╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗ Here is a little helper: ✏︎(y/n)=your name ✏︎(l/n)=your last name ✏︎(h/l)=hair length ✏︎(h/c)=hair color ✏︎(e/c)=eye color ♔ ⋆The words in italics represent thoughts.⋆ ♔ ✎Requested by Malyden ♔ Characteristics of the reader: ✏︎Kind ✏︎Tenacious ✏︎Funny ╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*══╝
The tavern was alive with noise, the sound of clinking mugs, slurred laughter, and lively chatter filling the air. Victory had been sweet, and the crew was eager to celebrate. The hard-fought battle was behind them, and now it was time for well-earned relaxation. Zoro, as usual, was at the bar, his face as stoic as ever despite the endless flow of sake. He drank like a man with nothing to prove, yet somehow always stayed on his feet, unaffected by the alcohol that would've knocked others flat on their backs.
The crew was spread out, laughing, talking, and sometimes challenging each other to games of strength or endurance. On the other end, you found yourself in a conversation with a local who'd caught your attention earlier in the evening. He seemed harmless enough at first - polite, offering a drink, a compliment here and there. At first, you were receptive to the attention. It wasn't like you didn't enjoy a little conversation after the chaos of their daily life. But, as the minutes ticked by, the man began to lean in a little too close, his hand brushing your arm too frequently, his voice dropping to a more suggestive tone.
Your stomach twisted. He was a little too persistent, his proximity a little too muc, but, being the kind person you were, rudeness was not your first option. You started by laughing awkwardly, trying to shift away without making a scene.
"Wow, you're really close," you laughed forcing a playful tone as you shifted her chair back a few inches. "What, you planning on memorizing every freckle on my face or something?"
The guy chuckled, completely missing the hint. "No, just thinking you're a lot more interesting than most people around here," he said, his hand now resting far too casually on the back of the chair, fingers grazing your shoulder. "There's something about you... it's different."
You did your very best ignore the rising discomfort in your chest. You weren't weak, you could kick his ass in no time but the problem was, that wasn't you. You were not rude or confrontational. You believed in kindness, in seeing the good in people... but right now, the "good" in this guy was rapidly disappearing.
"Uh, thanks," you said, trying to keep the conversation light, shifting her weight again to try and create a little more space. "But, you know, maybe not too close, huh? My personal space bubble is pretty big."
But the man didn't take the hint. Instead, he leaned in even closer, his breath warm. . "Come on, don't be like that," he murmured. "You're a lot of fun to talk to. I'm just trying to enjoy the night with you."
Your skin crawled. You looked around the room, hoping for someone, anyone, to notice. She glanced over toward the bar, hoping for some relief. Luffy was, of course, too busy stuffing his face with food to notice anything, and Nami was deep in conversation with Usopp. Franky was talking loudly about his latest invention, completely oblivious to her plight.
It wasn't long before your eyes found Zoro, his usual stone-cold demeanor never changing as he stood at the bar, his eyes scanning the room with an intensity that felt familiar. He saw you and your situation. His expression didn't shift — it simply darkened, and without another word, he began to make his way over.
When your hero reached it's destination and found himself, the man pause mid-sentence, his posture stiffening as he realized who had just arrived, Zoro's presence being far from welcoming at this instant.
Zoro's voice broke the silence, cold and unyielding. "Oi, do we have a problem here?"
The stranger blinked, clearly taken aback, his mouth opening and closing as if trying to find the right words, but nothing came out. Zoro's gaze never wavered. It was a look that, when directed at someone, left no room for negotiation.
The man, now realizing the gravity of the situation, stood up awkwardly, his face flushing a deep red. "I-I wasn't trying to—"
Zoro didn't give him the chance to finish. "You've been hovering around her long enough," he interrupted, his voice calm but laced with an underlying tension. "And I think she's had enough. So unless you want to get a drink somewhere else, I suggest you leave."
The stranger, his bravado completely shattered, scrambled to grab his drink before hurrying off toward the bar, not looking back even once. Zoro stood there, unmoving, until the man was safely out of earshot. Then, he turned to you.
"You good?" Zoro asked, his voice softer now, though there was still a clear hint of irritation in his tone. He looked at her with a slightly raised brow, waiting for an answer.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, Zoro. I didn't want to make a scene."
Zoro sighed heavily. He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression turning into something between frustration and exasperation. "You're too damn kind for your own good, you know that?"
You opened her mouth to say something, but he wasn't done yet. "You're strong, you can handle yourself just fine. But people like that? They'll just keep pushing as long as they think you'll let them. You need to stop being so damn polite."
Your shoulders sagged, and you gave him a sheepish smile. "I know..." you started, fidgeting, "I guess I just... don't want to hurt anyone's feelings."
Zoro gave you a pointed look, his expression softening only slightly. "Sometimes, you've gotta be a little selfish. People like that guy? They don't deserve your kindness."
"I know...I'll work on it."
Zoro didn't say anything more, but his look said it all. He was looking out for you, and he wasn't about to let anyone take advantage of your kind heart. With a final, soft grunt, he turned back toward the bar, leaving you to process the recent happenings.
But no matter what, you know he got your back.
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