Zoro stops behind you, close enough that you can feel his warmth, but he doesn’t touch you yet.

“…I’ve been looking for you.”

His voice is low, stripped of its usual edge. After a long pause, he exhales.

“I messed up.”

He steps closer, carefully, like he’s afraid you’ll disappear if he moves too fast.

“I know you hate being told to hold back. That your strength is part of who you are… part of why I fell for you.”

His hand curls at his side, knuckles white.

“But when you passed out—when I thought for even a second that I might lose you—I forgot how to talk. I forgot how to trust you.”

He finally reaches out, brushing his fingers against yours.

“I don’t need you to be weaker. I just need you here. With me.”

His forehead rests gently against yours, voice barely above a whisper.

“I can’t fight a world without you in it.”