Work Text:
Zoro didn’t think he could ever experience a kiss so sweet and gentle or feel such a full body warmth. Yet as Luffy held his face in his hands for those few minutes like he was something precious, Zoro didn’t want Luffy to ever let go and to stay so close in the infirmary bed. Just for them to be on this cloud nine for the rest of their life.
“Zoro feeling okay?” Luffy would ask softly as he pulled apart and Zoro blinked as he remembered everything that happened today. Right. Fight with some unknown pirate crew did a number on him. When he was with Luffy, he would always forget about the real world around them both. Zoro smiled softly and wrapped his arms around Luffy’s waist, cuddling into the crook of his neck with a small hum and a nod.
Warm. Even now, Luffy was always so warm-Zoro was sure that Luffy had no cold bone in his body. Zoro curled his body so that he was snuggled closer to Luffy and he pulled the thin sheet over the both of them. Reaching down, he felt Luffy interlock their hands together. Despite the wide smile, Luffy was gripping onto Zoro’s hand tight and he didn’t miss the flash of worry in Luffy’s big brown eyes. Zoro pulled their hands up to his lips, kissing Luffy’s knuckles with a rare gentleness he held only for his swords. And Luffy, of course.
“I’m okay, Captain. I’m here,” Zoro reassured him and Luffy cupped his face with his free hand, rubbing his cheek with his thumb. Leaning into his touch, Zoro let out a content sigh and he melted into his hand.
“I was so worried about Zoro when I saw him bleeding out…I always get so scared when I see him so injured. Even though you always make it out,” Luffy tries to laugh it off but his hand tightens around Zoro’s. They could never hide what they felt around each other, both of their hearts always being so open. Such a sweet Captain Luffy was, Zoro didn’t deserve such kindness. But that didn’t matter, did it?
Zoro wrapped his arms around Luffy’s neck and pulled him into a hug. It should humiliate him how soft Luffy made him and only him, but it never did. He just soaked in Luffy’s warmth and every part of him, ready to do anything to keep that smile on his face. Zoro feels Luffy laugh a little lighter, a more genuine sound as Luffy wrapped his arms around him as gently as he could, mindful of his injuries around his abdomen. A rare gentleness from his own captain, Zoro mused affectionately. Zoro melted into the hug and sighed deeply into his shoulder. Sometimes Zoro never had an idea about what to do with all the love that he held in his body, hoping that Luffy knew how deeply he loved him.
He knew he always felt Luffy’s love in everything that he did. Zoro’s own body grew warm as he breathed deeply, curling somehow closer to Luffy. His eyelids began to grow heavier, trying to keep staring at their interlocked hands and forcing his eyes open. Luffy giggled softly and ran his hands through Zoro’s hair, kissing his temple.
“I’m so happy Zoro’s here with me,” Zoro hears Luffy say into his ear before sleep washed over him and the knowledge that his captain would be by his side.