The One : Roronoa Zoro X Reader

4

How utterly fucking embarrassing,

Zoro dragged his hand over his face as he sat near the fire pit in your backyard. The entire day was just a disaster. When Luffy invited him to this party he didn't put much thought into it; but then he walked into your room by accident and you looked so cute barely awake, hair tussled all over.

He was thankful for the lack of lighting as heat crept up his neck, ears and face.

What the fuck was wrong with him?

Over the last few years he'd seen many photos of you displayed in the Newgate home and the boys spoke of you often. He just wasn't prepared to come face to face with you out of the blue. Everything about you that was even remotely attractive in photos was amplified in person under the mood lighting of the bar. Your eyes were bigger and brighter, perfect full lips parted just so and he hated to but he had to agree with Shanks (though not as crudely); the small vein of silver that you had to be too young for added to your beauty.

Then he spent that evening trying to figure out your relationship to Shanks, it was definitely unique as you swatted at him most of the night. But there were times where the redhead drew from you the most genuine laugh. Your head thrown back and hair falling away from your face, it looked just as beautiful as it sounded.

So of course the day of your party you had men fawning over you, worst of all, that shitty cook. It was so obvious and cliché; using your knife skills as an excuse to touch you. He was thankful for Ace's interruption, if he didn't get out soon he'd cave in to his desire to sock Curly Q right in his stupid fucking mouth.

He found himself wanting to speak to you, he couldn't deny his attraction, however there was something incredibly intimidating about initiating conversation with you that he hadn't experienced before. With everyone you came in contact with you were bubbly and sweet, except for him. When your eyes met you suddenly clammed up. He knew he wasn't much of a talker and could himself be a bit intimidating, but you grew up in a house full of tough men, you could take care of yourself. So, it had to be something else.

Now he was forced to watch with feigned disinterest as Shanks flirted with you on the dancefloor. It wasn't that he hadn't tried. He thought after some drinking and letting the music loosen you up perhaps you'd speak to him like you did everyone else. Robin helped him get close enough to cut in but he couldn't get passed Luffy's flailing - you hadn't even noticed. As the song came to an end Shanks fearlessly swooped in.

"Sorry." Robin murmured taking a seat next to him.
"It's fine." he sighed leaning back on the bench, "Let's just not talk about it. It was a long shot."
"I'm sure there will be other opportunities." she smiled softly.

He only hummed in response.

"Opportunities for what?"

His gaze snapped back to the pinkette taking a seat on Robin's lap.

"Mind your own business, Perona." he grumbled.
"Nothing dear." Robin moved a lock of curly pink hair off her shoulder and wound her arms around the other.

The song ended bringing Zoro's eye back to the dancefloor. You hugged Shanks and made your exit heading back toward the house. He rose intending to get a word with you.

______________________

You turned meeting a pair of half lidded slate eyes. A navy beanie concealed unruly raven locks, slender tattooed fingers adjusted the lapel of his jacket.

"It's not." you replied, "You're the surgeon right?"
"You've heard of me?" he quirked a brow and took a seat, "It's Law by the way."
"Don't flatter yourself too much, Shanks pointed you out when we were dancing." you chuckled slouching back in your chair.
"Mind if I smoke?"
"It's your body, but you'd think a doctor would know better."
"Stressful habit," he replied lighting the cigarette, "so, what's the lady of the hour doing out here alone?"
"It's been a while since I've been around a group of people like this." you shrugged, "It gets a little overwhelming. What about you? Surely you could have your smoke out back with everyone else."
"I just thought I'd take a moment to get to know who we're celebrating." he leaned back watching you.
"I'm not that interesting, I assure you."

"Yes, so uninteresting all of these people came out to welcome you home." he smirked, "Some of which you don't even know."

"You know Luffy invited half the town. I'm sure you're one of them." you offered him a quick glance.

"That is how he operates." he chuckled.

Your conversation was cut short by the sound of furniture being pulled around inside the house.

"There you are!" Luffy shouted bursting through the screen door, "We've been challenged. You have to come defend our title"

"What?" you asked rising from your seat.

"Beer pong!" he hollered, "Kid and his friend think they can beat you guys."

"Well, Marco doesn't really drink like that anymore." you stepped passed Law.

"Zoro said he'll play instead."

You couldn't control the small smile that ghosted your lips.

"I'll be there in a second then." You turned back to Law who remained seated, "Sorry I've got a reputation to uphold. It was nice chatting though."

"The pleasure was mine, F/N-ya." he rose slipping a business card into your hand, "Hopefully we can do it again soon."

"S-sure." you stammered stashing the card in your pocket.

When you entered the house the boys were already filling the cups placed in a triangular formation on both ends of the old ping pong table.

"Full cups?" you asked Ace watching him fill them.

"Don't think you can handle it squirt?" a massive redhead sneered stepping next to you.

"Don't underestimate her Kid." Sabo pipped up handing Ace another pitcher of beer.

"Everyone clear on the rules?" Ace asked, "Balls that go right in are worth one cup, bounce and sink is two cups, and house rule if you miss you have to take a shot of tequila."

You took off your sweater and pulled your hair up in to a messy bun. Zoro stood nearby quietly admiring your tenacity and mentally preparing himself to not disappoint you.

"Best of three rounds?" you asked taking the ping pong ball from your younger brother.

"Whatever you say sweetheart." Kid smirked cockily.

"Alright." You grinned back bouncing the ball right into the furthest cup to the right in the third row.

That was the first time you saw Zoro smile.