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If questioned on the subject, Luffy doesn't exactly remember when the monthly shopping trips began. Probably somewhere between when he bought Zoro his first pair of cleats and before his partner started joining him as a guest for family functions.
Regardless of the tradition's origins, Luffy chooses not to think about it too much. Doesn't everyone give things to their friends?
Today, he's determined to buy Zoro winter clothes. It's finally started snowing - football fields closed due to the mud and slush - and for some reason, Zoro doesn't own a proper rain jacket. It wasn't his original plan, either. He'd been more intrigued to see if he could find new restaurants to accost and taste-test, but then the limo door opens on his left, and all thoughts of food and such dissipate from his head.
Zoro sits down at his side, completely drenched. His hair is dripping water onto the leather seats, somewhat lanky frame shivering from the cold. Luffy finds himself leaning closer unconsciously and wordlessly pulls the other boy into a hug. The melted snow wets his shirt, but Zoro hums, obviously pleased at the attention.
"Do you seriously not have a coat?" Luffy says, side-eying the thin tank-top and matching pair of sweatpants. He's honestly not surprised. Zoro was never a fan of shopping in general; however, it's getting ridiculous.
The smile Zoro gives him, just a little on the edge of exasperation, does strange things to his heart. "I don't go out when the weather gets this bad, so buying one would only be unnecessary trouble. Besides, you aren’t exactly dressed for the weather either, genius.”
"Well, it’s gonna be real bad for both of us if you get sick, so why don't I buy you one?" Luffy suggests, ignoring Zoro’s jab and hoping that he wouldn't protest too much. It wouldn't matter in the end because Luffy would get him one anyway. Still, he'd prefer to pick up something with a pattern Zoro would actually like and not just tolerate.
"I suppose if it's that important to you," Zoro replies, like they aren't discussing something that could affect him. "We won't be too long, right? I had a new training plan I wanted to try at home."
"Yeah, yeah," he says and immediately texts Ace about the change of plans. He could simply call up to him — his brother always seems to be in the passenger seat up front anyways — but he doesn't want Zoro to know about where he wanted to visit earlier. Dragging Zoro on trips for snacks isn't necessarily a strange activity for friends to do together, but he'd rather Zoro not think he’s that predictable.
A familiar thrum of the engine indicates movement, and Luffy taps at Zoro’s shoulder incessantly, reminding him to buckle his seat-belt. This is just another item on the list of things Zoro constantly forgets to do, which Luffy is more than happy to bug him about.
As Luffy reclines backwards, a cold hand drops into his hair and ruins the minimal effort he put into styling it that morning. He almost complains — because seriously, can Zoro not let him look cool for once — but the serene expression on Zoro’s face has him pausing.
Instead, he finds himself asking, "What colour do you want?"
"Not really," Zoro says unhelpfully while letting Luffy violently shake free from his grasp. "I like most of the stuff you buy me anyways, so I trust you."
Anyone else, and Luffy would almost wonder if he was being taken advantage of. His stupid family is even more stupidly rich, and it’s not like the general population at their high school isn’t aware. But this is Zoro, who's equal parts aloof and independent, yet clingy and almost needy at times.
He spends too much of his monthly allowance on trinkets and bobbles that remind him of Zoro’s quirks. A better sword-guard with ornate decorations for fencing meets, weird tasting protein powder that Zoro insists work miracles. He wonders if it's an obsession or a weird fixation, watching trinkets from him (and only him) pile up in Zoro’s formerly empty apartment.
They hop out of the car at the nearest mall, and Luffy waves his driver off with a grin. He turns to Zoro, unsurprised to see him swaying in place, eyes nearly closed. While he could try and offer the other a piggyback or something similar (to prove he’s the strongest, obviously), it may appear odd in such a public setting (those gossip magazines were relentless). So after considering the dilemma for a moment, he reaches forward and clasps one of Zoro’s hands between both of his own, and smiles so hard his jaw aches.
Zoro’s eyes shoot open, and he looks down to where their hands are intertwined. "You're warm today, Luff. Don't you worry that-"
He trails off, lost in thought, but interlocks their fingers together firmly. Luffy’s the one staring now at the way Zoro hadn't even hesitated. He must be a little red, though the pleased feeling — bordering on possessive — that swoops through his stomach is less noticeable.
"There's a business here with really yummy lunches," Luffy says, babbling partly due to a swooping feeling in his stomach that he can't quite explain, swinging their joined hands vigorously. He guides Zoro to the main entrance, both terrified and pleased that he hasn't let go of his hand. "Oh, and I saw your empty, ugly closet the last time I was over, so why don't we pick out a few outfits too?"
"Whatever you want, Luff."
[10:30] loser brother #2: hey ace told me you were out with swordboy again. here’s some advice from someone who actually has a girlfriend: give him some space!!!
[10:32] me: yeah and???
[10:33] me: sabo ur so stupid! i’m showering Zoro with the affection he deserves as my first mate
[10:34] loser brother #2: for the last time, you aren’t a pirate. you’re a football enthusiast who doesn’t know when to quit
[10:36] me: >:((((((((
[10:37] me: I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF ZORO.
[10:39] me: sabo
[10:39] me: saboooooooo
[10:40] me: I'm sorry. so sorry 😢
[10:42] loser brother #2: yeah okay lol. i’d suggest trying to stop forcing zoro to play football with you though, he seems dead set on fencing
[10:45] me: Well Zoro told me he’s gonna do both, so butt out of my business!!
[10:47] loser brother #2: good luck for whatever your intentions are towards him, then
[10:48] me: huh? What do you think my intentions are??? sabo are you taking your meds regularly?? do you need a reminder?
[10:50] loser brother #2: oh my god
In the end, it takes them a good thirty minutes to finally reach a destination Zoro deems interesting enough to explore. He lets out an excited sort of grunt when they pass by the local sport-centric store and immediately lets go of Luffy’s hand to bolt inside.
Luffy pauses before following him, already missing the firm press of Zoro’s hand against his own. Zoro’s got his paws on the newest collection of fencing helmets by the time Luffy finds him, clearly debating between them.
"I like this one," Zoro muses aloud but places the one with green stickers adorned on it back on the shelf. He then reaches for a red sticker themed helmet and says, "But the colours remind me of Luffy, so I’ll get this one."
He either doesn't notice or care that said boy in question is standing directly behind him, face hot with something close to embarrassment. When Luffy pokes his shoulder again tentatively, Zoro spins, the equipment still in his arms.
"Can you?" Zoro asks, pushing the item towards him. "I forgot my wallet."
"Again?" chides Luffy, like this hasn't become part of the tradition too. Zoro nods, giving the helmet one last pat before successfully managing to direct Luffy to the cashier. He chats cheerfully with the woman at the till, overly conscious of the way Zoro leans slumped on his back, face upturned against his neck.
"Is that a gift for a girlfriend?" She says while handing back the receipt. Luffy makes to correct her, as usual, but Zoro’s voice, groggy from sleep, answers in his stead.
"Boyfriend. It's for his boyfriend."
A pause.
"Yup," Luffy says, because what the hell, Zoro, honestly. "My friend, who just happens to be a boy. Very common thing, you know?"
And before Zoro can say anything else that may send him into cardiac arrest, Luffy drags him out the door. Zoro doesn't say another word as Luffy finds a corner out of sight to begin the interrogation.
”What was that about, Zoro?"
Zoro frowns and cocks his head. "What do you mean?"
"We’re not like that, right?” Luffy says, half a question.
"Say it, Luff," Zoro responds, somehow demanding though his voice is quiet. It's the same type of energy he has on the field, and Luffy isn't sure if he likes it or loves it. "I'm not like what?"
"We aren't dating, you’re my best friend!" Luffy says instead, unable to keep a growing laugh of disbelief from bubbling in his chest. He knows he likes Zoro, but any sort of romantic reciprocation would be news to him.
But to his surprise, Zoro blinks. Once, then twice. Shakes his head a little back and forth. He sounds puzzled when he finally responds with, "We aren't?"
Luffy’s brain shuts down a little, which is kind of inconvenient because it's getting hard to breathe. He opens his mouth, but nothing comes out. Zoro breaks eye contact and looks at the floor, fidgeting with a strand of short green hair.
"Zoro," he manages to say and reaches forward. "Zoro, what are you talking about?"
"Well, you know, you do a lot of stuff for me, Luff. You buy me things without asking, and you're really touchy. I wouldn’t have picked up an entirely different sport on a whim for just anyone…" Zoro responds, somehow shy. It's the most he's spoken at once without breaks, and Luffy's touched.
"I do," he responds quickly, desperate to do something, anything, to get that look off of his partner's face. "I do like you, Zoro. I think I like you a lot more than I should. I think I like you more than I love football."
He doesn't have the time to explain how his love for Roronoa Zoro is his football. He can't tell the other boy how he is the newfound fire that fuels Luffy’s dream.
Silence. And then Zoro takes a step forward, leans down and pulls him into a kiss.
It's mind-numbingly good. Zoro is cold, his lips are chapped, but Luffy’s entire body feels like it's burning alive. He reaches up and digs a hand into Zoro’s hair, the other slipping around the back of his neck.
He forgets to care — about the fact that they're still in a public space, people could recognise him, that he's kissing his best friend, his partner — because the soft sigh that Zoro lets out when they finally part makes him feel like he's dying. Zoro wipes his mouth with a sleeve, and Luffy waits for him to speak.
"You dropped Luffy junior," Zoro says instead and gestures to somewhere behind him. Luffy spins to find the helmet Zoro picked out lying abandoned.
"Yeah, I did," Luffy laughs. “But I don't think you need a copy when you have the real thing right here."
He expects Zoro to protest, to pick it up anyways. And he does, but lets a small smile break through his typically deadpan expression and says, "How troublesome. You’re lucky you’re worth it, Captain."
"All right!" Luffy cheers, a little too loudly, his heart full to bursting. "Let's go home."
(He only remembers later, once Zoro is asleep in his lap, that they never made it to the clothing shop.
"I don't see an issue," Zoro grumbles when Luffy haphazardly reminds him of it, shaking him by the shoulder. "You're my partner, and I can just wear your stuff, yeah?."
"Uh-huh, let me dress you or something?" Luffy snorts, only half joking.
But Zoro nods along with a yawn, still drowsy. "Really? Thanks."
He's off to dreamland again not long after, yet Luffy can't wipe the satisfied grin from his face. Zoro didn’t have the vaguest idea what he signed up for when he agreed to join the football team, and Luffy is going to make every single minute of the time they spend together count.)