After restocking supplies on the latest peaceful spring island, Luffy had insisted the crew celebrate at a local tavern before setting sail again. Now laughter and music spilled from the bar as Luffy and Zoro nursed mugs of grog, recounting the day's adventures to each other.
As captain, Luffy was beyond popular with patrons who recognized the infamous Straw Hat. But tonight one particularly rowdy man kept sloshing his drink dangerously close as he edged closer to Luffy at the bar.
"You sure are a pretty little thing," the patron slurred, eyeing Luffy with a sleazy grin. "What d'ya say we blow this popsicle stand and have some real fun?"
Luffy simply laughed, used to such attention by now. "No thanks! I'm just here to drink with my crew." He simply waved the drunk man off and went back to the milkshake he was drinking
But the drunkard was persistent if nothing else. He looped an arm heavily around Luffy's shoulders, forcing a chaste kiss to the captain's cheek that made Luffy's face screw up in disgust.
He tries to push away from the man who's breath reeked of alcohol. Luffy looked around, begging for anyone's help.
At that, Zoro saw red. His sword was halfway drawn before rational thought caught up, though his glare promised murder. "Take your hands off him before I remove them." Zoro muttered as he stood behind the drunk man with his sword drawn at his neck.
The drunk blanched at Zoro's tone, recoiling with hands raised in supplication. "Whoa there big guy, no harm meant! Jus' havin' a bit of fun is all." He raised his hands in surrender but still stood way too close to his captain for Zoros comfort.
Luffy shot Zoro a bewildered look, unbothered by the unwanted advance but concerned for his first mate's wrath. He knew few could match Zoro's protective streak where Luffy was concerned. Luffy shook his head at his first mate and most loyal crew member.
With obvious reluctance, Zoro sheathed his sword and turned back to Luffy. Shrugging good-naturedly, Luffy clapped a rubbery hand on Zoro's broad shoulder.
"Forget about him, Zoro! Let's just have another drink." Always the calm to Zoro's storm, Luffy's smile soothed anger into simple pleasure at his captain's company once more.
Their eyes met across the bar, understanding flowing unspoken between two souls closer than any label. Nothing could dampen the bond between a pirate captain and his stalwart right hand man, eyes trained only on the vivid dreams ahead together out on the seas.
Luffy ordered another round for himself and Zoro to enjoy in peace. But the incident had left Zoro on edge, his gaze sweeping the tavern regularly to ensure no other patrons caused trouble.
Despite the crowded atmosphere, Luffy seemed completely at ease leaning against Zoro as they talked. Something about their close proximity soothed the swordsman's lingering irritations. He found himself smiling and relaxing into Luffy's bubbly chatter at last.
As the hour grew late, most bar patrons were reduced to amusingly drunken states. But the two pirates showed no signs of slowing, their metabolisms burned through any alcohol with dizzying efficiency.
Eventually they noticed patrons beginning to filter out into the quiet night streets. Zoro tilted his head questioningly at Luffy. "Ready to head back to the ship?"
Luffy hummed thoughtfully, stretching his arms above his head in a wide yawn before grinning back at Zoro. "Yeah, let's go!"
They made their way leisurely through darkened alleyways, lingering close together as Luffy prattled happily about the fun they'd find on their next island adventures. Zoro loved how Luffy's optimism could brighten even the darkest of nights.
Reaching the harbor, Luffy paused by the rail of the Thousand Sunny, gazing up at the glittering sea of stars with wonder that never seemed to fade no matter how many nights under their glow.
Zoro's eyes were drawn not to the sky, but to Luffy himself, illuminated ethereally in the soft moonlight. On impulse, Zoro reached out and took Luffy's hands in his own calloused ones, squeezing gently to capture his attention.
When Luffy met his gaze quizzically, Zoro leaned down to brush their lips together in a soft, searching kiss. Luffy inhaled in surprise-then smiled into the tender contact, returning it with rising enthusiasm. No more words were needed between two souls so perfectly in tune, bonded by kindred dreams and the freedom of the open sea.
Luffy melted into Zoro's embrace, all thoughts of the night sky forgotten in favor of the swordsman's warm, solid presence. They kissed languidly under the stars, conveying through intimate actions what words could never fully capture.
Luffy ran his hands over Zoros scarred chest while Zoro held his captain close by the waist.
When at last they parted, Luffy beamed up at Zoro with a happiness that outshone even the brightest celestial lights. Zoro smiled in return, tucking an unruly lock of raven hair behind Luffy's ear with a tenderness often hidden beneath his gruff exterior.
"Come on, Captain. Let's get some rest." Zoro kept an arm curled protectively around Luffy's shoulders as they disembarked and silently made their way to the men's quarters.
Moonlight filtering through porthole windows cast everything in a soft blue glow. The rest of the crew were fast asleep as Luffy and Zoro tiptoed past their hammocks, careful not to disturb their nakama.
Reaching his beloved hat rack, Luffy turned and stretched to press a quick peck to Zoro's scarred cheek before releasing a jaw-cracking yawn. Zoro huffed a quiet laugh at his antics, gaze full of fond exasperation.
"Sleep well, Luffy." He made to turn for his own bunk, only to find slender fingers lacing through his own calloused ones.
Luffy's eyes shimmered with quiet invitation in the low light. "Stay with me?"
Zoro's heart swelled near to bursting at his captain's-no, his lover's simple request. With a nod, he allowed Luffy to guide him down into the cramped hammock, settling together in a warm tangle of limbs.
Luffy nuzzled contentedly into Zoro's protective embrace with a contented sigh.
"Thank you for coming to your Captains rescue..." Luffy laughed quietly as he looked up at Zoro. The swordsman just smirked back and gently pushed his captain shoulder.
Sleep came quickly for the sated captain, spirited dreams dancing behind closed eyelids. Zoro gazed down at Luffy's peaceful face shadowed softly by lashes, guarding his rest through the quiet night watches. Now and always, he would be Luffy's stalwart strength through whatever adventures lay ahead-side by side, as equals and more, under beams of starlight or roiling storm clouds alike.
Their bond was eternal as the sea.
