Request: Hi! I was wondering if you're still taking requests if so i was wondering if you could do a one shot of Zoro x fem reader who is a straw hat but is told not to fight or exert herself by Chopper and other in the crew since she has chronic back pain but downplays it and acts as if it doesn't affect her. Like for example they are fighting some strong people and as she finishes her fight she walks around limping because of her back but when asked she just downplays it and says she's fine.
Warnings: Slight language! One Piece violence! Needles!
A/N: Thank you so much for your request! I hope you enjoy! (Not my gif!)
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The bridge right before a chorus of chaotic antics. It was a song so many sang when they ran into you and your crew - the Strawhats.
Today, the band performing the captivating number was the Marines. When you and your friends docked on this new island, you might have missed the giant seagull insignia on the lighthouse. Although, if a few of you were honest, you saw it and didn't care. It had been a few weeks since you touched real land, and people were becoming stir-crazy.
Luffy's laughter cut through the Marine's melody as he sucker-punched some poor ensign, sending them into the sky.
"Last one to the ship is a rotten egg!"
You chuckled and accepted the challenge. Who wouldn't? Your feet carried you through the town, weaving your body past panicked citizens and furious marines alike. Stray bullets whizzed past your head, increasing your adrenaline and making you move faster.
A few minutes later, you were at the town's edge - the Thousand Sunny was in sight at the harbor. From the looks of it, you weren't the first one there, but you weren't the last, either. Perfect. No rotten egg title for you.
Your small victory was interrupted when you crashed into something hard. You fell backward onto your butt - why was there a wall in the middle of the path? When you looked up at this supposed wall, you didn't see brick or stone but a crisp white Marine uniform and a glare.
The man leveled his sword at you, "Filthy pirate!"
You acted fast, kicking his ribs and pushing yourself off the ground. A sharp pang shot up and down your spine, but you ignored it. Now was not the time. You had a fight to win and a family to get back to.
"Bring it on!" You drew a dagger and took an offensive stance. You and the Marine went back and forth, trading blow after blow. The sound of metal scraping and you swearing filled the air. You had to win. How could you be on the future Pirate King's crew and get bested by a marine? It'd be unacceptable, borderline shameful.
With each move, the sharpness in your spine spread down your legs. Taking a step forward to stab or a step back to parry became more and more taxing. You couldn't keep this up for long. The man swung again, but when you tried to dodge, your leg faltered, and you were back on the ground again.
Move, dammit! You mentally scolded yourself, trying to get your legs to do anything but pulse in pain.
"This is the end for you."
You saw the man raise his blade, and you shut your eyes, waiting for the inevitable feeling of cold steel slicing your flesh. A second passed, then another, and another. You were still breathing, and you didn't feel any extra pain or blood dripping down your body. Peeking through an eye, you saw your boyfriend standing before you, blocking the Marine's blade with two of his own. He assessed that the opponent was unworthy of his traditional three-sword style.
Zoro looked over his shoulder at you, "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
You winced at his tone, "Fighting?"
"And what did Chopper say not to do?" He pushed the Marine back with little effort.
You looked down at your legs, avoiding his concerned glare, "Fight."
It was almost comical how quickly he sliced the Marine down. What took a concerted effort from you was so casual for him; killing the enemy was like breathing.
Zoro sheathed his swords, turning around to face you.
"Can you walk?" He asked, his one good eye looking you over,
You scoffed, using the last of your energy to push yourself off the ground.
"That's standing, not walking."
You huffed as you took a step forward, clenching your jaw as the pain doubled in your back and legs. Maybe you did get stabbed and didn't know it?
You had as much grace as a newborn fawn. You were lucky you didn't fall again as you limped past your boyfriend.
"See? Walking. Now, excuse me, I don't want to be a rotten egg."
"Dammit, Y/N! You pushed yourself again."
He didn't have to try hard to keep up, a few strides did it.
"It's no big deal, Zoro. I'm fine."
He stepped in front of you, preventing you from limping further. You were grateful to no longer move - not that you'd tell him that.
"Fine? If I didn't step in, that Marine would have cut you down. You were under strict orders not to engage in combat and you did it anyway. What the hell, Y/N?!"
Zoro meant well. He always did. Every time he lectured or scolded you, it was always from a place of love and care (despite his crossed arms and scowl). You knew he didn't want to see you hurt, and you didn't want to be hurt. It's just....frustrating.
"I thought I could handle it. I did handle it, mostly. I can keep up with the rest of you, y'know? I can-" You groaned as a deeper pain rooted itself in your spine and spread its branches all over your back. It was growing beyond your legs, to your toes, and past your shoulders, down your arms. You wobbled a bit, trying to maintain balance and composure.
Zoro's face softened as he cautiosly scooped you up into his arms.
"I'm taking you to Chopper."
-------------------------------------
You received a similar yet gentler lecture from Chopper about the dangers of fighting with your condition.
You were on your stomach on one of the infirmary beds as the small reindeer examined you. You felt his hooves touch different spots on your shoulders, back, and legs, assessing if there had been any further damage.
Zoro sat in the corner of the room, arms crossed, his eye never leaving your form.
"It looks like a really bad flare-up. You're super stiff, Y/N. You're lucky you moved as long as you did during that fight." Chopper stepped away from the table and towards his counter and cupboards.
He pulled out a vial and needle, "I'm giving you some steroids to reduce the inflammation in the muscles. There's also some anesthetic in this mixture to lessen the pain. You're spending the night in here, too. You need to rest on a comfortable surface."
You felt the familiar coolness of rubbing alcohol on your skin followed by the uncomfortable pinch of the needle entering your spine. Chopper injected medication into you dozens of times before this - it was almost routine.
"There, all done. I'll check on you in the morning. And Y/N, I mean it. No more fighting." Chopper's voice was stern. You knew he was serious and what you'd risk if you kept this up.
"I understand," You muttered.
You stayed on your stomach, burying your face into the sterile sheets. You could feel tears prickling your eyes, threatening to spill.
Zoro got up from his spot and grabbed his chair to be closer to you. He settled himself right next to your bed.
"Y/N, look at me." He asked, his voice as soft as it could be.
You shook your head. You didn't want to be weak in front of anyone, but especially not your boyfriend. Every time he saw you like this, you worried he'd leave. He valued strength, and here you were, the opposite of that.
"Why...stay...me?" You asked, your words muffled by the mattress.
You sighed, turning your head, "Why do you stay with me?"
"Because I love you?" He sounded confused.
"But I'm not- I'm not like you. I can't fight. I have to do a simple training regimen. I'm all but knocked out when the humidity is too high. You deserve someone better than that, and the crew does, too. I'm not cut for any of it." Hot tears poured down your face at your confession.
Zoro almost looked offended as he processed your words. He lowered his head so his chin rested on the mattress, his face inches from yours. He placed a hand on the back of your head, his thumb softly caressing your hair.
"You're on this crew because Luffy wants you here - he sees something in you. You've earned your place. And don't say you can't fight because you can. You're the strongest fighter I know. You've had to put up with a shitty back your whole life, and you know what? No matter how many times I see you get knocked down, you get right back up. I know you'll be up and at it again in the morning, and that? That's real strength. That makes you at least stronger than that shitty cook."
You snorted, "You think everyone is stronger than Sanji."
"You want my comfort or not?"
He smirked, "I don't care that you can't fight other people, and I have to step in. I don't care that you have to do simple exercises, you know I'm more than happy to look into that stuff for you. I don't care if the weather puts you on your ass. It's hilarious that you've predicted more storms with better accuracy than Nami. She deserves to get humbled."
The tears in your eyes dried as a small smile grew on your face, "Zoro!"
"I don't want another me," he whispered, his voice as sharp as his swords, "I want you, dumbass."
He pressed a firm kiss to your lips, whatever else he could not say in words he said with that gesture. He used it to anchor you to him, to reassure you that he was not going anywhere. He would be at your hospital bedside for as long as you'd have him, even if that meant eternity.
He pulled away, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied look on his face.
"Rest. You have a fight to continue in the morning."
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