Ever Green

[orange_smaug]

Title: Ever Green
Rating: G
Characters: Chopper, Zoro
Summary: Zoro as viewed through Chopper's eyes.




He's formally introduced as the newest member of the crew only after they've boarded the ship, himself still sniffling and overcome with emotion by Doctorine's farewell. His first impression of the rather intimidating swordsman looming silently in the background is of strength, the second of height.

The first is more than accurate--as he soon discovers--the second less so. Zoro is only slightly above average in that regard, and he's taller himself in human form. But the feeling doesn't fade with time, even strengthening throughout their journey as he stares up at the broad back that so often stands between him and danger, feels himself snatched out of harm's way time and again to be met with scowled admonitions to take better care, and spends rare afternoons napping with a cheek pressed to sun-browned skin.

He is reminded of the trees that sheltered him from wind and snow when his herd wouldn't, that were his silent companions when no one else could bear him. And sometimes, when his longing for home overwhelms his shame at his weakness, he clings to legs like sturdy tree trunks or asks with his bowed head to be cradled in arms like mighty branches.

He falls asleep looking up in to a face wreathed with hair like pine needles, and dreams of cherry blossoms.



~end~



Notes: I've watched other series with green-haired characters before, so I'm not sure why I'm so fixated on connecting Zoro with plants :/.

Comments

[mettathron.livejournal.com]

This is cute and well written. I enjoyed it muchly; it brought warmth to my heart. As for Zoro-plants... perhaps it's a combination of his hair being that perfect shade of plant-green and his personality? ^^;

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

That makes sense actually, the way he's not completely crazy like Luffy is, just slightly off in certain ways? (I dunno XD) But yeah, it probably helps that his hair isn't a neon shade like anime hair tends to be.

[ybmc.livejournal.com]

That warmed my soul.....and now it's on fire D:

SO CUTE~!

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

Hee, thanks :).

[maldoror-gw.livejournal.com]

We get glimpses of some Zoro-Chopper brotherly relationship, or so it feels to me, a few times in the series. I like how this links to the evergreen image ^__^ And aw, sweet!

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's adorable, especially the way it isn't really emphasized but keeps popping up in the background of whatever larger story is going on.

[plotbunny-tiff.livejournal.com]

::gapes, stutters, falters...then just breaks down and cries::

I-I mean...that's it. Right there. Trees...brilliant...you gathered it all and just...nailed it...and it's so...

::sputters and sits down to soak the drabble in::

Memoried. Yes. Must do that. Right away.

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, thanks. You get Mr. Smiling Porcupine Fish in appreciation :D.

[nuitari4pwnage.livejournal.com]

*cries* That was so sweet. Such feeling. Had me dying of happy. I love it. So so much. I was to suprise sex your awesome skills.

I've watched other series with green-haired characters before, so I'm not sure why I'm so fixated on connecting Zoro with plants :/.

Maybe it's because Sanji keeps doing it >>.

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

...that's certainly a new way of putting things, thanks XD. (It all comes back to treefucker!Sanji huh? >.>)

[kotszok.livejournal.com]

Augh this is so touching. It makes me feel all mushy inside, thank you for such a lovely wakeup call!

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

I'd say 'you're welcome' except now there's a ZORO PANTSU ICON sullying the heartwarming tale of a reindeer and his pseudo-floral parental unit, damn you :(.

[madnesshp.livejournal.com]

Ohhhhh how sweet!!! I especially loved this part: "spends rare afternoons napping with a cheek pressed to sun-browned skin"

It made my heart squee. ♥

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

Thanks, I can't resist trying to make Zoro's interaction with Chopper cavity inducing ^^.

[doewiebele.livejournal.com]

*melts in a puddle of happy goo*

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

Thanks, glad you liked it :).

[sakurazuka-jae.livejournal.com]

Guh... this is just magic. Chopper and Zoro have such a wonderful relationship and I think you brought out a really interesting angle on it in this story.

And I know what you mean about Zoro and plants... he really just... seems like some mighty tree or something.

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

Losing his way within five steps of setting out, sleeping 36 hours a day, getting stuck in chimneys XD...heh, just kidding. Yeah, the generally stoic attitude is probably part of it.

[bronzetigress.livejournal.com]

the heartwarming tale of a reindeer and his pseudo-floral parental unit

And *that*, missy, is the "nail-it-in-one" phrase... :) I dunno that it's so much Zoro's 'stoic attitude' OR even really the hair (because I always imagine that it would really be that ashy dark dirty-blond that isn't brown because there's no red lights in it), as the way he endures steadfastly which is so very much like a big old sheltering pine (and that sounds wrong and English phails to deliver appropriate words today (again still) *sigh*). Win for you. :)

[orange-smaug.livejournal.com]

the way he endures steadfastly which is so very much like a big old sheltering pine
No, I definitely get what you're saying. I originally wanted to include something about this actually, but it didn't really work out...

[1ofthestrange1s.livejournal.com]

Oh ah my heart ;w;

That last line, I think it just hit me right in the feels.
Thank you for sharing and asdfghjkl;

Chopper/Zoro nakamaship is so cute.