Crying on the inside (Zoro x oc)

Roronao Zoro

Luffy pulled me up, and I felt the wind rush around us as we climbed the wall. Koby's warnings were a distant murmur compared to the sense of urgency and curiosity that filled me. When I finally saw Zoro, bound to the cross with his head drooping, I was overcome with a swirl of emotions—compassion, curiosity, and something deeper that I couldn't quite name."So he's Zoro, huh?" I muttered, almost in a daze. My voice was soft, but the weight of my words hung in the air.

As Zoro's eyes met mine, I was struck by the raw intensity of his gaze. Despite his weary state, there was a sharpness to his eyes that made my heart skip a beat. It was as if, in that fleeting moment, we shared an unspoken understanding. The hardness in his eyes softened just a fraction, and I felt an electric jolt that was both unsettling and exhilarating.

The little girl's soft voice broke the spell. "Shh," she said, her finger pressing gently against her lips. Her quiet plea snapped me back to the present. I nodded, my heart still racing as I helped lower the ladder for her.

As I jumped over the wall and caught her, the act felt oddly natural. I carefully placed the rice balls she handed me on the ground, my attention divided between the girl and Zoro. When I finally looked back at him, our eyes locked again. His gaze was unwavering, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—curiosity, perhaps, or maybe a hint of recognition.

Zoro's focus eventually shifted back to the little girl, but the connection between us lingered. I could feel it tugging at me, a magnetic pull that was impossible to ignore. Even though he was bound and in a dire situation, Zoro's presence was commanding. There was something about him—a strength and a resilience that resonated with me on a deep level.I took a deep breath, trying to steady the tumult of emotions churning inside me. As I watched the girl interact with Zoro and offered him the rice balls, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something significant. The intensity of our brief connection seemed to promise a new chapter in my life, one where pain and isolation might finally give way to something hopeful.

The feeling was alien yet comforting, a stark contrast to the suffering I had endured. It was as though Zoro's presence had the power to unlock something within me—a part of myself that had been hidden away for far too long.

Luffy's cheerful shout and Koby's continued protests were mere background noise as I remained absorbed in the moment. Zoro's silent strength, his quiet dignity despite his circumstances, made my heart ache in a way I had never felt before. It was clear that our paths had crossed for a reason, and as the promise of a new journey beckoned, I felt an inexplicable pull toward Zoro—an unspoken connection that hinted at possibilities yet to unfold.

As we continued our journey, I couldn't help but wonder what this new chapter would bring. The encounter with Zoro had left a mark on me, and the anticipation of what lay ahead filled me with both excitement and trepidation. With every step, I hoped that this newfound connection would lead to something greater, a chance to finally find a place where I truly belonged.