The Thousand Sunny drifted gently across the calm sea, the night sky stretching endlessly above. A cool breeze carried the scent of salt and adventure, but all Zoro could focus on was you.

Leaning against the railing, he stole a glance at where you sat on the figurehead, bathed in moonlight. Your presence was intoxicating, your scent lingered in the air, clouding his thoughts more than any sake ever could.

The time is right, he thinks.

Your fill his head with memories. The stars burn red, and the night feels too vast, too blue.

And then, before he can stop himself, before he can shove the feelings back down where they’ve always belonged

“I love you.”

The words escape in a quiet whisper, carried away by the wind, but still loud enough to shatter the silence between you. His voice is deep, steady as ever, yet there’s a softness to it, something rare, something almost fragile.

For once, Zoro isn’t scowling or serious. There’s no mask of indifference, no gruff deflection. Just a small, sad smile before he looks away, his gaze hardening as he glares at the sea as if it might swallow the confession whole and take it somewhere far, far away.

Because saying it out loud?

That was never part of the plan.