#zl fic

[uncleskyrule]

Plot of The Legend of Zelda: Missing Link?

Yay, that's my favorite title from that list! If anyone sees this and is inspired to write/draw something based on this, be my guest! And tag me so I can see it :)

After the defeat of Calamity Ganon, peace reigns in Hyrule. With the help of her loyal knight who never leaves her side, Zelda works to rebuild the fallen kingdom and strengthen ties between the peoples. Though her heart lies in research, she is dedicated to fulfilling her duty as heir to the kingdom, with grief for the past and hope for the future spurring her on. However, as she and Link move throughout Hyrule, they notice something alarming: the monsters that should have disappeared once Ganon was destroyed are still there. In fact, new types of monsters have sprung up: gibdos in Gerudo Desert, horroblins in the Hyrule caves, like-likes around Death Mountain, gleeoks near Zora's Domain, and aerocudas flying over Rito Village. The townspeople who were expected to welcome Zelda and Link with open arms are now a cold and withdrawn few. Those that they meet in the street only spit angry words at the so-called saviors of Hyrule. Windows are shuttered and few houses have light shining through the cracks. Barely anyone lives there now, but with so many monsters about, the idea that someone would voluntarily leave the safety of their town is strange. They decide to camp on the outskirts, close enough to be sheltered by the houses but not too close in order to avoid more harassment. Zelda is tempted to feel uneasy, but Link's steady presence quells her fears, so she is able to fall asleep. When she awakens, Link is gone. Zelda never imagined her return to research would be like this. Hunted by monsters and shunned by her own people, she searches for answers while the sensation that she is running out of time hangs over her head. Why are there new monsters? Why are so many people missing? Where is Link? And why does it feel like she is always being watched?

Send me one of these BotW 2 speculative titles and I'll write a plot!

#...this got a lot longer than i excpected #totk au #tears of the kingdom au #zelink fic #totk zelink #botw zelink #my fic #ask game #asks #reyna writes #reyna's ramblings #bluevaractyl #zl fic #totk zl #botw zl

[lovesickeros]

☆ sickly sweet poison

{☆} characters tsaritsa, harbingers [ mentioned ] {☆} notes cult au, imposter au, drabble, gender neutral reader {☆} warnings isolation, starvation {☆} word count 0.6k

You lose track of time so easily in the suffocating walls of your room. You can only guess, generally, how long has passed by how the logs burn in the grand centerpiece of a fireplace, drowning the entire room in vibrant hues of orange at all times. Servants come every few hours to stoke the flames and add more, should it be needed, but they do not listen to your pleas, hurriedly scurrying out of your room as if they had never been there at all.

It was..surprisingly lonely, despite how often the Harbingers visited.

You did not even know what the hall outside your door looked like, beyond the brief glances you managed to steal when it was opened. They showered you in affection and gift, your closet bursting at the seams with new clothes and the bowl of imported fruit sitting untouched - they claimed to love you, to adore you, to worship the very ground you walked upon..so why, then, did you feel more like a bird, trapped within a cage of it's own making?

You should have never trusted them to protect you from the other Acolytes. Death, you think, would have been sweeter then the poison they feed you with every pretty lie they tell you.

We're just protecting you, Most Divine.

The others cannot be trusted. They have failed you once already, what's to say they shall not do so again?

You are safe with us, Divine One.

You no longer believed a word of it. Not since they locked you in the palace, in the room you once viewed as a safe haven from the cruelties of the world. You were blind to their own cruelty, as they made it your prison.

"Divine One?"

Heels clicked against the floorboards, the door shutting softly behind her, as the cold that followed her like her own shadow swept over you. Even beneath the heavy blankets and despite the freshly stoked fire burning every so brightly, you could not help but shiver. You felt sick, dread clawing at your throat as the bed dipped, calloused, gentle hands brushing your hair away from your eyes.

You wish she would at least pretend, just like the rest, that your isolation was for the greater good. It was so very easy to hate them. But she would not hide her intentions behind falsities - she was simply selfish.

"My Harbingers tell me you refuse to eat," Her voice is uncharacteristically soft, but you sense the dull threat offered beneath her honeyed words, "Must I remind you, Divine One, that I am not above forcing you, if I have to?" Her tone turns bitter, fangs peaking from beneath plump lips as you tearfully meet her eyes, shivering beneath her cold hands and even colder eyes, dissecting you and pulling apart your defenses until you become pliant.

"It truly pains me to do so, Divine one, so let us not make this any harder then it has to be for either of us." You tense, freezing like a deer in headlights as her hand slips to the back of your neck, nails digging into your throat enough to make a point, the bed dipping even further as she leans down, "I hope I will not have to ask you again."

"..Okay."

You barely hear your own voice over your heartbeat, your hands still trembling as she takes them in her own, "There we are. I knew you'd see reason." As if waiting for your eventual compliance, the door opens again, the overwhelming smell of food filling your room as multiple servants shift in and out, lining the table in the far corner of your room with more food you would eat even on a good day.

You are sure she senses your uneasiness, but she peels the layers of your bedding away all the same, hands shifting beneath your knees as she lifts you away from your last remaining comforts, cradling you against her chest.

Had you known love could be so cruel, you never would have stepped foot into the wolves den - death was a mercy, now.

#sagau #self aware genshin #self aware genshin impact #genshin sagau #tsaritsa #sagau tsaritsa #fic tag #aka the tsaritsa bullies u into self care for issues that she created (girlboss) #the self care is not dying #we support evil villainous women in this household #if she tells me to sit down im sat #luring in normal ppl w the zl fic so i can throw this fic at them like a brick. enjoy ur fucked up women!! #oh right #imposter au #implied but its there

[harbingersglory]

according to a random online quiz i'm a stem not a butch, but i am a fellow miko simp! 😌💞 also i'm feral over your hc of switch kafka or any switch woman switches have my heart, and ei being flustered and cute <3 my degrader ass would be trying so hard not to tease her for it though

out of curiosity, if you could date any genshin woman what would your top 3 be and why? 👀 (i'm gonna hazard a guess that ningguang might be on the list)

lesbians just gravitate towards miko its verifiable fact 99% of her fans are lesbians (source; me) good 2 know ive reached my target audience

if i had to pick ohh....yeah ningguang is definitely up there i love her so much. pretty femme whos a bit snarky oh i am weak in the knees. also massive pillow princess vibes which as a stone butch is just. chefs kiss. furina is probably my number one though i am a sucker for pathetic sopping wet cat women. she leans more towards masc to me but i have enough hands for butches and femmes sooo. i can fix her. i can make her worse too. also super self indulgent but zhongli..i see her as a woman* (*its complicated) but i am a yapper and shes a listener its made to be /j also im a monsterfucker obviously im gonna fuck the dragon. is that even a question.

#asks #Anonymous #minors dni #not a fic #can u tell my type is women in power haha. woops #i love powerful women the more capable they are of breaking me in half like a glowstick the more attractive they are #id say arlecchino bc hes my LOVE. my gorgeous butch king #but i hc him as stone butch too bc projection thatd be awkward #and they were two tops meme but they were both stone butches #shoving in my transfem zl hc here also sorry shes so pretty #maybe i just have a thing for archons ive got a track record atp #stares at my main thats 99% tsaritsa fic. hm.

[incorrect-zombieland-saga-quotes]

Lily: "This is fuck."

Saki: "That's not even how you use that word. If you're gonna swear, do it right. Say 'this fucking sucks' like a normal person."

Lily: "This fucking sucks."

Saki: "Good job. Now never tell a soul about this."

#zombieland saga #zls #zombie land saga #revenge #zlsr #incorrect quotes #lily hoshiwaka #source: AO3 fic “Stand in Dad” by RickSanchez69 #saki nikaido #discord submission #submission

[salsflore]

do you guys have any idea how much i love her btw

#SHES SO CUTESIES. cloud retainer has always been my fave out of the non-playables... well. i guess shes playable now but #her putting the fish in so the traveler has something to do while they're there... ueueue #how she gets lonely if no one visits her omg i need to write a fic with her in it #ive just not been in the mood to write lol #ahhhh xianyun i adore you so muchhh #want to hug her #the ver of my s/i that i use in my ship w zl will be one of her adepti buddies.. #but what abt the one i use to ship w childe... #i want to avoid any possible angst #💭

[welcometoteyvat]

what is this awkwardness

hu tao's playfulness and acting skills reign supreme as always

#not zl just dodging the question lmfao #i love you ht my daughter when she was like tsk tsk you should've been there zl could've hit it off i was laughing i love her voice #also when frna said 'do i look like the type of person to be asked to arrange a funeral' ...................... #don't give the writers more fic ideas!! (me. im the (pseudo) writer) #liveblog insanity #genshin spoilers #event spoilers #hustle and bustle #4.4 spoilers

[lapisdex]

//god works fast, but zhongchili shippers work faster

#ooc;; #//all the fanart fics of zl reaction to childe after AQ fuels me

[youichi-kuramochi]

FIC: the promises we keep

by viverella / @youichi-kuramochi Fandom: Genshin Impact Relationship: Zhongli & Xiao (gen) Rating: General Audiences Word count: approx. 3.7k Summary: Promises made, promises kept, promises that have seen the end of their purpose. What we do with the time we are given.

[ READ @ AO3 ]

#genshin impact #zhongli #xiao #genshin fic #* #fic* #gi* #wow I haven't written gen fic in a while this was FUN lmfao #smth abt genshin rly makes me wanna write more gen fic than any other fandom #anyway *will smith pose* zhongli fic!!!!! I rly like the vibes I hit with this one :') #I just thing zl and x's relationship is Neat in any way shape or form #and I think about it A Lot sldkfjslkdjl

[uncleskyrule]

Chapters: 1/1 Words: 1666 Fandom: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Link/Zelda Characters: Link, Zelda Additional Tags: Adventure, Fluff, Happy Ending, based on the recent trailer, POV Link (Legend of Zelda), Light Angst, Post-Breath of the Wild, Breath of the Wild Sequel Trailer, Tenderness, love drives out fear yall, Link has anxiety, Canon Compliant, as far as we know bc the game isn't even out TT

Summary:

Clouds. The lush green jungle of Faron was gone; in its place were fluffy white clouds and bright blue sky. Link’s heart pounded. This was so much bigger than he had anticipated.

Just a couple months ago, he had finally completed his long, arduous quest. He had defeated the monster and saved the kingdom. He had found love. And now, all of that progress had been taken away in one horrifying instant.

#tears of the kingdom #loz: tears of the kingdom #loz: totk #zelink #zelink fanfiction #reyna's ramblings #my writing #my fic #zl fic

[lovesickeros]

☆ what a kind god, what a cruel god

{☆} characters zhongli {☆} notes cult au, imposter au, drabble, gender neutral reader {☆} warnings blood, light angst {☆} word count 0.5k

You are a kind God - with hands that heal instead of hurt. Words that forgive, instead of rightfully insult. The stories do little justice to the breadth of your gentleness, extending your love to the slimes that coalesce at your feet, eager to know the touch of the Divine. The birds that sing with the wind your praises from upon your shoulder.

But to him, your kindness is so very cruel.

They do not deserve it. He does not deserve it.

Your forgiveness should be a blessing after all they have done, but it feels like swallowing acid instead. It makes him feel sick and lightheaded, throat constricting until he struggles to breath against the weight of his sins, heavy upon his chest.

He wonders if your hatred would be easier. Even apathy, he thinks, would be preferable to the way your screams intermingle with the softness in your voice as you cradle his face between his hands within his dreams. Even in the waking world, your every word is shadowed by broken pleas, drowned in golden ichor as it rises up your throat, silencing your screams - it haunts him, and he cannot handle seeing the way you look at him in concern. He does not deserve it.

Try as he might, he cannot forgive himself. He does not think he ever can - not when he wakes to the feeling of blood on his hands, his tongue, filling his lungs until all he tastes and smells is blood.

If you had been a little less kind, he thinks he would find comfort in your cruelty.

Your anger would be a mercy.

But you are not. You are..kind. Gentle. So many things he once praised on bruised knees at an altar that towered far above him, drowned in gold and silks, every word he speaks a prayer to the most Divine. And he cannot bear the weight of knowing that he could have destroyed that part of you - he cannot bear knowing that he didn't, and you look upon the man who wore your blood like a second skin with a kindness that burns him like a hot iron.

He did not deserve such a loving God.

"..Zhongli?"

He pauses in his internal struggle, hands shaking on his lap. He clenches them into fists, blunt nails digging into his palms until they stop - yet you look at him with furrowed brows, concern gleaming in your eyes, and he feels sick all over again. But for you, he would do anything. Even if it meant pretending he did not feel like a monster in a mortals skin when you smiled at him like he was worth anything.

"Yes, Divine One?"

He chokes down the phantom taste of iron upon his tongue, forcing himself to smile to soothe the worries that crease your brow.

"You said you'd take me to the Chasm today."

He feels..relieved as the worry melts away from your features. It is the very least he can offer - he shall take upon your burdens, your worries, so that you may look upon Teyvat with love, and not fear. He will carry the sins of the many, so that you may look upon the nations with pride, and not horror.

It is all he can do, to ease the way his chest aches when you smile at him, hand tugging at his sleeve and forcing himself unsteadily to his feet.

He does not deserve you - but for today, he can pretend. Just a little while longer.

#sagau #self aware genshin #self aware genshin impact #genshin sagau #imposter au #sagau imposter au #fic tag #angst #zhongli #sagau zhongli #pulls out the whiteboard who wants 2 hear my psychoanalysis of zl in sagau!! #imposter au zl who resents himself and is just a little fucked up over what happened and refuses to accept that he can be forgiven :) #he needs therapy bc he refuses to accept that hes allowed 2 be a little traumatized!!!! #as u can see he did not handle anything well ever and he is mentally unwell. perhaps a little unstable. #making the genshin men as pathetic as possible one man at a time #I JUST THINK. there is a lot of potential 2 be had for post imposter au characters. #slaps zl this bad boy can fit so much self hatred and internal resentment and trauma and lack of self worth and #yeah :) #writes the most unhinged shit ever. refuses to elaborate. leaves

[anemxvisions]

“Can I interest you all in the existence of Rex Lapis erotica?” Ain’t now way the people design that statue and aren’t horny.

#dash coms;; #//remembers the one zc fic i read where they found a stash #or rex lapis p*rn rip zl while childe had a field day

[incorrect-zombieland-saga-quotes]

Sakura: "You know, bisexuality isn't that hard to understand."

Sakura: "Guys are cute."

Sakura: "Girls are cute."

Sakura: "What more do you want from me?"

Saki: "I want your wallet."

#zombie land saga #zombieland saga #zls #zlsr #revenge #sakura minamoto #saki nikaido #incorrect quote #incorrect quotes #discord submission #sourse: ao3 fic Hellchat by SurrealSupernatialist

[salsflore]

do you guys have any idea how much i love her btw

#SHES SO CUTESIES. cloud retainer has always been my fave out of the non-playables... well. i guess shes playable now but #her putting the fish in so the traveler has something to do while they're there... ueueue #how she gets lonely if no one visits her omg i need to write a fic with her in it #ive just not been in the mood to write lol #ahhhh xianyun i adore you so muchhh #want to hug her #the ver of my s/i that i use in my ship w zl will be one of her adepti buddies.. #but what abt the one i use to ship w childe... #i want to avoid any possible angst #💭

[welcometoteyvat]

i queued. so many posts. dead

but it's quite funny to go through my likes and see how my fanwork dynamic preferences have changed

#ie i liked xing/yun stuff from ages ago lmao and i have to click open the posts bc its now in my blocked tags DKFSJKF #saw a 'father son dynamic' x and zl fic buried in there too... and surprisingly x/v which i also have blocked now #honestly it's so bad fandom ruined like half the dynamics i was fine/neutral with because theyre fucking goddamn everywhere #ramblings! #the other thing i noticed is that i feel like either genshin fandom is actually dead compared to like 2 yrs ago or people have just moved o #onto new favs and like consolidated into the more popular dynamics #ie i can't find x and ht art anywhere anymore unless it's the ship vers #which im fine with but yk its funny how a lot of random fuckass platonic (or romantic tbh!) pairings just dropped off the face of the earth #scrolled more and found x/kzha posts like i haven't seen them EVER AGAIN after like 2022... #scrolled more and wow i was a zv believer from the beginning that's very real of past me #scrolled more. i kinda forgot abt cy/bennett tbh lol i was kinda crazy abt them for a while lol theyre still quite cute in the hs crush way

[kalofi]

zl fic idea

hii everyone i wrote something yesterday about an au idea i had for zolu and. i thought i'd share it here since its a bit too messy and disjointed in places to post on like. ao3 or something.

4.7k words, warning for temporary major character death but do not worry all will be fixed in due time. i'll put the rest under the cut

ok i have an idea for an au thats like kind of reincarnation but like reality displacement but like. okay just listen.

so we start at laughtale. its a couple years into the future from where we are in canon the strawhats are achieving their dreams luffy is about to find the one piece theres a big battle happening between them and the blackbeard pirates and whoever the fuck else is there idc. the rest of the strawhats are fighting the bb crew while luffy and zoro head off to find the one piece and also end up fighting black beard himself. luffy and zoro atp r like basically a thing but they never talk about it cuz theyre luffy and zoro and they kind of just exist with each other but like. theyre basically in love and everyone knows it. anyway they go off together luffy has the one piece almost in his grasp blackbeard attacks they fight its a big battle blood is shed bones are broken uumm in my mind luffy and zoro are like teaming up against bb bc his devil fruit is lowk broken and op and like ok theres gear5 too but i didnt rly consider that so lets just assume bb’s devil fruit can negate gear5 somehow or luffy exhausts it before bb is fully defeated. 

finally theyre able to knock bb down and hes out and theyre both tired and worn but they DID IT and the one piece is luffys and theyre facing each other grinning ear to ear and zoros saying “you ready, king of the pirates?” and luffy laughs and goes “not just yet zoro, i still gotta-“ and then theres a spear piercing right through his chest. and in the next moment its gone. 

theres a gaping hole through his captain and theres blood, theres so much blood and luffy’s still smiling like he hasnt realized it yet, like it hasnt even registered. zoros ears are ringing and he doesnt know what to make of whats hes seeing because its just not real, it CANT be. 

he looks over luffy’s shoulder and blackbeard is on the ground with his hand outstretched , black energy coiling back into his form and he’s laughing and laughing with bloodstained teeth. hes fucking laughing. one moment zoro is still standing parallel to luffy and the next hes in front of blackbeard and the mans head is rolling through the dirt and gravel, wado dripping crimson, a terrible gap toothed grin still stretching the man’s cheeks. 

zoro is breathing heavy, hes trembling and hes almost mesmerized by the blood pooling around a lacerated neck— then he’s remembering luffy and turning around and calling his name and he can see right through him theres a HOLE right through him and he chokes and stumbles and rushes to his side right as luffy starts to crumple to the floor . catches him and lowers him gently and doesnt know what to say. 

hes still shaking but cant move his mouth and everything is muffled, the sounds from the battle outside are distant and they dont matter but what does he do. what does he do. 

he snaps out of it when luffy gently calls his name. a strong “zoro,” like hes not fazed at all. like there isnt blood soaking into zoros clothes. 

his brain kickstarts and he’s speaking. saying things like “youre ok you’ll be ok” and “choppers right outside i’ll just call him and he’ll fix you right up” and “you always bounce back, right captain?” and hes thinking “dont die please dont fucking die. not now, not when we’re this close please dont fucking die” and hes silently praying to all the gods he doesnt believe in but luffy calls his name again and his mouth clicks shut. luffys saying it’ll be fine, that he had fun. that hes proud to have made it this far with all of them. and those sound a lot like parting words so zoro’s shaking his head no but luffy is still smiling. hes saying that hes glad he had zoro, that he made him happy. hes saying to tell everyone he’s glad they met, that hes glad they all had each other, that he knows theyll be just fine . 

zoro wants to say that luffy should tell that to them himself, when hes wrapped up and recovering and alive but his mouth is glued shut again and he feels that interrupting luffy now would be cursing him to death, like his words are the only thing keeping him tethered here, he just needs to get him to keep talking to stay awake. 

he tries to smile but it comes out ugly and wrong and he feels his lip wobble so he drops it. he settles on rubbing his thumb on luffys shoulder. something to keep him here. 

so he rubs and luffy talks little things until he cant anymore. until his eyes grow dull and his skin loses its warmth and still zoro rubs and he rubs.

—

thats how law finds them. zoro hunched over a body that should never be as still as it is. and its really no surprise hes there, hes been gunning for the one piece since the time he could captain a ship (or a submarine) but it all feels so wrong. 

zoro either doesnt notice him or doesnt care, but either way the man doesnt acknowledge law until he’s right behind him. its not like law can say anything to announce himself either, not after seeing the state of the body that zoros currently holding. the body that used to be luffy’s. hes still processing it all when the other man(the one whos alive) finally speaks. 

zoro asks if hes got a devil fruit. less of a question and more of a statement, but he should know anyway since theyve spent considerable time together and hes literally seen him use it. law cant unstick his jaw so he hums in affirmation. “and you can switch stuffs’ places?” another hum. “what about time.” 

that makes law pause. “what?” his voice comes out stronger than he feels. 

“what about time? can you switch things in time?” by this point law has awakened his devil fruit or some shit dont sweat the logistics but hes never tried anything of that sort so he kind of stumbles “im not- maybe? ive never attempted-“ zoro interrupts “send me back” 

“what?” 

“send me back so i can fix this. you can do that, right.” it clicks. law would pity zoro if he didnt know any better, instead he just feels mounting despair and resignation. 

he may not be crew, but he knew luffy too, he was allied with the man for fucks sake, and this just feels- wrong. he sighs, a tired, heavy thing. 

“what about your crew?” its useless. zoros as stubborn as his captain, with arguably a handful more screws loose. “it wont matter. they’ll never know because i’ll make sure this doesnt happen.” he still hasnt turned around. law doesnt know what expression hes making and hes sure he never wants to find out. 

hes ready to deny it, cut his losses and head for the one piece himself (hes not heartless, but if he stands here any longer and has to look at. well. he think he might never be able to move again) but then he really thinks about it. could he? would it even be possible? surely this isnt the way things were supposed to go, surely this isnt right. luffys never been one who was supposed to die just like that, like this, law knows that much. he thinks hes going to regret this, but he counts it as one last thank you for everything luffy did for him. 

youre gonna owe me big time strawhat-ya. if i even remember this, that is. 

he puffs a breath “i can try. i cant- promise anything but. i think we both know this,” he makes a vague, weak gesture, “isnt right.” 

zoro doesnt say anything, law didnt expect him to. he just bows his head slightly and law takes that as the acknowledgment it is. 

he brings his hand up, “dont do anything stupid, zoro-ya. or, at least, make it stupid enough to bring him back.” 

he positions his fingers in way so familiar, but the weight of it now is nearly unbearable.

room.

shambles

—

zoro’s world shatters, differently than before, and then theres nothing.

—

he wakes up in bed, bleary eyed and a pounding headache assaulting his senses. his alarm clock is going off which only adds to the drumbeat against his eyes. he grumbles and whacks around aimlessly to shut it off. the silence lasts a moment before his eyes fly open and he jolts up, sheets pooling around his waist. luffy. where was he? where was zoro? did the crew find him and take him back to the ship? did law fail? but this didnt look like chopper’s office.

he looks around to find hes in a room hes never seen before in his life, yet he instinctively knows is his. it all feels so wrong, like he doesnt belong in his own skin. he scratches lightly at his arm. he needs to go to work. 

work?

what the fuck is happening. 

its like his mind is at war with itself, one truth trying to dominate over the other. he trained at sensei’s dojo. he aged out of foster care. he was a swordsman, he was the first mate of the strawhat pirates. he didnt go to college, hes working construction. he made a promise, and kuina died. kuina…died. huh. his captain, his luffy, someone he knew so intimately and who knew him in turn. hes never met someone with that name his entire life. he needs to go to work, he needs to find his crew. 

he doesn’t understand what the fuck is happening. 

without his permission his legs stand him right up and he moves confusedly, surely, to the bathroom he didnt know he had. his reflection stares back at him in the mirror and its him, of course it is, he doesnt know why he expected someone else, but hes also…different. he has both function of his eyes, first of all. a scar in the same place as before but its light and healed over and doesnt seem to have blinded him like it once did. his hair is green, sure, but black roots peek out from underneath the familiar shade. hes grown stubble, he should shave. he needs to go to work. 

hes so confused, but his body moves like its been doing this its whole life. as far as zoro knows, it has. 

he continues getting ready, mind still at odds, and makes himself a cup of coffee (in his own kitchen. his own kitchen? the state of it leaves less to be desired. sanji would surely skin him alive) before tucking into his shoes, grabbing his wallet and keys and heading out the door. he seems to live in a single room apartment, and a crummy one at that. his legs move him faster, he has to go to work, he cant be late again (again?).

his car is parked outside the building, he has no fucking clue what it is but he unlocks it all the same and settles in. he feels like he shouldnt be operating this sort of machinery. franky would know better than him how it must work. he starts it up and backs out. trusting his gut to get him where he needs to be. he should be more concerned, he should be frantic and inconsolable, his captain was dead in his arms and now hes? what? going to lay some bricks or some shit? but he finds that part of him dulled in favor of following whatever mundanity this body is pushing him towards. 

uumm whatever whatever he arrives at work eventually i dont know how construction jobs work are there offices or something. idc thats not the point. johnny and yosaku are there and zoro is surprised to see them since, as far as he knows, the last time they were with each other was at arlong park which was years ago for him. but the two greet him like this is a daily occurence, like theyve been working together for years. and zoro thinks, knows, they must have. but this is good, this is great fucking news actually because until now theres been no confirmation if zoro was here alone (wherever “here” is) but now his proof is right in front of him because if johnny and yosaku are here, and they exist the same as from before, then that must mean everyone else is here too right? he clings onto this hope with both hands trembling. 

nami, usopp, the cook and chopper and robin and franky, brook, jinbe and fuck. fuck, luffy. theyve got to be here somewhere, zoro just has to find them. hes not sure if they remember things like he does but hes got to try because they are his as much as he has always been theirs and they should all exist together as it has always been. 

so then yeah he finishes his shift because its what hes ‘supposed’ to do but he doesnt go home. he drives around aimlessly before pulling into a random lot and pulling out his phone (theres no snail attached to it. weird.) he doesnt even know where to begin. hes not usually the one coming up with plans, he just goes where theres blood need to be shed. but no one seems to be in any danger here except for maybe himself, and its not like he has his swords anyway- shit. fuck did he still have wado? he must have right? he knows there was a kuina that existed here too, he knows because he remembers. and she, well she wasnt around anymore so he must have wado. he must. with shaking fingers he pushes that aside for now, though barely. he needs to find luffy, but he wouldnt even know where to start. luffy could probably find the rest of their crew by simply wandering around and happening upon them, thats how he did it before. but zoro has no idea where he’d be, he doesnt even know where he is. nami or robin would be a good bet to at least form a plan, but he wouldnt know how to find them either. 

is there even a coco village here? would robin still be part of baroque works? he needs someone who has a defined location that he could google or something (what the hell is google?). usopp would be at syrup village right? shit. is there even a drum island? these are all too broad, he needs something specific. specific…..a place with an identifiable name, somewhere smaller that would be easier to stake out…

a lightbulb goes off. 

fucking shit he thinks. of course. of fucking course it would come down to the cook. 

he types in “baratie” to his maps and a location pops up, just 27 minutes from where he is now. he hasnt eaten yet either, so he figures thats killing two birds with one stone. he taps the address, backs out of the lot and drives. 

(if it takes him nearly an hour to get there thats nobodys business but his own)

he pulls up to the building about a quarter after 7. it seems packed enough already, but if memory serves him right then that was just par for the course for baratie. he parks, gets out and locks his car, then shoves his hands in his pocket and resigns himself to another oncoming migraine hes sure to get upon interacting with the man hes certain is waiting somewhere inside. 

the tables are full, the host tells him, he slips a 20 from his wallet and suddenly (of course) theyre more than willing to serve him. 

he gets settled in a far and somewhat isolated booth and a waiter comes up to him, but he cuts the man off as hes introducing himself and says “you got a blonde working here? stupid ass side part with a weird eyebrow? goes by sanji” the waiter looks shocked and put off by his rudeness but quickly collects himself and says “we might. depends on whos asking” zoro snorts “just tell him hes got someone who wants to talk to him,” he cringes at this next part, tries to smile but knows it comes off as a sneer. hes not sure if he still has conquerors haki wherever he happens to be now, but he tries to channel that energy the same way he would if he were in battle and says “tell him im a fan.” the waiters eyes widen, in fear or surprise zoros not sure (most likely a mix of both) before he nods and scurries across the floor, weaving in between patrons and coworkers alike until he disappears behind the double doors to the kitchen. 

zoro sits with his arms crossed and skims through the menu out of boredom and impatience. its a couple minutes before he sees a familiar head of blonde hair emerge from across the way. a smile climbs onto his face despite himself. sure, the guy annoyed him to hell and back and their…friendship (if you could really call it that) was a tumultuous one, but it was good to see someone familiar nonetheless. he schools his expression before the blonde can spot him. a few moments pass before hes standing right in front of zoro, his stupid suit primped and pressed as always, and a cautious look on his face. 

“you asked for me?” his tone is the one he only reserves for men who he deems not worth his time. zoro grits his teeth but says “yeah, theres something ive gotta discuss with you.” 

hes never been one for tact, forever blunt unlike his swords. 

sanji quirks a brow “i dont plan on talking about anything with anyone unless theyre a paying customer” zoro feels his eyebrow twitch but grabs his menu nonetheless and points to a random item without looking “i’ll have this then, and whatever booze you got.” sanji leans in to see what hes pointing to before his one visible eye widens and a grin slowly overtakes his previously unaffected face. 

he speaks condescendingly. “wonderful choice sir, coming right up.” before zoro can get another word in he grabs the menu out of his hand, spins on his heel, and marches back to the kitchen. 

zoro clenches his fists and does his best not to grind his teeth into a fine dust. no matter where they are or what displacement in time the fucking curly brow never fails to be absolutely insufferable. at least this way though, zoro knows its him for real. 

its another 20 minutes before the shit cook reemerges from the back with a platter and a mug in his hand. he steps up to zoros table and places the plate and cup down in front of him with a smug look. zoro has no idea what the fuck hes looking at on his plate. he doesnt have time to question it before sanji plops down in the booth seat across from him, disregarding all previous faux-professionale and asking “so what do you want” zoro tears his eyes away from his plate and looks into sanji’s, trying to convey as much emotion, as much urgency as he possibly can. 

“luffy needs us. and we have to find him” whatever the cook was expecting him to say, it definitely wasnt that. the other man regards him more warily now, looking him up and down with a tense frown before replying “i dont know what the hell youre talking about. and i dont appreciate being mocked or having my time wasted” he goes to stand up but zoro grabs his wrist, yanking him back down unceremoniously. 

he blinks before rounding back on zoro, flaring his nostrils in a way zoro knows means hes about to get himself in deep shit “oi, what the fuck do you think youre-“ he doesnt let him finish “im not mocking you. this isnt some stupid prank or whatever youre thinking. and despite how much i would enjoy punching your teeth in right now im not looking for a fight either.” 

the cook still looks affronted but seems to actually be listening. zoro continues “look, i dont know what the fuck is going on. i was at laughtale with you and the others, with luffy, and then i woke up and now im here and i dont know how but this is all wrong. its all wrong but i need to find luffy and fuck, i cant do it alone. i need your help to find him. find everyone.” the blondes eye is wide, but he blinks and its gone. he looks more tired than zoro has ever seen him 

“im not paid enough for this shit. i dont know why i even-“ he looks like hes getting ready to leave again but zoro is desperate at this point so he blurts out whatever he thinks will convince the other man hes not bullshitting.

“we met you here, at the baratie. me and nami and usopp and luffy. luffy busted through one of your walls so your old man punished him by making him wash dishes. i dont, i dont know what luffy said to you, or how he convinced you to join us, but he changed your life like he did mine. we sailed together, and we had each others backs no matter how much we got on each others nerves. you were our cook. i was our swordsman. luffy was our captain and youd do anything to help him, i know you would, same as me. youre a pervert and an asshole and a damn annoyance, but youre strong. i could still kick your ass though” if the cook’s eyebrow could go any higher hes sure itd be clear off his forehead by now. 

“and you- your dream. you wanted to find the all blue.” he stalls there, engine sputtering. zoro doesnt know what else to say, so he snaps his mouth shut. 

the blonde is still gaping at him like a fish, but he mouths the phrase “all blue” like hes been searching for it his whole life, like he always knew but just never had the words. 

he blinks. 

then he blinks again, rapidly. there are tears pooling in his eyes. his mouth flaps for a moment before he seems to finally be able to push out words. 

“you- zoro?” he sounds small. he sounds hopeful. zoro grins. 

“yeah, yeah its me.” sanji stares at him a moment, then looks around, as if hes seeing everything with clear eyes for the very first time. zoro figures he might as well be. 

“holy shit. holy shit.” 

zoro laughs, a rough thing. theres a ball in his throat that he cant seem to dislodge. “nice to have you back, curly brow” sanji’s gaze snaps back to him before he scowls and tries wiping away the tears that are now streaking down his cheeks. its useless though, it seems they cant stop. zoro laughs again at the sorry state of the asshole in front of him, this time more full and genuine. he feels so relieved he doesnt know what to do with himself. 

“yeah yeah, whatever dick head.” sanji grumbles. zoro quiets down, glances away, lets him have his moment. “fuck, mosshead, im still on the clock and you unload all this on me? how the hell am i supposed to finish the rest of my shift?” his words are sharp but he doesnt sound angry at all. in fact, when zoro turns back to look, hes smiling. 

“you remember now though, dont you?” he has to be sure. 

“what does it look like, dumbass? think im tearin’ up cuz of pollen or some shit?” the cook rolls his eye. theyre both silent for a moment, trapped in their own heads, before he speaks up again. “so, what now?” zoro doesnt even have to think before he answers “we find everyone else, obviously.” “well no shit, but how?” zoro glances to the side. “i was hoping youd figure that out” sanji stares before bursting out laughing. zoro scowls and hunches into his shoulders. 

“of course!” sanji cackles “of course your dumbass wouldnt know what to do! you probably just typed in the most recognizable place you could remember and hoped one of us would be there!” zoro doesn’t answer, because yes thats what he fucking did, but it worked didnt it? he doesnt see whats so funny. 

“fuck you.” 

he wants nothing more than to bash that smarmy mouth in, but the familiar egging settles something in his soul. sanji gasps a few breaths before calming down, now wiping tears from his eyes for a completely different reason. 

“alright alright, well lets figure this out then, yeah? we figure out how we got here then we can figure out how to get back right? simple enough” 

zoro nods, “law was-“ he stops. remembers dull eyes and clammy skin and wrong wrong wrong. he shakes his head, “no, no we cant” sanji looks at him confused. 

“we cant go back,” zoro presses, “not until i fix things. i promised i would” the other man seems to pick up on his panic and his mood dampens, becomes more serious. “promised what?” 

zoros never been one to sugarcoat, but now he wishes he could find a way to soften the blow hes about to deal. he inhales, pushes the breath out. says, “luffy died, sanji.” the fact the hes actually using the other mans name seems to fly right over his head in favor of the first part. “what?” zoro huffs, is he really gonna make him say it again? “luffy di-“ sanji interrupts, angry now, fists clenched and whitened from the pressure “i heard what you said. but what do you mean.” 

he doesnt want to have to tell sanji what happened, doesnt want to talk about it at all, wants to slice it up into small enough pieces that it very well may have never existed.

he told law the others wouldn't have to know, that he would make sure of it, but he's realizing now just how unrealistic that is. as much faith as zoro places in his own abilities, he's aware he's only one man.

and, he figures, if there's anyone i can trust enough to share a burden heavy as this with, might as well be the one who's strength i'd count on just as much as my own.

sanji cant help if he doesnt know what went down once they got separated at laughtale, so zoro sets his shoulders, clenches his fists, prepares himself like hes riding into a battle he knows he has no chance of winning—hes the first mate for fucks sake—and resigns himself to filling the other man in on every horrible detail

by the end, the cook looks much the same as zoro feels, pale-faced and shaky. he runs a trembling hand through his hair and clenches his eye shut. “fuck mosshead, thats…” he doesnt bother finishing, and zoro stays silent—already knowing just how much of a shitty situation it is that theyve found themselves in.

—

(btw the reason sanji was so smug about what zoro randomly chose on the menu is bc its one of their most expensive dishes. even upon regaining his memories he still makes zoro pay it cuz hes an asshole like that. business is business 😁)

uuummm i dont feel like detailing the rest basically my idea is that they work together to try and track down all the members as well as law, since hes also a part of this. i dont know how or when or in what order but i do know finding luffy would come last. so yes its zolu but for a majority of it more in spirit than anything. maybe i can throw in some luffy pov of him living with ace and sabo . he knows something is off but cant place his finger on what. he knows something is missing but hes got his brothers with him so what else could he possibly need? etc etc. you get the idea

#devil fruits don't work like this but don't sweat the logistics. just read with your heart not your head #it starts off rough cause im kind of just rambling about my ideas then the more i go the more it just turns into a fic #let me know your thoughts in the comments or my inbox or whatever i love discussing stuff hehe!! #as you all know im an artist first and foremost but sometimes my ideas get a bit too big for my current drawing skills so i write them down #so heres that #one piece #zolu #theres no guarantee i'll ever like. srsly continue this but i rly rly like it as a concept im invested LOL #and i have a few ideas on how the rest of the crew would be found that ive discussed w friends #so perhaps if i find motivation and can outline. an actual plot progression and clean up this first part... #well who knows... XD #also im not a zs truther in fact my insta followers r well aware of my. certain feeling on the ship #HOWEEVVEERRR i do think zoro and sanji have such an interesting unique and important dynamic/relationship #that i enjoy studying outside of a romantic lens #anyway ive spoken enough . pls enjoy! or dont thats fine as well

[callilysto]

spiralling myself deeper into zolaw madness bc the fics are amazing and they fit each other perfectly if you brainrot hard enough. they're the right amount of intimacy and snarkiness balanced just oh so well that (this is no offensive intent) find hard to get with other zoro/law ships. they're so... domestic and natural. they just work so well.

especially just so amused with how law becomes horrendously, helplessly, sooo downbad over zoro, whom i'm used to given perspectives in fics as avoidant due to denial, struggling in flusteredness in sexually/romantically tense situations, and/or overall just the emotionally constipated one in the ship (e.g. zs, zl, zrb; note - this is NOT a diss).

zoro with law is portrayed as stable, still the single minded idiot at times, zoro that's confident with what he wants (in a relationship and in general) and isn't afraid of intimacy, of confrontation and honesty of feelings. this zoro, who isn't afraid to fall in love, to trust and commit, paired with law who's still trying to heal and be better, is so perfect. zolaw for me is like falling in love with zoro all over again in law's eyes, and refinding self worth bc of zoro's unyeilding trust and faith on him that even law believe things will get better, and he deserves to live happily.

they are the friends(or allies) with benefits to lovers trope incarnate.

#zolaw brainrot is very strong #zolaw #zolaw one piece #one piece #trafalgar law #roronoa zoro #one piece headcanons #brainrot