The sun was high, casting its golden light across the deck of the Thousand Sunny. The gentle sway of the ship on the calm sea seemed to lull everyone into a state of peacefulness. Zoro, always the one to find the most random places to nap, was lying on his back, one hand clutching you tightly, the other behind his head like a pillow. You, despite his grip, had grown used to it over the past few days since that near-fatal fall off the ship. Zoro had taken it upon himself to make sure you never wandered too far.

His grip on you was like an iron chain. You could feel the weight of his hand against your side, his arm a solid band around your waist. There was no escaping him, not that you really minded. In some strange way, his possessiveness felt… comforting. Safe, even, considering how you nearly drowned after falling off the ship a few days ago. It was as if Zoro had become a living shield, even in his unconscious, nap-addicted state.

You shifted slightly, trying not to disturb him too much, but his hand only tightened, pulling you closer against his chest. His breathing was steady, deep and slow, though his naps were hardly peaceful. His sense of direction was so poor that he frequently woke up in random spots—on the edge of the ship, standing at odd angles, and more than once, he’d almost tripped or fallen over. Still, it was as if he was determined to hold onto you like this, even in his sleep. You were basically having the life squeezed out of you-

“Mmm…” Zoro groaned, shifting ever so slightly, his hand still holding you like a vice. He was too far gone into his nap to even hear you. The quiet of the deck seemed to settle in around you, and you couldn’t help but smile. In a weird way, Zoro’s relentless grip felt like a silent promise. He wouldn’t let you fall. Not again.