Perona: Sorry for texting so late. This time difference is an adjustment.

Me: It's no problem really. I haven't slept.

Perona: Thank you for being there. I know he'll appreciate it. How was he today?

Me: The doctor says he's doing well. They've been keeping him pretty heavily medicated.

Perona: That's good news. I'll update Mihawk.

Perona: Still getting released tomorrow?

Me: Yes. I'm terrified but he'll be more comfortable I'm sure.

Perona: It'll be fine F/N. He's lucky to have you. I've got to get to work so I'll let you get to sleep. Please text me day or night if anything happens.

Me: Will do.

You slipped your phone into your pocket and settled into the lounger provided by the hospital. Zoro had been asleep for most of the last 24 hours. You spoke to him occasionally getting a grunt in response. At some point during the day he'd woken up and tugged at the bandage on his face. The nurses had to restrain him until he was given a sedative.

You sat watching him in the dark room, anxieties amplified with each ping of the heart monitor. It was almost 2AM and you'd had a collective two hours of sleep. You yawned laying the pillow they'd given you on the bed against his thigh. Crossing your arms, you leaned forward settling to hopefully sleep.

_______________

Fingers gently combed through your tresses bringing you back to consciousness. You stretched as the heart monitor caught your ears reminding you where you were. The room was still dark.

"F/N." It was almost painful to hear Zoro's voice so weak.

You turned toward him as his hand lazily dropped from you hair down to the mattress.

"Hey Mossy." You tried to sound cheerful sitting up and cracking your back, "You want me to call the nurse?"

He grumbled scowling at the noisy machine next to him.

"Zoro." You said drawing his attention, "Are you hurting? Do you want the nurse?"

He slowly shook his head closing his eye. A few moments later he was lightly snoring. For a moment, you wished you had a morphine drip. You picked up your phone and sat back in the lounge chair.

6AM.

The nurses would be in soon to poke and prod. He'd done well enough in the last day that they agreed to discharge him at noon. You hoped some of the meds would wear off because there was no you'd be able to lug the monstrous man home on your own.

Me: Hey. Sorry to bug you so early. I don't want to forget.

Me: Can you guys keep Madara for a couple more days? Zoro is getting released today and I don't want to fend off 100lbs of dog.

Marco: No problem. Luffy and Ace will keep him entertained.

Me: Thanks. You guys are gods among men.

Marco: Well me yeah lol.

Marco: let me know if you need anything else.

Like clockwork the morning shift nurses lightly knocked before entering. Two petite women, both greeted you with warm smiles.

"We're just going to have you step out for about twenty minutes while we check his vitals and prep him for discharge." The older nurse helped you to your feet.

"When you return we'll show you how to clean a dress the wound." Added the younger.

You nodded stepping out to drag yourself to the cafeteria.

After a cup of terrible coffee and a few bites to eat you wandered back to the hospital room. The nurses began to talk you through the process of cleaning his stitches and positioning the bandage as to not irritate the sensitive skin in his face. You still weren't prepared when they removed the gauze and tape revealing the enormous gash to you for the first time. It started just above his brow going straight down to almost the middle of his cheek. You winced remembering Joni explaining how the blade was lodged in the bone.

The older nurse shuffled you closer. Zoro was awake but not responsive as his medication was slowly wearing off.

"It's alright dear." She patted your shoulder and handed you a cotton swab doused with antiseptic.

Cupping his right cheek, you gently dabbed the cut being sure to apply just enough pressure to remove any blood that may have seeped through the stitches. Zoro's good eye slowly opened as the cold damp swab brushed against his flesh. His brow knit as he reached for your wrist. You dropped the swab in the nearest bin and caught his hand before he could jerk you away. He was clearly irritated by the antiseptic.

"Shh Mossface. I'm helping I promise. You just have to be still for a few more minutes." You ran your right hand through his hair.

He tipped his head back into your hand like a cat, seeming to appreciate the gesture.

"Such a cute couple." The younger female cooed to her elder.

You blushed not bothering to say he was merely your roommate. His grip loosened on your hand as he relaxed back into the pillows. The older nurse handed you a new cotton swab this time covered in ointment. Zoro winced but didn't object allowing you to finish and tape a fresh bandage over his eye.

"We'll be back in a couple of hours with his prescriptions and to help get him changed." The younger nurse palmed your shoulder.

You slouched back into the lounger rubbing your eyes as they made their exit. Zoro clenched his fists and let out a muffled groan.

"The good stuffs wearing off huh?" You leaned forward while he nodded and rode out the wave of pain, "They're going to give you some medicine in a little while and then we'll go home."

He stayed quiet too bothered by pain to speak.

__________________

The same male nurse from two days ago helped you get Zoro loaded into the front seat. You started the car, taking a deep breath as you shifted into gear. Zoro slumped quietly against the seat on a fresh high from the recent dose of pain medication. He still hadn't said a word since muttering your name early in the morning. You drove carefully down back roads hoping not to jostle the resting male. Thank the gods you live on the first floor.

After an agonizingly slow drive you finally pulled into your complex. Zoro reached for the handle. You quickly locked the doors.

"I'll help you. Just wait." You unbuckled.

"You can't." He hoarsed, "I got it."

"No, you don't. Just be still." He let go of the handle wincing as he tried to scowl at you.

You hopped out and unlocked the passenger side door. Impatiently he yanked the handle from the inside knocking you back with the door. Luckily, he'd forgotten he was restrained by the seat belt.

"Zoro." You groaned sternly.

He glanced at you, an annoyed grimace plastered on his face. You huffed and reached across his lap unbuckling the belt. He lurched forward trying to heave himself out of the car. You slipped under his left arm tugging him into your hip. He was so much taller and heavier than you it was hard to take coordinated steps. Finally, you reached the door and unlocked it. Zoro had steadied himself and entered on his own, of course with you following very closely. He flopped down on the sofa.

"Are you hungry?" You asked after returning from your second trip out to the car to retrieve your purse and overnight bag.

"No." He muttered still lying on the sofa.

You crossed the room and began untying and removing his boots. He crossed his arms and huffed as you spread a blanket over him.

"I'll just let you get some rest then. Call me if you need something." You turned planning to head to your room for a much-needed snooze.

He gently caught your fingers and squeezed. You froze for a moment waiting for him to say something. He rubbed his thumb over the scar on your knuckles.

"Here." He almost whispered.

"What?"

"Just stay here." He mustered up a little more volume.

"I wanna sleep too." You whined, fatigue settling in now that your body knew you were home.

He grunted and tugged you down to the sliver of space at his side.

"You can sleep." His arms wrapped around your torso pulling you into his chest.

"Not comfortably." You chuckled trying to sit back up.

He frowned struggling to keep his eye open.

"So needy." You joked rising to your feet, "C'mon."

You uncovered him and held out your hand. He grumbled and winced struggling to stand. Once he was up you wrapped your arm around his waist and shuffled to your room.

"You just can't sleep on your left side." You said helping him lower himself.

You pulled the duvet back and covered him as he settled back into your pillows.

It was kind of unreal tucking Zoro into your bed after what happened the week before. You closed the curtains and finally crawled under the covers not bothering to take off your leggings or bra.

"Wake me up if you need something." You instructed turning to face him.

He watched you burrow into the blankets until you found the perfect spot. Slowly he inched toward you slipping into your personal space and resting his head on your left arm which was stretched out at an angle.

"Too good for my pillows Mossy?"

He smirked coiling his left arm around your waist and pulling himself into the crook of your neck. Your heart galloped in place. His warm soft lips grazed your jaw line as he carefully nuzzled into you. You wrapped your right arm around his shoulders cocooning him in your warmth while you gently snuggled into his green locks. A pleased hum rumbled through his chest as he held you impossibly close. His hands roamed up your back leaving trails of tingling warmth behind. You hooked your right leg over his hip as he kissed and nipped along your collar bone. A soft sigh escaped your lips.

"You need to sleep."

If he hadn't been bandaged up you would have questioned reality. You tried not to think too deeply about the cognition of his actions. Perhaps these were genuine feelings that bubbled up when he wasn't mentally strong enough to block them. Or perhaps anyone would do. You liked to believe in the former.

He planted a few more soft kisses on your chest before he spoke, very quietly, almost so soft that you weren't quite sure he'd said anything at all.

"Thank you."