One Piece Headcanons: Zoro and Chronic Pain
Zoro probably has chronic pain and I wish to discuss it.
Like Luffy probably does too but I think maybe the whole being rubber thing would help with that? Maybe? I do like the thought of his chest scar causing problems occassionally though.
Zoro and chronic pain though... that just hits me.
I mean, Zoro is destructive and reckless in some of the best and worst ways.
How many times has he broken the same bone or ripped open the same piece of skin? How many times has it been different?
Do his hands lock up on cold islands? The chill settling in cartilage and bone and holding like concrete?
Maybe he moves the slightest bit slower when a storm moves in. Sits down a little heavier and lets out more of a sigh after getting inside from the rain.
Scars, both silvery white with age and jagged red with healing, that itch some nights. Not letting up no matter how much he digs dull nails into the skin.
Days where he disappears from the deck, leaving the noise and sunlight to hide away deep in the ship with a headache that feels like it's splitting him open. Tucking himself away in the dark and laying on the cool floor like an animal going off to die in peace.
Times where taking a deep breath feels more like drowning. Muscles aching and protesting each movement, even the necessary ones.
Where his bones ache in his body like the pain was always there and spilled out the first chance it got. It feels like it will never stop, settled in his soul with the intention of staying.
How much of him was born broken? How much was broken before ever actually being broke?
Sometimes it just hurts and he can't hide it as well.
Feeling eyes on him as he makes himself stand up and walk away in order to take ragged breathes.
Or times where they come in on his blind side and he startles slightly, how sometimes he moves like he forgets that he's missing something.
Or when his fingers are stiff first thing in the morning and curling them around a cup of coffee feels like it's own battle.
Or how sometimes Sanji hits him in just the right place during a brawl and he can't help but flinch away.
So maybe some herbal teas make their way into the kitchen pantry for long nights.
And some bath salts get tucked away in the bathroom.
Books on the body and recovery get placed on shelves next to old maps and they start steering clear of cold or stormy islands.
Creams and braces are packed away in a small cabinet next to bandages and other medical equipment.
Harsh drops and steps around the ship are repaired for a gentler descent or approach to wherever you plan on going.
And Zoro's not stupid, he knows that something has changed. But he feels a little better now and well... it's really nice.
