Work Text:
Zoro sits on the edge of the bed where Luffy sleeps. His captain has a fever - no doubt from eating something strange on the latest island. While Chopper has taken care of everything and says it’s only a matter of waiting, something still aches deep within Zoro’s chest. Seeing Luffy struggle through something so simple feels wrong in multiple ways, and he’s not sure what to do with all the emotions assaulting him.
So he sits here.
He sits here and he watches Luffy sleep. That small body of his is under the covers now, but there’s sweat beading all over his face. His hat is set on a nightstand off to the side, and while Zoro glances at it every so often, he knows it isn’t going anywhere. Strange how he cares about Luffy’s hat. Maybe because he knows how much Luffy cares.
Letting out an aching breath, Zoro reaches out to brush at the sweaty black bangs on his captain’s head. He should have a cool towel or something to wipe off all that sweat, but he’s not sure how much good that would do. If Chopper hasn’t done anything of the sort, then it’s probably not necessary.
Still…
He hates not being able to do anything. Somewhere along the way, he went from reluctantly following this guy to being utterly devoted. He’s not sure when it happened, if it was one moment or a steady build-up over their time together, but now that he’s accepted his devotion, he’s unsure how to proceed, unsure how to account for the ache in his chest whenever Luffy smiles at him in that way .
Fingers move down from Luffy’s hair to his forehead and eyebrows. Zoro traces them and slides down to the hot cheek. Luffy breathes heavily and groans in his sleep; he mumbles something unintelligible and Zoro’s fingers linger over his captain’s lips.
A crazy thought enters his mind. He licks his own lips. Before he can convince himself not to act, he moves. Hands going to either side of Luffy’s head, Zoro leans down and drops his lips to Luffy’s.
There’s the salty taste of sweat, but there’s more, too. Enough to keep him going. He’s not sure how to explain the taste; sweet, maybe? Like a sweet rice ball. Something unexpected and different, but something that makes him want more all the same. Something that keeps him diving into the sea to find more.
Luffy shifts underneath him and Zoro pulls away reluctantly. He stares down at his captain and his smile breaks when he sees those eyes twitching. Sitting up, he’s ready to go find Chopper, since it looks like Luffy could be in pain. But then he freezes in place; he senses Luffy’s arm stretching before he actually feels it wrapping over his shoulder.
A grunt escapes Zoro’s mouth as Luffy pulls him down. “Oi, oi, that’s a bit much.”
“Zoro…” Luffy murmurs. “Stay here.”
“I’m fine with that but -” He cuts off, sighs, and pulls his legs up on the bed so he can more comfortably lay next to Luffy. “Fine. You win.”
Luffy’s dark eyes open halfway and then shut again as he giggles uncontrollably.
~!~
Maybe the first clue was their first meeting. When he was hung on that stake, following through with a deal, expecting that jerk to keep his word. Luffy came to him, then, walking across the execution yard like he wasn’t bothered in the least. Zoro had a reputation at that time He was supposed to be some kind of Demon Pirate Hunter, but Luffy didn’t care in the least as he stepped forward and talked.
There was a glint in Luffy’s eyes, then. He’d thought the guy was crazy at the time, but looking back, maybe it was something more. He’d grown accustomed to Luffy making decisions about who was joining the crew and worming into your heart until you agreed with him. Back then, he’d been completely overwhelmed. Unsuspecting and falling hard without even realizing it.
Zoro was first. The first to experience the powerful presence of their captain. The first to call him captain. The first to do a lot of things.
Had he started falling all the way back at the beginning? Had he slipped and let Luffy take him by the heart a little at a time? Even then? With one smile?
Maybe…
~!~
“Oi, stop laughing,” Zoro growls. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”
Luffy wipes at the tears in his eyes and then hiccups. His laughs start up again and then he’s holding his stomach. And he whines in between the giggles.
Zoro rolls his eyes. “See? Now stop it.”
He rests an elbow on the bed and turns on his side with his hand on his head. Now that Luffy’s moved his arms, he’s free to get off, but he kind of likes it here. Next to his ridiculous captain. Laughing idiot.
But Zoro can’t help the grin from spreading on his face. Seeing Luffy laugh like this is enough to calm the ache in his chest, the worry, the fear. His captain is going to be just fine. He may be a little off from his normal hyperactive self, but he’ll be back in no time.
Finally, Luffy’s laughter settles out and his captain turns those expressive eyes on him. “Zoro?”
“Hm?”
“I love you.”
~!~
At first, he didn’t understand why Luffy kept tossing him everywhere. He made sure to voice his complaint every time, of course, especially when his captain decided to throw him in situations that were actually painful. Like that time at Arlong Park when he was still suffering from Mihawk’s blade.
Eventually, though, he understood the messages. Maybe the first time Luffy did it had been unintentional, but since it kept happening despite Zoro’s complaints, he analyzed it as a possible deeper meaning. And he started to see other things in Luffy’s words and glances, too.
Maybe then Zoro gave more of his heart. When he realized it was some unspoken game. So instead of admitting that he understood, he decided to keep complaining. Luffy might have known the whole time, too, but they kept the words from crossing their lips, kept the touches from getting too intimate.
Of course, Zoro would sneak little things here and there. A glance. A smile. A gentle touch that only a lover could give. He wondered if Luffy did the same thing. Maybe that was why Luffy always accidentally woke him up, or was hovering so close whenever Zoro did break out of a nap.
Huh. Maybe.
~!~
When Luffy’s confession hits the air, Zoro falls off the bed. Luffy giggles and looks down at him, waving lightly. Zoro stares up at him for a moment, processing the words, processing everything. Had Luffy just given in? Had he actually said it?
Arms stretched out on the floor, laying on his back, Zoro barks up at Luffy. “You were awake for that kiss, weren’t you?”
“Yep!” Luffy grins, face flushed, sweat beading on his forehead. “And then you said ‘you win’ so, yeah, I can say it now because I won.”
Zoro closes his eyes. “Damn it.”
While his eyes are closed, Zoro thinks of how he fucked up. He should have made absolutely sure that Luffy was sleeping. Now the game is over. The game is over and everything will change.
What will the crew think? Do they already know? He’s not sure. He doesn’t really care, though, except for maybe the taunts the shit-cook might throw his way now. But, well, even knowing that, he doesn’t care.
Let the world say what they will, he’s just another idiot first mate who fell in love with his idiot captain, and he’ll wear it as a badge of honor.
“Zoro~” Luffy calls in a sing-song voice, and Zoro snaps his eyes open, having an idea of what’s coming. “I’m feeling better~”
Breath escapes him in a punch of pain as Luffy rolls off the bed and lands on top of him. It’s not so bad, but it shocks him anyway. So he makes a few gasping noises and then sets hands on Luffy’s hips. Because his captain is straddling him and grinning down at him, black bangs brushing over his eyes.
For a moment, everything freezes. Zoro stares up at his captain and tries to breathe; he tries so hard to get air, but he can feel his vision clouding. Luffy smacks his chest and Zoro shouts at him. There’s laughter and a bit of a struggle as Zoro tries to get Luffy off of him, and Luffy does everything possible to stay on top of him.
Then Luffy slams Zoro’s hands against the floor and entangles fingers. “Does this mean we can do the fun stuff now?”
“Wh-wh-what?”
His brain short circuits a little, but Luffy pouts and leans down. “I’m not stupid.”
Heat fills his face and he shakes his head, hearing the three earrings jingle, but then Luffy’s mouth is on his and he doesn’t care anymore. He doesn’t care . The sweet taste is back in his mouth and stronger this time. Sweat and sweetness and maybe some kind of meaty taste, probably because Luffy is always shoveling piles of meat in his face at every meal.
He wants to drift into that kiss. He wants to stay forever. He meets Luffy’s passion and accepts everything. It helps that they’re alone in the room. Zoro twitches, the smell of disinfectant reminding him of one very important fact.
When Luffy drops the kiss and releases his hands, Zoro clears his throat. “You’re still sick, Luffy. You should be back on the bed.”
“Don’t wanna,” Luffy protests. “I’ll just sleep on Zoro.”
Luffy whines and settles against him. He’s gone limp. Lifting a hand, Zoro runs fingers over the flushed face of his captain, frowning at the way Luffy has gone back to that heavy breathing. Still hot. In fact, with Luffy on top of him like this he can feel the heat from the feverish captain’s body.
But Luffy has a request. He wants to sit here and sleep, so Zoro puffs out a big breath of air and leans his head back against the wooden floor. His arms go around Luffy, and he rolls his eyes as Luffy cuddles against him. The things he does for his captain.
The things he does.
~!~
They were on the island together, exploring something new. Then Luffy started acting weird and Zoro had to curse his luck. It was only the two of them, and he was lost and he didn’t think Luffy could lead them any better than him.
And then Luffy passed out.
The fever was obvious when he looked. So he took his captain in his arms and ran and ran and ran until he finally found the beach where the ship sat docked. He stood on the shoreline, the tide splashing against his boots. He stood with Luffy resting in his arms and stared at the ocean, at the ship, at the lack of a rowboat.
Then Zoro pulled Luffy against him, and stepped into the ocean. He made sure his captain’s arms wrapped around his neck, and he swam to the ship. Because he couldn’t wait. Because he would do anything.
He would do anything for Luffy.
~!~
Chopper found them nestled against each other on the floor. He wanted to yell and scream at them for getting out of their beds when Luffy was sick and Zoro still had injuries to be healed. But then Nami stepped forward and suggested something else.
So Chopper transformed and put the two on the bed together. They complained a little in their sleep as they were moved, but once back together, Luffy wrapped arms around Zoro and refused to let go. And Zoro slept on peacefully, his own arm draping over Luffy.
Then the crew left them alone.
Because what could you do but let the Captain and First Mate have their space when they were like this? Whether the stupid game between them was over or not, they knew it would only be a matter of time. Only a matter of time for the two idiots in love to admit as much out loud and relieve the crew of the cute, but awkward tension of having to hold back saying what they all already knew to be true.
That Zoro and Luffy had a bond unlike any other and they would never let go.