The Swordsman and the Blacksmith (Roronoa Zoro x Reader)

Chapter 7: A Heist Gone Wrong: Part 2

The soft tick of the clock was the only thing keeping your mind tethered to reality. You weren't quite sure how long you'd been sprawled on the cold tile of the infirmary. You weren't conscious enough to keep the count in your head. Had it been minutes? Hours? Time felt abstract. Your whole body was numb, your breaths increasingly shallow with each exhale, darkness threatening to take over your gaze. But even as it threatened to claim you, a stubborn flicker of defiance burned within your soul. You refused to surrender to the void, clinging to consciousness with a tenacity born of sheer determination.

Yokubari laid unsheathed in front of you. You had to cover it again, before someone tried to hold it. You attempted to move your hand without success. You couldn't manage even a twitch of your finger. The sword lay tantalizingly close, its gleaming black blade a stark reminder of the danger it posed in the wrong hands.

Darkness continued its advance, creeping in at the edges of your vision like a relentless tide. Panic set in as you grappled with the reality that the basic functions of your body had begun to shut down.

A distant shuffle of footsteps barely registered in the conscious part of your mind. The sound seemed to come from a world far from yours. Seconds, or perhaps hours, passed in agonizing uncertainty. The footsteps drew nearer. Someone was approaching, and the urgency to protect Yokubari intensified within you.

Boots came into sight, then three swords. Ah. It was the swordsman. He was safe after all. Thank the gods.

You don't feel his grip on you as he moved you, the environment spinning violently as your brain struggled to comprehend the sudden change in your vision. The swordsman's gaze was on you, his brows furrowing in a mix of confusion and concern. "What the hell happened?" He asked, his voice cutting through the hushed atmosphere of the infirmary.

You strained to respond. Nothing.

Your eyes went to your sword. His followed. You watched in horror as his hand went to the scabbard.

No.

You panic.

Summoning every ounce of strength, you tried to muster a sound – a groan, a whisper – anything that might convey your plight.

"Don't," you managed to rasp sluggishly; voice barely perceptible.

His hand stilled. Zoro's gaze flickered between you and the unsheathed sword, realization downing in his eyes. There was a hint of annoyance in his voice as he asked, "Want me to leave it there then?"

Fuck.

You couldn't leave it here.

If Yokubari fell into the wrong hands... You weren't sure you could live with yourself if it happened again.

Zoro searched your gaze for the answer.

"I'll sheath it as fast as I can, alright?" He said, voice uncharacteristically soft.

You didn't answer, consciousness starting to fail you.

His hand went to your neck, looking for a pulse. "Shit." He muttered under his breath. "Hang in there."

You hazily see him grab Yokubari before the wave of his haki interacting with the sword knocks you out.

-----

Roronoa Zoro found himself navigating the labyrinthine corridors of the marine base, a crumpled map clutched tightly in his hand. Though he would never openly admit it, he was hopelessly lost amidst the maze-like layout. Yet, there was a hint of satisfaction in the fact that he had managed to locate the map – a small victory he anticipated flaunting in the witch's face later, if only he could recall the exact room from which he had made his daring exit through the window.