Ace Of Spades
DISCLAIMER: I do not own One Piece.
Zoro looks at Luffy. It's one of those rare moments when he's silent and staring out at the sea. His finger traces the X burned into his chest. It's a scar that brings painful memories. It's the scar from two years. It's the same scar that's burned across his heart. And it hurts. He knows he has lost Luffy. Oh, he's still there on the ship with them and Luffy still grins, jokes even laughs, but… it's not Luffy. There's grief in his eyes now and a shadow of sadness in his laughter. It's not the same, carefree Luffy he once knew. And it hurts when he thinks back as to why that same Luffy, the laughing, confident, overjoyed King of the Pirates, changed.
You weren't there.
You weren't there.
You weren't there.
His fist tightens. His heart aches. And he wonders if Luffy is really seeing the sea, or… a kaleidoscope of memories.
"Zoro." Luffy says softly, making him jump unexpectedly.
He doesn't answer, just moves closer.
"It hurts."
He moves until he's standing right next to Luffy by the railings. And Luffy leans against him.
"Will it ever go away?"
He shakes his head slightly. Luffy sighs.
"I knew that. When Sabo died… it felt as though a part of me was gone too. And Ace-" his voice chokes but he keeps on going. "Ace makes me feel as though my heart has been ripped out. And it hurts so bad, Zoro. It's been two years and it hurts."
Zoro waits, knowing Luffy needs to get it out of his system.
"It hurts and hurts." Luffy says.
"I know."
He takes Wadou Ichimonji and holds it forth to Luffy.
"It hurts too." He says simply. "It's like a blade that cuts sharp the first time, but as time goes on, it becomes blunter. But it won't leave. And that's good because you'll remember the person, Luffy. It will always mean something significant to you." he pauses." But you knew that too."
The small smile on Luffy's face indicates that what he said was right. The peacefulness is broken by the sound of Ussop ranting about something.
"A card is missing! My ace of spades!"
Zoro's gaze suddenly alights on something tucked into Luffy's hat where Ace's vivre card used to be. And after dinner, the card miraculously appears back at its deck and Zoro knows, it's not needed anymore.