Chapter Text
Some time after midnight of Law’s first night sailing alongside the Straw Hats, he hears footsteps approaching him on the deck of the Thousand Sunny. The booted steps are muffled against the grass but still heavy and confident. The swordsman.
Law sighs through his nose and shifts in his place on the bench against the foremast.
“If you’re here to threaten me, there’s no need,” Law says, not caring to open his eyes. “Most of your crewmates have already done so, and besides, I have no interest in betraying your captain.”
Apparently, the Straw Hat Pirates’ idea of a warm welcome is each of them individually cornering him to pummel into his head the consequences of betrayal. Between that and Punk Hazard, he’s had enough threats to his life for one day and could go without Roronoa Zoro trying to browbeat him into loyalty right now. Would it be so unreasonable to ask for some peace and quiet?
Zoro snorts. “Yeah, I know. No offense, but you and I both know Luffy could rock your shit. You seem like a smart man, so I don’t think you’d go testing that theory.” Law disagrees with that first part, but he’s not going to argue with Luffy’s de facto guard dog.
“If you’re not here to threaten me,” Law wonders aloud, “what do you want?”
“I was just going to offer you a drink. You look like you could use it.” Law opens his eyes. The other swordsman stands a meter in front of him. In his hand, a drink of some kind. He’s managed to pique Law’s interest. Zoro jabs a thumb over his shoulder and continues, “Unless you think that asshole’s better company.”
Behind him, Caesar Clown has been chained up and left outside like a misbehaving dog. He’s still managed to fall asleep somehow, unlike Law. There’s no chance of him falling asleep, not with how he keeps running through every detail of his plan and all the ways it could go wrong. He has been planning for years, and it seems even in the last moments before the culmination of his work he can’t stop his mind. He runs simulation after simulation of his plan in his mind. His body feels like a compressed spring, full of potential energy waiting to be released. So yes. He could use a drink.
He shrugs. “Someone has to watch him.” It’s not a very good excuse, but it’ll do. He isn’t really watching him, but he’s not sure if he wants to accept Zoro’s offer yet. He’s interested to see how much the man will push back, or if he will leave him alone.
“We can watch him from up there,” Zoro points out, motioning up to the crow’s nest with the bottle.
What is he trying to get at here? From what Law knows of Zoro, he’s a pirate hunter turned pirate with a long trail of bodies behind him, considered a member of the worst generation along with both his captain and Law, and a 120 million berry to boot. However, in the past few hours, he has also seen the man pick no less than three petty fights with the cook, get roped into Luffy’s shenanigans, and take a nap with the tanuki. Reindeer, whatever. And now he’s what? Trying to get chummy with a new ally the rest of his crew barely trusts?
Law considers his options. He certainly doesn’t have anything better to do, since he certainly won’t be sleeping tonight, but he doesn’t want to get drunk and lose his inhibitions. Something about being in close quarters with the second strongest member of this crew sets him on edge. He will admit he has a special curiosity for Zoro and his unwavering devotion for his captain, illogical though it may be.
In the end, his curiosity gets the best of him. He finds himself getting to his feet and following Zoro up to the crow’s nest. He is not not used to climbing the rigging of a traditional ship and feet slipping off of the ropes on multiple occasions as the ship rocks. He isn’t particularly a fan of heights, and he considers using his devil fruit to make the trip up, but he’s trying to conserve as much of his stamina as possible. Who knows what kinds of things he will have to do in the coming days?
(Law knows. Has been planning and training for it for years. And he knows it still won’t be enough.)
The crow’s nest is considerably warmer than the weather outside. It’s easier to relax when he isn’t trying not to freeze his ass off anymore. Zoro crosses the room and sprawls out on the floor next to the benches that circle the room. Law follows, taking in the rest of the room. There’s workout equipment off to the side and windows circle the entire room. When Law sits on the bench next to Zoro, he sees Zoro was right. He can see Caesar from here.
He places his sword against the bench next to Zoro’s three and leans back. Zoro uncorks the bottle with his teeth and hands it to Law over his shoulder so he can take the first drink.
Law takes it and informs him, “You can crack your teeth doing that, you know.” He knows from experience. He has fixed several cracked teeth for the idiots on his crew who decided they were too good for a corkscrew.
There’s no label on the bottle, so he takes a slow sip. It’s rum. Good rum, spicy and sweet with a hint of oak and a nice burn. He takes a larger sip and hands it back.
Zoro takes a gulp and asks, “If I was going to crack a tooth, don’t you think it would have happened by now?”
Fair enough. He has questions about Zoro’s sword style, but he doesn’t want to pry too much. He chooses a safer topic. “I didn’t think you would have such expensive tastes.”
“I don’t. But I figured you might. And it’s sweet. You look like the type to have a sweet tooth.”
What the hell does that mean?
“Am I right?” Zoro asks.
Law hums. “Close enough.” Really, he’s spot on. He does have expensive tastes because, unlike most pirates, he doesn’t like to put actual swill into his body. And he may have a sweet tooth, but that’s neither here nor there.
Zoro passes the bottle over again. They repeat this a few times in silence until his curiosity gets the best of him. It seems to be a common theme for the night, but Zoro intrigues him. “You don’t have any qualms about this alliance.”
“No. I don’t. I trust Luffy. And if he trusts you that’s enough for me,” Zoro replies. Law dislikes the fact that they’re sitting in a way that he can’t see the other man’s face, and his tone belies little more than what is said.
“The rest of your crew doesn’t seem to agree,” Law says. “What makes you trust me so readily?”
Zoro tilts his head back to stare at him. His eye looks nearly black from afar, but it’s closer to gunmetal up close. Both his lashes and brows are green, albeit a darker shade than his hair. He quirks a brow. “I never said I trusted you. But I’ll go along with it for now.”
“Hmm.” Law taps a finger on the bottle. “Your captain is quick to trust. Is it wise to follow him blindly?”
“He’s an idiot, not naive. And I’m not following him blindly. Taking down an emperor sounds fun. So like I said, I’m fine with it. For now.” Zoro grins dangerously, and it’s a little unsettling. He’s just as reckless as his captain.
“And if you change your mind?” Law crosses his legs and leans forward, propping a chin on his hand.
Zoro squints. “I’ll cut you down.” It’s not said with any cruelty, only cold calculation. As he reaches for the bottle, his fingers brush against Law’s. He takes a sip, keeping his eye on Law when he swallows. Law finds himself following the bob of Zoro’ Adam’s apple as he does.
Law wonders why Zoro’s words sounded more like a pick-up line than a threat (and why it’s working). The room suddenly feels too hot, but it feels like admitting it and taking off his coat would be losing whatever game they’re playing now.
When Law gets the bottle back, he takes a long sip and licks his lips with intention. Zoro’s eye flicks down to his lips, staring for long enough that Law knows he’s doing it on purpose. Law considers his options once more, whether he should keep talking or not, but it seems like when it comes to Zoro, his curiosity will always win. “Even in the North Blue, I heard about you far before you joined Luffy’s crew. They called you the Demon of the East Blue, but you don’t seem very demonic to me.”
“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear. And you haven’t seen what I’m capable of yet,” he responds, more suggestive than threatening once again. It’s true though, he hadn’t seen Zoro fight much in Sabaody or on Punk Hazard.
Law tilts his head and prompts, “And what are you capable of, Zoro-ya?”
Zoro twists around and surges up to yank Law down by the collar of his jacket into a searing kiss. He reciprocates quickly, surprising himself. Their positions are awkward at first, Law bent nearly in half and Zoro up on his knees, but when he pulls Zoro up by the front of his coat, he settles easily in his lap and deepens the kiss.
Law keeps a hand fisted into his coat and the other loosely holding the bottle still in his hand. Zoro pushes his hands through Law’s hair, knocking his hat off. One of his hands dips under Law’s collar to press his nails into the skin there. His nose presses into Law’s cheek as he pulls him closer. Zoro’s tongue lapping into his mouth is dizzying and the lingering taste of rum combined with the warmth of his tongue consumes him. Law is panting by the time they pull apart.
Zoro takes the bottle from his hand and takes an impatient gulp before placing it down by their feet and recapturing Law’s lips. Law knows he should think this through more thoroughly, but the way Zoro kisses is filthy and it sweeps all logic from his mind. He can barely suppress the sounds caught in his throat let alone think of the consequences of his actions. Zoro knows exactly what he’s doing with each swipe of his tongue and graze of his teeth, hounding him until Law finally slips up and gasps sharply into his mouth. It gets a smug grin out of Zoro, and Law cups the back of his head to pull him closer so he can push his tongue into his mouth. He gets a few amusing noises out of the man before Zoro places a hand on Law’s shoulder to pull away.
“My turn,” Zoro breathes in the space between them. He looks absolutely sinful with his hair mussed and lips swollen and pink. “You asked your questions, but I have a few of my own.”
Law misses the contact already, but he doesn’t chase after him and settles for running his hands up Zoro’s thighs. “Fine. Go ahead.”
“Are you really a doctor?”
Law is mildly offended. “You accepted a reindeer as your ship’s doctor, but you doubt my skills?” Despite his unconventional training and methods, it would be remiss to scoff at the young doctor. Law doesn’t have much room to judge anyone else’s background, given that beyond the age of ten he’s been completely self taught. Doctor Tony certainly has earned his crew’s confidence and Law’s as well, even in the short time they’ve known each other.
Though Law should have also earned some credibility in the eyes of the Straw Hat’s. “I saved your captain’s life, didn't I? It wasn’t an easy operation. I doubt anyone else would have been able to do it.” He pauses, watching Zoro closely. “His blood was so toxic it was dangerous to be in the same room as it. He needed several blood transfusions. He died on the table twice.”
Zoro clenches his jaw and looks a little pale. “Alright. I get it.”
Law is probably pushing too hard. Maybe he shouldn’t discuss his captain’s near death experience right now, but he can’t say it isn’t interesting to see Zoro squirm. He changes the subject before Law can push further. “You could have chosen someone else from our generation to ally with. Why Luffy?”
Law can’t help but feel like he’s trying to get at something here. There are better questions Zoro could be asking, like the ones he had to dodge from his crewmates earlier. There must be another shoe waiting to drop, likely in the form of questions about a certain warlord of the sea they’re on the way to destroy.
“You know how your captain is. Wouldn’t you pick him if you were in my position?” It’s a shitty answer, but truth be told Law doesn’t have a better one, at least not one that can be said in so many words.
He turns his attention to Zoro’s neck, leaving a few sloppy kisses on his carotid and feeling his pulse increase against his lips. Zoro grips his hair a little harder and sits up straighter.
“One more question,” Zoro starts, pulling Law off of his neck and sitting back to scrutinize him. “Do you always speak in questions and circles?”
Law smirks. “I don’t know, do I? I hadn’t noticed.”
Zoro dips back down to kiss him, with a little more bite this time. He moves away once more, just barely enough to speak. “I know you’re hiding something.”
Law stiffens on instinct. Waits, for the questions, the threats, whatever comes next.
Zoro places a kiss on the corner of his lips, then tilts Law’s head with a hand under his jaw, lips trailing to his ear. He has more to say, but he spends his time sucking on a spot under Law’s jaw before gently pulling on his earrings. Law stays still, breathing as normally as he can.
“But?” He prompts.
“But, I won’t ask,” Zoro finishes. His hushed voice rumbles in his ear. “Everyone has their secrets.” He pulls on Law’s earlobe a little harder. “But make this worth my time, yeah?”
Zoro’s methods of seduction are unorthodox, but Law can’t say he’s not into it. Each threat sounds like a promise of something more, dangerous or alluring or both, and Law isn’t sure he would mind either way. Based on how tight his jeans are feeling, his body is clearly in agreement.
“So, can you do that?”
Law sees it for what it is, an offer and a test. An offer for a chance for them both to get off and relieve some stress without complication; a test to see what kind of man he is.
Law grabs Zoro’s hips to drag him closer and press their lips together firmly. Zoro smiles, and Law can feel his smug expression.
They fall back into their previous rhythm, heated but not hurried with just the right amount of bite.
Zoro grinds down onto Law’s lap, dragging a moan out of him. He finally pushes Law’s coat off of his shoulders and Law hurries to help him, because he’s been overheating for the better part of their conversation. Law undoes Zoro’s sash to open his coat, slipping his hands inside to finally touch him, raking fingernails over his ribs. He lets Zoro tug his hair a little as he licks into his mouth, enjoying the way his scalp prickles with each pull.
“Let me fuck you,” Law murmurs. So much for conserving his stamina. This is certainly an interesting turn of events.
Zoro grins. “I thought you’d never ask.” He kisses Law, a little softer.
Law tightens his hands on his hips when Zoro pulls away, because he is tired of talking. He doesn’t have it in him for more threats disguised as flirtations or flirtations disguised as threats. Zoro huffs out a laugh, but doesn’t try to strike up another conversation. He leans over to the bench cushion next to them, flipping the seat up to reveal a storage compartment which he rifles through for a moment. He closes the compartment, bottle of lubricant and a condom in hand. Law’s eyebrows jump up.
“You’re quite prepared,” he comments. Law isn’t really worried about Zoro having an ulterior motive, but it is curious. “Were you planning on this?”
“Well,” Zoro says, kicking off his boots and wriggling out of his pants, “not really. I had a feeling. And you’re a doctor, so I thought you would appreciate proper protection.”
“How considerate.”
Neither of them are very talkative for the rest of the night, but he suspects they’ve both grown tired of weaving webs of words and dancing around each other. That’s not to say they’re being quiet. Zoro is shameless, moaning wantonly as he pushes back on Law’s fingers. Law observes each move Zoro makes as he opens up on his fingers.
This feels too easy, too uncomplicated, but Law is tired of contemplating every move so he won’t look this gift horse in the mouth. Just this once. Not like he’ll be around for much longer if things do go awry between them.
He watches Zoro’s abdomen flex as he rides his dick, head thrown back with his neck exposed. He looks so fucking good like this, sweat covering his muscles with a nice sheen and the fabric of his coat pooled around his elbows, and he feels even better. Zoro braces his hands on Law’s shoulders and rotates his hips with intention, smirking with each lewd noise he drags out of him. Zoro’s legs don’t shake as he moves himself up and down Law’s cock, barely needing any effort to do so. Law on the other hand, feels like his body has been reduced to jelly and feels like he’s been outmatched somehow. Zoro has all of the control here, over his pleasure and Law’s, and he wants to reclaim some of it. Although Zoro shows no sign of tiring, Law wants a change of angles.
He flips them suddenly to the side but stays inside of him the whole time, and Zoro’s back hits the bench with a quiet ‘oof.’ He shifts forward to lift Zoro’s hips and push one of his legs back as he leans over him. Zoro is more flexible than he looks, and Law meets little resistance as he contorts his body as he pleases to get deeper inside of him. Zoro takes it all in stride and once Law settles in and starts moving his hips at a relentless pace, he nearly shouts.
He has a theory he wants to test, so he bends down and places his mouth directly on one of Zoro’s nipples. He gets instant gratification in the form of Zoro arching into his touch with a breathy moan. He continues to lick and suck at his nipples as the movement of their hips becomes faster and more desperate. Zoro holds Law close with a tight grip in his hair that makes him moan against his skin.
Law likes it far too much, how easily Zoro falls apart under him and all the wonderful sounds he makes as he does. And when Law wraps a hand around Zoro’s dick and he drags his nails up his back through his shirt, he thinks he should start being more irrational if this is what it leads to.
Zoro comes first, all over Law’s shirt. Law is right behind him, biting into Zoro’s shoulder to muffle himself.
He has about twenty seconds of bliss before he feels a sharp pain in his chest right under his sternum that he’s gotten far too familiar with today. He gasps, practically falling backwards as he pulls out. He curls in on himself and clutches his chest, and reminds himself to breathe, in through his nose and out through his mouth. Zoro is seemingly too out of it to care, but Law sits there gasping and shuddering for far too long. The worst of it has passed by the time Zoro finally takes notice.
“Hey,” Zoro calls from where he’s still sprawled out, “you good?”
Law continues breathing deeply, riding out the lingering pain. He curses Vergo.
Zoro sits up halfway and grins. “I mean, I know I’m good, but I didn’t think I’d give you a heart attack.”
Law scowls. He can feel his ears start to burn with embarrassment. “It’s not a heart attack. It’s just a few heart palpitations.” It seems his heart took more damage than he thought. He’ll have to examine it later. He wouldn’t want it to interfere with his plans.
“What’s the difference?”
“The difference is I’ll live.” His heart still feels almost foreign in his chest but has finally stopped skipping beats erratically, and he sits up to push a sweaty hand through his hair. When he looks over to Zoro, the man looks almost concerned. “I’m fine,” Law tells him. “I just got my heart tossed around a little on Punk Hazard.”
Zoro raises a brow but doesn’t ask any more questions. He flops back over, draping an arm over his face. Law shakes his head and snatches a towel from the towel rack on the wall to clean them both up. Zoro doesn’t move as he does, and Law thinks for a moment that he’s fallen asleep until he is tugged forward. He braces a hand on the seat of the bench as Zoro kisses him. When he pulls away, Zoro is flushed and smiling lazily.
“Worth your time then?” Law asks with a tilt to his head. Zoro just laughs shortly and hums.
Law stands up straight, and pulls off his ruined shirt. “I don’t suppose you have an extra shirt hidden away here somewhere.”
Zoro sits up, opening the bench storage again and produces a shirt from it this time. It’s far too loose on him, but he pulls his coat back on to hide most of it. Zoro redresses as well and promptly passes out on the floor. Law sighs and settles back in on the bench, swiping the bottle of rum off the floor to take a drink.
Perhaps this will interfere with this alliance. Honestly, up until a few hours ago, he had thought there might be something going on between Zoro and Luffy. Hell, maybe there is. He should have made sure there isn’t, but as fucked up as it may sound, he’ll probably be dead by the time it becomes a real problem. For now, he watches Caesar Clown through the window as the first hints of daybreak bleed into the horizon and takes solace in the fact that he’s sailing toward the final piece of a ten year long revenge plot.
If nothing else, he’s learned a few things tonight. One, Roronoa Zoro is much more than the one-dimensional killer he’s made out to be. Two, he’s much more perceptive than Law initially thought he was. And three, his hair grows out green everywhere. Yes, everywhere.