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Luffy has one dream and one dream only. A vision that won't become a reality by himself but with others. As he sets off to sea, grinning at his reflection in the cruel, cold waves that lap and pull his little boat (if one could even call it that), he feels like anything is possible. He was finally free, chasing after an adventure he's been seeking his entire life; he would make them proud.
Except he wasn't planning on being cast overboard when a storm hit, why would he, with the curse of the devil fruit being his worst nightmare? He could feel his energy getting sapped from his body, the ocean's unsympathetic laughter washing over his ears as his grip slowly loosened. Dammit, this wasn't supposed to happen! Luffy refused for his dream to get taken away from him; he can't just die here, not when there's so much he has to do! He has to fulfill his promise to Ace, Shanks, and Sabo! He has to, no, NEEDS to reach the Grand Line with his future crew! This can't be happening; it's not fair!
Luffy heaves and curses, gripping his beloved straw hat as tight as he can with his other hand. He hopes it might give his cursed, rubbery body the strength to endure this terrible storm. His eyes squeeze shut as he fights to remain above the water that seems to grasp and tug at his limbs, attempting to bring him under the crashing waves. Luffy could feel the sea's wrath upon him, making him panic; he could feel his muscles slackening, yet he couldn't do anything but watch. He was helpless to the ruthless beating of the waves against his skin. Just as he begins to slip, a warm, calloused hand reaches out for his salt-slicked skin and tugs Luffy on board.
Luffy gasps in the air greedily, hacking up the water from his lungs as he blinks the salt from his eyes. He slowly looks up, his strength gradually coming back to him. His eyes meet a pair of sharp silver (tiny flecks of gold dancing within the iris) that practically stare into his soul, identical to the blades the man carries. They seem to glimmer, reflecting the lightning strikes, and the shadows are casting around them. "Already tryin' to leave me behind, Captain?" The man snickers, and Luffy doesn't know if it's the sound of the waves or his heartbeat thundering in his chest, but the way The swordsman gazes upon him makes him feel like he is drowning again. The way his lips curve and the ring on the bottom gleams as it catches the light, Luffy can't help but stare. "I like when Zoro smiles at me. He should do it more often." Luffy whispers, breathless, just loud enough for the others to hear over the crash and breaking of the waves.
The first mate's eyes widen in surprise as he stares down at his Captain, a grand mixture of emotions flashing across his face before he settles on one of amusement as he bursts into laughter. The same laugh when he saw Luffy's ship back at Shell's Town, one that was pure and made his eyes crinkle up at the edges, Luffy realizes. The one that made his face relax and free of stressed lines, the one that made those familiar deep crescents on his cheeks appear. Luffy doesn't remember what they are, he knows that Makino had them, but he never found out the name.
It's funny because Makino's crescents never made Luffy feel like he was about to die like his heart was about to leap from his chest. Yet, whenever he sees Zoro's, it's like a tease of a meal Luffy has yet to try. The most delicious but forbidden meat that makes his heart and soul salivate. Or a dessert yet to be found, one for Luffy and Luffy alone.
"What, those captain's orders?" Zoro teases, and they very well should be. Luffy wants Zoro to laugh and smile like that, and he wants to be the cause of it. He wants Zoro to continue to smile in a way that makes his mind all fuzzy. So he nods, "Captain's orders! That means Zoro has to do it, but only when he wants to! Cause it's best when they come out on their own!" Zoro makes a confused noise ("They?" He had whispered), raising a pierced brow before simply agreeing. He nods, smile softer around the edges, and turns to face the storm. "Aye, captain."
-
When those crescents popped up again, a new member had joined the crew. Her name was Nami, and she was going to join their crew! Not yet; Luffy can tell something is holding her back. He has to hope she tells him what it is someday. Until then, she was their navigator for when they sailed off again; of course, she didn't know that yet.
They were running from the enraged villagers, screams and shouts following them as they made their escape. Nami was trying to keep up with Luffy's pace, crying about how she couldn't believe she was stuck with two 'idiotic pirates.' Luffy simply laughs once more, tightening his grip on Zoro's waist, allowing his swordsman to lean his weight against him, arms hooked over his shoulder. The very same arms that had carried the heavy cage Luffy was trapped in, even though it seemed like the weight would crush him. Zoro, though he was injured, just cackled in his ear. The sound was familiar and warm; it made Luffy remember the fact that he never did get that bird for the two to eat. His stomach growls, which makes Zoro bark out another bout of laughter, surprised. "You're still hungry, Captain!?" He shouts incredulously above the angered voices, and Luffy whines back in response.
"Can't you two focus on getting out of here first!" Nami cries, trying to keep her treasure from falling to the ground. "Shishishi, don't worry, Nami! We'll eat when we get to the ship!" Luffy calls back, moving faster. Nami sobs to herself, saying she will definitely make sure they pay her for this.
Zoro continues to laugh, and it's probably because of the blood loss, but Luffy hopes he won't stop. His laugh is still loud and proud as the villagers seem to get smaller and quieter behind them, his shoulders shaking with the force. Luffy can't help but look over to his right-hand man, and it feels like his breath has caught in his throat.
The way the wind blows against Zoro's earrings, they ring like chimes to accompany the music of the swordsman's delight. His smile is wide, one of pure unbridled happiness, and Luffy's stomach growls once more, but he can't figure out what he was hungry for.
-
In Syrup Village, Luffy wonders why he always feels so... hungry, especially around Zoro.
He stares at the swordsman from the corner of his eye, watching as he scarfs down the food before him. When Luffy goes to steal some of the meat on his plate, Zoro rolls his eyes and slaps a bit of his helping onto Luffy's own. All the while, he smiles, something that makes Luffy want to tug at his hat and hide his face. He feels his cheeks burn, and his teeth ache to bite into something, anything to distract him from the strange feeling bubbling up within his chest.
He giggles when Zoro teases Usopp's crew, playing along with the bit as he pats his stomach. Nami admonishes them, but she laughs too. When Zoro breaks character and begins to laugh fondly at the kids' reactions, Luffy calls for another round of food.
-
It was when they finally reached the Red Line, the storm raging on as they made their way up Reverse Mountain.
Luffy was overjoyed. He finally had a crew. Sure, he planned to get more, but what he had, for now, was just right. A kind cook, a greedy navigator, a skittish but intelligent sniper.... and Zoro. As they all stood in the pouring rain, water sliding down their skin as they pledged their goals, Luffy couldn't tear his eyes away from his swordsman.
Zoro was relaxed, grinning wildly with his teeth bared and eyes squeezed shut tightly as he cheered. And once more, those small craters made an appearance on his cheeks. Luffy could feel his stomach growl loudly, yet it was like no one, but he could hear.
Starting at Zoro, so carefree and enjoying himself, the hunger became almost unbearable.
Zoro finally opened his eyes, molten pools of silver drawing him in. His eyes soften, the way they always do when he talks to his captain, and Luffy feels his chest stutter. “What's wrong, captain?” He calls loudly above the crashing of the waves, yet Luffy can only hear his voice.
It was warm, so warm, just like summers back home on Goa. He never noticed how much he loved to hear Zoro talk and how happy it made him when Zoro looked at him.
“Nothing,” Luffy replies, returning Zoro’s grin with one of his own. "Just thinking." Zoro shakes his head, "Well, stop right there. That's a disaster in of itself." He teases, and Luffy is starving. Luffy snickers, waving the comment off, and Zoro laughs, loud and full, as he walks away.
His heart beating loudly in his chest, stomach growling. He calls for Sanji to make food, a feast to celebrate when they get off the mountain. Luffy places a hand on his chest, and his smile grows soft, almost fond to anyone who sees it.
They were called dimples. Zoro had dimples.