𝑂𝑛𝑒 𝑃𝑖𝑒𝑐𝑒 𝑥 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑒𝑟 (𝑂𝑛𝑒𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑠)

Zoro (Childhood Friends)

"Hey, Zoro," Y/N called out, her voice carrying over the calm sea breeze. She watched as the swordsman paused in his training, his gaze drifting towards her. His muscles rippled with the effort of holding his stances, a testament to his dedication.

Zoro looked over, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her. "What's up, Y/N?" he asked, sheathing his swords with a metallic clank. They had been friends since they were kids, growing up together in a quaint village that was more sand than cobblestone. Their bond had been forged through shared adventures and battles, and it had only grown stronger as they sailed the Grand Line together.Y/N approached him, her eyes filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. She had something to tell him, something that had been weighing on her heart for weeks. As she got closer, she could feel the warmth radiating from his body, a stark contrast to the cool evening air. She took a deep breath, her heart racing. "Zoro, I need to talk to you about something important," she said, her voice a little shakier than she had intended.Zoro looked at her, curiosity etched on his face. He nodded, gesturing for her to sit beside him on the beach. The waves gently lapped at their feet as they sat down. "What's on your mind?" he asked, his tone gentle.Y/N took a moment to gather her thoughts, her hand tracing patterns in the sand. "Remember when we were kids," she began, "and we promised to be there for each other, no matter what?"Zoro nodded, his eyes softening at the memory. "Of course," he said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We were inseparable."Y/N's heart skipped a beat as she looked into his eyes. She had never seen him so relaxed, so open. It was as if the years of adventure had never hardened his spirit. "Well," she started, taking another deep breath, "I just wanted to tell you that I... I love you, Zoro."The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Zoro's smile froze, and he blinked in surprise. For a moment, the only sound was the rhythmic pulse of the waves. Then, slowly, he turned to face her fully, his gaze intense. "Love?" he echoed, his voice low and measured. "What do you mean by that?"Y/N felt a blush creep up her neck. "I mean," she stumbled, "I have feelings for you, beyond friendship. I've had them for a long time." She watched as a range of emotions played across his face - confusion, surprise, and something she couldn't quite decipher. It was like watching the shifting sands of their childhood beach, ever-changing but always there.Zoro was silent for a moment, his eyes searching hers. Then, with a sigh, he leaned back on his hands, looking out to the horizon where the sun had almost disappeared. "Y/N," he began, his voice serious, "I've never really thought about it like that before." He paused, the tension between them palpable. "But I care about you, more than words can say."Y/N felt a spark of hope. "Does that mean..." she trailed off, her voice hopeful.Zoro sighed again, his eyes still on the horizon. "It means," he said, turning to her, "that I don't know if I can be what you want. I've dedicated my life to becoming the world's greatest swordsman. I don't know if there's room for anything else."Y/N's heart sank a little, but she nodded, understanding his dilemma. "I know," she said softly. "I just wanted you to know how I feel."Zoro looked at her, his expression unreadable. "Thank you for telling me," he said finally. He reached over and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. The warmth of his touch sent a jolt through her body, making her heart race even faster."I need some time to think," he continued, his voice a little gruff. "This isn't something I can just... decide on."Y/N nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She had hoped for a different reaction, but she knew Zoro well enough to know that he wasn't one to make hasty decisions. "Take all the time you need," she said, her voice steady despite the ache in her chest.They sat in silence for a while, the only sound the whisper of the waves and the distant calls of seagulls. The air was thick with unspoken words and the weight of their newfound understanding. Y/N felt a strange mix of relief and fear. She had been holding onto her confession for so long, afraid it would change everything between them. Now that it was out, she couldn't help but wonder if she had made a mistake.Zoro's hand remained on her shoulder, his thumb gently stroking the fabric of her shirt. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes. He wasn't pushing her away, wasn't dismissing her feelings. That was something, at least.The stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky, casting a soft glow over the beach. Y/N leaned into Zoro's side, her head resting on his shoulder. She could feel the steady beat of his heart, a comforting rhythm that had been with her for as long as she could remember."You know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'll always support you, no matter what you choose."Zoro's thumb stopped its gentle stroking, his hand tightening briefly before he nodded. "I know," he murmured. "And I'll always be here for you too."The words hung in the air, charged with a new layer of meaning. Y/N closed her eyes, trying to process the tumult of emotions within her. Love, hope, fear, doubt - they all swirled together like the sea at the height of a storm. But she knew one thing for certain: she had been brave, and she had told Zoro the truth.Days turned into weeks, and the Straw Hat Pirates continued their journey, each member lost in their own thoughts. Y/N and Zoro remained as close as ever, their friendship a constant in the ever-changing tides of their adventures. But there was a subtle shift in their interactions, a new awareness that hummed beneath the surface. Y/N noticed the way Zoro would sometimes glance at her, a question in his eyes, before looking away again.One day, as the ship rocked gently on the sea, Zoro approached Y/N where she sat, mending sails. He looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Y/N," he began, his voice a little rough, "about what you said..."Her heart skipped a beat as she met his gaze, her hands stilling on the fabric. "Yes?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tumult of feelings swirling within her.Zoro took a deep breath, his eyes searching hers. "I've been thinking," he said, his voice low and serious. "A lot." He paused, then continued, "I don't know if I can be the kind of person you want, but... I don't want to lose you either."Y/N felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words. She put down the needle and thread, looking up at him. "What are you saying, Zoro?"He rubbed the back of his neck, a rare show of nervousness from the usually stoic swordsman. "I'm saying that maybe... maybe we could try this love thing." His voice was gruff, as if the words didn't come easily to him, but the sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable.Y/N's eyes widened, and she felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. "Really?" she asked, hope blooming in her chest like a flower in springtime.Zoro nodded, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Yeah," he said, his voice a little stronger now. "But we'll have to take it slow. I'm not... good with this kind of stuff."Y/N couldn't help but smile at his honesty. "That's okay," she assured him. "We've got plenty of time."Zoro nodded, looking a bit relieved. "But," he added, his gaze serious, "you have to promise me one thing."Y/N's smile grew a little softer. "What's that?""You have to be patient with me," Zoro said, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'm not... good with feelings. I've never had to deal with them before."Y/N's smile grew, reaching her eyes. "I promise," she said, placing a hand over his. "We'll take it one step at a time."The crew continued their adventures, sailing under the vast blue sky, each member growing more in sync with the others. Y/N and Zoro's bond grew stronger, the unspoken understanding between them a silent force that propelled the ship forward. They found moments of quiet amidst the storms of battle, stolen glances, and gentle touches that spoke louder than any words.