I created this to coincide with my AO3 account: https://archiveofourown.org/users/MellysSageVerse/pseuds/MellysSageVerse I have many fandoms and used to write fanfic under a different name but I sort of fell out of writing. I thought I wouldn’t write again, but One Piece has pulled me back. I’m still new to this fandom but already love it so much.
Summary: Sun God Nika is accused of a crime he did not commit. Nika goes into hiding to avoid being hunted by other Gods who wish to have him replaced. This inadvertently plunges the world into darkness, triggering an ice age. Only one human has faith that Nika will return the Sun.
Zoro and his friend group go on a much needed vacation to reconnect and unwind from their busy lives. However, some find themselves getting much closer than they expected.
Zoro comes to realize that he is comfortable being stuck in close quarters with his long time best friend Luffy, but he soon realizes that he wants more than just friendship from the other. Will Zoro risk jeopardizing their many years of friendship? Or will he choose to distract himself with a tempting proposition from someone else?
Mainly a ZoSan fic, written through the perspective of each Straw Hat crew member as they battle through temptations offered by a Goddess who has Luffy trapped in her clutches.
[AO3 Link]
Noble Hearts - (Finished Story)
ZoSan Royalty AU
Summary: The threat of famine looms over the Kuraigana Kingdom as resources dwindle. Suspicion grips the royal Mihawk family when the prosperous Germa Kingdom offers aid by means of a transactional alliance. As tensions rise, the unforeseen connection between two princes may decide the fate of their kingdoms.
"Ace’s gaze flicked lower, trailing appreciatively before settling back on Zoro's face. The grin that split Ace’s face was full of mischief, and for a moment Zoro could almost see Luffy in them… except they carried an intent that Luffy’s never did."
Zoro hasn't had anyone openly flirt with him in months... at least, not the way Ace does. Tempted by Ace's offer of a no-strings attached distraction, Zoro tries to shake off the ache of wanting a Captain who is too oblivious to notice.
[AO3 Link]
[Chapter 1]
Balance
(Finished Story)
Zoro is completely burned out by work. His father never misses a chance to remind him that “work-life balance” is a necessity... Not that Zoro has any idea what that’s supposed to look like.
Perona, his relentlessly meddling sister, decides the solution is obvious: if Zoro won’t choose a life outside of work, she’ll drag one to him in the form of a blind date.
What Zoro doesn’t expect is that one chaotic, bright-smiled stranger might be exactly the kind of disruption his stressful life needs.
[AO3 Link] (Explicit)
[Chapter 1]
Bonus:
One Piece Story Ideas Invading My Mind
Zolu Vacation AU Prologue
Zolu Vacation AU (Short WIP)
"Missing Piece" Open Verse Challenge -MellySageVerse attempt
Zoro and his friend group go on a much needed vacation to reconnect and unwind from their busy lives. However, some find themselves getting much closer than they expected.
Zoro comes to realize that he is comfortable being stuck in close quarters with his long time best friend Luffy, but he soon realizes that he wants more than just friendship from the other. Will Zoro risk jeopardizing their many years of friendship? Or will he choose to distract himself with a tempting proposition from someone else?
Or
"Oh no! There is only one bed!" Trope
------------------------------------------
10 YEARS EARLIER
The doorbell rang.
Zoro was off the couch before the second bell had finished echoing through the house.
His socks barely found purchase on the hardwood as he spun toward the front hallway. The three golden earrings in his left ear chimed softly with the motion.
It had been four weeks. Four unbelievably long weeks since he had seen Luffy.
Mihawk had been absolutely livid after discovering that Zoro had allowed Luffy to pierce his ears. Correction: Attempt to pierce his ears.
Three crooked holes, one swollen earlobe, an urgent care visit, and three properly placed earrings later, Mihawk had declared that Zoro's judgement clearly couldn't be trusted.
As for his sentence? Four weeks grounded.
That meant no sword practice, no leaving the house (unless it was for school), and no hanging out with friends.
Zoro still thought it was completely unreasonable.
His ear had swollen to nearly twice its normal size. It throbbed for days! He was going to have to sleep on one side for months! Plus, Perona teased him every damn chance she got!
Perona had laughed so hard she'd nearly fallen off the hospital’s waiting room chair when he waddled out of urgent care with an oversized bandage wrapped around his ear.
"It looks like someone taped a feminine pad to your ear!"
She had repeated the joke for days, even after he was allowed to take the bandage off. Whenever she passed him in the hallway, she'd wave one of her packaged pads and ask if he needed a fresh pack.
As far as Zoro was concerned, that humiliation alone should've satisfied whatever lesson Mihawk wanted to teach him.
Apparently not.
Mihawk had remained unmoved. Zoro would be grounded for the month.
Since the “no hanging out with friends” rule also extended to Luffy, Zoro had become absolutely miserable. He even started losing his appetite since food reminded him of Luffy’s insatiable hunger.
By day seven of his punishment, Mihawk offered a compromise where Zoro was permitted 30 minute phone calls with Luffy every other evening. Just Luffy.
When Zoro questioned why only Luffy, Mihawk responded, “Luffy is your only exception.”
Zoro had been so relieved by the exception that he'd figured the phone calls would be enough, but he was oh so wrong.
Although the phone calls helped, they couldn't replace actually being together.
Zoro missed watching Luffy's face light up whenever he got excited. He missed the way Luffy laughed with his entire body, throwing his head back so hard he almost tipped over. He missed Luffy absentmindedly leaning against him while talking. He even missed the way Luffy constantly invaded his personal space.
No phone call could replace that.
By the third week, Zoro had caught himself staring out his bedroom window more than once, wondering what Luffy was doing.
By the fourth, he'd stopped pretending he wasn't counting the days.
Mihawk had barely pulled the front door halfway inward before a blur of red sprinted through the gap.
“Hello, Lu-”
Luffy had already slipped past Mihawk before the man had a chance to finish his greeting. His wide brown eyes swept across the entryway. The moment they landed on Zoro, they lit up.
"ZORO!"
"Luffy!"
The grin that spread across Zoro's face was so wide his cheeks already hurt.
Luffy’s sandals slapped rapidly against the hardwood floor as he rushed down the hall.
Without thinking, Zoro stepped away from the couch, planted his feet firmly on the ground, and instinctively opened his arms.
He knew exactly what was coming.
Luffy launched himself into the air.
For one brief second he was completely airborne, then he crashed into into Zoro with all the force of a cannonball.
"Oof!"
Zoro staggered half a step but never lost his balance.
Luffy’s legs locked around Zoro's waist. His arms wrapped around his neck in a bone crushing hug. It was so painfully tight. So perfect.
Warmth burst to life inside his chest.
"I missed you!" Luffy's laughter vibrated against the side of Zoro's neck.
Zoro hugged him back just as fiercely.
His arms circled Luffy's waist while his fingers spread across his back. Zoro squeezed tighter, because he felt like if he didn't, someone might pull Luffy away again.
For a long moment, he simply stood there. Holding him. He drew in a slow breath to inhale Luffy’s scent like it was granting him life.
Luffy smelled just as he always did. A familiar scent of sunshine and meat and the faintest hint of whatever candy Luffy had eaten on the drive over filled Zoro’s nostrils.
The last four weeks had felt wrong without Luffy. Like he was missing a limb or there was a void that Luffy usually filled. Now that Luffy was here, the invisible piece of himself he was missing had finally clicked back into place.
"I missed you too," Zoro admitted.
Luffy squeezed him again in answer.
Neither of them made any move to let go.
"Uh..." A familiar voice interrupted the moment."…Good to see you too."
Zoro jolted at the interruption.
Shit. He forgot!!!
He slowly turned his head.
Nami sat exactly where Zoro had left her on the couch with her arms folded across her chest. Her fingers tapped impatiently against her arm. Judging by the unimpressed look on her face, she was annoyed at being ignored.
"Oh!" Luffy finally noticed her. He slid down Zoro's front until both feet touched the floor again. "Hey, Nami!" He beamed as though he hadn't completely ignored her existence. "When'd you get here?"
Nami stared at him as though he had grown extra limbs.
"I've been here."
"Oh." Luffy blinked. "...Really?"
"Yes really! I got here 30 minutes before you did and was talking to Zoro.” Nami puffed out her cheeks. “Why didn't you say hi?!"
"I saw Zoro first." Luffy shrugged.
"Hmph." Nami sank deep into the couch.
Mihawk calmly shut the front door before strolling into the living room, stopping beside the three children.
"You'll have to forgive them." A ghost of a smile broke through his usually perfectly composed expression. "They become remarkably single-minded whenever they're reunited."
"I noticed." Nami replied.
Mirth flashed across Mihawk's golden eyes for the briefest moment before he shifted his attention toward the two boys. His expression hardened immediately.
"Speaking of reunions..."
Both Zoro and Luffy straightened instinctively under his gaze.
"I trust there will be no further experiments involving sharp objects."
Luffy blinked in confusion.
"...Huh?"
Mihawk sighed through his nose.
"From now on, I expect all remaining appendages to be pierce free.” Mihawk said sternly. “Is that understood?”
Luffy tilted his head and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Gee, Mr. Zoro's Dad… I don't think YouTube even has a video about piercing an appendix."
"Appendage." Zoro corrected. "If it was an appendix, that wouldn't really be piercing anymore. That'd just be stabbing."
Luffy burst into laughter so hard he had to grab Zoro's shoulder to stay upright.
Even Mihawk's mouth twitched upward before he caught himself.
"Don't give him ideas!” Perona's voice floated from down the hallway. She appeared one moment later and rested her hand dramatically on the doorway. Her eyes immediately landed on Luffy. “Look who's finally allowed back inside the house.”
“Hi, Perona!” Luffy waved enthusiastically.
“Hi, Luffy.” She smiled back with a little wave, before shifting her attention to Zoro. Her smile curled, turning mischievous. “I hope you don't get him grounded again. He was absolutely unbearable.”
“Shut up! I was not.” Zoro snapped.
“You were.” Perona strolled past them toward the kitchen to help Mihawk. “For four straight weeks I had to hear…”
She lowered her voice and folded her arms over her chest as Zoro usually did. Her voice lowered into a surprisingly convincing impression of him.
“I miss Luffy. School isn't the same without Luffy. I wonder if Luffy likes his new school. I hope Luffy's eating enough.” She sighed dramatically, her posture returning to normal. “Honestly, it was depressing.”
Heat rushed straight to Zoro's face.
“I did not sound like that!”
Nami leaned over the back of the couch, immediately joining Perona.
“He did it at school too!”
Traitorous witch!
“If he wasn't talking about how weird school felt without Luffy...” Nami continued. “He would mope around looking like someone had stolen his swords and would stare out the classroom window with such a pathetic-”
“Can we DROP this topic already?!” Zoro snapped.
Luffy's grin somehow became even bigger.
“Aww...” His voice softened with unmistakable delight. “You really missed me that much?”
Zoro opened his mouth.
Nothing came out, because the problem was that he had missed Luffy. A lot.
“…Maybe a little.” Zoro finally mumbled.
Luffy looked absurdly pleased with himself, like this was the best news he heard all day.
Zoro's face grew even hotter. He looked away before anyone could see exactly how red his face had become.
The movement made the three earrings in his left ear jingle softly.
“Ooo!” Luffy's attention shifted instantly. “I like those!”
Without asking, he reached over and gently brushed his fingers through the dangling earrings.
Zoro flinched. His ear still hadn't completely healed, so it still ached if he tugged the jewelry too much.
Luffy immediately pulled his hand back.
“Did I hurt you?” Luffy's shoulders drooped. “I didn't mean to…”
“A little, but it's ok.” Zoro replied. To reassure him, Zoro gently nudged Luffy's shoulder. “They're just still healing.”
Luffy looked relieved. His fingers wandered back a second later.
This time, he touched the earrings much more carefully. It was oddly soothing.
“They look good on you,” Luffy said quietly.
Warmth flooded through Zoro's chest again. Damn, he had missed this…
Mihawk busied himself pulling bread, lunch meat, and vegetables from the refrigerator.
“So, Luffy,” Mihawk asked while arranging everything across the counter, “how are you adjusting to your new school?”
Luffy lit up instantly.
“It's awesome!” He bounced onto the balls of his feet. “I get to see Ace between classes!”
“That must be nice,” Mihawk nodded.
“Yeah. Oh!” Luffy threw both hands into the air. “And I made a new friend!”
The kitchen fell strangely quiet.
Even the soft sounds of Mihawk setting bread onto the cutting board seemed distant beneath the steady rush of blood pounding in Zoro's ears.
A new friend?
“You never mentioned that on the phone.” Zoro tried to keep his voice casual. Tried being the keyword here.
Luffy looked over with a toothy grin.
“I wanted to tell you and Nami in person!”
The warmth in Zoro’s chest turned acrid. It sank low into the pit of his stomach, twisting into an unpleasant knot.
"He is so cool and really strong!" Luffy continued, practically bouncing on his heels. "During gym he kicked one of the heavy punching bags so hard it flew right off the chain!"
Zoro's eyebrow twitched.
What was so impressive about that?! HE could do that with just his fist. Not a stupid kick…
“He's also a chef!” Luffy continued. His eyes sparkled brighter. “His parents own a restaurant so he is always cooking there and he brings homemade lunches everyday that he lets me try. They’re AMAZING!”
Every new sentence made the knot in Zoro's stomach pull tighter. Why was Luffy letting some stranger share a lunch with him?
Out of the corner of his eye, Zoro noticed Mihawk and Perona had gone perfectly still. He let his gaze flicker toward the kitchen.
They were looking at him…
Why were they looking at him?
“He sounds…” Nami said carefully. She shot Zoro a quick glance then looked away again. “Interesting.”
“He is!” Luffy nodded so hard his hair bounced with the movement. “He invited me and Ace to come over to the restaurant sometime soon, and he said we could bring our friends! He wants to cook for everybody!”
The bitter knot twisted until Zoro felt nauseous.
He hated the feeling. This was ridiculous… Luffy was allowed to make friends. So why did hearing about this one make him feel so tangled up inside?
Mihawk broke the silence before it became too obvious.
"That was very considerate of him." Mihawk set the knife down and looked toward Zoro. "Perhaps you should accept the invitation."
Absolutely not.
Why the hell would he want to spend time watching some stranger show off for Luffy?
Luffy looked over. His excitement hadn't dimmed in the slightest.
“Come on!” The afternoon sun streamed through the nearby window, catching the golden flecks around Luffy's brown eyes until they almost shimmered. “It'll be fun!”
The immediate refusal died in Zoro's throat.
He'd never been very good at saying no to that smile.
“…Sure.” The word tasted bitter on his tongue.
Luffy cheered anyway.
“Awesome!” He threw an arm around Zoro's shoulders. "I'll let him know you're all interested. Maybe we could go on Friday! This is gonna be fun!"
Zoro forced a smile, but the unpleasant knot in his stomach stubbornly refused to go away.
"Ugh..." Perona sighed dramatically. "They're so obvious."
She spoke quietly enough that Zoro almost missed it.
"Seriously." Nami agreed with a snicker as she moved from the couch to the kitchen. A sudden glimmer showed in her eye, one she usually got when she saw an opportunity to make some money. She leaned close to Perona. "You know… I bet-"
Whatever came after that disappeared into a whisper.
Zoro didn't bother trying to listen.
Girls were weird.
"So..." Zoro said, turning back toward Luffy before the conversation drifted back to the stupid cook. "How's living with Dadan?"
“She’s strict and seems a little scary at first, but she’s actually really nice.” Luffy replied. They shuffled to the kitchen as he happily launched into another story. "Ace keeps me outta trouble."
“Oh? And how does he do that?”
"When Dadan said I couldn't keep a dog because there wasn't room, I was gonna build it a house."
"Out of what?"
"The kitchen chair."
Zoro stared.
"You destroyed her furniture?"
"Ace stopped me before I could break the leg off!" Luffy puffed out his cheeks at the memory. “He said that he would make me live in it instead of a dog.”
Zoro shook his head in disbelief. Well, at least Ace was keeping him in line.
"What about you?" Luffy asked. "What's new?"
"Nothing really." Zoro shrugged.
"No new friends?"
"No." Zoro replied. He honestly hadn't cared enough to make any. "I just eat lunch with Nami."
"Why don't you just date already?!" Perona's question came out of nowhere.
Beside her, Nami immediately elbowed Perona hard enough to make her grunt.
"What?!" Perona hissed.
"That’s cheating. You’re not supposed to-" Nami stopped herself, shooting Perona a warning glare.
The two exchanged another look that Zoro couldn't make heads or tails of.
What were they doing now?
Beside him, Luffy’s smile had completely disappeared, replaced by an unnaturally deep frown.
"Why would I date anyone?" Zoro questioned. "I either train after school or hang out with Luffy. When exactly would I have time to date somebody?"
Perona pouted, like she'd expected a different answer.
Luffy nodded enthusiastically beside him
"Dating sounds dumb." Luffy insisted. "Couples are always doing mushy stuff like holding hands or giving each other gross nicknames..."
"Plus, they take away time you could be spending with your friends." Zoro added.
Nami slowly rubbed her forehead.
"You two have an incredibly warped view of relationships." She deadpanned.
"How?" Luffy asked.
"Because that's not what a healthy relationship is."
"Then what is it?" Luffy questioned.
Nami hesitated.
"It's..." She waved her hand in the air as she searched for the right words. "Finding that someone who fills that empty hole in your life you didn't even realize was there."
Luffy frowned thoughtfully.
"But..." He looked at Zoro. "Zoro and I already fill each other's holes. So what's the point?”
Mihawk stopped plating the sandwiches. The briefest flicker of panic flashed across his face before he recovered and shook away whatever worry had popped into his head.
Nami and Perona made disgusted faces at them.
"What?" Luffy asked.
Mihawk cleared his throat into his fist.
“I believe it would be best to move on from this topic of discussion.” Mihawk shot his own warning glare at Perona and Nami. “Relationships are best left alone from those outside of it.”
Perona looked like she was physically restraining herself from saying something. Rather than argue with Mihawk, she grabbed her plate and moved to the dining table with a pout.
"They're hopeless." She mumbled.
"So hopeless." Nami slowly nodded.
Zoro looked from one girl to the other.
Girls were so damn weird…
Luffy leaned closer to Zoro.
"So..." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "You think relationships are dumb too?"
Zoro could never envision himself settling down with anyone. He couldn't imagine meeting someone that he would like to introduce to Mihawk or Perona. There was no perfect partner that he could see himself building a future with…
Whenever he pictured the years ahead, Luffy was already there. They would be spending time with each other as they do now.
That would be enough for him.
"Yeah." Zoro bit into his sandwich and spoke with a full mouth. "I don't really see the point."
Luffy leaned closer to Zoro.
"So we're agreed? No relationships."
Zoro nodded.
"No relationships."
Luffy held out his fist.
"Deal."
Zoro bumped it with his own.
"Deal."
"You two are impossible." Perona groaned as she passed them to grab her forgotten drink left on the counter. As she walked behind him, she reached to flick his left ear, but her fingers never made contact.
Zoro had caught her wrist without even looking.
"I don't let anyone touch my earrings." Zoro turned to cast a glare her way.
"Why?" Perona looked offended. With her free hand, she pointed an accusing finger at Luffy. “You let him touch them earlier."
Zoro's eyes shifted toward his best friend.
Luffy was currently reaching over to steal a chip from Zoro’s plate.
"Luffy's different." Zoro replied firmly. As for why… Well… Mihawk once phrased it perfectly… "Luffy is my only exception."
PRESENT TIME
Sweat rolled down the back of Zoro's neck before disappearing beneath the exposed muscles of his back.
His shoulders burned. His forearms trembled. Every damn muscle in his body screamed at him to rack the bar and call it quits, but he ignored them.
Just… one… more.
The bar lowered slowly toward his chest, but he shoved it upward with a strained grunt.
The weights slammed back into place with a loud clack!
Zoro sat up, breathing hard.
Ugh, no… It was still there.
No matter how much he pushed his body, that single thought refused to leave his brain: Why aren't we a couple?
The question had followed him ever since dinner, invading every crevice of his mind. Echoing like a bell that could not be unrung.
Why aren't we a couple?
Of course, Zoro already knew the answer. Didn't he?
Luffy had told him years ago that relationships were stupid.
At fourteen, Zoro had agreed wholeheartedly without a second thought. They even made a stupid promise over it.
No relationships!
Funny how promises made as kids could come back to haunt you… it was probably the same reason why he only ever did hookups and never actually bothered to seek out anything further than a one night stand.
He dragged a towel across his face.
The truth was... he'd never been interested in relationships anyway.
It's not like others had not attempted to tie him down. He'd gone on a handful of Tinder dates over the years, but whenever someone hinted at becoming exclusive he instantly pulled away.
Commitment had always felt wrong… until yesterday.
Why aren't we a couple?
He rested his elbows on his knees, glaring at the gym floor as if he could will that question out of his head.
Maybe he'd never wanted a relationship because, without realizing it, some part of him had already chosen?
"Shit." The word slipped out under his breath right as the realization hit him like a punch to the gut.
Damn, he was a fucking mess. He hadn't even slept. How could he?
The moment everyone settled in for the night, Luffy had curled against him like he always did. An arm around his waist. His head resting comfortably on Zoro's shoulder.
So warm. So comfortable. So normal for them. Except… nothing about it had felt normal anymore.
Zoro had become painfully aware of every point where they touched. He could feel the steady rhythm of Luffy's breathing and how it contrasted with the rapid beating of his own heart. The warmth pressed against his side now felt electrifying. The way moonlight softened Luffy's sleeping face was more beautiful than Zoro had ever remembered it.
Zoro stared at the ceiling, trying to think of anything else for what felt like hours before finally admitting defeat.
Right around the crack of dawn, Zoro carefully eased himself out of Luffy's arms.
For one terrifying second Luffy had frowned in his sleep and reached after him.
Zoro had frozen.
Thankfully, Luffy had only hugged the abandoned pillow instead before drifting back into deeper sleep.
Only then had Zoro slipped through the maze of sleeping bodies, grabbed his gym bag, and escaped.
That had been… He glanced toward the mounted clock. Nearly two hours ago.
Damn… two hours and he didn't even realize.
Two hours since he'd passed through the quiet resort (and Kaku, who had just started his shift) while dawn still painted the horizon.
He stood and moved toward the squat rack again. He needed to do another set. If he exhausted himself, then his body would be too tired to think.
The weight settled across his shoulders.
He lowered himself into the squat. His thighs burned as he counted each one…
His breathing grew heavier.
His legs threatened to buckle.
The gym door opened.
He ignored it.
Ten.
He forced himself upright and racked the weight with a metallic clang.
His chest rose and fell rapidly.
A slow clap echoed through the otherwise quiet gym.
"Damn..." The unfamiliar voice carried a smooth confidence, edged with quiet amusement. "I'm impressed you'd attempt that without a spotter."
Zoro looked over his shoulder. Recognition came immediately.
The man from the resort bar stood just inside the entrance.
His dark hair had been pulled into a neat bun this morning, exposing sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw dusted with dark stubble. A white towel rested casually across one shoulder while fitted athletic clothes hugged a lean powerful frame.
"I was beginning to think I'd imagined you." The stranger's mouth curled into an easy smile. His gaze drifted openly over Zoro's sweat-soaked torso before returning to meet his eyes. "I knew you were hiding a great body, but damn..." He let out an appreciative whistle. "I didn't think I'd get to see it in action."
His confidence was effortless.
Ordinarily, Zoro would've found that appealing. Instead, he felt strangely disappointed.
It's because he's not Luffy.
Zoro shook the invasive thought from his mind.
What the hell was happening to him?!
"Cat got your tongue?" The stranger asked with an amused chuckle. "Or are you actually sticking to your friend's little 'no hookups' rule?"
He wandered toward the free weights beside Zoro as though they'd already agreed to work out together, casually scanning the racks for a pair of dumbbells.
"Heard that, did you?" Zoro’s towel was soaked, so he grabbed his discarded shirt from the bench beside him instead and dragged it across his face, wiping away the sweat dripping into his eyes.
"Kinda hard not to miss." The stranger laughed under his breath. "She's got one hell of a voice."
He looked at Zoro over again with open appreciation before extending a hand.
"I'm Lucci."
Zoro glanced at the offered hand over the top of the shirt.
For a second, he considered ignoring it altogether.
Something about the guy made him instinctively cautious, but after another beat, Zoro dropped the shirt over his shoulder and accepted the handshake.
"Zoro."
Lucci's grip was solid. It was strong enough to tell he'd spent plenty of time training.
When Zoro relaxed his own hand he expected the greeting to end, but Lucci didn't let go.
He continued holding his hand.
Zoro lifted an eyebrow.
"I've gotta admit..." His eyes drifted over Zoro again, lingering just long enough to be noticed. "I was hoping I'd run into you again."
Lucci finally released Zoro's hand.
"Why?" Zoro asked.
A quiet chuckle escaped Lucci.
"You really need me to spell that out?" He leaned in close enough for Zoro to catch every low spoken word. "I noticed you looking at me yesterday."
“So?” Zoro shrugged. “You weren't exactly subtle when you looked back.”
"I wasn't trying to be. It looked like you were getting ready to say hello, but your friend had to butt-in." Lucci rested an elbow against the rack beside him. A crooked grin tugged at his mouth. "I've been wondering ever since if the decision not to approach me was your choice or hers."
Zoro felt put off with the way Lucci perceived the conversation with Nami.
"Don’t take it personally.” Zoro shrugged. “Nami thinks she owns everyone's vacation."
"So she speaks for you?"
"No." Zoro snapped, offended that someone would suggest that anyone could speak on his behalf.
"Then?"
"I gave my word." Zoro replied. “I stick by my promises.”
Lucci studied him for a second before nodding once.
"I can respect that." Lucci replied.
The answer surprised Zoro. He'd expected more convincing.
Lucci grabbed a weight.
"But remember: a vacation can be a long week." Lucci looked over with an easy smile. "If you decide you need a break from your friends… I'd be happy to volunteer. They don’t need to know."
This guy was really straightforward. Zoro liked that. This was exactly the kind of proposition Zoro normally appreciated.
If this guy was offering to be discreet, maybe there was no harm on taking him up on his offer.
They would just be two adults blowing off steam before going their separate ways. Maybe it would even help. Afterall, his mind had been running in circles since yesterday. He deserved a one time distraction. Afterward, maybe Luffy would finally stop invading every damn thought.
He pictured following Lucci out of the gym for a more intimate workout.
They would go to a nice empty hotel room. Their hands would be on each other before they even made it to the bed.
Brown eyes flashed across his mind. A bright grin. Warm familiar fingers absentmindedly brushed through his earrings… he was envisioning Luffy again. Not Lucci.
"What do you say?" Lucci's voice pulled him back. He reached forward, about to touch his earrings.
Zoro flinched back before he could touch them.
"Can't.” Zoro answered firmly. “I promised Nami."
Lucci raised an eyebrow.
"That's your reason?"
Zoro nodded.
Lucci's smile faltered. There was the briefest flicker of… frustration? No… disappointment, that danced across Lucci's eyes. But the easy confidence quickly slipped right back into place.
"Fair enough." He shrugged one shoulder. "I'm not in the habit of talking people into things."
Zoro slung his shirt over his shoulder. It was time to leave. He'd accomplished what he'd come here to do. His muscles burned. His mind… ugh. That was still a mess.
He started toward the exit. He had nearly reached the door when Lucci's voice stopped him.
"If circumstances change..."
Zoro glanced back over his shoulder.
Lucci hadn't moved from the weight rack. One hand rested lazily on a dumbbell. His gaze met Zoro's with that same unwavering confidence.
"You can find me at the lobby bar after my show."
"Show?" Zoro frowned. "I thought you were another guest."
Lucci shook his head.
"I work here as one of the entertainers." He lifted the dumbbell into an effortless curl. "Employees are allowed to enjoy the resort while we're off the clock."
Zoro's curiosity stirred despite himself.
Entertainer?
He didn't exactly look like the singing type. Nor could Zoro picture him dancing around in some ridiculous tropical costume.
Zoro wanted to ask him what show he performed, but it felt like a bad idea. The longer he stood here talking, the easier it'd become to accept the invitation he'd already caught himself considering.
He tightened the grip on his shirt.
"I'll see you around." Zoro said.
"I look forward to it." Lucci's smile returned.
Zoro gave a brief nod before pushing through the gym doors.
The humid morning air hit him immediately. He shoved his hands into his pockets as he made his way back across the resort.
He wondered if the others noticed he had left?
"There you are!" Nami's voice hit him the second he stepped through the doorway.
Zoro winced.
Every conversation inside the room came to an abrupt stop.
Eight pairs of eyes turned toward him.
The room buzzed with morning activity. Bedsheets had been thrown into messy piles, swimsuits and towels were scattered over suitcases, and half the group was still getting ready for the day.
Nami stood squarely in front of the entrance with her arms folded.
"Where the hell were you?" Nami shot one of her more nasty glares his way.
Zoro quietly shut the door behind him.
He made a point of reaching for his bag beside the wall before answering.
More importantly, he avoided looking toward the sliding glass doors where he could already feel a familiar pair of brown eyes following him.
"I went to the gym."
"So you left without telling anybody?!" Nami snapped.
"I got up early." Zoro shrugged. "I wanted to get a workout in."
Nami pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You couldn't leave a note?" She asked.
"Didn't think about it."
Which was true.
The moment he'd escaped the room, the only thing on his mind had been exhausting himself enough to stop thinking.
Somehow, he ended up thinking even more.
"Ugh..." Usopp emerged from the bathroom stopping dead the second he was next to Zoro. His nose wrinkled dramatically. "Dude. You smell awful.”
Zoro looked down at himself.
His shirt clung damply over his shoulder and dried sweat still lingered across his skin.
"Why didn't you shower there?" Usopp asked.
Zoro hesitated. He didn't want to tell them that there was a very attractive man waiting to convince him to go back to his room.
“I forgot.” Zoro answered. “I was too busy working on my gains.”
Usopp leaned away.
"Yeah, well right now you need Gain not gains." Usopp plugged his nose and shuffled deeper into the room.
Zoro still made it a point to not look in that direction. He could still feel Luffy’s eyes on him.
"We're spending the day in the water anyway," Zoro replied, sounding more defensive than he'd intended. "I figured I'd just get wet again."
Sanji let out a disgusted sound
"You know pools aren't soap... right, Mossbrain?"
Zoro's irritation flared instantly.
"They've got chlorine! If it's good enough to keep the pools clean, then-" The argument died in Zoro's throat. He'd turned to glare at Sanji and instead found himself looking straight at Luffy.
Luffy had gone completely still. The room completely blurred around him.
Sunlight poured through the sliding glass doors behind him, casting a warm halo around his dark curls. Tiny flecks of gold shimmered through his brown eyes as they remained fixed on Zoro.
Zoro's chest tightened.
He'd spent nearly two hours trying to force that face out of his mind. Now that Luffy was in front of him again, every memory he'd thought of that morning suddenly felt inadequate.
Had Luffy's eyes always been that expressive?
Had his smile always softened the edges of his face like that?
Had the morning light always made him look...
No.
Zoro cut the thought off before it could finish.
For a moment, neither of them broke eye contact.
Then Zoro realized… Luffy wasn't looking him in the eye. His gaze had drifted lower, across Zoro's bare chest and his sweat-soaked shoulders to stare at muscles that still rose and fell with each heavy breath from the workout.
A spark shot down Zoro's spine. His pulse stumbled in his chest.
Was he…? No.
‘Don't be an idiot.’ Zoro told himself.
Luffy probably noticed he'd just come back from the gym. That's all.
It had to be.
Still, Luffy wasn't looking away.
His expression was strangely thoughtful. Almost… concerned?
"Are you doing alright?"
Nami's voice sliced cleanly through the silence.
Zoro jerked his head toward her so fast his neck almost protested.
"I'm fine!" The answer came out more defensive than intended. "Can I go one damn minute without you pestering me?"
Nami studied him for another second. One eyebrow slowly climbed her forehead. She clearly wasn't buying it.
Her gaze drifted over her shoulder to Zoro's line of vision.
Zoro froze. Shit… did she know?!
"Alright…" Nami finally relented. She grabbed her change of clothes and slung her toiletry bag over one shoulder in a hurry "We're all heading to the showers before breakfast." Her eyes flicked intently toward the others. "Come on."
Almost immediately, everyone found an excuse to leave just as quickly as Nami. The previously quiet room bustled once more as everyone shuffled past Zoro.
Everyone suddenly became much more interested in talking to each other and avoided eye contact with Zoro entirely as they walked out the door.
It all felt oddly coordinated.
It made Zoro wonder if he really smelled that bad.
The room fell silent as the door closed.
"Zoro?"
His stomach tightened.
Luffy had stayed behind.
He was standing only a few steps away now, hands tucked into his pajama bottoms. He was watching him with that same unreadable expression.
"You sure you're okay?" Luffy's voice had lost its usual carefree bounce. "You only work out like that when you're thinking really hard about something."
Zoro's chest ached.
Of course Luffy noticed. He always noticed whenever Zoro was upset. No one paid as much attention as he did. Which somehow made this even harder.
Normally, Luffy was the first person Zoro told everything to, but how the hell was he supposed to tell Luffy that the problem driving him crazy was Luffy?
"I'm fine." Zoro forced himself to turn fully toward him. Immediately, he regretted it. Being this close made it worse.
Luffy's hair still looked messy from sleep. A few stubborn curls rested against his forehead and his oversized T-shirt hung lazily off his shoulders, exposing the bare skin of his collarbone.
He looked wonderful…
"I just..." Zoro stepped back, as if that would back him out of these invasive thoughts. "We've been eating a lot and I wanted to burn some of it off."
Luffy's shoulders visibly relaxed.
"Oh. That's good!" His grin returned quickly with his relief. "Now you can eat even more today. Shishishi."
Zoro couldn't help the tiny smile tugging at one corner of his mouth. That laughter really helped with his nerves. The knot inside his chest slowly loosened… Only for another thought to replace it.
Tell him.
His heart hammered.
Tell him now.
Luffy was right here. Looking at him. Waiting.
If there was ever a time...
"Luffy..."
"Hm?"
Zoro swallowed. His mouth had suddenly gone dry.
"I..."
The words refused to come.
I think I'm in love with you.
No! That was too much.
I want you.
NO! That sounded worse.
He settled on the only truth he could force past the lump in his throat.
"I care about you." Zoro said softly. "A whole lot. More than anyone."
Luffy blinkedin surprise. Then his entire face lit up.
"I care about you too!"
The answer came so quickly it stole Zoro's breath.
Warmth flooded through his chest filling it with hope. Wild, impossible, beautiful hope!
Without thinking, he stepped half a pace closer.
Luffy smiled even wider.
"That's why you're my best friend." Luffy said. His hand came up to squeeze Zoro's forearm.
The warmth vanished in an instant. It drained away so quickly it left Zoro feeling hollow.
Best friend…
That was what he was to Luffy, and probably all he ever would be.
"I'm gonna catch up with everyone." Luffy took a few backward steps toward the door, still facing him. "I'll see you at the showers?"
The words lodged in Zoro's throat. He wanted to stop him. He wanted to explain that he hadn’t been talking about friendship at all.
Instead, every sentence tangled together until none of them could make it past his lips.
"I think I'll shower here," Zoro managed at last, forcing the words out before the silence became suspicious. "I'll meet you guys at breakfast."
Luffy didn't move. He just watched him.
There was a crease between his brows now, small enough that most people probably would've missed it. Zoro didn't. Luffy always wore his emotions openly, and right now... he looked unconvinced. Like he knew something wasn't right.
Panic crawled up Zoro's spine.
"Seriously, don't wait for me," he added quickly, waving him off before Luffy could ask another question. "I'll beat you there anyway. Somebody has to get food before you wipe out the buffet."
For a heartbeat, Luffy continued studying him. After a moment, his familiar grin slowly returned.
"Okay." It wasn't quite as bright as before. "Don't take forever."
He gave a half-hearted wave before disappearing through the doorway.
The room fell silent again.
Zoro remained where he was, staring at the closed door long after Luffy had vanished.
His chest felt so hollow… Like something important had just walked out with him.
"Shit." He scrubbed a hand over his face.
This was getting ridiculous.
His eyes drifted toward his bag against the wall.
He knew he made the right call staying behind. The communal showers were definitely out of the question. He wasn't dealing with Lucci again… and he definitely wasn't risking running into Luffy wrapped in nothing but a towel while his own brain insisted on imagining things it never should be imagining in the first place.
Maybe he needed to distance himself a little from Luffy.
Yeah… that's what he would do. He'd shower here. Then go to breakfast while keeping a modest amount of distance between him and Luffy.
The shower helped some.
Cold water beat against his shoulders until his pulse settled back to normal.
By the time he finished dressing, he had almost convinced himself he'd gotten everything under control.
He caught the others just as they were entering one of the breakfast buffets.
After grabbing their plates, they were able to claim one of the larger tables near the windows. As they each found their seats, Zoro zeroed in on an empty chair between Usopp and Chopper.
Zoro headed straight for it. He'd barely pulled the chair out before Usopp suddenly stood.
"Oh!" Usopp said as if he'd just remembered something. "Franky, you were telling me about those robot animatronics they use in movies yesterday."
Franky's eyes immediately lit up.
"Dude! Hell yeah! Practical effects are super awesome!"
Usopp slid into the seat beside Franky without another word.
Luffy, completely oblivious, happily dropped into the chair Usopp had vacated.
Right beside Zoro.
Dammit… so much for distancing himself.
"Hey!" Luffy greeted cheerfully.
"Hey..."
Had they always ended up sitting together this much?
The thought barely crossed his mind before Luffy reached across him for the ketchup.
Their forearms brushed.
It was just a light graze, barely anything, but Zoro became painfully aware of every point of contact.
"Aren't you afraid of AI taking your job?" Sanji speared a sausage with his fork. "Hollywood keeps talking about using it more."
"Me? No AI bot can replace my creativity.” Usopp snorted. “I'm pretty sure you're the one who should be worried about AI."
Luffy leaned farther across Zoro, shaking the stubborn ketchup bottle with both hands.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sanji asked.
"Out of everyone here, I think you're the most likely to fall in love with an AI bot."
"What?!"
Franky burst into laughter.
"You know..." Franky spoke with his shoulders still shaking from laughter. "He's got a point."
"He does not!" Sanji snapped.
"Dude, those AI robots are getting scary realistic." Franky replied.
"They could never replace the touch or affection of a real person!" Sanji looked genuinely offended.
"They don't reject you every five minutes either." Nami interjected smugly.
During the argument, Luffy finally managed to get the ketchup flowing.
Unfortunately, he also managed to squirt half of it across his own hand.
"Oops."
Without thinking, Luffy lifted his hand. His tongue swept slowly across the ketchup coating his thumb before tracing along the side of his palm in one smooth motion.
Zoro's brain stopped working.
“He'll be picking up a fembot from an electronic store in a year.” Franky barked out another laugh.
The laughter sounded oddly distant as the world slowed around them.
Heat slammed through Zoro the longer he stared at Luffy.
Why… Why was that?
His gaze caught on Luffy's every movement before he could tear it away.
Luffy frowned at the remaining ketchup and licked another finger, popping it into his mouth and sucking it clean.
Zoro jerked his eyes toward his own plate.
The eggs suddenly seemed fascinating.
"Zoro?"
Robin's calm voice cut through his spiraling thoughts.
Zoro's head snapped up as he crossed his legs. His knee cracked against the underside of the table causing it to rattle.
"Are you feeling alright?" Robin continued gently.
Conversations died instantly. Zoro suddenly found every person at the table looking at him.
Damn it.
When had his heart started pounding this hard?
Why did it suddenly feel impossible to breathe normally?
Luffy stared at him with open concern.
Only Robin looked unsurprised by Zoro's reaction. She met his gaze with a serene smile, as though she'd already figured out exactly what had sent him into a panic.
Heat crept higher into Zoro's face.
He broke eye contact first. His eyes searched desperately for anything to focus on.
"All good," he muttered, snatching the glass off the table. "Just dehydrated after my workout."
He emptied it in two long gulps, but the cool water did nothing to settle the heat burning beneath his skin. Once finished, he set the empty glass down with a dull thunk.
"Okay then." Nami exchanged a quick glance with Robin before shrugging. "Moving on from... whatever that was."
Zoro answered with a glare.
She ignored it.
"Let's figure out today's game plan." Nami clasped her hands together.
"Today's the pool and beach day, right?" Vivi asked.
"That was the plan." Nami nodded. "But I was thinking about Chopper's massage voucher."
"I don't mind skipping it," Chopper offered immediately. "I don't want everyone changing plans because of me."
"No." Nami didn't even hesitate. "If anyone deserves a massage, it's you. I still have nightmares about some of the patient stories you've told us."
She leaned back with a dramatic shiver.
Chopper stared blankly into space.
“My last patient wouldn’t let me put him on oxygen because he was afraid he would become addicted.”
"Yeah." Nami grimaced. "Like that one."
Vivi reached over to rub Chopper's shoulder sympathetically.
"So," Nami continued, "I figured Robin, Vivi and I could join you for a spa afternoon."
"A relaxing vacation activity." Robin smiled. "How lovely."
"What about us?" Usopp asked, motioning to the other men at the table.
Nami's expression immediately sharpened.
"If any of you want spa treatments charged to the room, you'll owe me 300% interest."
Usopp visibly deflated.
"Lazy river it is."
"I thought so." Nami said smugly.
"I was already excited for the massage," Chopper admitted, smiling shyly. "But it'll be even nicer going with others."
Vivi nodded.
"So spa this afternoon and meet back at the lazy river afterward?"
Everyone agreed.
Breakfast finished without much excitement after that… or maybe there was. Zoro honestly couldn't say. He heard pieces of conversations, but everything else blurred together behind his persisting thoughts of Luffy.
They separated into their two groups and made their way to their destinations.
The moment the lazy river came into view, Luffy took off running.
Before anyone could say a word, he peeled his shirt over his head, tossed it onto the nearest lounge chair without bothering to remember which one it was, grabbed an inner tube, and launched himself into the water.
Zoro stopped walking.
Sunlight danced across the rippling water. It caught across the smooth lines of Luffy’s back and down the muscles of his stomach.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
There was no way he was climbing into that river and letting Luffy drape himself all over him like usual. Not while his head was this screwed up.
Distance. He needed distance.
His eyes drifted toward the swim-up bar connected to the river, then fell to the black wristband resting beside the resort band around his wrist. Earning it through the couples game created a shit ton of problems, but it was about to solve them by helping him get completely shitfaced.
The submerged barstool was surprisingly comfortable.
Cool water lapped against his ribs while he nursed his first drink.
Maybe if he focused on the burn of the liquor it would burn away everything else too.
Every few minutes Luffy floated past.
"Zoro!" He would call with a wave and a grin.
Another lap around the river.
Apparently Luffy had completely ignored the lazy part of Lazy River.
By the time Zoro finished his first drink, Luffy had already circled three more times.
Franky and Usopp floated nearby, laughing whenever Luffy splashed them.
Sanji wandered along the edge of the river shamelessly flirting with anyone remotely attractive. Mostly women and occasionally men. Rejection after rejection followed him.
Zoro smirked into his second drink. He was feeling really confident on the bet he made with Usopp and Nami.
By his third drink, Zoro wondered if he had been overthinking everything involving Luffy.
Luffy floated by upside down, kicking the water to splash Usopp.
Usopp shrieked loud enough for half the resort to hear.
Luffy laughed so hard he nearly flipped himself out of his tube.
Zoro smiled despite himself.
By his fourth drink, Zoro had to admit something uncomfortable… Maybe he had always known he felt differently towards Luffy than he did anyone else and maybe that was ok.
Luffy drifted past again, spinning lazy circles in his tube while laughing without a care in the world.
Zoro found himself eagerly waiting for Luffy to come into sight again.
By his fifth, Zoro stopped trying to avoid eye contact with Luffy.
Luffy waved again.
Zoro lifted his own hand almost automatically.
Luffy's grin grew bigger with each lap.
Somewhere after that, Zoro lost count of how many drinks he had, but it didn’t really matter how much he had to drink.
The alcohol had finally quieted every excuse he'd been making since last night.
He was in love. Ridiculously in love with Luffy. His best friend of 18 years.
"Heh…" A laugh escaped him.
Admitting it felt good. Terrifying, but good.
He pictured sharing an apartment with Luffy. Listening to Luffy beg for a dog until he finally caved.
That actually sounded pretty damn nice…
"Hey, Zoro."
He turned.
Chopper swam over and settled onto the neighboring underwater stool.
His entire body looked loose, like the usual tension had completely melted off him.
"Hey yourself." Even to his own ears, Zoro sounded slightly buzzed. "Massage that good?"
"Soooo nice..." Chopper practically collapsed against the bar. "I don't think I've ever been this relaxed." He smiled sleepily at Zoro. "You look better too. You had us worried this morning."
Had he really been that obvious?
"Sorry. I didn't mean to worry anybody." Zoro replied. He swirled the drink in his hand and watched Luffy pass by again. "I've just been thinking a lot."
"About what?"
"Robin and he stuff she said last night.” Zoro looked thoughtfully into his drink. “About me and Luffy."
That got Chopper's attention.
"Oh?" Chopper straightened immediately. "What about it?"
Zoro took another slow sip. The alcohol warmed his throat.
"I think... she was right." He smiled faintly into the glass. His tongue felt a bit loose. "I'm gonna talk to Luffy about it. About how I feel… That I like acting like a couple."
For one incredible moment, Chopper looked happier than Zoro had ever seen him.
"Really?!" His entire face lit up. "Zoro, that's amazing!"
Zoro felt his smile growing wider with Chopper’s excitement.
"I'm so happy for you! I know it'll make Luffy happy too."
Warmth blossomed in Zoro's chest. Maybe everything really would be okay. Maybe he'd been afraid for nothing.
Chopper sighed happily.
"This has been such a great trip." Chopper sighed happily, his body practically melting over the edge of the swim-up bar. The massage had left him looking boneless. "I feel relaxed. Everyone's having fun..." His smile grew even softer. "...And you and Luffy are finally going to have the talk."
Finally?
The word caught in Zoro's head. He raised his glass for another drink.
"To think," Chopper laughed quietly to himself, maybe as if he thought Zoro couldn’t hear. "I was sooo close to winning the bet."
The glass stopped an inch from Zoro's lips.
Bet?
"What bet?" Zoro asked.
Chopper froze. The dreamy contentment drained from his face in an instant.
"W-What?" Chopper laughed nervously. "I didn't say that."
"You did." Zoro lowered his drink onto the bar. "What bet?"
Chopper's eyes darted across the lazy river like he was silently begging one of their friends to magically appear and rescue him.
Franky and Sanji floated past the entrance. Neither of them noticed.
"Chopper." Zoro's voice had gone deathly calm.
The young doctor slowly turned back toward him.
"I..." His bottom lip trembled. "I wasn't supposed to tell you."
The knot in Zoro's stomach pulled tighter, but he kept his glare firmly in place.
Chopper swallowed hard. He began winding his fingers together as he spoke.
"We've..." His voice barely rose above the water around them. "We've kind of had a pool going."
Zoro didn't blink.
"A betting pool?"
Chopper nodded once.
"About when you and Luffy would finally get together."
The laughter from the lazy river suddenly sounded very far away.
"You all bet..." Zoro repeated slowly. The words felt foreign in his mouth. "On me and Luffy?"
Chopper shrank into his seat and gave the smallest nod imaginable.
The pleasant alcoholic fog that clouded Zoro's mind vanished as though someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over his head.
His happy buzz? Gone.
All those warm feelings he had towards Luffy? Gone.
In its place was nauseating clarity, and the more he thought about recent events, the more things were starting to make sense.
The rose petals scattered across the hotel room. Nami imposing her no “hook-ups” rule. The knowing smilings everyone kept exchanging. The way someone always seemed to find an excuse to shove him toward Luffy whenever they drifted apart.
One memory after another clicked into place. Like puzzle pieces slowly coming together until the picture of their entire trip looked different from the image he expected to see.
His stomach sank.
Had everyone been steering him toward Luffy this whole vacation?
And then there was 'finally'… Why did Chopper say finally?
"Hey guys!" Usopp drifted toward the swim-up bar inside an inflatable tube, completely oblivious to the suffocating tension hanging between them. "I think I'm gonna cave and buy one of Nami's ridiculously overpriced drin-"
His words died the moment he saw Chopper's face. His gaze flickered between Zoro's expression and Chopper's horrified one.
"Did I miss something?"
Chopper lunged for him. He grabbed onto Usopp's tube like a drowning man clinging to driftwood.
"H-hey!" Chopper laughed far too loudly. His smile looked painfully forced. "Good news! Zoro was just saying he was gonna tell Luffy he likes him!"
"What?!" Usopp's entire face lit up. Before Zoro could react, Usopp abandoned the tube entirely and splashed over. "YES!"
He grabbed both of Zoro's shoulders, nearly sloshing water over the bar.
"You should absolutely tell him!" Usopp’s grin stretched from ear to ear as he gave Zoro an excited shake. "Seriously! Why wait? Go! Go tell him now! Better yet, do it before dinner!"
Something inside Zoro cracked. The nausea in his stomach curdled into something bitter.
"Why?” Zoro seethed through his clenched jaw. “So you can win the bet?!"
Usopp froze. The excitement drained from his face as quickly as quickly as it had come. His hands slowly slipped from Zoro's shoulders.
"W-what bet?" Usopp laughed weakly. "There's no-"
"Cut the bullshit."
The words came out cold enough that both Usopp and Chopper visibly flinched.
"I want the truth." Zoro stood from the submerged barstool, towering over both of them. "How long has this been going on?"
Neither of them answered. They stared at Zoro like he was a wild animal that could rip them apart if they made one wrong move.
"How." His voice hardened. "Long?!"
Usopp looked helplessly toward Chopper.
Chopper looked like he wanted the water to swallow him whole.
Eventually, Usopp was the one who mustered up enough courage to speak up.
"Since before I joined the group." He answered with a wavering voice. "I-I think Nami and Perona started it.”
The revelation landed like a punch to the gut.
This had been going on for over 10 years?
Usopp hurried on before Zoro could respond.
"Look, we didn't mean any harm by it." Usopp held both hands up defensively. "You both have always been so close. We honestly thought you guys would figure it out yourselves.” He spoke in a rush, trying to get as many words out before Zoro could react. “When years kept passing and nothing happened, people just kept adding money and changing their guesses. Then we started planning the vacation and..." He winced. "We just thought maybe you both needed a little push."
A little push?!
"Exactly how much do you all have riding on this?"
Usopp looked away.
"You probably don't wanna know."
Zoro’s hand tightened into a fist.
"I fucking swear, if you don’t tell me…" Zoro threatened.
Usopp avoided Zoro’s gaze entirely when he gave the answer.
"Nami said that if she wins… there'd probably be enough money to buy Vivi the engagement ring she's been looking at."
Considering Nami's expensive tastes, that was a lot of money.
His heartbeat slowed. His breathing became strangely shallow. A cold uncertainty seeped into every corner of the certainty he'd found only moments ago.
Every single one of them had spent years expecting him to fall in love with Luffy. When it didn’t happen, did the money become motivation enough for them to meddle?
Had he really fallen in love with Luffy? Or…
The next part physically hurt to think…
Had they simply been pushing so much that he was manipulated into believing it?
His stomach lurched.
"Zoro?" Chopper's voice sounded painfully small. His eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "I swear… We never meant any harm by it."
Zoro stared into the remnants of amber liquor in his glass. His reflection rippled across the surface.
Just minutes ago, he'd been planning a future with Luffy. He was so close to risking eighteen years of a wonderful friendship for something that wasn’t real.
His chest tightened.
"So that's it." Zoro’s voice barely sounded like his own. "You all tricked me."
"NO!" Both Chopper and Usopp shouted so quickly they spoke over one another.
"We didn't trick you!"
"It wasn't like that!"
"You really don’t-"
"You don't have to explain anything else." Zoro cut him off. He pushed himself away from the bar, his chest felt so painfully empty.
"Zoro."
"I…" He couldn't stay here. Not around them. Not when every face reminded him of the lie he'd convinced himself was true. "I'm going back to the room."
Neither Chopper nor Usopp tried to stop him. Guilt was written across both of their faces.
As Zoro turned away, he heard Usopp groan into his hands.
"My therapist is gonna be really disappointed in how I handled this."
Normally, a comment like that would've earned a laugh.
Today, Zoro couldn't manage that. He walked away from the swim-up bar without another word.
Luffy’s laughter echoing through the lazy river faded behind him.
He didn't dare look back, because if he did, he wasn't sure whether his chest would ache because he loved his best friend or because he'd only been taught to think he did.
Right now, Zoro was only certain of one thing: He could no longer trust his own heart.
LOL TO EXPLAIN! I've been think about this for a while. And the only person that gets ~turned~ on Momoiro IS Sanji. He chooses to put on his pretty pink dress so he can try and leave and THATS when he becomes Candychan. Its not just a thing that happens when you land on gay island and i started thinking about it when we started seeing the Revolutionary Army and aside from the Newkama fawning over the hotties like Sabo and Dragon nobody else goes through
~this journey~
ASDAS ITS JUST A SANJI THING. Like I don't even think the other newkama really go through the same thing (tho they obviously still have to fight)
Also Tibany being like "He's weak as shit but his kicks have potential" IS SO FUNNY TO ME. Like they really are his drag moms but for cooking and fighting.
Also of course Zoro is into it. OF COURSE HE IS
I hope you can read it all. I didn't feel like using the text tool lol
I just remembered that this comic can technically be a precursor to this one
Fanfic writers, reblog if you’re okay with people sharing the links to your fics to their friends and/or for fic rec posts without having to ask for your permission first
(I saw a debate about whether or not it was okay for people to share fic links around without asking the authors first, since some authors may not be comfortable with the links to their fics being shared around on twitter or tumblr. so I thought this post could be a blanket permission for authors who were okay with the links to their fics being shared around!)
In a world where Gods are worshipped, Zoro doesn't bother with any of that bullshit until he accidentally discovers that one of his crewmates is a demigod.
PROLOGUE (Or part of it):
--
"A Goddess?"
"Yes."
Judge's feet planted firm, bearing the smell that was the muskiness of the Earth surrounding them. A hollowed out area deep underground that gave way to machines and cages; rather colorful for a place like this.
For a place of a God.
"A goddess would be rather difficult to operate on." The said God muses.
Judge had a hard time taking it in, even as he stood there. A God. No one ever saw one. Especially not after they had been banished, decided by humanity that they craved too much power and were full of deceit. Though, Judge wasn't stupid. He knew a God in hiding when he saw one.
He had wanted to wed Sora for a reason.
Still, the aura eluding from this God was rather potent. The God lounged back into his chair, wisps of clouds dancing and puffing out below him. Spiky purple hair sat on the God's shoulders, framing his pale face and odd, spiraled pupils that bore into Judge standing before the large being. From his head sprouted horns similar to a goat's, but resembled more of a ram's as Judge got closer. Those horns faded into clouds at its ends, creating a cloud-like halo surrounding them.
"She's weakened." Judge told him, straightening. A quiet sense of pride fills him at being able to confidently say he's weakened a Goddess, of all things.
This seems to bring the God before him displeasure, however. The corner of his mouth twitches, but recovers with another unruly grin.
"Weakened," he echoes, taking a moment to think. Judge can tell that his awe was fake. "You have seastone. Of course you do."
A challenge, Judge gathers. Spoken in the same way a someone might to a child: suspicious, condescending, unimpressed, as if the notion was ridiculous. Judge takes out the small stone from his pocket, holding it out, clear for the God to see.
Such a display urges a bark of laughter from the God, wisps startling around him at his abrupt movement. "That's all you've brought?" He sneers.
"If you are to posses seastone, you should know it will take much more to weaken me. Your presentation almost seems like a mockery." The God's face sours, eyes narrowing at the mortal below. "That pathetic piece of stone might work on the Goddess of Flourish, but it will not work on me."
Judge holds up a hand, tucking the bit of seastone into his fist. "I didn't mean to imply such a thing."
"I haven't brought it to use it against you," He reassures.
"But I do believe it will be helpful in our next project. "He straightens up once more after storing the seastone safely away into cloth. "So. Can you do it?"
The God takes a moment to consider this. "Fine," he agrees. "But I trust that you will bring her in sedated."
"Of course." Judge affirms, a little proudly. "Her empathy makes her a fool. She trusts me."
He shifts, unlocking the clasp of his satchel and flipping its cover open. inside lay a stack of rolled up blueprints. He gestures to them, revealing the satchel's contents to the being up above. "If I may."
Vapor dances around the God as he rises from his throne. The clouds surrounding the throne, much like the ones surrounding the God, descending before rushing out from under the throne when it collides with the dirt underneath.
"Illustrations," he concludes as Judge unravels the papers. A stream of vapor erupts from the ground, spreading out before solidifying into a metal table for the blueprints to settle onto.
"And you made these yourself," The God mutters, eyes scanning over the large poster.
"As I mentioned, the Goddess of Flourish has weakened." Judge explains. "However, she carries four children of mine inside her. Thought I doubt any of them will absorb her power, knowing what little she has left. My first, already born, is immune to poison, but other than that, she is practically useless. After the birth of my oldest, Sora has weakened from it byself, though the affects of the seastone have also taken part in that.
That said, my children will not be weak. If they are to be granted these abilities, the improvement of Germa will increase significantly. In addition to their genetical mutations, I urge you to use Sora's own essence into their bodies. However, not so much that they wind up with her pitiful nature. All that matters is they hone what's left of her God-like abilities as well as their added ones."
""You are rather ambitious, Judge." The God chuckles, a devilish smile taking place as the fumes around him stretch out to the ceiling, expanding around him.
"But I trust that you must have something much better in store for me if you're proposing something so intricate."
"I have," The man reassures, lips curving up into a smirk, holding himself a little higher now.
"After the news of my wife's pregnancy, I figured we wouldn't need her anymore. Not after my children have grown and their abilities have awakened." Judge's heart pumps, hammering against his chest so rapidly from the very thought.
Far into the future when his vision is fulfilled, when Germa is at its peak, and the power he desveres is finally granted.
"In exchange for the operations, you can have the Goddess of Flourish's life force." He goes on, grinning at the God's look of interest. "She will stay with me for the time being. I don't need people discovering this before it's perfected."
"Oh?" The God's smirk broadens at the offer. "And you don't worry about what will happen to this planet when this Goddess eventually dies? It will be a while before a new one comes along, you know."
Judge scoffs.
"I couldn't care less," he states flatly, "I'll manage."
He turns then, the God's depraved smirk matches his own as he sticks a hand out.
"Do we have a deal?"
The God looks Judge over, the mist around him slowly changing into an odd shade of purple.
I uploaded my first comic on ao3!
let me know if you can see it and if the resolution is good enough.
Also, if anyone knows of a quicker way to upload images instead of copying each image url in the text section please let me know, it’ll take me forever to upload the longer comics haha
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
