(One Piece) Book of Oneshots and Such

The Sea

(Zolu) Once the crew finally came back together after two years, Zoro takes a moment with the captain.

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The party was loud and boisterous, but thinking about it- it was always like that, it was their 'style' if that was a thing.

The fact that they were being eulogized as heroes left the first mate in a bad mood in the beginning, it was degrading, embarrassing- nothing could feel more humiliating to him than being a man renowned for ferocity and having people celebrate the 'good' he's done from the bottom of his heart for the undersea kingdom.

Not like he did anything to be honest, just got into a few scraps without even knowing what the bigger picture was, followed Jinbe's plans for a little circus act, and somehow took credit for defeating Fishman island's 'greatest swordsman'.

Ah yes, that irritating farce of a battle- now that, that was just a flat out disappointment- he couldn't even feel the urge to get angry over it despite how much it kept nagging at the back of his mind, but once the fishmen got some good grog in him most of the annoyance was gone.

Although one question bugged him, was this possibly what the majority of the New World would treat them with?

The question made him feel chilled, to think that all of his lasting efforts were only going to be used in putting up acts, to think months of frustrating determination would just be wasted on such delinquents.

To imagine that the two years he poured his soul into, for his captain- would been for nothing but a waste.

Of course getting stronger was always something to strive for, of course it could never be a waste, but the thought of needlessly spending two years away from the most pivotal man in his life when he could have returned sooner, it made him want to cut shit up.

Nothing could make him forgive himself for leaving Luffy alone to mourn like that- after looking so pathetic the last time he saw him too did nothing but rub salt in the wound.

It wasn't enough to be the one who arrived first on the archipelago, if only he could've just went to where the raven was in that exact time- he knew it was unreasonable but he just wished he somehow could have gotten to him sooner.

The two years were just so cold he couldn't stand it.

He never once thought before about what he'd do if he had to go on without Luffy, however those two years changed that.

They were so fucking cold, suddenly when he disappeared from the boy's side, the greenie was reminded of what it was like before the raven- and what could be awaiting him after the raven.

The waking mornings were quiet and sombre, something that the captain's presence would kill instantly, the days were dragged out for an eternity, the battles were once more a little lonesome, and at the end of the day, when the flames finally simmered down into embers, when all the fight in him was momentarily snuffed out from exhaustion, he just felt empty.

Luffy- Luffy was somewhere in the world alone, not knowing for sure where he was, if he was safe, if he was even alive- he knew that his captain's faith in him was absolute, but that only made the aching stronger.

Of course he knew the boy could take care of himself.. if it wasn't for the fact of his brother being slaughtered right before his eyes.

Luffy was a hurricane of emotions, and Zoro knew well that it didn't take much for them to be able to run rampant, the mess he must have been..

It haunted him in his sleep, those 'what if's.

What if Trafalgar wasn't there to catch Luffy's fall? What if Jinbe didn't get through to Luffy? What if his brother didn't take the blow for him?

What if Luffy died, without him being able to know a thing, until Mihawk would come and break the news?

That left him emptier than an abandoned seashell.

Forcing himself away from such thoughts, Zoro clicked his tongue in frustration and clenched the balcony railing, he vowed never again to return to such thoughts, those senseless 'what if's.

From the first day of his training he discarded his pride, his hesitation- his weaknesses for his captain.

And he meant it.

"ah, Zoro!" Turning to the bubbly, cheerful tone, the greenie felt his chest slightly lighten seeing Luffy grin excitedly at him, carrying food piled up to his shoulders, the boy approached whilst chuckling in amusement.

"I've been looking for you! You gotta try this sea king meat they have, it's super delicious!" Taking the moment to really look at Luffy after the fishman battle, he felt slightly more secure seeing the captain's previous blood loss wasn't affecting him anymore, and his smile was bright and peachy again.

Truly his favorite sight on the Grandline.

"Oh! And you gotta try the sake! Since Zoro loves booze so much!" Letting Luffy come into his personal space, the first mate didn't show any displeasure as the teenager casually rested his head against his arm, finding a comfortable nook for his head to lay against.

It felt really good to see Luffy smile again, without any layered stress or buried doubts or tucked away worries.

"Luffy..." although he opened up his mouth, his words simply went dry, since he just then realized he had no idea what to even say to the captain.

But Luffy could read him like a book, he always did, it was like some secret talent that he possessed, like Luffy could actually feel what others were feeling- perhaps that was just how his haki's strength worked, but nonetheless as soon as Luffy peered into his eye, he knew whatever words he couldn't describe was conveyed when the raven's smile softened into tender look.

"Zoro.."

Gently grabbing ahold of his back, Luffy smiled in understanding as he dragged Zoro into his embrace.

Resting his cheek against green locks, the captain relaxed completely and just held onto the other with perfect tranquility.

At first Zoro couldn't quite understand his captain's actions, yet soon he found his own arms reaching out and coiling around the boy's waist.

Taking in a deep breath, the first mate felt a strange sense of contentment as his nose was flooded with the smell of the sea.

Not even realizing he had closed his eye, it slowly fluttered open, and his vision was flooded with the colour red.

'Luffy smells like the sea...'

And he may not know why, but that hug helped him more than either of them probably knew.