This is just a cute little drabble I thought up at 11 at night (so apologies for any mistakes I might have missed). I didn't plan for it to be in Zoro's POV…it just sort of happened…
It takes place sometime after the time skip (because any friends and family would've thought they were dead – or at least missing and injured – for two years).
Hope you enjoy!
It was Nami's idea. Of course it was.
"Alright! Listen up!"
The crew looked at her confused, and Zoro opened his mouth from his comfortable spot on the deck to complain - but there was something about the unusual smile on her face and the glint in her eyes that made him close his mouth. Nothing but three hundred percent interest debt came from that expression.
With the same pleasant expression that dared anyone to disagree, she handed out sheets of paper and writing tools - a seemingly generous action until Usopp realized they were his - which they accepted gingerly.
"I'm sure we all have family and nakama missing us back at home," she announced after striding back to address the whole crew, "So I thought we should write to them. It's not fair the only information they get about us is from the newspaper."
A beat and the ero-cook was all over her - with a cry of "Nami-swaaaan!" - looking quite the idiot as he exclaimed about how thoughtful and intelligent she was. Would she like a drink to refresh her throat and mind while she thought up more brilliant ideas?
Stupid love cook.
With an impatient wave of her hand and a "yes Sanji-kun," he scuttled off the kitchen. She seemed to think of something and added, "if you need help just ask," a significant glance to their captain while she did it. Said boy was looking confusedly at the paper, unsurprisingly. Most of the crew doubted he could even read.
Under the influence of the witch's expression, the crew grudgingly began to write. A exclaim of, "I'll write a super letter!" was swiftly shushed.
"Hey, Nami?" a childish voice spoke up, "can I draw a picture for Doctorine instead?"
Nami's smile warmed a little, became a little more convincing, "sure Chopper, go ahead."
"Ooh ooh! Me too, me too!" Luffy cheered, looking faintly relived he didn't have to actually write. His cheeks were already stained red with thinking, "I can draw all of our adventures!"
So Nami fished out Usopp's colouring pencils - much to his horror - and soon the two youngest crew mates were happily doodling away. It was a shame anything Luffy drew was practically unrecognizable.
Zoro wasn't sure quite what to write to his former sensei, and his letter ended up being brief. Mostly it was complaining about Nami forcing him to write. The rest of the crew all managed to jot something down on their paper without too many grimaces. The witch collected their efforts in with a sunny smile - he noticed Robin and Brook exchanging letters - and busied herself attaching them to carrier pigeons she must have caught earlier. Perhaps they were just as afraid of her expression as he was.
A cry of, "wait!" and a streak of red rushed past him in the direction of the kitchen. Muffled shouts were heard and Luffy was kicked back out - landing on the deck in a rubber heap - but triumphantly holding a wrapped package. This was handed to Nami via an over-stretched arm, and she reluctantly tied it to the bird with his drawing. They all flew off, and the expression was gone. They were safe…
Raiding the alcohol cabinet sounded like a good idea.
"That brat!"
The bandits rushed to their leader's side. An opened package emitted a nauseous stench that made them back away slightly. The substance - looking somewhat like meat - was grey, fuzzy and swarming with flies. A few of them fainted at the disgusting sight.
The ones with less-sensitive noses observed that their leader wasn't even looking at the pile (of what once was probably beef) sitting unceremoniously in her lap. She was clutching a piece of paper covered in scribbles but proudly titled, "my Nakama."
Her eyes were suspiciously wet.
They quietly went back to their chores and no-one said anything when Dadan went outside to chain-smoke for a few hours.
I know Brook could've written a letter to Laboon, but I didn't want Robin to be excluded and for the drabble to be kinda sad.
Any opinions are greatly appreciated ;)