Zoro and his Assassin

Spider Monkey

Zoro's POV:

I turn around, my humiliation now complete. The gods themselves must be laughing their asses off at this. "Shit, were you watching the whole time, creep?"

"Does it occur to you that she might be going through something difficult and is only looking for distractions? Your intense and weird behavior puts her off. Give her some space and respect, maybe smile and crack a few jokes. She'll warm up to you. Or she'll kill you in your sleep and put you out of your misery." 

I look at Sanji, ready to cut him down where he stands, but he's puffing his cigarette contemplatively. Every word he's said rings true. Except maybe the part about killing me—at least I hope he was just joking... Wasn't he? Damn it.

Sanji sighed as he watched Zoro making that damn circle thing on his chest again. The idiot was going to steal Anya from him, he thought, puffing out a stream of smoke.

"Distract her, moron. She needs a distraction, nothing serious. Just be cool," he advised, unhelpfully.

"I am cool, you bastard. Of all people, you don't need to teach me how to be cool," Zoro replied coldly.

"She has secrets, Zoro. Be careful. I trust her, but don't get hurt over a chick, okay?"

Zoro huffed out a laugh and mockingly began, "Have you gone sof—"

Sanji kicks me in the face, already bleeding from the head butt. "That's for manhandling a lady," he said, then walked away, cigarette in hand.

Dumbstruck, I stand there watching him strut off. "Fuck it. This really is a strange night. Definitely, the candle fumes must have gotten to the pervy cook, too. Tch, idiots, the lot of them."

I go back up to the crow's nest, unable to face Sanji in the dorm again, and find Anya waiting by the door.

Anya's POV

I was having a decent night after the embarrassing spectacle I made by trying to hide from Zoro. I loved playing with Sanji. He was so carefree; I knew he had no expectations of me, and it was good fun. I actually felt a kinship with him, as if he, too, was hiding his pain behind a mask of laughter and joy.

But then Zoro had to come and ruin it. I was simply chilling and minding my own business when he came to stand behind me. I could smell that man—he had just come in from his training. I knew he usually went to take a shower, but today he had to grace us with his presence. I didn't want to dwell on the fact that his scent was, in fact, soothing to me: musky, comforting, and all Zoro.

I was still reeling from the way he had held me against his strong chest, his face resting on my shoulder. I could still feel his breath on my neck. I hadnt expected his soft words or how I would react to it. I wanted to bare it all, rip my heart out and tell him all my fucking problems. I wanted him to save me protect me - and that scared me, I would never ever depend on anyone else ever again. 

But I couldnt get the feeling of yearning completely off my chest. 

Maybe that's why I came up here. To feel his presence one more time before I went to bed. I didn't think he was going to come back but I hoped....I hoped.

I noticed his equipment lying neatly by the bench. As I approached, I saw his towel draped there, still damp with sweat. I picked it up but quickly put it back, feeling a twinge of guilt for even touching it - feeling like a pervert. I ran my fingers over the equipment, needing something to occupy my restless hands.

I know why I avoid this man. I know why I substitute my real feelings with hate. His pink nipples might have given a big clue. I was deeply and terribly attracted to this man. And it scared me. I do not understand how I could have such intense feelings for one who is still for all intents and purposes a stranger. It was as if my body recognised him and is telling my brain to mark him as mine.