-> Just A Bit Jealous

-> Just a Bit Jealous

characters: zoro (one piece), reader insert

warnings: sfw, lil angst, lil fluff

wc: 1,579

(reblogs welcomed)

You laughed at your crew mate, Sanji's, joke whilst you both worked together to clean the dishes. The rest of the crew eventually making their way out of the kitchen after dinner and back to their own tasks. Sanji washed the plates and silverware and you dried them, forming a small assembly line.

"And he just stormed out of the kitchen?!" You laugh in between your sentence.

"Yep," Sanji replies, laughing as well. "He was pretty worked up over my dish being far better than his." Sanji rarely ever told stories about his time at the Baratie or even his life before the restaurant, but whenever you would offer him help with cleaning up he would tell funny little stories just to hear you laugh.

After all the dishes were properly cleaned and put away you decided to get some fresh air on the deck and see what the rest of the crew was doing. The first thing you spotted was Chopper, Usopp, and Brook making faces at one another and sticking chopsticks up their noses. Typical. Luffy, the beloved captain of the Strawhat Pirates, was right where he usually was this time of day: lying on the head of the Sunny. Nami was probably in her workroom mapping out the island we just departed from this morning. Robin, reading in the library, and Franky was most likely in his shop tinkering with new gadgets for the Sunny. Everyone had their own routine and things they liked to do.

The breeze was slow and cool tonight and you could hear the sounds of the sails waving as they guided the ship onwards to our next destination. Looking up at the sky you see the warm colors mixed in the clouds as the sun performs its final act of the day before the moon takes its place. It's arguably the most beautiful time of day, and definitely your favorite. Your attention diverts to the crows nest above the ship and your mind wonders to a certain swordsman.

You and the moss-headed pirate were always close, you both being very strong members of the crew. While he was a swordsman, you were shinobi. These two groups don't typically work together, but on the battlefield you and Zoro maintain an incredible synergy and there is no denying that you both enjoy fighting together. You keep each other safe. Off the battlefield you two occasionally train together during the day and he's usually the person you go to if you have something really deep to get off your chest. You could say you two are the closest out of all the other crew members.

You subconsciously climb to the top of the crows nest and let yourself in through the hatch. Zoro is staring out the window, bottle of sake in his hand. You weren't sneaking in so he senses your presence immediately, taking a long drink.

"Thought you would be hanging out with that shitty cook still?" He wipes off the sake that dribbled on his chin.

"Was just helping him with the dishes is all," you say. The room stays silent as you sit on the couch near Zoro.

The man sips his drinks a few more times before he mutters, "sure." Your brows furrow.

"Zoro, is something bothering you?" He sets the bottle down.

"You know he's just trying to get in your pants." Zoro's always had beef with the cook, but this was a little out of pocket and out of character for him to say.

"What?" You look at him but his attention never wavers from the window. "What are you talking about?"

"Curly brows. He's flirting with you. The way he always looks at you. I could hear you two laughing."

"What does Sanji telling a funny story have to do with him wanting to 'be in my pants'," you retort. "And we all know Sanji's a flirt, what's the big deal? It's not like it means anything." Zoro doesn't speak up, only picks his bottle back up to finish it off. He then opens the hatch and heads down the ladder. "Zoro! Hey, where are you going?" He reached the deck floor and all you can do is watch as he walks into the hall, hand running through his mossy hair.

It wasn't your turn on watch tonight so you opted to stay in your room for the remainder of the night. It had gotten pretty late and you couldn't fall asleep at all, your brain replaying the interaction with Zoro earlier that night. The two of you never get into any sort of argument with each other, the two of you get along very well, so tonight was very strange and it left you feeling really upset. Especially with the words he said. With every hour that passed by of you laying in your bed, not able to sleep, you got more and more restless and agitated. 'What did he mean by all of that.' Eventually, your stomach growled and you decided it would be best to step outside for a snack and some fresh air.

The kitchen was dark as you quietly navigated through the room. Your skills as a shinobi were not only useful for battle, but when you needed to sneak in and grab a snack without alerting the rest of the crew all the training really pays off. You had just put the code into the refrigerator lock when the lights flicked on.

"Luffy you know-" in the doorway stood the tall swordsman, a tired expression coating his face. "Y/n, what are you doing here?"

"Please don't tell Sanji," your voice staying quiet as if you were still trying not to get caught. "I just got hungry and wanted a snack!"

"Oh, okay." And with that he flicks the lights back off and leaves the room with a silent shut of the door. You reach into the fridge and grab something small to eat and make your way to the deck.

Staring out into the water you wonder what type of island you'll be landing on next. The weather hasn't changed yet to hint at whether it's a winter or summer island yet, but you're hoping it's somewhere warm and inviting. Perhaps with a village and some places to shop for new clothes. Nami has been wanting to take you shopping for some new "cuter" outfits. Your thoughts are interrupted by a presence to your right, leaning off the rails and mirroring the way you admire the sea.

"You're up late," you don't need to turn to know it's Zoro leaning next to you.

"Couldn't sleep. Wanted a snack and some fresh air." You could feel the tension in the air as the two of you stayed silent. The minutes go by as you both just stare into darkness of the water. It's Zoro who is the first to break the silence.

"I'm sorry for what I said earlier. In the crows nest, I mean." His apology takes you by surprise, Zoro not having a record of saying 'sorry'.

"What did you mean by all of that? You know Sanji and I are just friends."

"He just gets so close to you," he says. You feel him stiffen and you start to realize what he's saying.

"It bothers you?"

"Yea, it does," he whispers. You are still facing him when he turns to looks at you, a pink flush barely visible on his face. Zoro, a man who can cut through almost any beast, is blushing because of you? Your eyes both linger on each others faces for another moment before Zoro quickly turns away, embarrassed. Lifting your hand, you reach out to place it on his shoulder. No words needed to be exchanged, you both were used to understanding each other without a single sound. He stiffened under your touch for a moment but quickly relaxed, feeling comforted by your hand.

"I don't like him, if that's what you're so worked up about." A small laugh escapes your lips. It catches his attention enough to where he turns back to face you.

"I'm sorry, y/n. I don't mean to get so jealous," he says in almost a whisper. "It's just..." You move your hand down to his own and your fingers interlock. "I really like you." The smile in your face feels as if it could spread through your whole body. Never in a thousand years would you picture yourself standing on the deck holding hands with Roronoa Zoro, soon to be greatest swordsman in the world, as he confesses his feelings for you.

And never in a thousand years would you think you would say, "I really like you too," because, while the man was on your mind quite frequently, you never realized the reason why he was on your mind. You always admired his strength and his loyalty. You always found him quite attractive, sneaking glances at him from time to time without his notice. And you always enjoyed his presence around, even if you had absolutely nothing to do. As long as you were by his side, you were happy.

So when the words fell right out of your mouth and you found yourself being pulled in close by the marimo, you did nothing to stop him because you've realized that this is what you've wanted the whole time. And as he leans down to kiss your lips ever so passionately, you kiss him back.