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Zoro’s head hurts. He wants to grab his head and massage it but he knows this won’t work, this is not some hangover. Actually, he won’t even properly move his hand because it hurts. Honestly speaking, everything hurts. He said to the Cook that nothing happened but actually - he remembers it all. He probably always should remember it so it can drive him stronger. He is honestly a bit surprised that it didn’t kill him. There was something that kept him alive maybe, although he thought that he was ready to risk it all.
He cannot move his head properly but one of the reasons he wanted to survive currently sleeps at the side of the bed, holding his hand. He tries to take a better look but the pain is a bit too much for now so he just growls out of frustration. Blonde seems to notice the slight movement and the sound and he shoots his head up. Zoro can see his swollen eyes. Even with that he still looks pretty.
- OH GOD, Zoro you are awake!
- Mhm… - he just hums, his throat feels so dry.
- I will get everyone, wait a mo—-
- Sanji - he rasps and Cook, who was ready to run stops and looks at him. He actually never said his name before out loud- to himself yes but never directly. He can see tears coming to his eyes again. Zoro wants to cry too, he is so happy to be able to see that lovesick fool again.
- You fucking idiot, you could have died! You really just dropped everything like it was nothing! Do you know how many days you were out? I was going insane. It should have been me, I don’t have much to lose, you could have just found a new cook, it is not such a big deal. You know how I felt when I saw you? All in blood? Dropping unconscious into my arms? Fuck, I thought you were dead! I didn’t even feel your pulse, you are so —
- Sanji, please.
- Don’t fucking call my name suddenly you idiot! How dare you!
- Come here. - Zoro says the shortest possible sentences because it hurts, it hurts so much but all he wants to do right now is to make that wailing yapper stop crying. Sanji seems to be biting his lip, as he sits on the bed.
- What do you want, imbecile?
- Come to me. - he hears in the reply.
Among all the medications that Chopper can offer him, none will work as well as this.
He wants to feel Sanji close to him.
Feel that they are both real.
That they are both alive.
- You are ridiculous. - Blonde replies. The hand that he never let go squeezes him in a meaningful way. He ruffles his hair, as he always does when he struggles but slowly lays down next to Zoro. He is on his side looking at Swordsman. He looks terrible.
- Zoro… - he whispers.
- I am here.
- I was so fucking afraid.
- Me too.
- The amount of blood you lost was crazy. You have been out for days. I kept myself busy cooking, thank god that there is so many people here. But even when I cooked all I could think about was how stupid you are.
- I am here. We…we are here. - Sanji hears that sentence again and he looks at Zoro. He looks directly at him and for the second time in his life, he sees him crying. He is taken aback but he wipes the tears, letting his own just roll down.
- I’m sorry. I— Zoro tries to speak but he coughs and Sanji cups his cheek.
- We can talk once you get better, okay? Don’t force yourself.
- S…Stay? - Zoro whispers.
- Of course. Of course, I will stay. You just sleep more, okay?
Zoro just nods and closes his eyes. He can feel Sanji’s scent and warmth and as stupid as it sounds it seems to be healing him. They are here. They are alive. He starts to drift away. The slow circles Cook does on his hand and the silent hums of French song the last things he registers before falling asleep.