She phased in and out of consciousness as Zoro removed his shirt, wrapped it tightly around her still-bleeding foot, and picked her up. The change of position made the blood still in her system rush to her head, then depart just as quickly. She almost passed out again, when Zoro said "You have to stay awake. Please, please stay awake."
"Okay..." she whispered, as she did her best to keep her eyes open. She made herself look at his face as she felt his muscled arms tense under her. He started walking back to the camp. Every step jostled her a little, and made the world around her dim, but she focused on his face and concentrated on staying awake.
She awoke in a comfortable bed. For a moment she simply tried to focus her eyes on the wooden ceiling. Eventually she turned her head and realized she was on the Going Merry in her bed. She thought back, and abashedly realized she must have passed out again on the walk. She tried to sit up, then fell back as a wave of nausea and weakness struck her. She moaned, ashamed of her invalidity. At her sound, someone sat up in the corner, and she turned her head, then tried to focus her eyes to see who it was. Again she first noticed his green hair, then as her eyes focused, she saw his muscled chest, then his concerned expression.
Zoro stood and walked towards her. Drache looked at him, then smirked. "If you keep waking me up like this I'm going to get really irritated with you."
"Only if you keep falling asleep in these inconvenient places," he said with a smile. Her smirk turned to a full grin.
"Do you have any food?" She asked, "I'm starving."
"Sanji probably has something prepared for you. All cut in heart shapes, I'm sure. I can go get it." He turned to go.
Before she could catch herself, she said, "Don't go!" He paused, and turned, one eyebrow raised quizzically. "I mean," she paused as she started raising herself off the bed slowly, "wait, I want to go get it myself. Will you-" As she reached vertical, she ambitiously swung her legs over the side of the bed. The vertigo hit again, and before she knew it, he was at her side, supporting her. "Thanks," she said genuinely as she regained her composure. She sat a moment longer with her feet on the floor, then grabbed his shoulder and stood. She waited a moment for the black at the corners of her vision to pass, then realized she was gripping his shoulder as tightly as she could. She hurriedly let go, then swayed without the support. He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close.
"None of that now," he said. She hardly heard him, she was so distracted by his hand on her waist and his body pressed up against hers. Determined to stay focused, she thought about her hunger instead of the pressure of his hand. He seemed to notice her tense up and allowed her a little space. He took his arm off her waist and moved it to her shoulder.
They walked together to the galley, where, indeed, Sanji had prepared an omelette with dried spinach, tomatoes, and a little cheese. Drache smiled to see that he had also braved Nami's wrath to squeeze her some orange juice. She was so focused on the food that she didn't see Zoro's eyes looking, not at the food, but at her smile.
He stayed by her side all day, helping her to the deck, where they sat together in the sun talking about nothing, then back to her bed when she got tired, which was quickly. He sat back down on his chair as she fell asleep, and just before she fell asleep, she said a drowsy "Thank you," but missed his response in the haze of sleep. Her dreams mirrored her day with him, with sunshine glinting off his earrings, and a smile on her lips.
She woke in the late morning, feeling far stronger and more energetic. She cautiously sat up in bed and looked around. Zoro had left sometime in the night, and she was alone in the room. She turned to lean against the wall and felt a happy warmth spread through her body. Yesterday had been everything she had hoped would happen with Zoro, and she was certain it would happen again. Her feelings must be requited, why else would he have spent all day with her? With these happy thoughts swimming around lazily in her head, she slowly got out of bed and stretched. Her muscles felt well rested but weak, and she knew she wouldn't be doing much exercise for a few days. She got dressed in a tanktop and overalls, comfortable and easy, then changed her mind and put on a blue sundress. She wanted to impress Zoro. She scolded herself lightly for caring so much what he thought. She looked in the mirror and sighed at the deplorable state of her hair. It needed to be cut, and it stuck out in all directions. She combed it hopelessly for a few minutes, then gave up when there was a knock on the door. "Come in!" she said, hoping desperately to see that moss-green hair again.
The door opened and, indeed, Zoro walked in. She couldn't help a huge grin from breaking across her face. "Good morning!" She walked over to him and grasped one of his hands in both of hers. "I forgot to thank you properly for helping me yesterday," she said, and without thinking, she stood on her toes to kiss him on the lips. He pulled back with a surprised grunt. "I'm sorry!" she said, as her face turned red. "I thought- but no. Sorry, I'm so sorry!" She let go of his hand and fled from the room as Zoro looked after her in shock.