Eyes of a Hawk: Zoro x Reader

Chapter 12: Between Hello and Goodbye

Ding-a-Ling~

Chimed the bells strapped to the front entrance of a cute little bar hidden deep within a forest of trees and bubbles that glistened like a rainbow. A man in green stepped within the bar with a satisfied smirk, his arm rested upon the swords strapped to his hip. An older gentleman peered up from the day's newspaper, adjusting his full moon specs with a grand smile.

"Oh, well look at that," Rayleigh chuckled setting his newspaper down within his lap. "Didn't expect you to show up first."

"He did have some help," you poked your head out from behind Zoro's back. Rayleigh smiled even larger than before, unfolding his legs and picking himself up from the sofa.

"I see you've been living under the roof of a warlord Zoro," Rayleigh proudly announces, taking your hand gently within his own and placing a kiss upon your hand. "I believe it's been about ten years since the last time I saw you (Y/n), you've grown into a beautiful young woman."

"Twelve," You correct with a shy giggle not letting the compliment slip your mind. "What about you, you haven't changed a bit," besides maybe Rayleigh's hair turning from blonde to a dusty color of freshly fallen snow, he still looked great for a man of 78 years.

"I'll take that as a complement," Rayleigh chuckled reaching behind himself looking for something behind the counter of the bar. You heard the sloshing of liquid, and looky looky, Rayleigh pulled out a bottle of booze to be poured within a row of shot glasses and offered you and Zoro one glass each as well as himself. You both gladly accepted the little gift. One little shot glass won't suffice Zoro's tank of a stomach, you thought with a shy snicker. "Why not celebrate this reunion?" Rayleigh offered all the while holding out his glass.

"You two know each other?" Zoro finally bothered to ask. You actually facepalmed yourself, the question was greatly delayed I guess you could say.

You put yourself back in order, taking a seat upon a nearby stool. "Now Zoro you'd think we knew each other if I gave you a nickname after Rayleigh. Right?" You asked.

"Old man, yeah don't remind me," Zoro grumbled smirling the contents of his glass with a settle movement of his hand.

"Awe what happened," you puffed out your lip. "I thought you liked that nickname."

"Only coming from you," the swordsman turned his head the other way unable to look at you head on. You grinned at this response since it was music to your ears then rested one leg over the other.

"Okay then," you tut. "So Zoro, When I was younger and lived with Shanks for a while, he went on risky business quite often and so Rayleigh would watch me instead."

"So a babysitter," Zoro spoke with a snicker on his end.

"If you want the correct term," Rayleigh shrugged as he didn't seem to mind the nickname. "Drink up kids," Rayleigh threw his head back and drunk his shot glass. You and Zoro were soon to follow. You say your glass upon the bar and took another glance around before getting to your feet.

"Well Zoro," you pat his arm. "Until the rest of your crew arrives, I'll be around," you proceeded to leave Shakky's co owned bar when Zoro grabbed you by the arm bringing your advance to a dead stop.

"So you're telling me you'll be messing around for an entire week until my crew arrives?" Zoro quickly asked of you like some over protective parent.

"Well yeah," you pry yourself from Zoro's hold. "I have no idea when the next time we'll meet with you traveling the Grand Line with your Captain and all, so I'll stay here until you leave for good... Is that a problem?" Rayleigh chuckled hearing how hostile you soon became. Zoro said the wrong thing at the wrong time that's for sure.