~ Late bday fic for Zoro, implied ZoSan so it's going with the collection ~
He was... twenty-three? Or maybe that was how many bottles he had gone through. Zoro didn't get drunk, but enough alcohol could make him a teeny bit fuzzy. The same amount that normally caused hardened sailors to pass out for the next twenty-four hours.
He sighed. Twenty-three or twenty-four? He blinked up at the night sky. Didn't really matter did it? Age was just one of those things.
Usopp had purposely let it slip to the Heart Pirates what today was. Which was fine. A nice dinner and good cheer, plenty of booze...
It wasn't the same of course, they all knew, but with the Straw Hat crew split up as it was, this was the best he was going to get. And it was ok. They didn't have to. It wouldn't have mattered to him either way.
Law seemed mildly put off by the sudden celebration, claiming Luffy would just throw one the first chance he got once the crew was back together. And he was right. However, he said nothing more on the matter, and congratulated Zoro on another year survived.
His word choice was odd, but Zoro understood and appreciated it. He had survived this long when he could've died so many times, especially since meeting Luffy.
He snorted back a laugh. If Luffy hadn't been there, he would've died. Instead, he's only nearly died in ways he never imagined. But he was stronger for it.
So yeah, another year survived...
"Roronoa?"
"Hm?" Zoro turned his head to Law.
"We'll be diving soon. Come on." He beckoned for Zoro to stand up.
"Kay," Zoro gathered the few bottles he had brought out with him and staggered his way inside. After disposing of the empty bottles, Zoro made his way to his borrowed cot with Law guidance.
"I've got it." He grumbled.
"I lost count of how many times you tried to turn into a wall." Law sighed. "I was under the general impression you couldn't get drunk."
"I'm not." Zoro placed his swords by the bed and kicked out of his boots. "Do you think they're ok?" He asked before Law could turn and leave.
The doctor looked at him curiously. "Are you doubting their abilities?"
"No." Zoro answered, annoyed by Law's suggestion. "Just wondering if they've got the cook back yet." He sprawled himself out on the bed.
"I can't say if they're ok at the moment," Law began, choosing to answer the first question. "Knowing Luffy, he's probably started a few fights by now. But Tony is with them." Zoro nodded. "I'm sure he'll get with Sanji as soon as he can and sort it all out... somehow." Zoro was silent. "And they'll meet us at Wano as planned." Law left out Luffy's inability to follows most plans, it wasn't important right now, and Luffy knew how to make a situation work to his favor. "Goodnight, Roronoa." Law left the swordsman to fall asleep.
Zoro closed his eye to the darkness of the room. Luffy knew what he was doing... The stupid cook would be back... He sighed. It would be ok. He couldn't waste time and energy worrying...
Zoro fell asleep and dreamed of a sea floor that sparkled crystal blue and smelled of fine spices while a tiger and fox danced among the jeweled sea shells and waves of adventure.