He watched Luffy & Robin struggle, hating to interrupt.
"Luffy"
His captain's face openly weeping with Kidd's thrashing
"Have an idea. and you'll hate it" /do you trust me?/ he didn't have to ask. nor would Luffy ever have to answer
it was awkward, Luffy handing Kidd over to Zoro. Kidd's good arm was held down by Robin's phantom limbs until Zoro got a grip that would keep Kidd pinned. She kept Kidd's legs held fast to Zoro's to keep him from kicking - leaving Zoro only to worry about being headbutted.
the walk back to the shore was an eternity; Luffy and Usopp capturing what debris Kidd tried to shred Zoro open with. Luffy found them a shallow stretch where he could walk along side them on slick rocks.
/im trusting you/ he didn't say, / so trust me back / "Usopp will get me if i slip."
Robin and Usopp stayed at the shore to watch as Zoro walked out into the sea.
Kidd's incoherent screaming took on words the moment his feet his the surf - and mix of strange curses and foreign threats. Robin's limbs fluttered away as Zoro waded out to his knees.
Kidd was bigger, taller, heaver, than Zoro. But in the sea, Zoro is always stronger. Holding fast as the captain's strength drained away to dead weight in his hold.
Luffy crouched carefully on the sea stick stones, a hand reaching out to touch Kidd's head. Soft words that Zoro selectively tuned out as the two captains spoke.
Kidd's threats eased off. Dead weight and quiet in Zoro's hold. His tears where Luffy's alone to witness.
-
Kidd didn't nearly come back, even if he did quiet down. he would run out of tears - straiting listlessly at the open ocean as he was anchored not by Zoro's grip, but Luffy's words.
it was Usopp who broke the still, gesturing down the shore line to Robin.
Brook stopps at the edge of their line of sight. Robin blossomed an ear in his open palm.
"The doctors have finished" she passed the message one, glancing at Luffy.
"I want you to let Zoro take you back," Luffy said, leaning over to make sure Kidd's full attention was on him. Tired, dead eyes looked back, dull orage; in a way udon had never robbed him off. there, Kidd knew his crew at least lived, because he was the hostage to keep them in line.
there was no such reason to hold such a hope this time.
"Killer is at the Sunny," Luffy spoke evenly, prodding in hope of getting something to spark alive. it was a cruel bait. Killer might not make it still. Luffy didn't even have a confirmation that Law or Chopper had been able to do anymore than make the man comfortable.
but Kidd deserved to be with his crew. even if it was just to say goodbye.
