelings (fear, excitement, shyness) won’t stop him. Excitement makes sense, but fear? Shyness? Luffy is never shy, never in front of Zoro. This is stupid. So he ignores the food under Sanji’s astounded gaze, and walks up straight to Zoro. The swordsman looks at him with sleepy eyes, and Luffy thinks Zoro is pretty and he wants to lick Zoro’s face, badly. So he does.
“What the fuck?”
Luffy ignores Sanji’s voice and looks up at Zoro. His face is red, and Luffy laughs.
“What was that, Captain?” Zoro stutters, and god he’s just too pretty.
“Zoro’s pretty!” Luffy shouts, beaming at Zoro. "I wanted to lick him so I did."
Zoro kisses him.
“Tell me when you’re finished” Sanji mutters, walking out of his kitchen.