The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 83: Apology Accepted

⚠️Content Warning: 🌶️ Heavy spice for the first half of the chapter 🌶️⚠️

I sat beside the dying bonfire, cradling my wounded shoulder gently as I relaxed in the warmth of the flame. Many of the Skypieans and Shandorians had worn themselves out celebrating and were fast asleep. Most of the rest of the crew had already passed out from the aftermath of the Eneru fight as well.

The sound of footsteps approached me, and I tilted my ear towards them. Zoro cleared his throat as I sensed him rub the back of his neck, "Um... hey."

I paused before I spoke with a soft voice, "Hey, yourself."

"Can, uh... can we talk?" He asked, seeming uncomfortable.

His nervousness made my stomach flutter. I had to fight my smirk as I answered him with a hint of sarcasm, "Well, we're talking right now, aren't we?"

He laughed softly, sounding exasperated, "You know what I mean," He took a few steps closer and knelt down, brushing his knuckles against my arm. I took his hand and let him help me to my feet before we walked away from the fire to somewhere more private.

Neither of us said a word for a while, just slowly walked through the ruins together. I waited for him to break the silence.

After several minutes of walking, Zoro came to a stop. He turned to face me, still seeming a bit hesitant. I sensed him start to reach up and pause, "Kaori... listen, I..." He let out a breath before he put his knuckle under my chin to raise my face towards his, "About the other day..."

I gently took his hand down from my chin and held it against my sternum. He went quiet again. I could sense his gaze on me, studying my expression as if trying to read me. My thumb started to idly rub the back of his knuckles as I waited for him to continue.

He steeled himself before he spoke in a low tone, "I need you to understand that it wasn't... I didn't mean to hurt or disrespect you. I just... Don't know how to deal with these kinds of things. I was angry at the cook, yeah, but it wasn't because I was jealous. It was because I didn't like how he treated you and... and I was trying to get him to fuck off..." He bowed his head and took a slow breath, "And I fucked up. I get that now. There are things you don't want my help with even if I want to protect you," He grew quiet again as he took his free hand and tucked my hair behind my ear, "I'm sorry for what I did... but I'm not sorry for why I did it," His hand cupped my jaw, gripping me firmly, "I can't help wanting to protect you. And like I said before, I need you to tell me if I'm going too far. I can't change that part of me completely, but I'll try to do better from now on and only step in if you ask me to or if you're in real danger."

My chest felt tight. I clenched my jaw, not trusting my voice not to waver. My grip on his hand tightened to the point my fingers ached. He bowed his head closer to mine, and I parted my lips, anticipating a kiss.

He stopped short, though. His breath fanned over my lips as he murmured, "Let me make it up to you..." His thumb dragged across my bottom lip.

"Make it up to me?" I whispered back with a confused huff, "By doing what?"

He let go of me and reached for his bicep. I heard the rustle of fabric as he tugged his bandana loose. With a practised ease, he tied it over his head before placing his hands on my arms, "By treating you with the respect you deserve."

I did not get a chance to respond before he kissed me. His lips pressed against mine firmly, but not forcefully. He walked me back until he had me up against a wall.

I reached up to cup his jaw and deepen the kiss, but he pulled back. My brow furrowed in confusion as he slid his hands down my arms and began to kneel in front of me.