"I will spare your lives," the Shichibukai intones, hands glowing with the pressure of the matter compressed between them, "if you give me Straw Hat Lucy's head."

Everything in Zoro goes cold.

Give him Lucy? Give him Lucy, who still giggles at Sanji's smoke rings even though she's seen them a thousand times now, who bugs Nami into lecturing her whenever the redhead gets too somber, who asked Robin to teach her how to read because apparently bandits don't bother, and who listens in rapt attention to every one of Usopp's stories and believes every lie because she know he needs someone who does. Lucy, who lets Chopper bandage her even after she's healed just so Chopper feels better about her ridiculously accelerated healing rate, who let Franky adopt her as his new little sister because he missed his underlings back at Water 7. Lucy, who saw a lonely skeleton and knew she wanted him as nakama before she even knew his name.

Lucy, who sometimes sits near Zoro when he's napping so he can rest easier, who touches him freely, like no one else ever has, like he didn't know he needed, who looked at a man crucified and said him, I want him. Lucy, who never brushes her hair and still looks beautiful, every day, so much so Zoro's chest constricts when he sees her. Lucy, who has never been afraid of his darkness, never did anything less than trust him. Lucy, who smiles and laughs and makes Zoro feel lighter, untethered, free.

Lucy, who is so strong, so powerful, so possessed by conviction, that she warps reality itself to suit her. Lucy, who is constantly looking forward to the next horizon, who meets every adventure with cheer and enthusiasm, who is the closest thing on earth to sea and sunlight personified.

And this man…wants them to give her up?

Even if honor would allow it, even if it wasn't a terrible insult to their entire crew to even ask—

"NO WAY IN HELL," Zoro screams, and he's completely unsurprised to hear everyone else join in chorus.

"Ursus Shock."

Zoro is alive.

Zoro is alive and he's awake.

Footsteps.

Lucy.

The bear man raises his paw to her, covered in bandages from her armpits down, and wearing nothing but her shorts because her orange top didn't survive the disfigurement ingesting the shadows caused.

Zoro can barely see, but he runs toward Kuma and Lucy anyway.

You won't touch her.

"Shishi Sonson."

He lands behind the Shichibukai, breathing hard.

Everything hurts. He's so, so tired. He can barely grip his sword.

He lands in an informal pose—Sensei would disprove—but he lands balanced, and hopefully he's taken the bastard's arm off.

But then he hears a sound, like the whir of a pully spun too fast.

Kuma's arm is stitching itself together.

"Dammit…" he pants. "You're a cyborg, like Franky."

Red light gathers in the Shichibukai's mouth as he turns toward Zoro, and he knows he cannot be hit by that.

Kuma fires, and Zoro dodges under the beam, light a gash before his eyes, but when it hits the rock behind him the shockwave sends him flying, up and over and out of control. His head is so close to the thick beam of destruction his shirt singes, and he lands head-first in a slab of concrete. Aching, he tries to get up to his elbows, desperate to stand.

"I am a Pacifista. An incomplete human weapon, created by the World Government."

The World Government. The same people that took Robin, that Lucy declared war on.

Is that what this is about? Enies Lobby?

But…no, that didn't make sense. They'd want to make a show about that, executing the person who so openly defied them. And the papers didn't include the details—Nami even theorized that they didn't know about the flag, since everyone who saw was killed by either a Straw Hat or the Buster Call.

No…this is something else.

"You're not made of steel," Zoro hedges, fighting for breath, fighting to even move his legs. Just a guess, but he's pretty sure steel would melt under a power like that beam. Also, he can cut steel.

"I was created by Dr. Vegapunk. He's a genius working for the Marines. We would be at a disadvantage without him."

Zoro almost wants to laugh. What is with overpowered assholes trying to claim they're the underdogs?

But the truth is, he's in a bad way here. No one else is awake, and even if they were, everyone's injured. Zoro can barely move. The only thing keeping him going is the horrifying idea of Lucy being killed while unconscious, not even knowing she's in danger.

There're so few times Lucy needs Zoro to protect her. She's so strong on her own she rarely struggles with any physical obstacle before her. Zoro protects her emotions, sure, and the rest of the crew so she doesn't have to worry, but she's never needed him to win a fight for her. And yeah, occasionally it feels a little emasculating considering his less-than-platonic feelings for her, like on Jaya, but only when he wants to hurt people for hurting her. Her strength doesn't make him feel inferior—it awes him.

Lucy's never been in the line of fire like this though, unable to protect herself, and depending on Zoro and only Zoro to keep her alive.

"Why must you take Lucy's head?" He asks. If there's one thing Nami and Usopp have taught him, it's that sometimes problems that can't be solved with a blade can be solved with his head.

"I have given you my best offer," the bear says lowly, like he is disappointed in their refusal.

But that's bullshit, because it wasn't an offer at all.

None of them, not a single one, would ever dream of betraying Lucy like that. Lucy, who would give anything up for any of them, who claimed them so strongly that she carved a place for herself in each of their hearts. The Straw Hats could no more betray her than they could betray themselves. Kuma's choice was no choice at all.

And even less so for Zoro, because…

What would you give up for her, I wonder? Ace asked him all those weeks ago, on a cold night in Alabasta's desert.

More than I should, he said then.

Everything, anything, he'd answer now.

There's nothing Zoro wouldn't give for her. His mind, his body, his soul—if Lucy lives, he gladly gives it all.

He'd give her even his dream.

I'm sorry, Kuina. My name will not reach heaven after all.

"I understand," he pants. He can barely keep his eyes open, and he's straining for consciousness, but he prostrates himself with as much dignity as he can. "But if you must take a head…let it be mine."

…but I swear to you, hers will. We can watch her do it together. Then you'll understand why I let our dream go for hers.

"I'm not worth as much as her yet," he acknowledges, "but I swear, if you don't kill me here, I will be the World's Greatest Swordsman, one day. And you will regret your choice then."

You'll like her, Kuina.

"Even with such ambition, you would sacrifice yourself for her?"

"I can't call myself a man if I do any differently. I couldn't look anyone in the eye, and certainly wouldn't call myself the World's Greatest if I can't even protect my captain." Zoro looks up, feeling fire burn from somewhere deep in his chest, and he thinks this is faith. "Lucy…will be Pirate King!"

And if the world doesn't know it now, they will, one day. So long as she makes it through this day, and the one after that.

Kuma's face is inscrutable. "Is it love or loyalty that pushes you so far?"

"Oh both, definitely," a new voice answers, and Zoro's stomach swoops unpleasantly when he sees Sanji limp, as dignified as he possibly can on a broken leg, to him and Kuma. "But can you blame the poor bastard? Lucy-san is a remarkable woman." Sanji turns his glare on Zoro. "Asshole. What'll happen to your ambition if you die, hmm?"

"You idiot," Zoro groans. He's barely conscious, he can't have a fight with Sanji now.

The cook doesn't seem to give a shit, and takes a stance right in front of him, between Kuma and the swordsman. "And what do you think Lucy will feel if she finds out you died for her? You, of all people?" Sanji shakes his head, almost chiding. "I can't let you go around making ladies cry, you brutish swordsman." Sanji turns his attention to Kuma. "Ignore the Moss Head. He's a fool for Lucy. Take me instead, you hear?"

"You idiot," Zoro growls.

"I know the Marines are still taking me lightly," Sanji starts, and he's shaking so badly Zoro doesn't know how he's keeping his voice steady, let alone standing. A bone is protruding from his left leg. "But one day I'll have the highest bounty on the crew!"

Kuma says nothing. Zoro's not even sure he blinks.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Sanji goads. "Take my life. The ladies will still cry, but Lucy-san will be inconsolable if you take the idiot swordsman."

No response.

Sanji is clearly losing patience and strength. "Oi," he says, and the cook doesn't look at him, but Zoro can tell from the tone alone that this isn't for Kuma. "Say goodbye to everyone for me. Make sure you tell everyone I'm sorry to put them out. You'll need to find a new cook—"

Zoro can't take it anymore, and with a final surge of adrenaline he leaps to his feet and slams Shusui's hilt into Sanji's side.

As if he'd tell them goodbye for the cook. How dare Sanji try and push that on him? How dare Sanji think so little of him? Like Zoro would ever be able to look at any of them, knowing he let Sanji die for him. As if he'd ever do so in the first place.

Sanji jerks, wheezes, and Zoro realizes he broke a rib somewhere down the line. "Bastard," he growls, gripping Zoro's shoulder. But the swordsman stands undaunted, and Sanji's grip is weak and weaker by the second as it slowly sips off, until he falls, strength abandoning him, to the concrete below.

Zoro says nothing and stands before Kuma, unsteady.

He can't move. He probably can't even sit without passing out right now.

He removes Kitetsu and Wado Ichimonji from his hamarki, and tosses all three swords to the concrete before him. "That's my last request," he promises.

I won't fight. I have no plans to. It's not a trick.

Kuma stares at him for another immeasurable second, and then finally, sighs.

"My honor would be stained if I took Straw Hat's life now."

There's relief, but Zoro does not give in to it. "I'm in your debt."

Kuma turns to Lucy, and pauses with his massive hands over her. "I will not harm her."

That's good, because Zoro can't stop him anyway.

Kuma picks Lucy up, snatching her by the waist. She's limp in his hands, like a ragdoll, and Kuma holds her carefully, respectfully.

"In exchange for my leniency, however, I will make you suffer."

That's fine. Zoro practically expected that.

Then Kuma presses his paw to Lucy's chest and he involuntarily wobbles forward a step, indignant.

But then…it's not sexual. Kuma's not groping Lucy. He's not hurting her either. He's—

A large, paw-shaped bubble billows out of Lucy's back. It's dark red, translucent, the size of a building.

Kuma sets Lucy down gently on a clean slab of concrete. "I have expelled from her body all pain and fatigue. In this is all the damage caused in her fight with Moria. If you wish to die for this girl, you'll have to take it on yourself, and share her suffering." Kuma straightens, looks at Zoro. "With your injuries, it will mean certain death. And it will be agony." Kuma swipes a finger through the bubble, and a tiny circle of Lucy's pain floats toward him. "Have a taste."

The blob gets closer and closer, and even weary as he is, his instincts tell him to dodge, not to touch it.

Zoro doesn't move, and the little circle floats into his chest, right over his heart.

Pain.

Pain like he's never felt, shooting through every joint, every muscle every ligament. His body seizes with it, jerks and spasms as he's set on fire, sent through hell, and he screams.

It goes on, and on, immeasurable, until he finds himself face-down on concrete, unable to feel much of anything at all.

Lucy…what did you do?

This is Lucy's pain. This is Lucy's suffering. This is the blood she stains her knuckles with and the steam that pours off her skin. Chopper was right to be worried about those techniques, it seems. Gear Second and Gear Third take an incredible toll on her.

His instincts won't let him show his back to the enemy, and he rolls over.

"Well?" Kuma asks.

Is…is this supposed to be a punishment? This pain? This is only pain. Zoro will take it gladly, because it's Lucy's, and while Zoro can handle it, and Lucy probably could as well, Zoro would rather die than let it return to her, and today is the day he lives up to that sentiment.

Perhaps Kuma knows this. Perhaps he is kind, and giving him one last gift to give to Lucy out of respect. He takes her pain and gives her his life.

But again…this is only pain. And yes, it hurts, and Zoro may end up insensate after this, but…

Perhaps Kuma knows this. Perhaps he is a sadist who prefers to kill in the cruelest, most malicious way possible—by giving him hope at the last moment, only to snuff it out.

This was never a choice. This was—fate.

He makes a fist. "Just…let me pick the location."

Kuma nods, and waits for him to struggle to his feet and set off.

They don't make it very far. Zoro is wobbling, unsteady, and the ground is uneven. But it's far enough away that he won't wake anyone with his screams.

The bubble of pain follows Zoro, and when he can't walk any farther, he stops.

"Here's fine," He tells the Shichibukai.

Kuma lumbers away. "Goodbye, Roronoa Zoro."

Zoro says nothing. He's already given the man his thanks.

Zoro waits until the lumbering steps have faded, and then turns to the bubble of Lucy's pain.

I don't want to die, he thinks.

And it's true, he doesn't. He wants to go gather his nakama, hold Lucy until she wakes up and maybe for a while after, take everyone out to the Sunny and celebrate a job well done, two Shichibukai down and five to hopefully avoid until they're stronger, have a bottle of sake and have a fight with the cook and listen to Franky try and fail to flirt with Robin, who will enjoy it but say nothing to indicate she recognizes his interest. Then he'll sleep on the lawn deck under the stars, because they're beautiful down here on the Grand Line, beautiful, especially when Lucy's with him and her dark eyes are sparkling and the moon turns her tanned skin pale, and she looks like one of those creatures from the stories Kuina pretended she didn't like—a nymph or a siren, bent on stealing men's hearts. Maybe that's only to Zoro, maybe she's only after Zoro's heart, and maybe she claimed it already a long time ago, but Zoro's only starting to figure it out now and he wants to stay and keep learning what it means to care for this girl the way he does.

He wants all that, wants it desperately. But he wants nothing more than he wants Lucy to live, for everyone on the crew to live, go on, pursue their dreams at any cost and with their lives at stake. Sure, his honor is on the line—he couldn't have done any less than offer his life for Lucy's and still lived with himself—but what he thinks about now is his friends, the dreams they hold so dear, and their relentless pursuit of them. And he gladly dies for that.

But maybe not.

Kuma insisted that this would kill him, and maybe it will. Maybe Lucy's suffering is too much for anyone but Lucy to bear. But it's pain. Only pain. And surely pain is not itself death?

Either way, Zoro doesn't care. Zoro can't call himself her first mate—her nakama, even, let alone anything else—if he's not willing to lift the burden. He'd do this if her life wasn't on the line.

And he'll bear it, so he can do it again tomorrow.

Zoro shoves his hands into the orb of pain, and thinks tomorrow.

He screams. He screams until his throat runs raw and then he screams until it's bloody, until air scrapes past torn vocal chords that vibrate uselessly in his windpipe. He quakes, body jerking with each blast of new pain that slams against him, through him, which blows out joints and makes him twist in agony.

Blood spurts from his old wounds and new wounds as they inflict themselves upon him, they paint the rock and earth around him dark red, and he loses track of what he's seeing, feeling, sensing at all. He thinks he bites his tongue but he can't be sure, isn't able to discern one injury from the infinite number that he's accrued.

At a certain point he can't even feel the new blows, it's just pain blossoming sharp and heavy across every nerve ending, firing through every synapse and lighting up his brain with an unnatural precision and focus.

I swear, I will never lose again! Is that okay with you, Pirate King?

That's right. He can't lose. He promised not to.

And if he can win here, just win against pain, then he can continue on tomorrow.

The pain is relentless though, endless, and Zoro isn't sure if he's even conscious or not. Zoro really needs to live through this, if for no reason other than to tell Lucy to stop pushing herself this hard, or at least backing her up more frequently so she doesn't have to. This is—unendurable, for anyone who is not strong-hearted, who does not have a purpose and people to protect.

Oh.

Oh.

This isn't Lucy's pain. This is Lucy's strength.

This is every blow she fired in their defense, every bruise she took to contain the beast that wished to slaughter them. This is her protection, her love for her crew, and if he can't bear it for her now then he's been deluding himself without realizing it for a long time. Lucy deserves someone who can stand by her side, and if Zoro can't be that then Zoro doesn't deserve the job.

Miraculously, he still stands. And even though he knows it's unlikely he'll ever take another breath once this is over, he thinks if he falls that will be the end. He'll lose, and pain will consume him until there's nothing left.

So he stands for uncountable seconds, in immeasurable pain, and fights to keep his feet as blood spills from his mouth and ears and as he loses the ability to see because his brain begs him to simply black out, give up, end it already.

But Zoro is resolute, and stands with his back as straight as possible and endures.

He doesn't even realize it's over until Sanji comes running, can feel no difference in the agony. Every shallow breath hurts, feels like a newly broken rib.

"What's with all that blood?" Sanji asks frantically, and when he gets no response, "Hey, are you alive? What happened here?"

Only pain, Zoro thinks. It was only pain. And I survived it.

"No—" He can't breathe. Can't speak past his ripped vocal chords. Can't move muscles he doesn't remember clenching. "Nothing at all."

Sanji reaches for him, pulls him down toward the earth, and Zoro lets him, though it's agony.

"I'll go get Chopper," Sanji promises, and starts to run off, but Zoro coughs and he waits.

"L—Lu—" There is no guarantee Kuma kept his word.

"She's fine, you love-struck fool."

Hypocrite, he thinks. Like you didn't try to do the same.

But the relief is too great, relaxes him too much, and Zoro finally, blessedly, fades into numb black darkness.

Well. That was a thing.

I have a head canon that the only reason Luffy knows how to read at all is because Sabo taught him and Ace what he could. Being a noble and the incredibly intelligent, resourceful brat that he is, I'd say the most he ever learned was like, middle school level, which means Luffy probably stopped learning at a late elementary level, tops. It's not that Luffy is illiterate, it's just that he's not very good at it. And I adore the idea of Robin teaching him how to read. I applied the same idea here.

I never understood why people think Zoro's knocking Sanji out before Kuma was some kind of comment on Zoro's sense of self-worth. Zoro didn't let Sanji take his place because Zoro's not the type of man who would allow that. Ever. He's too proud and too honorable. He didn't knock Sanji out because the crew needs Sanji more, or whatever people seem to think, he knocks Sanji out because he would never let someone do for him what Zoro was doing for Luffy. He just wouldn't. He's a noble jackass.