Union (Zoro x Reader)

It’s been years since then. You’d heard of their whereabouts; the War of the Best, their seven year-long hiatus, the defeat of the New Fishman Pirates, their venture into the New World, the alliance between the Law and the Straw Hat Pirates, Doflamingo’s loss in Dressrosa and other successes they’ve achieved during their journey. Now, the Straw Hats had finally reached their corresponding goals.

It’s been years, and you’d grown wiser as well. You learned, with the help of these rare forms of pirates who treasured camaraderie and friendship above all, that no man was indeed an island. You found your own crew, who were three of the strongest, most cherished people you’ve ever met. They were always there for you, supporting you, looking up to you.
They were always dreaming.

You never thought you’d see him again. He was that one person you’d call ‘The One Who Got Away’, the person you never spoke of to your crewmates. But you still remembered him, the bittersweet goodbye and the wonderful first kiss you stole from his lips.

You had well and truly changed. Physically, you still had the same (h/c) hair – although now slightly longer – mischievous (e/c) eyes that still glinted bright in the sun and disarming, pearly white smile that always caught everyone off guard. However, your mentality’s changed, your ways different, your patience increased. You knew you’d never be able to take back your innocence and naivety to the dark side of this world, but you tried.

And now he was standing back here, in front of you, again.

There was always a part of you that resented him. Resented him for not noticing how you felt, at least before you left. Resented him for always talking about Kuina; Kuina’s interests, Kuina’s hair color, Kuina’s eyes, Kuina’s laugh, Kuina’s swordsmanship skills, Kuina’s voice, Kuina’s past, Kuina’s dream, Kuina’s everything.

But there was an even larger part of you that just yearned for him. Though you had your three best friends by your side, always supporting and following you, there was always that feeling of loneliness that would never wash away – even when one of them offered you a few more cups full of pure, untouched sake than your usual share.

You truly didn’t know what to do. He was standing right there, his signature three swords at his side, his hair the same shade of moss-green it’s always been. You were dazed, didn’t know what to do and – like a girl in her young teenage years – blushed so hard that it would put Buggy’s red clown nose to shame.

He’d changed. There was a scar covering his left eye, from reasons unknown. His style of clothing has changed, too – but that was to be expected. You felt, from his aura and presence alone, that he was stronger, braver and more capable than before. After all, he did defeat Mihawk.

“I knew I would find you here,” was what he first said. His voice had changed slightly, too; it was deeper, smoother. You made no motion to reply, simply staring at the ground in front of you silently.
It was awkward. The silence was starting to get unnerving, and so you decided to speak. “How’s Luffy and the crew?” you asked him, ignoring his past statement. He chuckled.

“Usopp went back to Syrup Village for a while, proposed to Kaya and all that. Sanji visited the Baratie, got engaged to Nami. Chopper paid a visit to Drum Island. He’s catching up with his old mentor, Dr. Kureha, at the moment. We have a new crewmate, by the way. His name’s Jinbe. Robin and Franky are on their honeymoon at the moment. So are Luffy and Hancock; she has a baby on the way.”

You blinked, startled by all this information. You never imagined their lives to be this perfect now. But of course, it was only natural, as Luffy was the crowned Pirate King, successor of the one and only Gol D. Roger. No one dared cross his path.

“That’s wonderful,” you said almost wistfully. You suddenly wondered if he had a bride of his own, or if he was still hung up on the girl that would never be his. “So, what brings you here?” you asked quietly. He probably came to say goodbye forever. To thank you from hearing him out and then leave. The thought itself was heartwrenching.

You couldn’t help but think it would’ve been better if he left his goodbye hanging.

“I came to marry you.”

You thought you’d heard wrong. No. There was no way he would even consider taking your hand in marriage after his obsession over Kuina. She would always be first. He was being insincere.

“Don’t mock me,” you said coldly. “Kuina will always have your heart. You’re simply lying to yourself, Zoro; there’s no way I’ll marry you if you don’t love me just as I do to you.”

For a moment, he looked stunned and hurt. Then he was confused. Then realization hit him. “(F/N), you think I’m still hung up over Kuina after all this years?” he asked. Yu nodded your head defiantly. He laughed silently, shaking his head as if the very notion was impossible.

“(F/N), Kuina is like a sister to me.”

Truly, it was embarrassing. You’d mistaken his admiration for love. You hid your face behind your thick, (h/c) locks of hair and looked at the ground once more. You wished you would simply disappear in that second.

“Look, I’m sorry if I made it seem like I loved her. But after all these years, I’ve been so proud of her achievements and her goal that I even carried out her dream for her. She was the older sister  never had, and I’d sworn on her grave to be strong one day; as strong as her and more. But I never loved her like that, (F/N). I was just looking for someone who would understand my position, seeing as you’d lost someone dear to you, too.”

“I never thought you’d remember that,” you whispered. He stepped closer, all personal space violated. You tried to step back. You failed. He was always so much stronger than you.

“When you left with just that kiss,” he started, whispering in that smooth, husky voice of his, “I knew I had to get you. I knew I had to find you. I didn’t understand just why I was feeling so lightheaded, or why my ears were turning red, or why my stomach was doing backflips, but I just knew. Once I’d fulfilled my dream, I had to marry you.”

And he brought you close, pressing an oh-so gentle kiss on your lips, the lips that have tasted his and only his.

“Okay,” you said. “I’ll marry you.”

---

It’s been a year since then. Luffy was still Pirate King. All was at peace; no more wars, no more conflict, no more struggle for the holy treasure that was One Piece.

The Straw Hats had formed an alliance with the (P/C/N) Pirates a year before, following the union of you and Zoro. Now you sailed side by side, never leaving the other. He was especially protective of you – especially now that you were with child.

Kaya wished to join Usopp in his travels and see the wonders of the New World. Dr. Kureha had long passed away. Zeff was still alive and kicking, his business booming. Hancock birthed twin children; a boy and girl. Everything was just perfect.

There was always the occasional sea brawl between pirate wannabes. But aside from that, everyone was happy and faithful to the Pirate King and the reformed Marines.

You held hand in hand. All those years ago, you’d resented him. Resented Kuina, even. But now you knew better.

“I love you,” you whispered, leaning against his shoulder. “Love you, too,” he replied, wrapping an arm around your shoulders as you stared into the sparkling blue. You knew, despite everything that’s happened to you, that you’d never trade the ring on your finger and the unborn child inside you for anything else in the world.





Never.