Post Round 7

- - sudden kiss 😙

He who worships the sun

Settle soft and as pure as snow. I fell in love with the fire long ago.

bang

Doomed yaoi this, doomed Yuri that

take some doomed siblings, that shit hits different

You don't like pepperoni??? Never knew that

Bat parang pang mayaman Yung isa mo-

You can only eat 2 foods for the next 2 years (with no health repercussions)

Spin this wheel twice to figure out what they are!

Mizi really always says ( ≧▽≦ )

For Luffy, realizing he loved Zoro didn’t come as naturally as one might think. Luffy loved a lot of people. He loved so much his heart burst with it. He even loved strangers, people who suffered under the weight of cruelty and sought the hope of finding a way out. He loved the broken, the lost, the ones who never gave in, the ones who protected others and needed to be protected themselves. There wasn’t an ounce of Luffy’s being that didn’t love, and yet, the love Luffy felt for the world was always different than the love he felt for his crew and family.

With Ace and Sabo, he loved them like brothers, like parts of himself he could always reach out and depend on, and seek comfort from. With his crew, Luffy loved them like the deepest of friends, the ones he knew he could trust without fear, and be welcomed by without worry of being rejected. He even loved his grandpa to in his own weird way. Garp was scary and mean, but there were times when Luffy was younger, and he thought his grandpa might just be conflicted—restrained by the institutions Luffy now fought against. There was Dadan and Makino, mother like figures who Luffy treated in vastly different ways. Rayleigh worked himself in there somewhere to. Like the always encouraging watchful guardian at his back, nudging Luffy forward when it was difficult to move.

Shanks had his own special love. It was a tad bit of hero worship and admiration, but it was also a deep trust and competitiveness to one day prove to Shanks that his bet on Luffy wasn’t wrong.

So, in Luffy’s mind, everyone was accounted for. His family and his crew, and the strangers of the world he met along his adventures. He loved everyone, and to him, to consider a different type of love was as foreign a concept as going vegetarian.

That is, until Luffy had an…awakening of sorts.

Or rather, it wasn’t so much an awakening as a damn kick to the face.

It started with Luffy being selfish. Selfish for Zoro’s attention, of course. Now this wasn’t as unusual as one may think. Luffy was a naturally selfish person, and the things he liked he wanted to keep. He often felt a hint of possessiveness for everyone of his crew, often chalked up and disguised as misplaced protectiveness instead. Yet, with Zoro, Luffy couldn’t even pretend to feel protective as he watched Law and the strawhat’s resident swordsman laugh it up, jostling each other’s shoulders in a manner too friendly for two men who didn’t like to be touched otherwise.

It was quite the conundrum and utterly baffling. Zoro didn’t take well to outsiders. Not that he was usually mean, but he shied away from those he wasn’t comfortable with or didn’t know well enough, opting to stay out of touch, but still near enough when trouble arose. Luffy didn’t realize how much he had grown used to Zoro’s skulking when unfamiliar people were around until Zoro no longer skulked.

Traffy was the catalyst. An anomaly. While initially, Zoro had been rebuffed to the heart captain’s presence, after Punk Hazadd and the events of Dressrosa, the two were as thick as thieves—or rather, as friendly as two anti-social men could be with one another. Maybe it was their many similarities that drew the two together. Both were strong, silent swordsman who opted to watch from the outside rather than throw themselves into the thick of whatever loud party Luffy concocted. Or maybe they just got along well. Sometimes that happened.

Luffy first noticed their companionship on the way to Zou. Zoro and Traffy could often be seen chatting casually, or not even talking at all, but just being near one another. And then at Zou, they often wandered around by each other’s side, offering their silent judgement whenever the strawhats were up to their usual shenanigans. And now, on the eve of their departure, Zoro and his team to Wano and Luffy and his crew to Big Mom, Luffy watched Zoro and Traffy with a critical eye. He hadn’t missed earlier when Zoro and Traffy were in the woods alone cutting wood. Their closeness. Their familiarity. Zoro didn’t let people get close, but he didn’t seem to mind Traffy at all.

And that, right there, was the beginning of Luffy’s ✨realization✨.

Because it was different when the crew touched Zoro. They were crew after all, a bond that was different, but just as deeply felt as one with family. But, as much as Traffy was a friend and ally, he wasn’t crew, and yet he touched Zoro. Not obviously, nor frequently, but it occurred. A hand to Zoro’s shoulder, nudging Zoro with his hip as he walked by, bumping knuckles, clasping hands in a bro-like manner. All touches that were innocent and friendly. Except.

Except it was somebody else touching Zoro that was the problem. Even if the touches were perfectly ordinary and uncommon. What made it worse for Luffy’s sake was that Zoro didn’t mind touching Traffy back. Zoro would sling and arm over Traffy’s shoulders when they were drinking, knock heads together playfully when they bickered, poked and prodded at the other man and just—there was something irritating about the whole debacle. Absurdly so. Luffy loved Zoro and he liked Traffy, but he didn’t like when they were together. Or no, that wasn’t right. He liked that they were friends because it was necessary to the alliance, he just didn’t like how friendly the two most unfriendliest people on the ship were with each other.

Was it because Luffy felt left out? No, that wasn’t quite right. Was the problem with Traffy? No, Traffy was great and he did save Luffy’s life once upon a time. The problem certainly couldn’t be with Zoro, because Zoro was crew and he was…

Luffy puzzled and puzzled, utterly baffled. Was the issue with Zoro? Luffy seemed stuck on his green haired swordsman, the thought of Zoro running circles in the captain’s head. Yet, no matter how much he toiled over the issue as he watched Traffy and Zoro drink with each other from across the bonfire, he was drawing up blanks. Grasping at straws and steadily slipping.

Maybe he was just worried about Sanji and taking it out on Zoro. That had to be it.

Luffy frowned and pouted at his drink. For the life of him, he was at a loss.

“Are you troubled, Captain?”

Luffy looked up and saw Robin approach. As usual, she was quiet and calming, helping herself to sitting by Luffy’s side without invitation. Immediately, Luffy felt eased by her presence. He shrugged, because of course he was troubled, but he wasn’t going to trouble Robin with something that only involved Luffy.

“You’ve been staring at our resident swordsman for most of the night. Are you worried about us going to Wano?” Robin asked politely, with just a hint of warm concern.

This time, Luffy shook his head. If anything, he felt confident in his crew. If Zoro was the one leading them, then it would be alright in the end.

Robin hummed, “Perhaps…” she started off slowly, thoughtfully, glancing between Zoro and Luffy with that ever calculating gleam in her blue eyes. She trailed off, humming to herself once more, content to keep silent about whatever thoughts plagued her. Luffy was grateful. As much as he loved Robin’s brain, he didn’t want to think anymore. All he had done since sitting down was think.

Think about Zoro and Traffy, traveling together to Wano, probably touching more. Maybe they would share a room on Law’s ship because it wouldn’t be able to fully accommodate everyone traveling on it. Would they be closer after this journey? Even more friendly than they already were? What if the touches started to change? Luffy was an idiot, but he also knew that sometimes, people liked to touch in not-so-innocent ways that were better left done behind closed doors. Zoro said once he didn’t have an interest in doing stuff like that, not because he didn’t want to, but because he had other things on his mind. But, wouldn’t an opportunity with Traffy be easy? They were friends. They looked good together. Shared the same interests, and maybe…

Luffy didn’t realize he was crushing the drink in his hand until it spilled all over him. Robin made a soft, startled noise before quickly sprouting some hands and helping the Captain clean up. The small commotion triggered both Traffy and Zoro into glancing over at Luffy. The captain met Zoro’s eye briefly, the intensity and worry in it making Luffy’s stomach twist. The feeling forced Luffy to turn away first. He focused on getting himself another drink, standing tall as he waddled over to where the drinks were being served. Yet, upon turning back to the party, Luffy really didn’t have a desire to rejoin, and so, following a newfound whim, he wandered into the surrounding woods, lingering in the quiet as his troubled mind continued to think and think and think.

It was getting rather irritating.

“Stupid brain. What’s the big idea, huh?” He said to no one in particular, smacking himself on the head in the process. “It’s just Zoro!”

Except, Zoro was never just Zoro to Luffy, was he?

From the beginning when Zoro was strung up in a courtyard, half starved and sunburnt, he wasn’t just a stranger. He was the future. Luffy’s right hand. More than that really. He was the one Luffy depended on just as Zoro depended on him. Zoro was the one Luffy trusted in a way that was different than the others, that felt more give and take rather than just give. Zoro wasn’t just Zoro. He was more than that, always had been.

He wasn’t like a brother, even if Luffy often sought Zoro out for comfort. And he was like the crew, but different in that regard to. Luffy felt a need to protect his crew from everything, but with Zoro, Luffy felt that need to be protected himself. Zoro certainly wasn’t a Rayleigh or a Shanks. He definitely wasn’t a Garp or Dadan. He had his own category separate from everyone else.

And he was leaving. Tomorrow. With Traffy.

The thought of it made Luffy’s heart clench.

Was it yearning? Was it jealousy?

Probably a little bit of both.

And oh.

Oh dear.

As stated before, Luffy’s realization was much like a kick to the face. He felt the air in his lungs leave him in a single, audible gasp. Felt the gut punch epiphany deafen him, drive him to his knees. His cheeks heated up, hell, even his ears turned red.

It made sense, in a way, that Zoro would be different. That Luffy would feel such conflicting emotions for him. Of course Luffy loved Zoro, but he was also in love with him.

Or rather, had such a deep and encompassing love for Zoro that the mere thought of him and Traffy together in a certain sense made Luffy ache and want to throw a fit.

Zoro didn’t fit in with the others in Luffy’s heart, because Zoro was meant to be on his own. A portion of Luffy only he could claim.

Unfortunately, Luffy didn’t have long to revel in this newfound revelation. Before long, Zoro wandered into the woodland, obviously in search of Luffy.

And how was it the swordsman never got lost when it was Luffy he was searching for?

Feeling with his Haki and that weird sense freakishly in tune to Zoro, Luffy watched as Zoro emerged from the trees cast in the shadow of the moon and the stars, so proud and regal and beautiful as he approached with a drink in hand.

“There you are.” Zoro greeted, a small breath of relief only someone like Luffy could catch, “Finally found you, Captain.”

Luffy tore his eyes away from broad shoulders and grinning lips, an eye that sparkles even in the night. His stomach twisted and fluttered, his heart hammering at an alarming rate. He didn’t have enough time to settle his emotions with himself, and now Zoro was here, as calming as ever even when he set Luffy’s blood on fire.

When Zoro noted Luffy didn’t answer him, he came to a stop just in front of the captain and crouched down until they were eye level. His body exuded natural heat, his hair was a mess, a product of running his fingers through it and never brushing it properly after a shower. The golden earrings glinted, catching a stray ray of moonlight on occasion. Everything about Zoro was breathtaking, and Luffy fidgeted where he sat, unable to cope with the other’s nearness.

“Something wrong, Luf?” Zoro asked, softer and oh so gentle.

It was like this between them. There were sides to themselves they only really showed each other, and this side of Zoro, the caring and gentle one, was only every reserved for Chopper and Luffy. The thought only spurred a greater sense of panic in the captain.

How could he be so silly? Falling for Zoro of all people, his first mate. As a captain, he should be ashamed. Yeah, so what if Zoro was handsome and kind, gentle and strong, proud and honorable, humble and sexy, funny and adorably lost at any given point in—okay, so it really wasn’t Luffy’s fault. He couldn’t be blamed. Not when Zoro understood Luffy so intrisicately that it only felt natural to love him in a way that went beyond what words could describe.

“Nothin’ much.” Luffy lied, though it was obvious. Even if Luffy wasn’t already a disastrous liar, Zoro knew him best. Knew him most thoroughly. He could spot a hidden truth between Luffy’s lips like pointing out an island in the sea.

“Luf,” Zoro urged, setting his drink aside to crowd the captain, “Come on, tell me…before I get it out of you forcibly.” His words came with a funny and lighthearted threat, a touch to his side that warned of a tickle of Luffy didn’t comply. The fleeting touch sent shivers through Luffy’s entire body, his cheeks burning hotter than ever before. He wanted to hide, but he also wanted to test his limits, to see if Zoro really would tickle him if he didn’t answer. Luffy knew he would.

“It’s nothing…” Luffy lied again, but then he saw the worried look in Zoro’s eye. So genuine.

With a sigh, the captain decided to offer something as close to the truth as he could manage, “Just really going to miss you.”

Zoro raised his eyebrows, “Oh. I guess I get that. The crew will be separated again and—“

Luffy shook his head, feeling a bit braver than before as he faced Zoro fully, “No. I mean, yes, I’ll miss the crew, but I know they’ll be safe and protected with you. It’s…I…” Luffy hesitated to say anything further, mostly because this was still so new and it felt like he was on a rollercoaster. First he was jealous of Zoro and Traffy, but couldn’t figure out why, and then he figured out why, but still hadn’t fully come to grips with it, and now Zoro was here and making everything worse and better by twisting up Luffy’s insides and making his heart race.

Of course, the swordsman wouldn’t know any of this. His head was tilted slightly, inviting Luffy to explain what he met in a way that was both patient and curious.

Luffy never really took notice before now just how sharp Zoro’s jaw was, or how piercing even a single eye of his could be. The muscled plains of his scarred chest were inviting and smooth, and Luffy knew the older’s arms were warm and protective—more so than even his brothers when they were all young and sleeping in the same treehouse. People often spoke about how handsome Zoro is. How sexy the pirate hunter was even if all he did was glare, grunt, and drink in public. To their closer allies, Zoro was admired less for his looks and more for his unwavering character. The solid strength propelling Luffy from behind, keeping the crew grounded even when they wanted to cave to their baser impulses. He was still called handsome and good looking. Nami admitted one night when drinking (much to the horror of Sanji) that if she were more into guys than girls, Zoro would be her type. Even Robin spoke briefly on how Zoro’s looks, as strange as they may be, were appealing (however, cyborgs were what really got her gears going).

Zoro hadn’t given a damn of course. He didn’t exist to be admired, but looking at him now, Luffy could understand. More than understand, actually. He didn’t think there was anything better looking than Zoro, even a buffet of meat couldn’t compare (though it was definitely runner up).

Zoro was just so Zoro. It was a more profound explanation than most would ever realize.

“I meant,” Luffy said slowly, cautiously, “That I’m going to really miss you. Zoro.”

Because that was true. He would miss his crew while they were in Wano, but they were safe with Zoro. Zoro, who Luffy probably relied on a little too much sometimes. Zoro who spent two years training with Mihawk because he never wanted to let his captain down again. Zoro who would follow Luffy into the depths of hell, even if Luffy didn’t want him to. Luffy would miss that. Would miss that steady and reliable strength as they snuck into an emperor’s home.

He would just miss him. Terribly.

Zoro frowned a little at the confession, his brows drawing together in slight puzzlement. Then, he opened his arms, a gesture that couldn’t be missed.

“Then bring it in, Captain. If it’ll make you feel better.”

It would, and Luffy didn’t hesitate to bury his face and his body in Zoro’s arms, crawling into the older’s lap shamelessly as the swordsman scooped him up and held him close without question. A nose buried in Luffy’s hair. Hands settled on the captain’s waist and back, and everything felt better, so much better than before. Warm. Home. Safe. Everything he had ever associated with Zoro wrapped around Luffy until he couldn’t be bothered to worry anymore.

“By the way,” Zoro said softly, murmuring into the shell of Luffy’s ear, “Robin said you might be jealous.”

Luffy stiffened. His hard earned peace shattering in an instant.

Naturally, Luffy went to pull away, but Zoro kept him close, laughing kindly under his breath as he smushed Luffy deeper into his chest.

“I’m guessing, by your reaction, she was right. Robin usually is.”

“I—“ Luffy started, trying to think up an excuse. But his voice was muffled and Zoro ignored him anyway.

Zoro sighed thoughtfully, propping his chin up on Luffy’s head as he rocked them gently from side to side, “Dunno what you would be jealous about.”

You. Traffy. Luffy wanted to say, but didn’t.

“S’not like anyone is more important to me than you and the crew.”

Luffy knew that, but that wasn’t the issue. Luffy knew the crew and himself would always take precedence in Zoro’s heart. It was the thought of Zoro and Traffy, and the possibility that there could be something more there, even if the likelihood was slim. It was in the way Zoro didn’t mind Traffy bothering him, or touching him. It was when they laughed together, looked good together, and really Luffy’s jealousy was so ridiculous—

“Luffy.” Zoro nudged him, “Traffy is just a friend. Someone I trust.”

Luffy knew that. He did.

The captain said nothing.

Zoro nudged him again, “Traffy also has a thing for blondes and not green haired swordsmen.”

That…managed to get Luffy’s attention. He jerked his head upwards, eyes going wide.

“Huh?”

“Yep.” Zoro grinned, toothy and mischievous, “He may or may not have had an eye out for our resident cook, but with everything going on…you know. Things happen. It’s nothing serious. Just thought I might let you know.”

“Wait.” Luffy said, trying to get the facts straight, “Traffy likes Sanji?”

“Wouldn’t say like, but…appreciates his looks or whatever shit like that. Don’t ask me, I don’t see what Traffy would even like about the cook. His goatee is stupid.” Zoro gave a shudder for emphasis.

Luffy was still reeling from the revelation, “But he seemed nicer to you.”

“Yeah, well, we did save a country together, but trust me, I’m the farthest from Traffy’s type.” Suddenly, Zoro’s gaze turned sly and cocky, “You seem very interested in this conversation. That’s not like you at all.”

Feeling like a deer struck scared, Luffy’s eyes went wide and his cheeks renewed their blush at the realization that he was being found out. Leave it to Zoro to find a way to make Luffy reveal what he was thinking or feeling without even meaning to.

The time for denial was rapidly coming to a close, but Luffy strove for it anyway, “It’s just funny!” He insisted, “Because…because Sanji hates dudes and Traffy is…he’s Traffy. So it’s funny. Ha ha.” He tacked on lamely. The urge to flee was strong, but Zoro held him firm.

Zoro also looked at him like he didn’t believe a word coming out of Luffy’s mouth.

“Uh-huh.” He agreed, though it was obviously done to appease Luffy and not because Zoro actually believed Luffy’s crappy lie.

Needing to escape before he embarrassed himself further (and wasn’t that such a strange thing? To feel embarrassed. Luffy had never felt an ounce of shame in his life), Luffy started wiggling around in Zoro’s hold, silently insisting that he be let go.

Zoro didn’t.

Because Zoro was mean.

And he was teasing Luffy at this point, playing with the captain in a way only someone who knew Luffy better than Luffy himself could do.

“Let me go…” Luffy whined, frustrated, shy, yearning, and annoyed all at once. “I take it back. I’m not going to miss Zoro. Not one little bit. Jerk.”

“Oh really?” Zoro had the gall to laugh, chuckling a deep, reverberating tone that could make a mountain shiver. The sound was enough to get Luffy to still, gasping under his breath because he never realized just how nice and deep Zoro’s voice really was.

It was enchanting.

Seeing that he had Luffy’s attention again, Zoro made a point of taking one of his hands and fondly pinching Luffy’s cheek with it.

“Am I really a jerk?” He asked, and the way he said it, cocky, yet sweet, imploring and oh so deeply.

Luffy was like putty in the other’s hands, and he melted.

“…no.” He squeaked, nearly breathless. He certainly felt like he couldn’t breathe, not with Zoro looking at him like that.

Looking at Luffy like…like he was the most important thing in Zoro’s life. Like Luffy was simultaneously precious and damning, like Luffy could crush and remake Zoro’s entire world.

That was another realization that left Luffy reeling, because suddenly, the thought occurred to him that these very troubling emotions might not be as one sided as he might believe. There was no denying the way Zoro looked at him, the way he held him. It made sense in a way. What sort of man devoted themselves to their captain so wholeheartedly, and didn’t precede to give their heart away in the process?

Horrifyingly enough, Luffy felt the urge to cry. He hadn’t cried since Ace died, but he wanted to now. Something about the tenderness of Zoro, the wordless understanding between them—of course Luffy didn’t have to confess, and of course his lies would never be believed. Zoro would always know Luffy better than Luffy knew himself, after all.

“You know, if you were going to have a meltdown about how much you love me, the least you could have done was invited me to watch.” Zoro teased, but it was less a tease and more of a confession, whispered between the charged air between them. Zoro uttered his words with such confidence and knowing, like he was almost daring Luffy to refute him.

Luffy couldn’t. Not anymore.

“I…” he started to say, but words eluded him. A lot of things eluded him at this moment, like what little sense he usually had. That sense evaporated into thin air, leaving Luffy with such strong and potent desires that it was difficult—no, impossible to resist against them.

All it took was Zoro’s hand pinching his cheek to instead cradle his face, a thumb smoothing over Luffy’s jaw in a way that was both inviting and comforting. Luffy released a shuttering breath, wondering how he could have missed these feelings before when they were so loud in his head and heart now.

“I love you.” He said, without even meaning to. Then again, there were a lot of things Luffy didn’t mean to do in his life that he did anyway, so blatantly confessing his love only after he just realized he felt it shouldn’t have come as too big a surprise.

For his part, Zoro didn’t look all that surprised. Just fond, and maybe a bit amused.

“Captain. Luffy,” Zoro said, still smiling. Then, Zoro kissed him.

Luffy kept his eyes open at first, mostly because he was startled, and then he shut them, propelled by the pressure of Zoro’s mouth against his own. They kept it sweet and gentle, nothing more than what Luffy was ready for, and when they parted, Luffy settled his own hands on Zoro’s chest. Feeling his strength, his confidence, and the rapid beating of the swordsman’s heart.

“When we find each other in Wano,” Zoro whispered, “I’ll kiss you for real.”

“That…wasn’t a real kiss?” Luffy uttered, still in some form of shock.

Zoro chuckled, kissed his cheek, then drew him in for another hug, “More like a sample kiss, than anything else.”

“We’ll I don’t want the sample. Give me the real one now!” Luffy pouted, because how dare Zoro hold back?

Of course, Zoro didn’t give in, because Zoro was a big jerk.

“Think of it like a reward. If you get to Wano safely, I’ll kiss you for real. Sound like a deal?”

“Sounds like you’re holding out on me.” Luffy grumbled, but after getting pinched in the side, he gave in, “Yeah.” He agreed, a bit softer this time, “I’ll get to Zoro safely.”

“Good.” The older smiled against Luffy’s hair, and rocked them together gently, “Because I love you to, Luffy.”

absolutely adore that this man's reasoning for not being a terrorist isn't 'i wouldn't do those things ;(' and instead 'if i were a terrorist, i wouldn't get caught, dumb bitch'

Agent Twilight. Westalis' top spy.

Can't win an argument with his baby daughter.

AHHHH I FORGOT THE BACON DAMMIT

🧀🧀🧀

Honey, what?