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1. East Blue
Their ship was sailing forward with the pull of the currents, ever-changing yet constant. There was no sign of land in the darkness, but Luffy didn’t seem to care for their lack of direction in the endless waves. Zoro was okay with that. He made himself comfortable and listened to the voices of the ocean and wind. His captain was his new north star, and getting lost at sea was the least of his concerns.
After supper, they sat shoulder to shoulder on the deck, legs tangled together under a blanket. The intimacy was oddly comforting.
Zoro looked over at Luffy - his captain, the man he dedicated himself to - and pondered on their journey ahead.
What did fate have planned for the future pirate king and the world’s greatest swordsman?
"Zoro?"
"Yes, captain?" He turned to his side, wanting to give Luffy his full attention.
"Let's get married!" Luffy said with a smile; there were galaxies in his eyes, a reflection of hope and infinite possibilities.
"What? Luffy, do you know what you're asking?" Zoro was at a loss for words.
"Of course! Makino said that you get married when you find someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, and I wanna spend the rest of my life with Zoro!"
Luffy spoke as if it were that simple - as if Zoro's heart didn’t flutter at the thought of forever. Everything between them was new, but there was something there, an undeniable spark that called to him from deep in his soul. And honestly, he shouldn't be surprised by Luffy's question, not when he was the most direct person Zoro's ever met.
Zoro laughed and leaned into his captain’s warmth. They will have time to talk about marriage at a later date.
Testing his luck against fate, he linked their fingers and whispered into Luffy's neck, "Ask me again when we make it to the Grand Line, captain."
Luffy smiled, "Deal."
2. Post-Drum Island
Later that night, as they sailed away, the cook prepared a feast to celebrate Nami's recovery and Chopper joining the crew. It warmed Zoro's heart to see his crewmates happy and content against the odds.
Usopp was telling a tale of giants and warriors to Chopper. Vivi and Nami were listening with smiles on their faces. Everyone was enjoying the cook's dessert and warm drinks.
Zoro took another drink of his spiked hot chocolate and laid down for a nap.
Rubber hands tightening around his chest woke him. Luffy was making himself comfy on his lap. Zoro smiled softly at his captain and shifted till they fitted together.
"Nami said we'll get to Alabasta soon," Luffy whispered.
"That's good." The day's exhaustion was catching up to him. His body ached. In the comfort of Luffy's arm, sleep called out to him.
"Zoro?"
"Hmm?"
"Can we get married?" He asked.
Zoro pressed a kiss to Luffy's hair, "Mhm. We will. Ask me again when we're not about to fight a warlord."
Luffy rolled them over and kissed him breathless. "Zoro's the best," he said.
There was newfound understanding in his eyes when he leaned back, and Zoro vowed to protect that trust and devotion with his life.
3. Pre-Water Seven
It was a quiet day on the Going Merry. The weather was calm, and there were no Marines after them. Things were as peaceful as they got for their crew. Usopp was repairing the ship alongside Nami and the cook. Robin was reading on the deck with Chopper, and Luffy was trying to catch fish.
Zoro was put on lookout duty for the day, not that he was complaining. There was little else to do as he recovered from their last fight.
Within one moment and the next, Luffy bounced over to his side.
"Zoro!"
"Yes, captain?"
Luffy closed the distance between them, pressing their foreheads together as they stood chest to chest. "I really wanna marry you. What do you say? Will you marry me?"
"Why today of all days?" Zoro asked.
"No reason,” he said. “I want Zoro to be mine."
"Oh? And here I thought I was already yours.”
Luffy pouted. "If we get married, everyone will know that Zoro's off-limits."
Ah, so that's how it is. Luffy's being possessive.
"I'm your first mate,” Zoro said. “No one's going to try anything. Ask me again when our crew makes a name for itself."
"I will," Luffy vowed.
Zoro hummed and tilted his head back for a kiss. Luffy's hands reached for his hair, pulling them closer till there was nothing but their shared breath between them. He deepened the kiss, and Luffy melted under his touch.
They moved together without thinking. Luffy's back hit the kitchen door as Zoro closed his eyes to thank his lucky stars for keeping him alive. His hands moved on muscle memory, reaching for warm skin.
"Oi! Not in my kitchen!"
Zoro blocked the kick subconsciously - the cook's voice barely registering as he pulled back from the kiss. Luffy giggled when the cook started to shout at them. His hair was a mess under the straw hat, and a light blush dusted his cheeks like flowers blooming in spring.
He's beautiful.
"Sorry, Sanji.”
The cook sighed. "That's enough for now, captain. Usopp needs help with the repairs."
Luffy grumbled under his breath, but Zoro knew that it was all for show. Merry was their nakama. He'd do anything to protect her from the damage of the Grand Line.
"Zoro owes me a ring!” Luffy said as he untangled himself from Zoro’s arms.
Oh. He hadn't thought about that. Luffy never struck him as the type to wear a ring, but he's not surprised. His captain was unpredictable, after all.
"You'll get one," he promised. The smile Zoro got in return was worth more than any rare metal or jewel the world could offer.
"A ring?" The cook questioned after Luffy left. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, cigarette forgotten.
"He proposed again," he said. When the dots connected, their cook frowned.
"The fuck? You said no? To Luffy?" He snapped.
"Don't look so betrayed. We'll get married, just not right now," Zoro said.
The cook composed himself by lighting a fresh cigarette. He blew smoke rings towards the sky to hide the smile on his face, but they both saw through it.
"You're idiots, but I'm happy for you," he said. "Don't mess this up."
"I won't. Thanks cook."
4. Thriller Bark
Brook was playing Bink’s Brew for the fifth time that night when Luffy sat by Zoro’s side. The celebration was in full swing even as midnight approached. His crew and their new friends were dancing and eating to their souls’ content. Their new musician was smiling, full of wonder and thrill. Everyone was enjoying themselves.
On any other day, Luffy would be happy. Today, his heart broke every time he thought of Zoro. His brave, loyal swordsman was at death’s door, and Luffy was helpless. There was no enemy to fight, no hurdle to overcome. No, there was only Zoro, bleeding and bruised. Luffy hugged his precious first mate and listened to his shallow breaths. Zoro slept on, but he moved closer subconsciously. He was warm to the touch, too warm.
Luffy kissed his forehead, soft and full of regret.
“Zoro can’t die,” he said. His voice got lost between their breaths. It was a plea, a prayer to whoever was listening.
“Not here. Not like this. Not before we fulfil our dreams.”
Luffy sniffled and let his head drop to Zoro’s shoulder. Tears were streaming down his face and onto the blood-stained bandages that covered his swordsman like a second skin. With shaky hands, Luffy linked their fingers together.
“Zoro, please wake up.”
The tempo rose. Luffy made himself comfortable and closed his eyes. He thought of everything they’d been through together, the promises they’d made and the unsaid words that lingered between their actions.
“Will you marry me?” He asked, hoping for an answer that never came.
Time rippled, and laughter echoed around them as the first rays of dawn crept through a shattered window. His knuckles were white, but the lub-dub of Zoro’s heartbeat grounded him; it was a reassurance and promise.
We made it through the night.
Luffy collected himself. He placed his straw hat on Zoro’s head and left to find breakfast.
5. Post-Dressrosa
Zoro reached for another bottle of sake. The newly formed Straw Hat Grand Fleet knew how to party. Luffy may not care to have followers, but Zoro respected their decision to follow his captain and trusted that they’d have each other’s back against the world. Part of him knew that they’d need the extra support one day, whether or not he was willing to admit what that would imply.
“Zoro!” Familiar hands pulled him across the deck and into a hug.
“How’s the party, captain?” It wasn’t the same without the rest of their crew, but it was a well-deserved celebration. Their victory was sending waves throughout the world.
“Fun,” he said. Luffy tipped his head to the side and brushed their lips together. They breathed in sync, acting as an extension of each other, trading soft kisses under the moonless sky and committing every touch to memory.
“Will you marry me?” He asked.
Zoro smiled. He saw his future in the light of Luffy’s eyes - a lifetime of eternal love and endless adventure.
“Yes. I’d love to, but not now.” There’s too much at stake. Zoro pressed a kiss to the back of Luffy’s left hand, ghosting over his ring finger. “Ask me again after we’ve defeated a Yonko, captain. We can exchange rings, wear matching suits and invite the whole fleet. The world will stand as a witness to our devotion.”
Luffy was smiling through his tears. “That’ll be perfect. I love you, Zoro.”
“I love you too,” he said.
Zoro wiped away their tears. He didn’t know what fate had in store for them, but nothing - not hell or death themself - could keep him from his captain’s side.
Whatever happens next, we’ll face it together.
That night, they looked up at the sky and dreamt, knowing that they were each other's north star.