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The ale tastes different here, Zoro notes as he takes a large gulp from the tankard that’s been handed to him. It tastes stronger, more sour than he is used to but it’s not bad for cheap alcohol. The innkeeper bragged about how they brew their own stuff from the berries they grow in the surrounding area, and how their meat from their livestock is so much fresher than the meat in the big cities.
Zoro doesn’t necessarily agree that it’s >the finest food and drink money can buy< but it fills the belly and soothes his aching throat so he has no reason to complain. After weeks of traveling the road by foot, it’s nice to get a fully cooked meal for once, and he already has a slight buzz going.
The innkeeper comes over to his table and refills his tankard without Zoro needing to ask. He’s friendly enough and nods politely when Zoro thanks him but it’s clear that he keeps an eye on Zoro, making sure that he doesn’t cause any trouble.
There are not many travelers passing through this village, and with his green hair and his swords, he’s sticking out like a sore thumb.
He’s not the only one enjoying a drink in the tavern right now. Most of the townsfolk have come gathering here to celebrate another day’s work, and to socialize and gossip after dark. They all avoid Zoro’s table but they throw wary and sometimes curious glances his way.
The swordsman, while keeping his guard up, isn’t particularly paying attention to the conversations flowing around him, and he enjoys the solitude despite the fact he’s seen a lot of it during the past weeks’ travel. He doesn’t mind it, it’s peaceful.
He could probably stay here for a day or two, drink himself senseless, and continue his journey once the hangover has subsided. Currently, he’s not on a job, and he still has some coin in his pocket from the last contract he completed. It should keep him going for a while.
“I’m telling you, it’s not a wolf!” The agitated voice of one of the farmers is catching his attention after all and he shifts his gaze to the rather frail man. He stands up and slams his hands on the table as if to enforce his point. “I know the marks wolves leave. The creature must be bigger. You should have seen the tears in the ground. Claw marks as big as my arm!”
Conversation all around suddenly dies down and everyone in the room is listening.
“Whatever it is, it must be intelligent too,” another farmer throws in. “It broke into my shed without leaving much of a trace.”
“That could have been anyone. Probably Michael and Hoichael causing trouble again,” another voice pipes in but is quickly shot down again.
“My cows are terrified and won’t give milk. Something scared them, I know it.”
Zoro takes another swig of his drink. He’s heard these things before and it might be nothing but in his experience, it usually is something. Just when he started to enjoy the thought of a few relaxing days.
“It’s a dragon.”
All eyes are drawn to the man at the bar who’s wiping down his crossbow with a piece of cloth. His size is impressive, both in height and muscle mass, and he too keeps weapons on his body. From his set of equipment, Zoro guesses he’s the local huntsman, but he’s more intrigued with the statement than with the person.
“How do you know?”
The man looks up in surprise at the question, and when their eyes meet, Zoro can see him hesitate and frown. Reluctantly, the hunter replies, “I saw it. Somethin` passed over the woods at night, much larger than any bird I know. Heard its leathery wings flap and found its footprints in the morning. ‘s no ordinary beast. Been huntin’ it for the past three days but it triggers my traps without bein’ caught in it. It’s smart, alright.”
It doesn’t sound like any usual bird of prey, that much Zoro agrees with but he still decides to press the matter. “There’s lots of beasts that can fly. Dragons are rare and rarely stealthy. They make themselves known.”
The hunter grimaces and scoffs. “You don’t believe me? Look at this, then.” He takes out something small and tosses it to Zoro.
The swordsman catches it easily but his eyes widen when he realizes what he’s holding. It’s a vibrant blue scale the size of a leaf. Its edges are sharp enough to cut into his finger when he runs his thumb across and it's as hard as rock. There's no mistake, the scale is real.
"I'll be damned..." Zoro mutters under his breath, then looks up to the hunter and hands the evidence back. "You're right. It's a dragon."
The hunter shakes his head. "Keep it. Might serve you more than it did me, Roronoa Zoro. 'Tis a beast I'm not equipped to handle."
Murmurs go around the room and people start whispering and exchanging glances. Even out here in the small village, his name seems to ring some bells, and Zoro bites back a groan. This was supposed to be his vacation but it doesn't look like he'll be doing much drinking after all. "I'm not on a job right now," Zoro mutters as if it would change anything.
"But you're the famous Monster Hunter," one of the farmers exclaims, just in case there was anyone in the room still wondering. "You have to help us, please! You've fought dragons before, right?"
He hasn't. He's never even seen one so despite his annoyance that his plans have been interrupted, he can't sit around here and let this opportunity pass by him. Fighting a dragon sounds like a challenge that is too tempting to resist.
He empties his tankard and slams it down on the table, then he raises to his feet, a hand resting on the hilts of his swords. "I'll deal with this."
After spending three nights in the woods around the village, one thing Zoro is absolutely certain of is that the dragon is playing him. He isn't sure how the beast does it but whenever Zoro catches its trail and follows it far enough to find the creature's den, it's already gone and seeking shelter elsewhere.
It's a game of cat and mouse, and after three days of searching the woods and circling back around to the village multiple times, Zoro isn't sure anymore who's the cat and who's the mouse. It drives the swordsman insane because even though sometimes it feels like roads are moving and landscapes are changing by themselves, Zoro's never been lost when it comes to hunting his prey. He always knows how to follow the tracks and read the signs but this dragon is deliberately leaving false trails to throw the hunter off.
Despite this whole charade, Zoro keeps finding its marks around the village. He's not quite sure why the dragon stays this close to it. It's not hunting the livestock there, it's not hunting the people either. No one's getting hurt. It's not here for food and it knows it's dangerous here but still, it doesn't leave. For the intelligent creature that it shows to be, it doesn't make a lot of sense.
The sun is setting on his fourth day in the woods and Zoro debates whether to continue his search or try again tomorrow. He didn't pick the trail back up again today, and it's going to be harder to find in the dark, even though it grants him more cover. Daylight also means he might catch the dragon resting since it's been active during the nights more often.
Just when he's about to turn around and retreat to the village for today, he can hear a rustling and a noise that sounds like a whine from some kind of animal.
Zoro crouches low when he starts heading toward the noise. He moves almost soundlessly when he passes through the underbrush, he has experience in sneaking up on his prey although he prefers a more head-on approach. Usually, the creatures he hunts are not as elusive though. Aggressive and angry describes them better.
It doesn't take him long to find the source of the noise but when he spots the creature at the foot of a cliff, partially hidden by some bushes, Zoro can't help but pause and stare.
Despite standing upright, the creature that he sees is not quite human. The first thing that catches his eyes are the beautiful dark scales that reflect the spare evening sunlight still falling through the treetops of the forest. He's never seen so many shades of blue at once and they shimmer and glint like jewels, fitting together like the chainlinks of an armor.
The scales trail from the back of its hand all the way up to its shoulders and neck. They grow lighter in shade, smaller and fewer in numbers when Zoro’s gaze travels over the chest. Most of it is bare, human skin until the scales begin again, forming some kind of happy trail to where some short, ragged pants sit on its hips.
Zoro’s head snaps back up to the face of the creature. It looks human enough. The scales transition into light skin at the jawline with the stubble of a beard forming at the chin, except there are two large, golden horns sprouting between the strands of blond hair, curling behind the ears that span wide and thin like the fin of a fish.
But most startling are its eyes. Zoro has no words that could describe the deep blue sea that seems to open up in front of him while looking at those eyes. He feels a rush, a wave from deep within his chest that hammers against his ribcage and threatens to drown him. It almost feels like it's always been there, waiting, building up, just to be unleashed the moment he laid eyes on the dragon.
Then he remembers how to breathe, and the noise of the sharp inhale startles the creature. Its head whips around and it stares at Zoro, letting out a low, warning growl.
Just for a moment, the growl stops and Zoro watches the beast's pupils dilate as it looks at him, or rather through him. As if it could gaze straight into his heart and his entire being.
The moment is gone and Zoro shakes his head to get rid of the lingering sensation at the same time as the dragon resumes its snarling and its tail whips back and forth showing its agitation. It doesn't move, though. It doesn't attack or run away and soon Zoro spots the reason why.
Its large leathery wings that sprout from its back are tangled up in some kind of net fixed between the trees and the stronger it pulls on the rope, the deeper it digs into its skin. It must have gotten careless and missed one of the traps that the hunter from the village laid out. It looks like it tried to free itself by clawing at the ropes but it couldn't turn enough without making the injuries worse. It's stuck.
Zoro slowly shakes his head and mutters to himself, "I've been hunting you for days and just like this, it's dumb luck that has me stumbling over you."
The dragon still watches his every move intently and it shows its sharp fangs in intimidation. Maybe it hopes to scare him away but Zoro doesn't move while he evaluates the situation. Now that he sees the dragon with his own eyes, he needs to figure out what to do with it.
The hunter from the village asked him to kill the beast, but now that he is getting a good look at it and considering what he knows about the creature, he's not quite sure that he's dealing with a monster.
The swordsman knows monsters. He hunts them because he knows they will kill anything and anyone, given the chance. Monsters like Basilisks and Banshees and Werewolves. While some of them look human and some of them look like animals, those creatures are neither. They aren't part of the natural circle of life, because they thrive on destruction and bloodshed. Not unlike some humans, Zoro has to admit but those are also a type of monster he's used to dealing with.
This is different. The dragon didn't harm anyone up until now and it didn't threaten anyone either if you don't count the cows. Looking at it now it seems defensive rather than aggressive, and it tugs at its wings impatiently and nervously, even though the movement is clearly hurting.
Zoro grinds his teeth while staring at the creature. He already decided on what to do but he isn't quite ready to put it into action yet. "This is the stupidest thing I've ever done." He curses and shakes his head. "I'm gonna regret this."
Slowly, Zoro moves closer to the humanoid beast. He's careful not to look into its eyes directly and he slightly hunches low to make himself smaller and less of a threat. For a split second, he considers leaving his swords behind but he's not completely insane. He trusts his gut in this case but he's not going to push it.
The dragon watches him carefully and the growling grows louder the closer Zoro gets. "It's okay," Zoro says in as much of a soft and reassuring voice as he can muster. "I'm not going to harm you. I just want to get rid of the trap, okay?"
He's pretty sure that the dragon can't understand a word he's saying from the way it tilts its head and doesn't answer but it might pick up on the tone which is probably more important anyway. The growling slowly quiets down again until it stops completely and for a moment, Zoro is surprised that it even worked. It's still watching him but it doesn't look like it's going to bite his head off or scratch his eyes out when he's close enough.
Zoro comes to a halt right next to it and he realizes the blond is just as tall as him if you take the wings out of the equation. As close as he is right now, he can see the weirdly curled eyebrows pulled together in a frown while the creature sizes him up.
When Zoro raises his hand and attempts to touch the wings, the dragon flinches away and huffs out a puff of smoke from its nose in warning.
"I don't want to hurt you but if I am to free you, I need to get closer," Zoro explains again. The dragon's eyes flicker from Zoro to its wings, then it tilts its head again and waits. Zoro is not sure what that means exactly but he decides to risk it and grabs part of the net.
Carefully and in sight of the dragon, he pulls one of his swords from its sheath. The dragon's eyes widen and the wings twitch but it doesn't move beyond that, doesn't try to stop him.
When their eyes meet and Zoro stares into the depths of those blue eyes once more, he sees undeniable trust. Not necessarily in him, he thinks, but a form of trust that comes from being unshakably good and the belief that others can be good too.
Maybe he's imagining things, maybe the dragon is just very naive but whatever it is, there is no way Zoro could betray that trust.
Carefully, Zoro wedges the sword in between the wings and the net and starts cutting away at the ropes to untangle them from the wings. Some of it dug deep into the rather soft flesh but the membrane looks to be more or less intact. He can see that where the wing connects to the dragon's back, it's a little bit crooked, like a bone that snapped out of place, and it clearly hurts because the dragon hisses whenever Zoro accidentally jostles him in the attempt to get him free.
Thankfully, Zoro is very skilled with the blade and he manages to cut the last of the net without injuring the creature further. As the last of the ropes fall to the ground Zoro takes a few steps back, just in case but the dragon is busy inspecting his wings.
Slowly, he tries spreading them but instead, he winces and a pained whine escapes his lips, then a frustrated noise from the back of his throat. It's pretty clear that he can't fly with a sprained limb like this, and Zoro frowns when he realizes the dragon might have a hard time treating the injury himself. He can't reach his back and if the bone isn't set, it might never heal correctly.
It seems like the dragon comes to the same conclusion - or maybe Zoro gives him too much credit - but his gaze lands on the hunter once more. He frowns and clearly hesitates before he opens his mouth.
Zoro expects some form of growling or whining, more of the animalistic noises that he keeps making, but instead, Zoro hears the creature speak.
"Si rigluin dout letoclo. Si shilta ti tir nomeno ini sio."
The swordsman blinks, clearly taken aback by the use of unfamiliar words. There's a lot of gurgling and growling that doesn't quite match the vocal cords of a human being but they are undeniably words in another language. The dragon is definitely sentient and self-aware then, more so than Zoro gave him credit for.
"Sorry, I don't understand," Zoro replies, once he's gotten over his surprise at the unexpected turn of events. The dragon looks at him and cocks his head, the frown drawing deeper lines across his forehead. Zoro might not understand the words but the expression clearly signals that he is frustrated by the language barrier.
"Si rigluin dout letoclo." The blond repeats and he points to his wings, then to Zoro, and finally to his wings again. Is he asking for help?
Zoro rubs the back of his neck but then he shrugs. "Fine. As long as you play nice, I can set the bone. But it might hurt."
The dragon's blank stare reminds him that the language barrier goes both ways, apparently. So instead, Zoro sighs and just gives a thumbs up, hoping the gesture is somehow universal for dragonkin and humans.
The blond doesn't stop him when Zoro approaches the wings once more. He positions himself behind the dragon, stepping over the tail that keeps twitching back and forth, and carefully puts one arm around the twisted wing to get a tight enough grip. He doesn’t give the dragon much time to prepare before he uses his body as leverage to snap the wing back into place.
The dragon roars from deep within his chest and his claws are digging into the bark of the tree next to him, leaving deep gashes that prove to Zoro why it was a good idea to be careful around the dragon. Those claws would have no problem tearing into his flesh if they came close enough.
Knees go weak from the pain and Zoro is there to catch him by the arm and help him back up. The dragon grits his teeth and another puff of smoke rises from his nostrils. Hopefully, he isn’t about to spit fire because that would be uncomfortable for the both of them, most likely.
“You good?” Zoro asks and the answer he receives is a string of what sounds like colorful curses. He doesn't need to understand the language to realize that.
Zoro lets go of the blond, once it looks like he's steady enough to stand. He watches the dragon try and move his wings again and he's still wincing, it is still painful and sore but it isn't twisted any longer and he is able to move it around well enough that Zoro is sure it's going to heal just fine.
"Guess that's it, then," Zoro mutters to himself. No reason for him to stay out here any longer. The people of the village might have had different expectations on how this was going to go - just like Zoro if he's honest - but if the dragon is as clever as Zoro thinks he is, then he won't stick around and the villagers have to be none the wiser. They might not agree with the assessment that this creature is not a threat.
By now, the sun has gone down. The sky has grown darker by the minute and reveals a million tiny lights. The moon is bright enough that Zoro can still see well enough to watch the dragon turn back to him, and strangely, in the dark his scales seem to glow a bit brighter, almost iridescent. Zoro has a hard time looking away, he can't help but keep staring. He's not usually easy to impress but something about the dragon fascinates him enough that his curiosity is piqued.
What kind of dragon is he, really? Zoro has never heard of dragons that look like humans in the slightest, and he still wonders what the blond is even doing here? What is the language he speaks? Where is he from? Did he come here alone or are there more of his kind around?
The dragon is watching him intently, making no moves to try and leave like Zoro expected him to. Instead, when Zoro looks up at him once more, he can see the same curiosity in the other’s eyes.
“You should go,” Zoro says out loud, not sure if he’s addressing the dragon or himself. He makes a shooing motion with his hands that hopefully translates to dragon but the blond stays put and just tilts his head as if waiting for Zoro to do something.
The swordsman frowns and after a moment, he decides it doesn’t matter. Maybe the blond doesn’t want to risk Zoro following him, maybe he’s waiting for him to make the first move, so he does. He gives the dragon one last look, then turns around and starts following the trail back down toward the village, although he keeps a hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case the dragon decides to jump him from behind. Not likely, considering the blond didn’t seem particularly hostile but better safe than sorry.
The monster hunter resists the urge to throw a glance back over his shoulder to see if the dragon is still there. It doesn’t concern him, shouldn’t concern him. For some reason though, every step away feels heavier than it should, as if there is suddenly a weight he carries that tries to pull him back.
Zoro doesn’t find the path that leads to the village, it’s too dark to make out his surroundings, and after about an hour of travel by foot, he decides that it’s probably best to try again in the morning after the sun comes up and he has a better chance of orienting himself.
He sets up camp underneath a large oak tree, which in his case means settling down with his back against the oak tree and his cloak pulled up over his head. He’s used to sleeping outside and doesn’t mind the position much, especially since the night isn’t very chilly and the night sky is clear.
For some reason, sleep doesn’t come easy to him tonight. Whenever he closes his eyes, his mind provides him with images from his encounter tonight. He can see those deep blue eyes that remind Zoro of the one time he got to see the ocean, fierce and mysterious and endless, and even now when it’s just an image in his mind, it feels like he could drown in them.
There is an itch under his skin that comes with these pictures, something agitated and incomplete, as if a piece of himself is missing and he only recently realized it.
Part of him wonders if that was it. He’s met a creature so unique and so rare, he was close enough to feel the heat simmering underneath the scales when he touched the wings. He’s never going to have an experience like that ever again, and he’s not sure if he should have done something... more.
Eventually, he comes to rest although his head is still full with questions that follow him into his dreams. His sleep is restless just like he is and for the first time in a while, he is sore and tired when the morning light wakes him.
He groans and rubs his forehead, trying to shake off his sleepiness when another sound registers in his brain, some kind of snoring noise that has him on edge instantly. His head snaps up and he’s reaching for his swords, alarmed that he didn’t register it earlier, considering how he could usually trust his instinct to warn him whenever there was another presence closing in on him while he slept.
He’s met with the sight of the blue-scaled dragon curled up on the ground, the tail wrapped around his lower body and his head resting on his arm. The fin-like ears twitch every now and then but the snoring continues as he rests only a few feet away from the swordsman without a care in the world.
“What the...” Zoro blinks. Maybe he’s still dreaming because he sees no reason why the creature would have decided to follow him here and let his guard down like this. Considering how careful he was to avoid Zoro in the last three days, this is an unexpected development, to say the least.
Zoro contemplates the possibility that it is just a coincidence, and the dragon in his exhaustion didn’t realize that Zoro was here too. Maybe it would be best to leave the creature be and just try to find his way back to the village but what if the dragon ends up following him there?
Slowly, Zoro gets up from his spot on the ground, securing his swords on his belt before taking a few steps toward the blond and carefully nudging him with his boot. He needs some answers and there must be some way he can get them, even when their way of communication is limited.
He receives a sleepy groan in response and the dragon tries to push his boot away but doesn’t otherwise react alarmed at all, which kind of contradicts Zoro’s earlier assumption. Finally, the blond opens one of his eyes and shoots Zoro an irritated glare. He is definitely aware, then.
“What are you doing here?”
The dragon stares at him blankly but his eyes are expressive enough that Zoro feels like an idiot for even asking. He knows the other can’t understand him but Zoro doesn’t know what else to do. He doesn’t really have a plan here, he just knows he can’t leave again without doing something about this itch beneath his skin. He needs to know why he can't seem to push this encounter out of his mind.
Zoro kneels in front of the dragon which seems to prompt the blond into sitting up and meeting his gaze head-on. He says something, maybe a reply to Zoro but the swordsman can’t make out any familiar words. Still, for some reason, he feels like he’s just been insulted and it makes him frown.
"Hey, I am not the one stupid enough to follow a monster hunter around like a little duckling," he retorts, and the dragon huffs, raising his visible eyebrow and leaning forward into Zoro's space unexpectedly. The swordsman flinches back, surprised by the sudden proximity but the dragon follows his movement while studying Zoro's face closer.
"What?" Zoro stares back at the blond, unsure what to do. He doesn't want to spook him by pushing him back and the action doesn't feel malicious or hostile but he is close enough that Zoro can feel his hot breath brushing over his lips in a way that has him fidgeting nervously. This is more than unusual behavior, compared to the other creatures that Zoro tends to meet. Even if they are lucky enough not to meet his blade, they usually don't stick around long enough for Zoro to get this close.
Somehow, this dragon is different. Has been the whole time. He's not afraid of Zoro. Cautious, maybe. Mistrusting at first, but Zoro can read none of that in his expression right now. Instead, he looks just as curious as he did yesterday. As if Zoro were a puzzle he was trying to figure out.
The blond slowly raises his hand which gives Zoro a pretty decent view of his surprisingly delicate fingers ending in dark claws, just as sharp as Zoro remembers them to be. Impressive weapons that could tear into him pretty easily and do a lot of damage. He should be more wary but instead, the thought sends a shiver down his spine.
The dragon slowly cards his fingers through Zoro's hair while keeping his eyes on him as if watching for his reaction, and still, Zoro is unable to move or push the other away. He can feel the claws brushing over his scalp ever so slightly but the touch is careful and gentle enough that it doesn't hurt him.
"Movdar", the dragon says and looks at Zoro as if that explains everything. Unfortunately, the swordsman still doesn't understand what the blond wants from him, and it's probably visible on his face because the dragon huffs again and pats the grassy patch of earth next to Zoro. "Movdar," he repeats, then points to Zoro's hair again, and it clicks.
"You little-" Zoro shoves the dragon off him but he can hear the blond snicker. Clearly, this is the reaction he's been waiting for and the shit-eating grin is almost a challenge. And when has Roronoa Zoro ever backed down from a challenge?
This time, it's the swordsman who leans closer, invades the blond's personal space, and pokes his forehead. "Curly," he states and with his finger, he traces the curled eyebrow on the other's face. Immediately, the dragon responds with a frown and a low growl but for some reason, Zoro instinctively knows that he is not actually angry, it's more of a pout than anything else, so Zoro ignores the growl and gets up on his feet instead.
"Now that we have introduced ourselves, I think it's time to get moving." He goes through a couple of stretches, his body sore from sleeping upright the whole night but after that, he decides to take a look around and see if he can find something to eat. Since he can't ask the dragon what he's planning to do now, there is not much else he can do and he's getting hungry. It has been a while since his last meal, considering he spent most of his day following the dragon's tracks through the woods.
Zoro just picks a random direction to start walking and it doesn't take the blond long to catch up to the swordsman with a spring in his step. Zoro does his best to ignore the presence for now. Whatever reason the dragon has to follow him around, he will get bored of it eventually.
One thing that Zoro realizes when going hunting in the company of a dragon is that the creature is more predator than prey. This probably should have been obvious but it still surprises him to see how quickly the dragon catches on to Zoro's intention and suddenly, his movements are completely quiet as he matches Zoro's pace. He crouches low, his senses heightened and his fin-like ears twitching as he tries to listen for any movement in the underbrush. The attentive look in his eyes is enough to convince Zoro that he is dealing with a hunter in his respective field.
They don't need words to communicate when the blond spots a hare moving through the bushes to their left. He simply puts a hand on Zoro's shoulder and points toward the rustling sound and Zoro nods in understanding.
Hunting is easier with traps or ranged weapons, of course. Zoro can't outrun a hare or most of the other simple game that live in the woods. His specialty is hand-to-hand combat against large beasts that fight instead of taking flight. His swords are not as helpful when it comes to hunting food for himself, which is why he pulls a throwing knife from his boot. He might not have Usopp's accuracy but usually, it's enough to earn himself a meal most of the time.
Curly splits off and approaches the hare from another direction, and Zoro can see his fingers flexing. Maybe Zoro is actually getting to see the claws in action now.
The hare, unaware of the danger looming over it, nibbles on some grass when suddenly its ears perk up and it surges up in alarm. It must have heard something and Zoro doesn’t hesitate a second longer. The knife leaves his hands, doing multiple spins in the air before lodging itself in the dirt where the animal had been just a second earlier.
It takes off in a sprint but it doesn’t get very far before the dragon jumps out of his hiding place, almost too fast for Zoro to catch exactly what’s happening. One moment, Zoro sees the hare fleeing, the next he hears a crunching noise and Curly grabs the feet to raise the animal higher and shows it to Zoro with a teasing smile on his face.
Zoro is stunned for a moment and just stares at the dragon and his kill but when he shrugs it off, he takes a step closer and examines the hare. There are no claw marks indicating that Curly struck it which would have destroyed the fur if Zoro were to keep it and sell it in the village. Instead, it looks like its skull was crushed by some heavy force, leaving the hunter with more questions than answers.
He should have paid more attention but it happened pretty fast, so Zoro isn’t quite sure what kind of tool the dragon used - if any.
“That wasn’t bad, Scales,” Zoro admits and he reaches for the hare to take it off the dragon’s hands but instead, Curly pulls back and shakes his head.
“Si geou coce coi fro wux.” The blond wriggles his fingers upward with his free hand and makes a sound that probably mimics flames if Zoro had to guess.
“Do you want to cook it?” Zoro asks with a frown. This language thing is really getting annoying but Curly is already turning back around and takes Zoro’s breakfast with him, so the swordsman grabs the knife from the ground and follows after him.
While they are walking, Curly occasionally picks up some branches, most likely for a fire which isn’t a bad idea. However, before Zoro even gets the chance to do the same, the dragon already pushes the wood into Zoro’s arms and motions for him to get more.
The swordsman grumbles something about being ordered around by a lizard with wings but he collects some more, just so they can keep a fire going for a while. He isn’t sure if the dragon even needs the meat to be cooked but Zoro does, so it makes sense either way.
They stop at a clearing in the forest with more space so as to not accidentally start a forest fire and Zoro drops the branches next to a large rock formation. He also spots a pond nearby which means he can fill his waterskin later.
He starts stacking the wood when Curly approaches and holds his hand out for something. Zoro looks up to the dragon in confusion and slowly hands him one of the branches. He receives an eye-roll in return and a moment later, Curly crouches down next to him and gets all up in Zoro’s face again, with no regard for personal space.
It takes Zoro by surprise and he can barely keep himself from flinching when he is once again looking directly at those blue orbs that have captured him before. He can’t explain this pressure on his chest that makes it hard to breathe when the other is this close, can’t explain the warmth spreading through his body, and the rush of adrenalin pumping through his veins.
He barely notices the hand moving but when the dragon pulls back again, there is a cheeky grin and he raises the knife he pulled from Zoro’s boot, which must have been what he was after in the first place.
Embarrassed and with a heated face, Zoro grumbles and turns back to his tower of branches while Curly uses the knife to skin the hare, and he does so with a lot of skill that Zoro wouldn’t have expected from a creature that is probably used to eating its prey raw.
Then again, he might be more human than dragon, and Zoro’s assumption might be wrong. He doesn’t know anything about his kind and Curly keeps surprising him.
It doesn’t take Zoro long to get a fire going but Curly doesn't seem content to cook the meat over the fire just yet. Instead, he motions for Zoro to wait and takes a look around. The swordsman watches him pick up some herbs that grow nearby. He definitely would have missed them growing there, between the rest of the wildflowers but Zoro recognizes the plant from the few times Nami cooked for them.
The dragon collects a few more herbs and grinds some of them using a rock he found and cleaned at the pond. He prepares the meat using those spices which makes Zoro raise an eyebrow. He's pretty sure the dragon is not going to poison him on purpose but he might do so unintentionally. He doesn't know the purpose of these herbs and would have preferred to eat the meat without them, bland as it can be.
It's too late now, though. Curly cooks the meat over the fire by piercing it onto a sharpened stick, and he holds it over the flames and slowly rotates the meat. He does this long enough that Zoro thinks his arms must be aching at some point but the dragon doesn't look like it bothers him. He seems completely concentrated on his task and he waits until he is certain that the meat is cooked all the way through, which he tests by ripping it open with his claw and ignoring the searing heat that simmers visibly in the air.
The dragon slices the hare in two and offers Zoro the stick with the bottom half which the swordsman is thankful for because he would have probably burned his hand if he tried to take the meat the way the dragon holds it in his hands so easily. Zoro makes a mental note that heat doesn't seem to bother him at all, even where his skin is exposed.
"Thank you," Zoro says when he takes the food with a grateful nod. The dragon smiles and lets out a sound that reminds Zoro of a happy chirp.
The swordsman waits for the meat to cool down a bit and it looks like Curly is waiting for him, watching him closely until he takes his first bite. It tastes amazing, far better than Zoro would have expected from a simple camp meal. What kinds of herb did he use for it to taste this good?
"This is pretty great, Curly." Zoro looks up at the blond between two bites. "Didn't know dragons could cook too." He digs into the rest with great pleasure and while Curly doesn't understand his words, he seems to be satisfied with the reaction and a proud smile pulls at the corners of his lips. Only then does he start eating his own food.
Zoro can't help himself, his food is devoured quickly and he's leaving nothing but the bones. He usually tries not to stuff himself that full but it's impossible when every bite only makes him crave more.
When he's done and properly filled, he sighs contently and leans back against the rock, closing his eyes. Even though it's still early, a nap after a good meal sounds nice right now and it's not like he's expected to be anywhere else.
He can feel the dragon's presence next to him when Curly shifts closer. His arm brushes up against Zoro’s and the swordsman can feel the dragon’s gaze on him again. It’s like Curly is looking for something, waiting for something to happen but Zoro doesn’t know what it is or how to help.
Zoro doesn't open his eyes either, not this time. He realizes how hypnotic and distracting the other’s gaze is and he doesn’t want to be pulled in again and do something he might regret later. Even feeling the heat radiating from where their arms are touching is distracting enough that Zoro feels his heart rate pick up and suddenly the thought of a nap sounds foolish when he can't get his thoughts to quiet down around the dragon.
Curly says something in the language of his again and before Zoro has time to react, the blond plops his head on Zoro’s lap and turns around so he can look up at the swordsman. Zoro startles enough that despite his previous decision, he opens his eyes and stares at Curly. There it is again, a sly grin pulling at the corners of the dragon's lip. He knows fully well what he is doing when he is invading Zoro’s space like this and for a second, Zoro plays with the thought of pushing him off but when Curly closes his eyes in contentment and snuggles closer against Zoro’s stomach, he doesn’t have the heart to do it.
Something tells him that it has been a long time since the other has experienced any form of physical contact like this. Teasing Zoro is only part of it. Looking down at the dragon now, Zoro sees a form of vulnerability, a deep longing that comes from years of separation and loneliness which might explain why he is following Zoro around. He might have gotten attached after Zoro saved him from the hunter’s trap.
Zoro sighs deeply, watching Curly hide his face in the swordman’s clothing. Carefully, Zoro raises his hand and starts running his fingers through the blond hair, similar to how the dragon did earlier. He can feel the dragon tense up for a moment, clearly not expecting the gesture but he doesn’t open his eyes or resist the touch. Instead, he nudges his head against Zoro’s hand like a cat asking for more pets.
After a while, Zoro takes a closer look at the features that separate the dragon from humans. His fingers travel to the horns, sliding over the rough wave-like surface. He does so slowly, making sure the blond has enough time to stop him if he doesn’t like it but Curly doesn't move away.
He continues to trail his fingers along the scales on the side of his face, and when he touches the ears - or what Zoro guessed to be ears - he is careful not to put any pressure on them. The membrane looks very thin, very fragile and Zoro doesn't want to accidentally hurt Curly. When the fins twitch, Zoro's heart leaps up his throat for a second but Curly continues to lie there peacefully, so it might have been an instinctive reaction to his touch. He decides to move on either way, just to be sure, but he makes a mental note to himself that the ears feel incredibly soft.
He runs his hand along the dragon's arm and he can still feel the heat that seems to reflect off of them. Or maybe it's Curly's heat that keeps them this warm to the touch. Zoro isn't quite sure. So many things he doesn't know about the blond and about what he is.
Despite the warmth, Curly shivers under his touch ever so slightly. Zoro probably would have missed it if they weren't this close, and he briefly wonders if the dragon is ticklish. He doesn't want to ruin the moment by trying it though. Instead, his fingers keep gliding along Curly's arm until they reach his wrist at which point, the tail of the dragon arches upward and slowly begins curling around Zoro's arm.
For a moment, he assumes the dragon had enough and wants to stop him but then Zoro realizes how Curly's breath has evened out and from one second to the other, he's fast asleep. It reminds Zoro of the assumption he made yesterday that the dragon is probably nocturnal and the only reason he was even up during the day was because of Zoro.
Feeling a little guilty, Zoro decides to let him sleep and he doesn't pull his hand back either. It seems to bring the dragon some sort of comfort to keep so close to him after all. Still, Zoro can't help but continue his gaze on the wings folded on the other's back and wonder if they would feel as soft as the ears did if he ran his fingers over the membrane. He doesn't try it, it feels like overstepping a boundary while Curly is asleep.
Still, he makes a mental note to check his injured wing again when he wakes up later. It doesn't look like it gave Curly much trouble as long as it is folded behind his back and he doesn't move it but Zoro wants to make sure it stays that way and maybe there is something he can do to help. He could go back to the village and ask for some healing salve, they should probably work on the dragon as well.
When he realizes what he is thinking about, Zoro slowly shakes his head. How did he even get there? Yesterday, he set out to find a dragon and kill it. Today, he is taking care of Curly as if... Zoro lets out a deep sigh. It's weird. He hasn't known the dragon for that long, they can't even properly communicate but something about him feels like Zoro knows exactly who he is.
There is a connection that he doesn't understand. It causes Zoro to feel joyful when he sees the dragon smile and it causes him to feel distressed when he thinks about Curly being hurt. For some reason, he cares about him and he enjoys being around him. Sitting here in the sun, running his fingers through Curly's hair is calming in a way he rarely gets to experience in his line of work.
When Zoro closes his eyes again, it doesn't take him long to drift off to sleep with how peaceful he's feeling right now. Even his spiraling thoughts can't keep him up much longer.
It is one of the rare occasions where Zoro begins to dream. It doesn't happen often and even less so when he's on the road but it seems like his sleep is deeper than usual.
He dreams of hunting hares and deer and boars. He dreams of meat cooking over a fire, the light reflecting off of blue scales, and a pretty face that looks at him with curiosity and wonder. He dreams of a hunger so great that it claws at his chest and threatens to pull him under. He reaches out for the meal that the dragon offers him but a second later he finds himself in his arms instead.
He can feel the gentle hands roaming over his body, making him shiver in anticipation and his hunger only grows. Something scratches over his back, not enough to draw blood but enough to make him gasp.
The heat is everywhere around him, he can feel it on his skin and it should be burning him but it doesn’t hurt even though the flames are licking up his body.
Something wet and almost searing engulfs his whole length and the sudden pleasure is so overwhelming that he sees stars. The moan he lets out sounds unnatural to his own ears but he can’t help it when the dragon’s tongue flicks over his head and then continues to take him deep.
His fingers curl into blond hair but it doesn’t make the other slow down in any way. If anything, it seems to motivate him further and his movements pick up in pace.
“C-curly,” Zoro hisses between clenched teeth. It’s too fast, he needs him to slow down. For some reason, he has a foreboding feeling that all of this will end too soon if he doesn’t stop the blond, and he’s not ready for it. He needs to taste more, he craves to touch, to explore, and to feel every part of the dragon’s body.
His hunger keeps growing and he’s trying to hold it at bay but finally, it all comes crashing down on him and he gasps for air as pleasure surges through him like an electrifying spark.
His body twitches and with a sudden jolt, he sits up straight, his chest rising and falling rapidly. It takes him a moment to clear the haze in his mind and realize that he’s still in the same spot in the woods where he previously fell asleep.
He can feel his erection straining against the fabric of his pants, a vivid reminder of what his mind conjured up while he was sleeping but what is even more concerning is the dragon that is sitting right next to him and staring at him with large, curious eyes again.
Zoro immediately pulls up one leg in an attempt to hide his problem, hoping that either the dragon doesn’t realize or doesn’t understand. Still, he can feel it again, the sensation of something tugging at his heart, telling him to do something. Anything to get closer to the dragon.
“What?” Zoro snaps when all Curly does is tilt his head. Zoro doesn’t mean to sound so aggressive but it is hard to think clearly when the person starring in his wet dream is watching him this closely. He tries to ban the images from his mind but it’s no use when that intense stare causes a shiver to run down his spine and his cheeks to turn red.
Curly frowns at him. He keeps doing that as if Zoro is a puzzle he can’t figure out but this time, Zoro can see the determination in his eyes and it looks like the dragon has come to a decision. Whatever he is waiting for, it appears that he is tired of it.
The blond inches closer to Zoro, and a clawed hand comes resting on his knee. He gives the swordsman enough time to pull away if he wants to but Zoro doesn’t move. Part of him wants to know what the dragon is going to do, even though the rational part of him is telling him to get a grip. Easier said than done when even the light touch on his leg is enough for anticipation to vibrate in his chest like the fluttering of wings.
Slowly, Curly slides between Zoro's legs, he can feel the blond's abdomen pushing against his bulge when he is leaning close into Zoro's personal space. He isn't shy to do so but his movements are slow and deliberate and he keeps looking at Zoro to make sure he's not uncomfortable.
There is no hiding his arousal now, not when the dragon is close enough that his lips are ghosting over Zoro's but not quite touching them. He says something that sounds like a question but Zoro isn't sure, his brain is too foggy to concentrate when Curly is teasing him like this.
He wants him. His whole body is aching for the dragon's touch and in turn, his hands are aching to roam every part of the blond's body. This heavy desire is stealing the air out of his lungs and he forces himself not to move because he's not sure what he would do if he did.
A hand comes up to his face, gentle fingers brushing over his cheek and making his earrings chime. It only increases the tension between them while both of them are waiting for some kind of sign that this is exactly what the other wants.
The tension snaps when Curly finally closes the distance between them to press a soft kiss against Zoro's lips, just as gentle as the fingers caressing his face, and somehow it aggravates Zoro more than any greedy kiss would have. He can taste the spices of their meal on the dragon and he craves to know how other parts of him might taste like if he dragged his tongue across his skin.
Curly keeps pushing into him and Zoro leans back until his back hits the ground below. The dragon deepens the kiss, his tongue slipping between parted lips but even then, it feels tender and sensual in a way that Zoro isn't used to. He had never been kissed or touched like this, it's nothing like the rough and almost impersonal acts of carnal desire that he indulged in before.
Zoro doesn't know how long they kissed but his attention snaps back to the present when those soft lips move away to trail equally soft kisses along his jaw, his neck, and moving further along his collarbone. Zoro is still wearing his shirt, regrettably so because when reaching the hem of the fabric, the dragon raises his head again and throws another glance at him.
His pupils are fully dilated, Zoro notices, and it's hard to miss the arousal that is rolling off the dragon in waves. He's into this, it's hard to miss but there is more to it than that. There is something about that look of his that makes Zoro feel worshipped.
Again, the dragon's movements are slow and he keeps eye contact when he sinks lower between Zoro's legs. His hands push against Zoro's thighs, spreading his legs further apart, the intention suddenly very clear. Zoro swallows heavily and his dick twitches in anticipation when the blond hooks a finger into the waistband of his pants and he realizes that his dream is quite literally becoming a reality.
When the dragon pulls down the fabric, Zoro’s cock springs free already fully erect but it’s the accidental dragging of the claws along his skin that has Zoro groaning in barely contained pleasure without the blond even touching him.
The dragon’s fins perk up like the ears of a dog and a sly smile comes to his lips. He must have noticed Zoro’s reaction and he moves Zoro’s shirt up and out of the way so he can press his palm flat against Zoro’s exposed abdomen.
Agonizingly slow, the blond trails his claws along his muscles that twitch at the sensation of these sharp tools at one of his most vulnerable spots. He doesn’t break skin, he doesn’t hurt Zoro but just the threat alone accelerates his heart and makes him gasp.
The dragon inches closer to Zoro’s hard-on only stopping when he reaches the base and it’s getting increasingly more difficult to keep himself from fidgeting. The blond hasn’t even done anything yet and Zoro is already leaking pre-cum.
He thinks he might be losing his mind when Curly leans down to lick over the tip, catching some of it before it drips on Zoro’s stomach.
“F-fuck-” Zoro groans and involuntarily arches his back, pushing his hips up and pressing his tip against Curly’s lips without meaning to. However, the blond doesn’t seem to mind because, in one quick motion, he wraps his lips around Zoro’s cock and takes him as deep as he could go.
The moan that Zoro lets out is incredibly loud even to his own ears but he can’t help it. The heat from the inside of the blond’s mouth reminds Zoro of his dream but it can’t compare to the reality of having his dick sucked by a dragon in human form.
Curly can’t fit all of him at once but he more than makes up for it with his technique, eagerly bobbing his head in fluid motions and swirling his tongue around the tip when he can. His hand wraps around the base and Zoro is very well aware of where the claws graze over his shaft.
Zoro looks down at the dragon with half-lidded eyes and his fingers curl into his blond locks again, just like he did in his dream. Blue eyes look up at him almost like a challenge when the dragon doubles his efforts and lets out a stifled, throaty moan that vibrates around Zoro’s dick.
It is almost embarrassing but Zoro realizes he can’t keep up with this for much longer. Between the echoes of his dream, the teasing, and what has to be one of the hottest blowjobs he’s ever received - quite literally - he’s already close. And just like in his dream, he doesn’t want it to end here.
“Curly, you-... Stop,” Zoro grunts, trying not to let it sound like a plea. He tugs at the blond hair, trying to alert the blond to the situation.
To his surprise, Curly’s reaction is almost immediate and he pulls back, leaving Zoro’s cock vulnerable to the suddenly cold air. His eyebrows are furrowed in clear concern when he checks Zoro’s expression for signs of discomfort or other reasons why he stopped the dragon.
“Don’t look at me like that...” Zoro is still breathing heavily as he leans forward and rubs his thumb over the creases on Curly’s forehead, trying to lift the concern. He’s aware that the other still doesn’t understand what he is saying but it might still reassure him. “I’m okay, I just... need a moment.”
The blond looks a bit confused at first but when he realizes what’s going on, the sly smirk is back and the glint in his eyes speaks of trouble.
“What are you- ngh...!” Zoro suddenly throws his head back and lets out a strangled noise when the dragon drags his claw along the underside of his shaft with just enough pressure to completely unravel the swordsman.
He can’t hold it anymore. His whole body is shaking as he cums and he feels semen splatter across his abdomen. He moans something unintelligible and his fingers dig into the dragon’s shoulder that he is still holding onto.
It takes him a moment to recover and open his eyes again but when he does, he can see the blond raising his hand and licking some of the semen from his fingers.
“God...” Zoro lets out an unsteady exhale before pushing himself off the ground to sit up. He winces slightly at the movement, his dick still sensitive after an orgasm like that.
The dragon keeps his eyes trained on Zoro and he doesn’t try to hide his own erection straining against his ragged pants. It looks like he’s human enough to deal with the same problem. Zoro can still see the hunger burning in his eyes but this time, he doesn’t move. Instead, he waits.
This time, Zoro knows what he is waiting for and he doesn’t hesitate to reach out to the blond.
They collapse to the ground again in reversed positions and the dragon’s arms wrap around his neck to pull him closer. Zoro captures his lips in another kiss, hungrier and more wild this time but his heart sings with affection and he can feel Sanji’s heartbeat in rhythm.
Sanji. The name rings so clearly in his mind now as if he’d known it all his life. It’s like a wall has been torn down and all these foreign thoughts, feelings, and pictures come flooding into his mind but at the same time, they feel familiar. They feel right.
He doesn’t know what kind of magic it is and it doesn’t matter. He embraces this feeling, he embraces Sanji without any hesitation or doubt.
“Zoro,” the dragon whines against his lips, completely engulfed in the same sensation of connection. They are one soul, one consciousness, and Zoro finally understands what he’s been feeling ever since he first laid eyes upon the blond. Sanji is his missing piece, just the way Zoro is his. And right here and right now, that is all he needs.
There is something quite relaxing about having someone else beside you and feeling their chest rise and fall with each intake of breath. He draws slow circles on Sanji’s back, right below his wings that stretch out next to him.
One of Sanji’s arms curls around Zoro’s waist and his head rests on Zoro’s chest, possibly finding similar peace in listening to the swordman’s heartbeat. His eyes are closed but Zoro knows that he’s not sleeping, just enjoying the moment.
“Is your wing still sore?” Zoro asks, even though he already knows the answer. He can feel the echo of the pain, now that all the walls are down, although Zoro hadn’t been clear-headed enough to pick it out between all the other new sensations before.
“It’s okay, don’t worry mosshead,” the blond hums. It’s still strange to be able to understand what he is saying and Zoro would need some time to get used to it but it is also incredibly convenient. The foreign words and sounds haven’t changed but somehow their new connection came with new vocabulary as well, and the language doesn’t sound unfamiliar anymore.
“I could go back to the village and ask around for something to help with the pain and accelerate the healing process,” the swordsman suggests which prompts Sanji to look up at him again.
Carefully, he replies, “I don’t think the people in the village like me much. I think, they are afraid of me.”
Zoro would have liked to object to that but considering what he was sent out to do, Curly’s got it right. “People tend to be afraid of things they don’t understand,” Zoro admits. There’s no sugar-coating it.
“You weren’t.”
Zoro’s expression softens and he raises a hand to Sanji’s face to cup it gently. “There is still a lot of things, I don’t understand about you, Curly. But no, I’m not afraid. I am curious and I want to see and experience so much more of you.”
The blond grins and raises his eyebrow mockingly. “So, does that mean we’re going for round two?”
“It’s more like... round four or five,” Zoro replies dryly and as much as he would love to take him up on that offer, this is the first time that his stamina might be running out. Then again, the dragon looks just as beat.
For a while, they just enjoy the warmth of the summer breeze while they lie there listening to the birds sing but they’ve been busy for a while and the sun is already starting to sink lower than the top of the trees.
“Why didn’t you leave?” Zoro suddenly asks. It’s something their connection didn’t shed a light on, since he’s not actually reading Sanji’s mind. He just got glimpses of his life, mostly a wave of emotions connected to standing images. He assumes it’s the same way for Curly. He might have gotten a glance at Zoro’s childhood, maybe of Kuina.
“What do you mean?”
“You knew someone was hunting you,” Zoro clarified. “You could have left and I probably would have never picked up your trail again, so why stay near the village and risk getting hurt?”
For a moment, Sanji stays quiet. He draws circles on Zoro’s shoulder with his finger, clearly enjoying the way Zoro still shudders under the touch. The swordsman waits patiently for him to get his thoughts in order.
“I know, I should have left. It was very reckless and I was lucky because it was you who found me in that trap,” the blond admits quietly after a while. “I am not the last of my kind but I am an outcast. I cannot return to the rest of my kind nor do I want to but I have no place else to go. I guess... I got attached to the humans I watched from afar, their lives that I cannot lead.”
Sanji doesn’t look at him when he explains this but he nuzzles into Zoro’s touch when the swordsman caresses his face. Zoro has seen and felt some of the loneliness that the dragon must have endured and he wishes he could take all of that away. He can at least try to do so.
“You’re not alone.” He gently tilts Sanji’s head up by the chin so he can look him in the eye, repeating with more vigor this time, “You are not alone, and you won’t ever be alone again. Come with me, Curly. Meet my friends. Not every place is like this, you can find a new home somewhere if that is what you want.”
Sanji’s eyes widen at the sincerity of Zoro’s words, and for a moment, he doesn’t know what to say, so instead, he closes the distance between the two of them once more and captures Zoro’s lips in another kiss.
“Si belhal ekess nux,” the dragon whispers against his mouth, a phrase that echoes in Zoro’s chest as something that cannot properly be translated into common speech because the meaning is endless.
‘I love you’ it says.
‘I belong to you’, it says.
‘You are my home’, it says.
Zoro returns the kiss, pulling Sanji closer at the back of his neck. He tries to pour all his untold feelings into it, all the things he is not ready to say yet but he wants Sanji to know that he feels it too, as strange as it may be.
When they break away from each other, they are both breathing heavily and Zoro can’t keep himself from trailing more kisses along Sanji’s neck.
The dragon responds by tilting his head to give him more access and letting out a throaty moan that sends sparks through Zoro’s body, and at this point he’s not sure if the arousal is Sanji’s or his own or a mix of both.
Maybe he does have one more round in him.