The Straw Hats, minus Usopp, had checked into one of Water 7's inns for the night. One by one they've called it a night, though sleep was not on the minds of any of them.
Y/N especially didn't seem keen on rest.
Standing on the balcony, he stared out over the city. The flame on his hand flickered on and off as he clenched his fist periodically, his other hand gripping the marble till cracks formed.
"All your fault."
The thought was conflicting, perhaps even untrue. But to him, it had been the exact reason that led to tonight.
"I was careless..." he gritted "I should've been more protective, I should've handled everything..."
"And you would rather they rely on you, rather than show that they can contribute themselves?"
Y/N turned to see Zoro standing at the doorway, a bottle of sake in his hand with two cups. The swordsman walked up and stood beside him, also looking at the night.
"Thought you could use some of this, and I certainly didn't feel like drinking alone for once."
"Zoro, I don't the a drink is gonna help us, remember?"
Zoro shrugged "Just think it would help." Y/N sighed.
"Wouldn't matter, I'm not in the mood for beverages anyway."
"You didn't answer my question. Would you rather everyone rely on you, or that they can show that they're able to fend for themselves?"
"That's not the point." Y/N sighed "I messed up that morning, I let Usopp go on his own when I should've been watching him.!" his head dropped down "If I had just been able to carry all the money myself, Usopp wouldn't have gotten into that mess."
"And are you saying you see Usopp as so weak he can't even be trusted with a task?" Zoro stated.
"Of course not!" Y/N protested "But I'm the First Mate. I'm supposed to look out for everyone when Luffy is overwhelmed, I'm supposed to protect everyone when Luffy has his hands full or too insane to pay attention."
Zoro locked eyes with him "Is that what you see us as? People who need protection?"
"Zoro I-"
"We are in the same crew, we all have different goals, dreams and aspirations. We all have ways to handle things." He closed his eyes "And that includes dealing with the consequences."
"Usopp made his choice, from the moment he took the suitcases he put it on himself to be helpful. What transpired tonight was his own way of dealing with things, but it was his choice, just as it was his choice to take a load of your shoulders. You said it yourself that everything he did was to help those close to him, are you so afraid of the consequences that you'd deny him even of that?"
"He shouldn't have to face the consequences..." Y/N seethed "That's what I'm here for, I'm supposed to shoulder the pain of everyone..."
"And what if you're not?" Zoro challenged "What if you and Luffy were cut off from us due to circumstance, then what do you expect us to do?" Y/N had nothing to come back with and just stared numbly.
"If you make it so that everyone doesn't have to worry about a thing because you'll shoulder it all, then we'll only be more helpless if you can't help us." Zoro stated "And I'm damn sure that above everything else, Usopp wouldn't want you to see him as helpless."
Y/N followed along, slowly realizing what Zoro had to say. It was true, he saw it himself that he should be the shield for the crew, when his own nakama were more than strong enough to shoulder it with him. His power, the Demon within him, he was afraid to sweep his friends into this world that he himself knew little of, but now he realized they didn't need to drag them with him, they would follow him regardless and it would've been their choice.
