Your fierce fighting spirit was what drew him in from the start.

He wasn’t absentminded, but he was paying attention. You’d guard the innocent civilians with your life.

You were pirates, but you weren’t monsters.

It all happened so silently, nobody expected it.

All of the Straw Hats just docked in an island that seemed to be empty — save for the trees that bore fruit and beaches that seemed alive.

Completely unaware, you didn’t even bother exploring much before settling down in the sand, overlooking the infinite sea that then mirrored the clear, night sky.

You fell asleep without so much as a worry that you might be attacked, whether it be by wild animals or creatures hiding in the dark.

For some reason, you were the only one who they decided to take.

The inhabitants of that island kept tabs on you ever since you stepped foot onto their land. The island was actually a lot bigger than you initially thought.

Slowly, they uncovered you from your blanket and gently scooped you up, taking you to the other side of the island where the rest of their kind were.

You looked like them — talked like them — were one of them.

And your refusal to join their group of devilish acts was enough to spark anger.

They tried everything — beating you into submission — starvation — even threatening to hurt the others — your nakama — if you resisted.

When Zoro woke up the next morning to the realization that you weren’t in his arms, it him him more than a physical blow ever did.

One moment, you were sleeping soundly under his protection.

The next, you were gone.

Everyone saw the change in his demeanor, albeit slightly. After your disappearance, he kind of just.. shut down a bit. He rarely talked, only to snap at everyone else for annoying him or interrupting his naps. If he wasn’t sleeping, he was drinking himself into oblivion, to forget about everything.

About his regret — guilt — and cold fury.

Usopp and Nami had to guide him around the place since he kept getting lost is his blind rage to look for you, and their eager search led them across the island — where you were taken.

By the time they found you, you were already battered. Your ankles and wrists were bound with coarse rope, your body twisting helplessly in the sand as you struggled against the restraints that held you captive.

As he watched you from a distance, his eyes softened ever so slightly, but it evaporated as quickly as it came as he reminisced about old times.

Before you left.

All those times that you kept him company during night watch. The way you’d laugh whenever he caught you stealing from his secret stash of booze. And that little tune you’d hum as you gave him a bandaging.

When he used to hold you as he slowly spilled out his feelings — the moment he told you that you weren't just a crew member, but a part of him. Whether he liked it or not.

That question he asked you under the vast sea of stars while the Sunny sailed, asking you if you’d accept him — all of him, even if he didn’t always say the right things — even if he wasn’t a man of many words — but one who would protect his friends — no, family — without a moment's hesitation.

His hand twitched over the hilt of his swords out of instinct, but he wasn’t able to unsheathe them — never could.

"You joining the Straw Hats wasn’t a mistake — it was a choice. And now, you have to live with it."

He said bluntly. You had no clue they were there until now.

"Do you have any idea how much rum I had to drink just to forget about you? About the way you felt in my arms? The way I couldn’t even feel you slip out of my goddamn grasp?!"

He harshly asked, his voice rising a little more.

The crew tried getting him to calm down, but to no avail.

SLASH!

You winced, only before realizing that your ties were severed.

Hearing his sword singing back into its sheath, you finally found the strength to stand, albeit a bit wobbly.

Zoro instantly reached out to steady you, his hand resting idly over on your shoulder.

"It’s not the same without you," he uttered, his voice uncharacteristically soft.