One Piece (AU) - Zoro/Luffy - PG - The Problem with Hope Title: The Problem with Hope Author: Emily (lightningrapier) Fandom: One Piece Pairing: Zoro/Luffy Rating: PG Warnings: Boy love! But only cuddles. No sex. I don't even think they kiss, but I could be wrong and I don't feel like re-reading the thing just to find out. Summary: Zoro gets stood up. Luffy sleeps on Zoro's couch. Nami is a weird landlady. Disclaimer: Eiichiro Oda owns One Piece, and therefore is my god. Notes: I wrote this for the One Piece write-in.
Originally posted at LJ on October 15, 2005. Moved over because SixApart are fucking whores. :D
Smooth, dark eyes glanced wearily up at the clock hanging on the restaurant's wall above the large, glass door. It's time read only a few minutes after he had last looked, but it was far too many off for his taste. Surely it couldn't already be 7:38... surely not...
He was beginning to feel slightly antsy, almost anxious, and a million and one thoughts were rushing through his head. What if something had happened to his dinner mate? What if he'd been hurt, or kidnapped, or in some kind of accident? Maybe he was only lost... but then, wouldn't he have called?
A waitress brought another glass of alcohol, setting it down with a small clink on the glass table, mercifully silent, though she looked hesitant for a moment, as if she wanted to ask her customer something. He only looked up at her for a moment before casting his glance away, and she skirted off quickly, hanging her head a bit.
No, Roronoa Zoro did not want anyone to ask him what was wrong.
He downed the last bit of alcohol still left in his old glass before beginning the new one, hardly taking a break between them. His mind drifted back to the conversation. Had he not been clear about the time he wanted to meet, the place, the date? He knew Luffy had been paying attention, he knew Luffy had heard him, because he'd nodded and said "okay!" in that loud, certain voice of his...
Zoro's eyes looked through the glass table, to his feet. This had been a stupid idea from the start, anyway. To think that he could get Luffy away from the rest to get a serious talk out of him was just laughable. What had he been thinking?
Of course, he knew what he had been thinking. He was sick of watching Luffy from afar, from feeling frustrated that he loved his captain so goddamn much and Luffy had no idea. It didn't seem right, didn't seem fair to keep something like that from Luffy, and what if -- his breath hitched here -- what if Luffy felt the same? What could Zoro possibly be missing?
Either way... he couldn't hold it in any longer. He had to tell Luffy.
That was why he'd told Luffy to come, to this exact restaurant, at this exact time. Zoro couldn't try to tell Luffy when all the rest of their "friends" were around, especially that damn dartboard. It all seemed like it would be perfect...
...Except the time Zoro had said was seven o'clock, and already it was nearing eight, and Luffy was not there.
Zoro's hand came up, signaling the passing waitress from before to bring his check. There was no use, he wouldn't be coming. He paid his bill and stumbled out, half-drunk and not giving a shit.
Why hadn't Luffy come? Had he been paying attention? Did he even care? What if he didn't want to be alone with Zoro?
Oh, but that was complete bullshit and Zoro knew it. Luffy wouldn't pass up an opportunity to eat, especially if someone else was paying. So where the hell could Luffy be?
It took twenty minutes to hail a cab and get home, and once Zoro had slumped into his apartment building, he wasn't expecting much more out of the night. Maybe he'd have a couple more beers before he headed off to bed... alone.
Taking the stairs two at a time, Zoro reached the third floor within minutes and trudged down the hall to his door, 302. Strangely, the door was unlocked...
Suspicion mounting, the man slowly pushed the door open, sidling into the dark apartment. His eyes darted around. Someone must still be in here. He passed through the kitchen... no one in there...
Slowly creeping into the living room, Zoro suddenly stopped, seeing his little thief.
Monkey D. Luffy was passed out on his couch, a stuffed rabbit in his arms, blankets curled around them. He almost wondered how the hell Luffy had gotten in, but Nami must have let him... damn landlady...
Zoro would have to thank her later. Maybe.
Luffy stirred when he heard movement in room, and Zoro could do nothing but stand there stupidly and watch the boy wake. Suddenly, he wished he wasn't so drunk.
"Zoro," Luffy said softly as he opened his eyes, lifting a hand to rub at them. He yawned. "I forgot where you said to meet," he mumbled sleepily, trying to manage a grin. "I thought you'd come back, but I couldn't stay awake..." Suddenly, he perked a little. "...Did you bring leftovers?"
Zoro could only shake his head. Luffy looked disappointed.
"You look tired," he mumbled. Zoro wasn't tired, but he wouldn't tell Luffy that. Instead, he just nodded.
"Come to bed, then," Luffy said, holding out arms.
Snerking a bit, Zoro shrugged his shoulders.
"That's a couch."
Luffy began laughing, until suddenly, he felt strong arms around him, picking him up and carrying him through the dark apartment. Luffy and bunny were dumped onto Zoro's big bed, and Luffy nearly whined a complaint until he was suddenly joined by a big, burly source of warmth. Luffy snuggled close into Zoro's chest, ignoring that the man had tensed and nearly moved away.
"Zoro, you said you had something important to tell me," Luffy prompted.
Pausing, the man let his arms wrap around Luffy and draw him a bit closer.
"Yeah, I did," he mumbled, letting his eyes drift shut.
"What was it?"
There was a long pause, not awkward or strange, but long, before Zoro finally answered.
"I like the way you feel in my arms," he mumbled, and Luffy let a smile split over his face, shutting his eyes.
"I love you, too, Zoro," the boy gently whispered, drifting to sleep.