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"So Luffy," Brook asked, as they sat around the table in the galley enjoying dinner. "I'm not sure if anyone here has already asked this, but have you ever considered what you plan to do after you become King of the Pirates?"
With the Straw Hat Pirates, many dinner conversations overlapped with others, but this question immediately caught everyone's attention. Even Sanji stopped in the middle of his latest compliments to the ladies. Somehow out of the entire crew, it seemed no one had ever thought to ask that question. Luffy always seemed so focused on his goal and the adventure along the way the idea of 'after' didn't come up.
"I know settling down isn't exactly your thing, but there are plenty of women who would want to be your wife," Nami pointed out. Sure, Luffy had never shown interest in any of those women, but maybe he just didn't want them to distract him from his quest.
"Nami's right you have some great options!" Usopp chimed in. "I mean Boa Hancock is considered the most beautiful woman in the world and she wants you. She's a Princess too."
"Shirahoshi and Rebecca also took a liking to you!" Franky added, with a big grin. "That's two more princesses! With super girls like that after you, you've got a super good chance at getting any girl you want!"
"That is a good question, Brook. I've wondered that a few times before, although I never asked," Robin said, turning towards Luffy who was swallowing a giant chunk of meat. "But if we want to know I suggest we let him answer."
All eyes at the table went to him, everyone falling quiet. The only sound left at the table was Luffy shoving yet another piece of meat in his mouth, but he seemed to realize he needed to answer their question and didn't grab another as he swallowed it.
"It's not a good question, it's a stupid one," Luffy told them, starting his answer in classic Luffy fashion by making his opinions very clear. "Obviously I'm going to marry Zoro and then we can adventure together forever!"
He immediately turned his attention back to his dinner, but everyone else at the table turned towards Zoro, with varying expressions of shock and interest on their faces. Only Zoro's eyes stayed completely glued on Luffy, a completely dumbfounded expression on his face. It was very clear Zoro knew just as much about this plan as the rest of them. After a few seconds, Robin began to laugh and everyone else also seemed to recover from their initial surprise, with the exception of Zoro who continued to stare at Luffy.
"I'm honestly not sure why that surprised us at all," Brook said with a laugh. "That's a very Luffy answer."
"Why would you go for that stupid mosshead when you have a literal princess after you!" Sanji yelled, sounding completely outraged. "They are absolutely gorgeous, totally stunning, not to mention kind! What in the world would you want with an ugly brute like Zoro!"
"I'm gay," Luffy replied, with food still in his mouth. "I don't like girls like you do. Plus Zoro isn't ugly. He's strong and hot." He swallowed his food, then added with a grin, "Also really good at fighting."
At his last comment, a light blush began to spread across Zoro's cheeks. He kept staring at Luffy, not even bothering to yell at Sanji for calling him an 'ugly brute' which really showed how much Luffy's comment caught him off guard.
"Sanji if you think about it they are perfect for each other," Nami pointed out. "They both love to fight every problem they ever have, neither of them are good at hygiene, meat and booze are some of their main motivations, and they never think things through. I honestly don't think anyone else could put up with them besides the other one. I mean if we hadn't found Usopp so quickly after I set out with them I probably wouldn't have made it."
"It has been obvious for a while that Zoro is in love with Luffy,” Robin commented with a smile. “I wasn’t completely sure if he loved him back, but I guess this clears that up.”
"I have not been with this crew very long, but given their devotion to each other it does not surprise me," Jinbe agreed, with a nod. "This whole crew is very loyal to the other member, but the two of them have something special that seemed different."
”Uhhh guys,” Chopper cut in. “I don’t think Zoro is alright.”
Attention shifted back to Zoro who still looked completely bewildered and also quite flustered. His cheeks were now a deep red and he looked as though he wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. Luffy's first statement had already caught him completely off guard and all the other comments completely stopped him from forming any reply. He got more flustered with every single one.
"Is something wrong Zoro?" Luffy asked, with a look of concern. "Your face is all red and you've got this weird look."
"Luffy have you actually told Zoro this is your plan until now?" Nami asked. "I really hope this isn't how you told him and the reason he's flustered is just because he gets easily flustered."
Luffy seemed to consider the question for a moment, once again taking a short break from his meal. Only Luffy would have to stop and consider if he told someone he planned to marry them prior to announcing it to the entire group. Most people would remember a conversation unlike that since with anyone besides Luffy it would likely mean a deep meaningful discussion.
"Huh, I guess not. Sorry, Zoro I guess I should've mentioned that to you."
"Have you considered asking Zoro if he wants to marry you?" Usopp asked, sounding a bit exasperated. Sure when Luffy wanted something he normally just went for it, but even he should know he had to ask Zoro about something like this. Especially given the two weren't even dating.
"Oh I guess you're right," Luffy agreed, with a nod, turning to face Zoro. "When I'm the pirate king and you're the world's greatest swordsman do you want to get married?"
Everyone's attention shot back to Zoro who seemed to grapple with his words for the next few seconds trying to find a response. He opened his mouth but couldn't seem to make any coherent words leave it. Instead, he just nodded. Franky, Chopper, and Usopp all cheered at that which somehow made Zoro even more flustered. Luffy grinned super wide, once again resuming his meal which he'd already had to pause so many times, but Zoro suddenly found his words.
"Wait Luffy when did you decide this? I didn't even know you liked me like that!"
"I decided it when he all got back to Sabaody because I kept thinking about how I always want you by my side and not the same way I want the others by my side," Luffy explained, very nonchalantly not pausing his meal this time. He'd had enough interruptions and dinner was very important. "And of course I like you. I tell you I love you all the time. Plus I give you more affection than everyone else."
"I thought you meant in a platonic way," Zoro said, still sounding quite confused despite getting answers. "Also you give everyone hugs and invade everyone's space. If the others took naps on the deck I'm sure you would lay on them too. You don't ever do stuff that wouldn't be considered platonic."
"I would do more relationship stuff with you like kissing and all that but I heard you tell Sanji it was a distraction. You said all his romance stuff was distracting from his goals. When we met I promised I wouldn't get in the way of you becoming the world's greatest swordsman. So I'm waiting."
It was moments like this when how much Luffy cared really showed. Sure, he often didn't listen, but when it really mattered he would take it to heart. He often forgot little details or names, but he knew the ones that mattered every time. He also always kept his word. When Luffy made a promise he would never break it, even if that meant facing all the dangers the world could offer.
"You don't need to wait," Zoro replied, his gaze locked on Luffy as though none of the others were even there. Like Luffy, Zoro placed a high value on always keeping your word. His will to always follow through on his promises had been one of Zoro's favorite qualities right from the start. "It's a distraction for the love cook because when he fawns over women he ignores his main priorities. You push me towards my goals."
“Does that mean I can kiss you now?”
“Ok as sweet as your whole confession was, I’m going to stop this before it goes any farther,” Nami cut in before Zoro could reply. “You two can go to whatever you want after dinner.”
“Nami, you’re no fun!” Luffy complained, doing his best pout.
“Well you don’t know what’s appropriate for when and have no self-control, and I don’t need to watch you make out with Zoro while I’m trying to eat.”
Instead of pushing back Luffy just laughed, reaching for another piece of meat which he shoved in his mouth. Nami's point had pulled his attention back to the fact that he was eating, and almost anything could be put off in until after dinner in Luffy's books. Nami's comment got laughs from some of the others as well, as they too returned to their meals. The conversation returned to normal around the table as they all made jokes or comments of their own and the topic soon began to shift. Only Zoro continued to stare at Luffy, the rubber boy's word replaying in his head.' I'm going to marry Zoro and then we can adventure together forever! '. He really could stand by his captain's side forever.