AN: This is a piece of an au I made with maddie (baratiepromise), which I've been sitting on since we made up the au in january. it's mostly finished (and I plan to complete the rest as a project for camp nanowrimo this month), but since today is Maddie's birthday, I thought I'd post the first part today! happy birthday!
tho we made up the plot together, and they've read some of the letters, I added a ton so there's now more than double of what even they've seen
the beginning is slower and the letters are shorter, but it'll get more exciting and longer as it goes! promise!
A small island sits above the waves. Long ago it was known as Dawn, but it goes by a different name now. What was once Dawn is now a touristy island known best for its twin cities: one modern, mostly made of hotels and gimmicky shops. The other, ruins, the true Dawn. The main draw is one museum in particular, for one exhibit.
Towards the end of the museum, near the gift shop, is a long hallway. Evenly spaced along the wall are framed letters hung in chronological order. They are handwritten in a long-dead language, and beside each is a placard including a translation, a date, and when necessary, notes on their quality. At the beginning, above the entrance, hangs a sign:
This hallway is dedicated to letters from a man to his fiancé. Both men were fighters in their country's army and were killed during war. After the death of the recipient of the letters, Luffy, all of the letters were returned to what is believed to have been Luffy's home. They were preserved by chance, and were discovered by archaeologists excavating the ruins of the nearby city.
A museum guide stops below the hanging sign and turns to her group. Only some of them are paying attention. Those who aren't are focused on other exhibits in the room they're still inside. There's a few looking above her, reading the sign. There's a young couple in the back, distracted by each other. The guide clears her throat, getting everyone's attention.
"The letters are right through here. You can read at your own pace. Start whenever you'd like."
Month 1 - July
Luffy,
I'm sorry I couldn't catch you to say goodbye. I was moved so quickly, I didn't have time to find you. I know this isn't as good as speaking face-to-face, but I thought during this stay away we could write to each other. I'm kind of rusty on this letter-writing thing, so sorry if I sound a little awkward for a while or if I don't know what to write about. I think this is worth a shot, though. Anything to get to hear from you is it in my eyes.
Zoro
—
Month 2 - August
Luffy,
I know, it's been a while. It'll be even longer when you get this, of course. I probably look pretty stupid since it was my idea to send letters and then I took a month to respond, but I've kept your letter in mind since I read it. I just haven't had a chance to write to you, or anything to write to you with. I'm busy with battle, just like you are.
The fighting has always excited me, but it just isn't as enjoyable when you're not by my side. I always knew we made a good team—we're partners, after all—but it's even easier to tell when we're apart.
Love you, too.
Zoro
—
Month 2 - August
Luffy,
I've moved up the ladder a little. I'll reach your rank soon, so you had better start working harder unless you want me to pass you, Captain!
Speaking of, I asked my captain here when would be the next time I'd be able to return. I know it's been barely a month, but being apart is the hardest battle I've fought yet (and without any of the excitement). He said a year at most. It'll be a long time before we meet up again, so I'll send letters at least once a month, promise. I know how irresistible I am, I would hate to deprive you.
Also, are you really going to try and "I love you more" me every time I say "Love you"? Fine.
Love you most.
Zoro
—
Month 3 - September
Luffy,
We haven't been to battle in a while, so I've killed time by making some friends around the camp. I figured that's what you'd do, even if it isn't usually my thing. In my opinion, the only friend I need is a bottle of rum, but I didn't think you'd like that very much.
The first I met was a doctor here, called Chopper. He's fifteen. I vaguely recall you mentioning joining the army at fourteen, chasing after... Well, you know. I don't need to tell you.
Chopper works with a woman, Robin, so I ended up her friend as well. She seems to be a strategist, but spends most of her free time around Chopper, either reading or making morbid comments about his patients. I would hate to be under the knife while she's in the room.
I've also met some of the other soldiers. There's Usopp, who fights with a bow and arrow. He's an amazing shot, unlike anything I've ever seen, but he doesn't seem to be the bravest fighter. There's Franky, who fights hand-to-hand, like you. I've also met Brook, who fights with a sword, like me. We fought a few times at my insistence (there isn't much to do between battles, and we can't afford to lose our edge), but Brook hasn't been unable to beat me.
There's another guy in our group, too, but he's an asshole.
Also, "most-est" isn't a word.
Love you, too.
Zoro
—
Month 4 - October
Luffy,
My new friends and I were able to battle side by side. Though the other army was larger, and there were some injuries among us, we won.
Luffy, I know I've told you before, but someday I'm going to be the strongest man in this army. I set out all that time ago to prove myself, and soon I will. I've been challenging everyone in our ranks to fight, and I have a winning record against all of them. That asshole I mentioned before is pretty close, though. Sanji and I currently have nearly an even record for battles. He's one of the chefs here, and between you and me? For army field cooks, he's not half bad. I think you'd like him (or at least his food). I think you'd like all of them, honestly. I really hope you'll get to meet them, because I think you would get along.
I think a lot of things remind me of you now, way more than they used to. Guess I just miss you.
Love you, too.
Zoro
(By the way, I told Usopp what you said about knowing his father. He's pretty excited about it. Small world, huh?)
—
Month 4 - October
Luffy,
A strange woman arrived at the camp today. I saw her speak to one of the generals, the whole thing being very secretive. I thought it was odd, but even stranger was when she joined my friends and I in our down time. She was also, apparently, friends with Robin, so Robin introduced us.
Her name is Nami. I probably shouldn't be telling you this, since you're not the best secret keeper, but I trust you not to put the life of any friends of mine in danger, so: She's a spy, reporting plans of the enemy to command. She'll be staying with us for a while to help with finances, though. Guess she's trying to stay out of the field. She seems to be someone you would like, too. I really do hope you meet everyone someday.
Love you, too.
Zoro
—
Month 5 - November
Luffy,
Thank you. Your letter came a day early, but I waited a day to open it so you could wish me a happy birthday on time.
My friends threw me a small celebration. Chopper bought me sweets. I don't really like sweets, but I still ate them all. I just couldn't turn him down. If you could see his face, you'd understand (not that you'd get wanting to turn down any sort of food).
A few of the others brought me various forms of alcohol, so I drank my heart out. They joined in, of course. Guess it was just as much a gift to themselves as it was to me. Nami can hold her alcohol just as well as I can. Who knew? I enjoyed myself, even though I'm not usually the party type.
The days leading up to my birthday, Nami's information brought for me a success in our latest battle. We also celebrated that last night, so now everyone is hungover. The light I'm writing by hurts my eyes, but I wanted to be sure I thanked you. My birthday would have, of course, been more fun if you were with me. We always have next year, right?
By the way, I did include a smaller candy which I stuffed in my pocket when Chopper wasn't looking. Hope you like it (and that it doesn't get gross by the time you read this).
Love you, too.
Zoro
—
Month 6 - December
The writing of the following letter appears more smudged than those previous, like the paper ended up wet in patches and caused the ink to run.
Luffy,
I'm hoping this letter reaches you in time for it to be useful, and I'm sorry I couldn't be with you now. It's about the anniversary of that battle, isn't it? Even a few of those here have brought it up in whispers when they think I'm not listening. Though I don't think most of my friends have realized who you are, some of the other soldiers know I write to you. Even if they don't quite realize the intimacy of us, anyone who knows must be trying not to upset me by bringing it up. I've got the impression Nami and Robin know, since they both asked how I was faring today. Robin even left me the paper to write on. It's not me they need to worry about, though.
I hate that I left you to be alone on the anniversary of their deaths. You know if I could I would be beside you all day, like I was back when it happened. I don't have siblings, I can't even imagine how much you're hurting to have lost yours. It must be harder to mourn by yourself, but you're not alone, I promise. No matter how many miles separate us, I'll always be there for you. Soon, I'll be beside you again, and next year I should be there to ease your pain. But...
There's no easy way to say this, especially not now, but I don't want to leave you in the dark. My stay away has been extended. It'll be about three months more than I thought. I hate I have to delay seeing you again, Luffy. I miss you, and I feel terrible I couldn't be there for you now, when you'd most need company.
Because of all the time I've been gone and everything I'm missing, I've added a gift. It's half a necklace. I'll wear the other half, so you know whenever you wear it that we're connected. I figured you'd understand an oath sworn on something like this, since both of us have made promises like this. Now I've got a promise for you, that I'll be there for you until I see you again (and after, too(.
I love you, too. Don't forget it.
See you soon.
Zoro
AN: thanks for sticking with me this far! I know first person is... not everyone's favorite, and neither is major character death, so it means a lot. I don't know when this is going to update, exactly, but i'll see what I can do. probably about once per week-ish.
also im aware paper would never last this long and you know what. the protagonist in the source material is made of rubber. i think you can suspend your disbelief a little for me here. thanks for reading! -Lew