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Luffy awoke to the wonderful, faint scent of salt. A soft breeze tousled his hair and caressed his skin.
A sharp ache pulsed against his temples, which intensified as he attempted to lift his head. His eyes slowly fluttered open, and confusion washed over him like a tidal wave as he struggled to piece together his vast blue surroundings.
The expanse of the ocean stretched out in all directions, a boundless tapestry of cerulean hues merging with the horizon.
Gradually coming to, he realised his wrists were bound behind his back, coarse rope securing him to what seemed to be a thin mast.
He could not see but feel the dried blood covering his hands like gloves made from the grotesque damage that had been done.
Not to him.
To Zoro.
Slowly recalling the duel outside the Baratie, Luffy struggled to connect the floating images of what had occurred.
Zoro had challenged the pirate warlord Dracule Mihawk.
It had all been his fault. As the captain, he should not have encouraged his first mate to chase his dream. Not when they all had known that the odds hadn’t been in his favour.
Mihawk had been stronger, had… cut Zoro down.
“If I don’t become the world’s greatest swordsman, you’d be disappointed… right?”
“You could never fail me.”
What if he was dead?
No.
He couldn’t be.
Panic rushed through Luffy at the thought. He needed to know, needed to see Zoro.
He began to struggle against his restraints, trying to pull his stretchy arms free, when a low voice abruptly pierced the ocean air, interrupting his efforts.
“Welcome aboard the Hitsugibune, boy.”
Luffy’s attention was drawn to the man standing at the bow of the ship, overlooking the majestic East Blue.
Dracule Mihawk.
Luffy remembered now how he had been the pirate’s goal all along. He must have knocked him unconscious as Luffy had been kneeling beside his fallen comrade, focusing on stopping the bleeding.
The ship he was now being a prisoner on only seemed big enough for one person. The black boat resembled a coffin, with candles lit on the edges that burned with green fire.
At its centre was a mast, which Luffy was tied to, that resembled a large crucifix, similar to Mihawk's sword, adorned with black sails.
The skilled pirate turned to face Luffy. The man's presence exuded an aura of confidence, of great power.
This man had cut Zoro down.
With a flicker of courage, Luffy gathered his thoughts and mustered a determined voice.
“My crew will come for me.”
Mihawk’s yellow eyes lingered on his captive for a moment, gaze sweeping up and down, sizing him up slowly.
Lucerys couldn't help but feel a flush of self-consciousness at the scrutiny.
The man huffed. "Oh, I surely hope they do," he said, his tone tinged with boredom. "But I've grown quite impatient. It has been three days after all."
Three days… Had he been unconscious for three days? Did that mean Zoro was…?
“Where are you taking me?”
"Rest assured, boy, you are not in immediate danger. Your fate lies in the hands of someone else. I am just here to collect."
Mihawk’s voice took on a chilling edge, his eyes burning with a twisted anticipation. "But I believe it's only a matter of time before the rabbit will come to try and save you, little one."
Luffy felt a knot tighten in his stomach. Did this mean Zoro was alive after all?
Protectiveness surged through his veins then. He couldn't bear the thought of Zoro falling into this pirate’s trap.
Determination hardened his gaze as he met Mihawk’s unsettling stare.
"I won't let you harm him.” Luffy retorted, his voice trembling with a fierce resolve. “Not again.”
Mihawk’s lips curled into an amused grin, his eyes glinting with wicked satisfaction.
"Oh, dear boy, your bravery is admirable. But your defiance will only make his second and final fall that much sweeter."
He tilted his head then in wonder before taking a step closer, his eyes roaming over Luffy’s form again with a predatory hunger that sent a shiver down the boy’s spine.
“I am still surprised the marines would require my services for such a small package.” He spoke in a low, intrigued voice. "What is it that makes a marine vice admiral and a swordsman treasure you so…?"
He lifted a hand to trace Luffy’s jaw with cold fingers.
“I mean, despite what is already obvious.”
A sense of vulnerability crept into Luffy’s consciousness at the words. A feeling he’d so rarely felt that he didn’t know how to respond to it except with a gum gum dodge.
“Zoro will kill you and become the greatest swordsman in the world.” He said, determined, trying to circle back to what had been the focus of their conversation just a moment earlier.
Mihawk only chuckled at his prisoner’s attempt of evadement as he took off his cross necklace and unsheathed his small knife.
“Until then, how about we figure out what it is that makes you so desirable for a prize.”
He sliced at the buckles of Luffy’s overall before cutting across his red shirt to reveal Luffy’s chest to the white midday sun.
Luffy clenched his fists behind his back, confusion and fear welling up within him. He was too inexperienced to fully understand what the other pirate was aiming to do. But by the hungry look Mihawk was giving him, he could at least guess where it was going - and he didn’t like it at all.
Despite his exposed state, he refused to surrender to the despair that threatened to consume him. He turned his face away and closed his eyes.
Mihawk chuckled darkly, his eyes glinting with a sadistic delight.
With a chilling tenderness, he lifted a hand and locked a finger underneath Luffy’s chin to turn his head back towards him. "Has the swordsman ever touched you like this?" he asked, his voice laced with a twisted satisfaction.
He leaned closer, lips ghosting over Luffy’s, his breath tickling at the young pirate captain’s skin.
“Or like this?” Mihawk continued, moving the knife in his hand down and turned the blunt side of it to stroke it down the boy’s chest before trailing over a plump, pink nipple, which went erect by the kiss of the blade.
Luffy couldn’t help but whimper, at the unwanted touch, but also at his own secret desire that if anyone was allowed to touch him this way, it was Zoro.
“Or…” Mihawk whispered. “Like this?”
Grabbing Luffy by the soft of his cheeks, he forced his mouth wider. As it fell open helplessly, the pirate kissed him.
Luffy’s eyes widened in horror. Fear surged through his veins, tightening his every muscle.
Mihawk pushed his tongue deeper, rougher, as he shoved the knife into the wooden mast beside the boy’s head to make use of both of his hands. He began roaming them over Luffy’s naked chest, pinching and kneading at the soft skin.
Luffy struggled against each touch poorly, whimpering at his useless attempts at getting away.
After what seemed like a lifetime, Mihawk let up, leaned back and looked his prisoner in his eyes, lust swimming in his yellow orbs.
“Maybe I’ll keep you all to myself instead of wasting such a pretty mouth on the marines.”
His lips twisted into a malevolent grin, delighted with Luffy’s visible discomfort.
"It’s the end for your beloved swordsman," he taunted, his voice dripping with sadistic satisfaction. “but only the beginning for us.”
Luffy summoned his last ounce of courage, twisting his head away again. "You won't break me," he vowed, voice filled with determination. “and the end is only yours.”
Mihawk’s snicker bounced through the air.
"Oh, the fun I will have with you once your guard dog is out of the way," he whispered, his words laced with anticipation. “And I will not break you, Monkey D. Luffy. I will make sure you remain vigilant. Much more fun.”
A distant sound caught both of their attention then.
A ship could be seen on the horizon, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness that had enveloped Luffy.
As the distant ship drew nearer, the silhouette began to take shape, and relief surged within Luffy.
The flag unfurled in the breeze, revealing the unmistakable emblem of the Straw Hat Pirates. It was his crew, his Nakama, coming to save him just like he’d known they would.
"Here they come." Mihawk snickered, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure. “Let’s hope the rabbit made it.”
Luffy couldn't help but smile, fresh tears welling up, and heart skipping a beat as he recognized the figure standing at the prow of the ship.
Zoro.
Zoro was alive.
His loyal first mate’s eyes locked onto the scene unfolding before him as the ship drew nearer. The tension in the air was palpable as the two seasoned swordsmen sized each other up.
The Straw Hat Pirates' ship came up alongside Mihawk's vessel, and Zoro, with a determined look in his eyes, leaped onto the enemy's small deck, landing in a crouch, swords at the ready.
Zoro looked to his captain, and his initial relief turned to shock which morphed swiftly into fury.
Luffy felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him, realising the state in which he must have appeared to Zoro.
Red-kissed lips, chest exposed, nipples erect, eyes swimming with tears.
Vulnerable.
Zoro’s gaze shifted from his captain to Mihawk, the intensity of his hatred burning.
"I will kill you for laying a hand on him." his voice resonated with a chilling determination. The words hung heavy in the air, a declaration of vengeance that left no room for doubt.
Mihawk, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, replied.
“I told you when I was done with you, I would take your captain.”
It was clear that the warlord relished the opportunity to provoke the swordsman further, daring him to make a move. He underestimated the depths of Zoro’s vow to protect his captain.
"But we aren't done. I'm still alive."
“Then if you want him, Roronoa Zoro, you'll have to take him back from me."
That was when Zoro launched himself forward and the clash of swords began, echoing through the blue surrounding them.
The two warriors, each a master of their craft, engaged in a fierce duel, their blades clashing in a spectacular display of skill and power. Nami and Usopp watched from the Going Merry as the battle unfolded, their faith in their first mate unwavering.
The deck of the small ship had become a battleground, a fierce struggle for freedom and love, as Zoro and Mihawk fought for dominance.
Luffy, still bound to the mast, could do nothing but watch the struggle unfold.
After a relentless exchange of blows, Zoro's indomitable spirit began to turn the tide of the battle. With a swift and precise strike, he disarmed Mihawk, sending the Kokutō Yoru flying through the air. In that critical moment, Zoro seized the upper hand, launching into a powerful combination of strikes and slashes that left Mihawk no room for recovery.
The duel culminated in a final, devastating blow from Zoro's three swords, sending Mihawk reeling backward, who lost his footing and fell over the edge of the ship, disappearing into the depths of the sea below.
Breathing heavily, Zoro's eyes remained on the spot where Mihawk had disappeared for a moment.
Turning away from the precipice, Zoro approached Luffy.
He placed a comforting hand on his captain’s cheek and looked into his eyes.
“You’re safe.” He assured.
“You’re alive.” Luffy sobbed in response, relieved.
Zoro untied the knots that had bound his captain's wrists.
Luffy, weakened from the ordeal, staggered on unsteady legs, his body betraying from the fatigue he had endured.
Without hesitation, Zoro caught him as he faltered, his strong arms encircling Luffy's waist. He lifted his captain into his arms, cradling him carefully.
With Luffy nestled in his embrace, Zoro turned and made his way back to their ship, the crew members on board erupting in cheers.
Luffy whispered, "Zoro... you saved me."
Zoro’s voice was filled with quiet determination as he kept his gaze forward. "I always will."
Zoro carried Luffy back onto the Going Merry and into the safety and quiet of their shared quarters, lowering him down onto the bed.
“You did it, Zoro.” Luffy snivelled, smiling up at his protector. “You are the world’s greatest swordsman.”
With a faint but contented smile, Zoro reached down and brushed a few of Luffy’s dark curls out of his face.
“What matters is that you’re safe.”
Luffy watched as he arched his eyebrows as he scanned his eyes over his dishevelled form, gaze stopping at bruised lips.
“He hurt you.” The words were laced with tide-rising fury.
“I’m fine.” Luffy felt a wave of shame wash over him again.
Zoro leaned closer to him and before Luffy could even begin to process what was happening, Zoro’s lips met his; and a vicious dance of teeth and tongues began.
And Luffy couldn’t believe it.
He moaned desperately into the kiss, deepening it further. Zoro climbed on top of Luffy on the bed and pulled them flush together at the sound, hands roaming over the other boy’s body.
The samurai kissed like he fought, with practised ease and unparalleled viciousness. With fire, steel and heart of knights.
“I need…” Zoro whined between kisses.
Luffy opened his mouth to answer that he’d give anything Zoro ever wanted, needed, but his words were swallowed by another consuming kiss.
He wanted and he needed too .
It was nothing like how Mihawk had touched him, kissed him.
More.
Luffy wanted more.
Warm hands were suddenly pulling his shirt apart, ripping it further, before removing the red pieces of fabric from his body.
Luffy let himself be jostled about as his overalls were opened and tugged down along with his underwear. He became aware of a hand on his ass, cupping it and gently smoothing over the curve.
“Being the world's greatest swordsman is nothing...” Zoro groaned, mouthing against Luffy’s neck, his tongue laving against his overheated skin. “You are my dream…”
Luffy smiled.
"No need to chase something that is already yours."