Be Mine

Hurt

 After Chopper told everyone about Zoro's invisible scar they all started to notice somethings, Sanji especially did. He noticed Zoro didn't leave his back open, he always had it against the wall or railing, something he knew wasn't another human. They all witness what happens when he didn't face the wall. Usopp and Luffy wanted to ask him something and Zoro freaked out when Usopp put his hand on his shoulder and flipped Usopp on his head in no time at all. They all felt sorry for the sniper who learned the first time not to do that but Luffy didn't and kept freaking Zoro out and getting kicked, punched or flipped. Nami yelled at him to stop, it might be making Zoro's condition worse. Sanji also learned that Zoro faked his naps. He may lay there with the triplets but he wasn't asleep like he looked. Sanji let Zoro think he didn't know but he knew. It worried him.

Zoro finished eating and feeding the triplets so he took them out to the deck while everyone else continued to eat. Sanji looked at Zoro's seat. Ever since the talk with Chopper he has been keeping an eye on Zoro and noticed he didn't eat much either. All he did is feed the triplets and take a few bites from his plate and let Luffy snatch the rest off his plate and claim to be finished. Sanji looks down at his plate sadly as he sighs. Noticing this everyone turns to him then at each other.

"What's wrong?" Nami asks.

"Chopper what can I do to help Zoro get over his PTSD?" Sanji looks over at the little doctor.

"Talking to someone could help, there's also taking medication but I don't think that would suit Zoro considering he still breastfeeds the triplets." Chopper says.

"So it comes down to talking or taking medicine," Sanji says.

"Why not try talking to him?" Robin asks Sanji.

"He seems to be more open about his emotions but he doesn't talk about what happened. When I mention Luka he freezes for a second then ignores any questions I asked. I don't think it's getting any better either. He's not eating and his nightmares seem to be getting worse." Sanji pushes his plate forward and immediately Luffy grabs whatever is on the plate and puts it in his mouth.

"That's what makes it even more important for you to talk to him. He needs to understand that he's not alone, that we're here for him and who better to tell him that than the person he loves the most." Chopper says. Everyone looks at him. 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes knowing the person he loves is there for him will make him feel better. I don't know if he'll talk to you about everything but it will make him feel less alone. Also remember patience with him. He's not going to pour his heart out to you just because you say you're there for him. He's afraid."

"Of what?" 

"Of anything. He might be afraid that he's back, scarred of a memory, or doesn't believe this is reality."

"What are you talking about?"

"He doesn't want to be back?"

"No, he might be afraid him being back won't last, he might not believe he's awake and on the Sunny, he could think he's still on Luka's ship and is only dreaming he's back. The last probability is that he is scared of something that happened on Luka's ship and doesn't want to remember it but can't forget, it could be haunting him." Chopper finishes. They all look at Sanji.

"Patience huh?" Sanji says. With everyone done eating Sanji follows everyone out to the deck where he spots Zoro watching the triplets play then one of them yawns. Zoro stands up picking up the triplets and walking away. Luffy looks at Zoro sadly, he wanted to play with the triplets. Sanji takes his pocket watch out and looks at the time, it is nap time for them. Sanji puts his pocket watch back in his pocket and goes back in the kitchen, through the infirmary and down to Zoro's room. He came into the room to see Zoro put the last triplet in the crib. Sanji closes the door behind him silently trying not to wake the triplets. Zoro turns his head quickly hearing the door close. Sanji smiles at him as he walks up to the cribs to get a look at the triplets. They lay there in the crib mouths open as they snore and their legs and arms open and out, just like how Zoro takes his naps. 

Zoro walks to his side of the bed and sits down against the headboard, he grabs the book laying on the nightstand, he opens it and begins to read. Sanji just stood there thinking about what to say. He's not expecting an answer but how to start this one sided conversation he know it's going to be. Chopper said he should be patient so he will. "Zoro, I know something is haunting you, what ever happened on Luka's ship you can tell me." Sanji say walking up to Zoro and sitting at his feet on the bed. Zoro looks over the book to Sanji not saying a word. "Look we are all worried about you. I know you don't sleep, I know you have nightmares, you even sleep away from me. Whatever it is you can tell me."

"I...can't," Zoro says quickly.

"W-," Sanji stops himself noticing his voice raised a little. Patience, Sanji thought. He clears his throat and tries again."Why?" Zoro just closes his book and looks away from Sanji. Yeah he figured it wouldn't be easy. Sanji sighs. "Zoro I don't know what happened but I can guess it hurt you really bad and all I want to do is help you. If you don't want to talk about it fine but if talking about it will help you then please," Zoro could hear how desperate he sounds saying that, "please tell me. I won't pester you about it after I leave, I just thought I would let you know that you've been distant from everyone." Sanji stands up and walk to the door. He opens the door and takes a step before stopping. "Also, I miss sleeping next to you, I haven't had a good night's sleep." Sanji walks out as he closes the door.

Zoro looks down at the book in his hand. He didn't feel like reading it anymore so he puts it back on the nightstand. He didn't think it was obvious that something is bothering him. Should he tell Sanji? But if Sanji knew would he still love Zoro?