Hello~ Here is the one-shot ZoTash. It's modern AU, and it's a special for Tashigi's birthday, which was on October the 6th. Sadly, my health (it's better now) prevented me to finish it on time, but I decided to publish this one and another one, even if my timing is waaaay off.
It's a little naughty? Maybe?
Enjoy~
I do not own One Piece.
Red and the werewolf.
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What am I doing to myself? Tashigi gazed at her reflection, feeling awkward.
No, that was an understatement. She was so embarrassed and nervous that she almost backed out of her plan for the fifth time this evening.
How did she allow herself to be swayed by Nami? Why did she accept for her to arrange her birthday party? A costumed one for that matter? And why in the world did she agreed to wear such a... She looks at herself again. This is not a costume.
This should not be called as such. This...
She wouldn't even walk out of her bathroom in this.
The flirty frock mimicked a peasant blouse, skirt, and corset combo, and the red-and-white gingham high-waisted skirt had a built-in lace-edged petticoat. Of course, Nami had to throw in killer heels and thigh-highs to "rev up" the whole classic apron and cape look.
Tashigi sighed, massaging her brow.
Sure, she wanted to let loose a bit and have fun, but this was something drastic.
Truth to be told, Tashigi would have dismissed her immediately, only if... She clenched her fist, looking at the red attire she was wearing.
Red was, 'till now, innocent in her eyes. It reminded her of poppies, who were the symbol of remembrance and hope, red velvet macarons she enjoyed and first and foremost of love.
This outfit ruined her views of the color red, particularly the childhood story she was fond of; Little Red Riding Hood. Of course the edited version, Tashigi refused to acknowledge the original gruesome story.
If "granny" saw her in this... It may be a good thing that the old woman in the story can't see too well. Otherwise, she might give her a bit of a talking-to about walking in this getup.
When Nami suggested her to wear that costume, she agreed and was relieved. The costume Tashigi had in her mind was sweet and most of all did enough of the covering.
The big mistake was entrusting Nami to get one for her.
The pieces of fabrics she was now wearing exceeded the limits of her comfort zone.
"Oh, c'mon, Tashigi! You're too guarded for your own good. Of course, I was going to get you one of the sexy-" Nami stopped when Tashigi casts a glare at her.
"...Adult costumes." Nami quickly corrected herself as if that changed everything.
Since Tashigi was quietly raging, the orange haired woman continued to justify her choice. "Well, that's part of the fun in dressing up! You can be somebody else... You won't be unnoticed and you will finally gain confidence to make the first move-"
Tashigi glared harder at her.
Nami frowned, but didn't give up. "C'mon, trust me. It's going to look great on you! And it's not that bad, I picked the modest one... Guys fantasize about this... You can also fill the basket with your muffins and-"
"Nami." Tashigi's tone was intense, as she tried to refer herself from shouting at the woman. Her modest and Nami's modest were like two distinct words.
The woman made a step back. "Well, I'll leave you to try it," she apprehensively smiled. "See you upstairs!" Nami quickened her pace towards the door, but not before throwing in, "You will tame the heart of a lone, dense wolf tonight." And she quickly closed the door of Tashigi's bathroom since Tashigi launched a hairbrush at her meddlesome upstairs neighbor.
It started to make sense why her witch friend (Nami was wearing a witch costume) waited the last moment to deliver the ensemble. To prevent Tashigi from escaping.
No, she could, but... Something drove her to this. Someone.
The attraction she felt towards him was unbearable. It drove her mad. So she needed to do something extreme since he would never consider her if she approached him as a "normal" Tashigi.
In conclusion, she decided to... It sounded ridiculous even in her mind.
She wanted to seduce him. If she was lucky and doesn't mess up.
Tashigi bites her lip harder.
The dating advice mixed with "techniques" about getting the attention of the desired male Nami suggested, started to swirl in her mind.
But he isn't like the rest. The usual things didn't work on him. She quoted sourly. Why am I even bothering?
She closes her eyes, visualizing his appearance; his dark eyes probing her mind anew, face expressionless at first, beginning to warp and change, taking into something animalistic. Then there is only darkness and his lips upon hers. Swiftly, the wild thrill traverse trough her, and the decision was made; she will do this, whatever the cost.
Their paths don't have to cross ever again, since her motivation preceded that of a simple dare or crush. She needed to prove to herself that she could do things like before; that she was still that person who could achieve anything if she tried. He was simply icing on a cake. A delicious one for the matter. And the gift she decided that she will receive for her birthday, is a kiss from that man.
Her trembling and fear were finally subdued by the desire and daredevil in her. The one she buried during these five years of non-stop working.
When you are younger, you are full of dreams. In order to make them come true, you start to work. But then you fall into a routine.
Get up. Turn off the alarm. Stretch. Do exercises. Shower. Coffee. Breakfast. Grey suit, navy suit, black suit. Pick the most comfortable shoes. Files. Purse. Glasses. Comb and do your hair the exact same way. Go to work. Fit in. Work hard. Work even when your coworkers have a break. Do not get upset when they give you the cold shoulder. Or dump their work on you. Or tell you, you are incapable of having fun. You work hard for your goals, their opinion is not important. Go home later than you should. Go home where nobody awaits you. Nobody to ask you how was your day. But that's fine, soon your dreams will come true. You will climb up the work ladder if you work hard. You are so close. Lie down in your bed. Tell yourself a few more lies before you drift into a dreamless sleep.
Repeat tomorrow. Repeat for a month. Repeat for five years.
Tashigi had to admit to herself that she was stuck in a corporative loop. Her dreams were locked away for good, she often told herself bitterly.
How did it get to this? The route to her awakening, started one day, a free for that matter.
She caught herself having nothing else to do but tiding up; not having a desire to go shopping or to go to the cinema. She didn't have an urge to do... Anything basically. All the joy was sucked out of her. Maybe she was really incapable of having fun.
"Well, I guess I'll just clean the apartment then," she joylessly replied.
Around 10 pm, a loud knocking interrupted her.
She was staring at the TV without knowing what she was watching.
Tashigi frowns at the sudden intrusion, as if she was doing something significant. She gets up from her couch, dragging her feet to the door in hopes that whoever knocked would give up.
Sadly, that wasn't the case. The intruder ringed the doorbell as if the death was chasing him.
After a sigh, Tashigi opens.
"Hi!" An energetic and beautiful orange-haired woman flashed her a smile.
She looks familiar, Tashigi thought to herself.
"Um-" She didn't get a chance to reply as the woman cut her off.
"Can I use your bathroom, since mine is taken?" She winked, placing her hands together in a pleading manner.
Tashigi lets out a sigh. "Sure, it's there," she guides the woman to her bathroom, noticing the clothing (the lack of) she was wearing.
"Thank you! You're an angel. I'm Nami, by the way." She disappears behind the door.
"Tashigi." She scratches her cheek trying to remember why this woman looked so familiar.
Right. The woman helped her when the content of her shopping bags scattered in the entrance of the building; she also helped her carry it. Tashigi was just too absent-minded and immersed in whatever project she was working on, to thank her properly. And if her memory served her, she lived upstairs, right above her apartment.
Yes, the loud neighbor who threw parties very often, grinding on her gears.
Tashigi mentally facepalms herself for sounding like the grumpy old lady.
"Definitely incapable of having fun," she retorts.
"Oh, what a relief," the woman came out, more cheerful than when she came in. "Thank you, again."
"No problem." Tashigi tried to keep the talk to the minimum, escorting her to the door.
When the woman made a step out, she suddenly turned to her. "Why don't you come to my party?" She smiled, glancing at her with puppy eyes.
"Um... S-Sory I-I can't." What's with the stuttering? She took a deep breath. "I work tomorrow."
"So what? I do too. And it's not that kind of a party... Just a few close friends and we'll be done in the 'normal time.' Someone complained so I can have parties 'till midnight."
Tashigi tried hard not to grin. "Um, I'm really ti-"
The woman pressed her index finger to her lips. "I won't take no for an answer."
Tashigi was puzzled by a sudden touch and the woman's boldness; she was also starting to get annoyed. "Listen, I really have to refuse, you see I'm not in the mood."
"C'mon, it will cheer you up... There's more to life than just working! When was the last time you let yourself relax?"
Tashigi paused. When was the last time? On college? Anyhow the woman was really persistent so no matter how many times she refuses she won't leave.
One drink and I will go. Tashigi nodded and took the keys out of her lock.
"You don't plan to go like that, do you?" The woman gave her a worried look.
"Uh..." Tashigi looked upon herself. She was wearing a T-shirt and sweatpants.
"Well..."
"C'mon, let's see what you have in your closet." Nami pried her way in, waiting for her.
Oh, this is turning into a headache, Tashigi pinched the bridge of her nose. "Not much," she muttered, leading her to the closet.
"Everything is gray and black! Why?" Nami's face was like that of a Munch's painting "Scream." And no, it was not an exaggeration.
"I usually buy clothes I need for work, not anything else in particular." She replied flatly.
"What?! But how can you! I would die."
Great, another person to tell me how I'm boring and incompetent of having fun.
She should see her love life.
"Listen, Nami, I appreciate your-"
"Hush. Let me think."
"This could work... With this... It's emergency after all." She pulled out skinny jeans Tashigi didn't know she had, and a plain black shirt with long sleeves.
"Change into this, so I can see how it fits you."
Tashigi sighs for the hundredth time that day, taking the offered clothes.
"Could you..."
"Oh, okay." She takes Tashigi's cue to leave, so she can change clothes. "So shy," she chuckled.
Five minutes later, Tashigi called her back.
"Wow, nice figure." The woman sized her up. "However, this shirt doesn't do you justice... It covers your butt which should be seen," she tucked in the shirt messily in her pants. "Hm, it can pass." Nami made the thinker pose as she was solving one of many mysteries of this vast world. "Roll up the sleeves a bit."
Tashigi sighed. Why is she listening to this woman she barely knew? It's bothersome. But a part of her wanted to see where it would lead her.
"Let your hair down," she commended, Tashigi obeyed. "Take off your glasses."
"I can't. I don't see without them."
"Don't you have contacts?"
"No."
"Fine, I guess it can't be helped." The orange haired woman was deflated but didn't dwell on it for too long.
After 10 minutes, Nami was apparently done with the bare minimum.
"Oh, almost forgot. Do you have a nice bra underneath your shirt?"
Tashigi's eyebrows bump together. "Um, does it matter?"
"Of course, it does!" Nami replied as if Tashigi asked why do humans breathe.
"Why?"
"Because of this," she unbuttoned her shirt, to the point where her black bra peeked out.
"Hey, stop that!" Tashigi hurriedly buttoned up her shirt.
"C'mon, live a little, and it's a shame you hide that kind of a bust." Nami pouted.
"I don't want to show it. It brings unwanted attention."
"Honey, what's wrong with a little attention? It helps to boost up confidence, trust me on this."
"Fine." Tashigi lives two buttons open, and lets Nami open two more, as a compromise. She will do the bidding of this bothersome woman, just to get rid of her. Then, back to safety.
But things never go as planned.
"Hello everyone, I'm back!" The woman shouted, making everyone turn to her and unfortunately to Tashigi, crushing her hopes of blending in and leaving.
"Nami-swaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan! Who's this beautiful lady?" The blond man took her hand and kissed it.
What the...
"Um, hello, I'm Tashigi." She withdrew her hand.
"Tashigi-chan! How 'bout a dance?"
The man stared at her cleavage a little too hard. See? The unwanted attention of pervs.
"I'm sorry, but I don't dance," she turned around, searching for a spot to hide, and she had found one in the corner of the room, taking a seat on the loveseat. A small party, right. She should have known better.
People rubbing against each other in a crowded, tiny space... She hated it. That's why she did not like to go to packed places, let alone dance with sweaty people.
Let's get that drink, and I'm out, she told herself.
Tashigi approached the guy who was making drinks, ordering her favorite cocktail. But when she tried to return to her hiding spot, it was taken.
And normally she would turn around, rolling her eyes at her worst luck, but not this time.
The person who took her spot... Was a sight to look at. She bit her lip, and forced herself to walk away, but not very far, so she could enjoy the view. A man catching her attention was not something that happened too often.
Tashigi wouldn't describe him as the "lady-killer," but the term has a truthful observation to it, as he looked like he was stalking a prey, being on constant alert and ready to deliver the kill. He had a sort of aura which made you want to trail him into the adventure at the very edge of the abyss.
She meets his eyes, and roots to the spot; yes this man was capable of passion, but it was more like a passion of a wild beast rather than a lover. It was cold, exhilarating and dangerous.
And she was smitten.
He looks elsewhere and she's frustrated that he didn't actually look at her, as the mere gaze was able to give her hundreds of small sensual delights.
Then again why would she look at her? She was trying to be unnoticeable and that's something she will always be.
"Why don't you go and talk to him?" A voice surprises her, and she almost spills her cocktail.
"Huh?"
"Let me introduce you," Nami took her by the hand, but this time Tashigi drew the line. "N-No, that's alright. I just thought he was an acquaintance, nothing else." She smiled nervously. "And anyway, I have to go, thank you for inviting me." She rushed out, not giving the woman a time to speak.
A month flew by since that night and Tashigi caught herself thinking about the unnamed green haired guy for who knows what time. He was her new infatuation. She was mad about the time daydreaming was consuming, but it also became her guilty pleasure.
How nice it would be to be held by those strong hands... Yes, a delight. But something like that won't happen; they were ... More like he was out of her league. He probably gets all the girls with his cool attitude. But why was he drinking alone then? Probably a part of his "role of cool guy" or something.
No way that he went home alone after that.
Ugh, stop with that, she cursed herself for letting her thoughts wandering away.
Nothing changed much during the month except the frequent visits of the...
"Tashigi-chan!" The orange haired woman greeted her while she was unlocking her apartment.
"Oh, hello Nami-san."
"How about we go somewhere tonight? Just the two of us."
"I can't."
"But-"
"Well, how about we hang out here? I have a nice wine and we can watch something on TV?" Tashigi hoped to avoid being dragged to the tenth party that month.
"But what if I told you that the guy you like is there?"
Tashigi froze, keys falling out of her hands. "W-What? Puhlease Nami-san, I don't like anyone..." And it happened. She blushed.
Just great.
"Okay fine." The woman sighed, but not before pulling out the dramatic act called "Why do you close your heart to love, Tashigi."
Tashigi just patted her back, as they entered her apartment for the girls night.
What Tashigi had yet to learn about her new friend is that she never gives up, so as the months flew by, Nami would always mention the mysterious guy that, now, visited Tashigi's dreams. And no matter how hard she denied liking him, she couldn't hide the truth from Nami.
"How about I set you out on a date with that guy you stared at? You will like him... He's single! And he is-"
"No, thank you." Tashigi cut her off. She was getting sick of thinking about the guy she hasn't even spoken to, so much that her work started to suffer. And Nami was just prolonging her agony.
"You say no very often. Are you afraid of experiencing the thrill in your life, or any kind of joy?"
Tashigi snapped, "I'm sorry, but you don't know me and you don't have the right to-"
"Okay, I won't butt in anymore. Sorry." She turned, storming away.
Tashigi was perplexed for a few moments. Then, the sadness pressed her chest, and she almost lets the tears out.
I even managed to push away Nami, and she... She is ... Tashigi allows herself to let some of her burden down her face.
A week has passed by since she last spoke to her, and pretty much everything got back to how it used to be. Only her feelings and thoughts were a mess. Whenever Tashigi was in such a predicament, she would work out. Hard.
The doorbell buzzes while she was in the middle of her routine with dumbbells.
Perhaps it's Nami. I should apologize. Her sweaty form puts down the dumbbells, muscles struggling a bit to hold her weight as she staggered to open the door.
As she opened it, she nearly collapses.
"Uh, another mistake," the guy from her dreams said.
Tashigi forces herself to speak, so she did not appear as a weirdo.
"Can... I h-help you?"
Oh my god.
"I'm looking for Nami... She's an orange-haired woman who likes to meddle in everything."
She chuckles. Indeed.
"I know Nami-san, her apartment is on the next floor right above mine... I think it's number 22."
"Thanks." He smiles. "Sorry if I interrupted you."
"No problem, I was finishing anyway. Working out... It's needed, muscles, I like to eat so-"
Just. Stop. Talking. Moron.
"How much are you lifting?"
"Huh?"
She turns around scratching her head, to inspect the dumbbells she purchased without looking at their weight.
"May I come in?" He asks and she isn't capable of saying anything, just giving a small nod.
"They don't seem right for your built." The stranger answered, in thought.
"Are you aiming to build endurance, strength or lean muscle?"
Tashigi only stared at his serious question, her mind vacant.
"Nevermind," to her relief he smiles.
Hey, brain, say something, so I don't look totally stupid, Tashigi begged.
The brain kept giving the same flat line.
"Ah... Um..."
Okay, it doesn't have to be very intelligent. Just something partially logical.
Nothing.
"I know it can be confusing for beginners. Just... The outcome you want to get depends on your number of reps and sets. If you go too heavy you won't be able to complete the workout. To achieve results you should reach fatigue or failure, but you need to maintain form throughout every rep and set."
Tashigi's mouth was slightly agape. COME ON, BRAIN, GIVE ME SOMETHING. She only manages to nod again.
"Let me see..." And he grabs the dumbbells raising them as they were a mere toy.
"Hm, as I thought... You need to switch to the lighter ones, then after a month you can gradually increase the weight."
Tashigi could only stare at the whittling of his muscular shoulders, strong and burly arms, his chest muscles bulging through the white shirt he wore. It's safe to say she was distracted. And he may have noticed it too.
"I need to go." He hands her over the dumbbells, revealing her the close up of his face, their hands brushing. At that fatal moment, she forgets all about the dumbbells, dropping them.
One managed to fall right on her foot.
An excruciating pain shoots through her, and she barely withholds a scream.
"Hey, are you okay?" He comes closer again, worry adoring his handsome face. Tashigi would admire it more if it wasn't for the fact that she most likely broke a few bones. Tears rolled down her cheek.
"I'm f-f..." She can't even finish.
"Let's get you to the hospital."
"N-no that's-"
He lifts her up effortlessly, much like the cursed dumbbells, and it started to look much like her fantasies, except the agonizing pain, which was obstructing her focus.
Tashigi firmly rejected to start crying in front of him. She still had a little pride left.
As they left her apartment, while in a tense pain and bliss at the same time, worry got to her as he couldn't find the way out.
Thankfully, Nami came by and stopped her sweet and painful torture.
She ended up with a broken toe, but her ego was more hurt.
Nami didn't help out that afternoon as she lied on her couch, her leg lifted on the pillow.
"I send him over to you and what? You break your toe?!" Nami sighed with exaggeration. "What did you two do?" She had a sly smile on her face.
"Nothing! He was just lifting my dumbbells-"
"That's what they call it nowadays? My, my... You're not as innocent as you look, and he had me fooled-"
"Nami-san, please quit teasing me," Tashigi replied red as the poppies she cherished.
"Alright, alright... So did you talk? Arranged a date?"
"N-No... Well, he invited me to a gym..." And he mentioned that she was tough. Tashigi liked that very much.
"Oh, for heaven's sakes. I swear you two will be the weirdest couple I have ever matched. The story for your kids will be like, "Yeah I fell for your daddy when he dropped the dumbbell on my toe."
"NAMI." Tashigi pressed the pillow over her heated face.
The incident didn't hinder her as she thought it would, and soon after she started spending time with him. When her toe healed up, Tashigi joined the gym he recommended and took it from there. His name was Zoro, and he was a cop, much to her surprise. The way he talked about workout and work equipment made her believe he owned a gym or that he was a professional. Either way, he was busy with his work much like her, the only difference being that he enjoyed doing it since it was his dream. Not only was he passionate about his career, but he was also an admirable and disciplined guy. Her first impression of him was half true; she was wrong to think that he was a player.
But even her Mr. Perfect had one big flaw; she noticed after two months being in his vicinity and when they hang out; the guy couldn't take a hint. He was essentially blind when it came to recognizing female affection. And, oh boy, did he get it. He was a chick magnet.
Tashigi nearly bit her lip off when the women flocked around him, and he would innocently give them advice about work-out regimes, not realizing that wasn't why they approached him.
Fortunately and unfortunately for her, cause she couldn't get close either.
She was basically...
"I'm friendzoned." She admitted to Nami one night. "Deep, deep in the friendzone."
"Yeah, he's a dumbass," Nami nodded, rubbing her forehead, and sighing.
"He's not! He just-"
"My bad... You're a dumbass."
"Nami!"
"Did you explain to him clearly that you don't wanna be a cute little one-san or the best female buddy?"
"Well... That's... I couldn't... I don't-"
"So you didn't." Nami folded her arms across the chest. "I mean, I know the guy for years and he's pretty dense when it comes to romance. You can't wait for him to make the first move. You need to do it."
Tashigi turned pale. That was literally the only thing she couldn't do. She didn't know how to flirt even if her life depended on it; much less make such a dense man realize what she wants.
"Oh, god..." She mumbled, despair overwhelming her.
Which bring us to the current situation.
Tashigi climbs up the stairs slowly, walking at a pace high heels allowed her to. She gulps, praying to Cupid, and other forces to help her not embrace herself tonight.
Her hands clench at her sides and she tries hard to avoid wiping her sweaty palms on her skirt, as she walked into Nami's apartment.
Tashigi tried most of her life to blend in, but this birthday was different.
When she walked into the room, she didn't make all the guys fall for her or make them gather around her, but she did get a few whistles, wolf howls and comments like "I'm a big bad wolf" with other allusions to the story she once loved, only making it dirtier in her mind.
Immediately the thought of bolting downstairs and changing into her comfortable clothes surged up, but she resists it, upon seeing her goal.
Like usual, he's in the corner, sitting alone and drinking.
Nothing fancy on him, plain clothes. His "costume" was a gray T-shirt which had "I'm really a werewolf this is my human disguise," written on it.
She barely managed to read it when she approached him. "Hi," she says to him, gathering her nerves.
"Tashigi?" His mouth falls open.
Mentally, Tashigi chalks one point to her. Or perhaps she should call it a tie since that simple contact managed to get her heart rate up.
He, however quickly recovered, not giving up that easily.
"Happy Birthday," he says, smiling. "Your present..."
Will be your lips, Tashigi loses herself in her thoughts, heat enveloping her.
"...Great, huh?"
"Excuse me?"
"A year worth membership in the gym with all the benefits," he repeats rather proud of himself. She tries with all of her strength to give him the brightest smile she could muster. But really what did she expect? All and all it was a great gift.
"Thank you so much," she wanted to sit by his side, but the length of her skirt made her uncomfortable. She swallows her shame and finally sits down.
Even her dense love interest seemed to pick up on that.
"How come you're wearing a dress?" He inquired.
To better seduce you with, she answered in her mind.
But seriously she was making the story more sickening all by herself.
"I... I thought... It would look different." She replied.
"It does. Your legs look long and lean."
Tashigi blushed, hopeful.
"Workout pays off," he smacked her on the back, taking a chug of his beer.
She nearly facepalmed herself, contemplating on her next move.
"How come you aren't wearing your glasses?"
Cause I don't want to see myself in this outfit, Tashigi inwardly replied.
"I don't need to wear them-"
"But you don't see very well without them. Remember when you thought that guy in the gym was me?" He chuckled.
Seducing Roronoa Zoro was proved to be an impossible task by each passing second.
"It's nice though."
He cut through her hopelessness.
"Huh?"
"Your eyes. I'm able to see them better."
That probably had to be the best compliment she had ever received; strange and wonderful, pressing up against her, making her more nervous.
I can't give up!
"Let's dance," her lips pull into a smile, standing up.
"But you hate dancing." He frowned.
My damn babbling mouth.
"Once in a while, I do like to dance."
"Then I'm honored."
The walk to the dancefloor where other people swayed in the rhythm of the music she couldn't hear, since she was deaf by the beating of her heart in her ears, pressing their bodies against each other, has shown to be an even more challenging task.
They started awkwardly, as he hesitantly put his hands on her waist.
The next part almost made her faint.
"Nice results," his fingers teased her waist as he felt her up, while other hand did the same with her arm muscles. "Maybe we should try some other work-out for you next week."
Tashigi wanted to cry out of frustration. This is like a merry go round!
But she didn't throw in the towel just yet. Rather, she started touching him.
Two can play that game.
She slides her hands down his toned ones, admiring the curves oh his body. Trying to memorize it. Her fingers passed over the burgeoning muscles of his chest, the sturdy vault of his ribs, spreading a tingling sensation in her core.
Their knees brush together, and he asks, "What are you doing?"
There is some tension to his voice, and she likes it.
"Just checking the results of your rigorous training," she mutters, and he seems to be satisfied, as he rewarded her with one of those brilliant, makes her want to melt in her socks, smile.
It lasted for eternity in Tashigi's mind; she would throw out some flirtatious innuendo (she hoped) to see if he makes some kind of flirty response. Zero reaction. All of her advances in hopes of some kind of response rejected.
Her nerves were starting to break under the pressure. It's time to pull the trigger.
As soon as she was ready to tell him how she felt, someone interfered.
"It's hardly fair to monopolize the Birthday girl, you shithead," the blonde guy named Sanji, who was hanging around Nami all the time, has disrupted their little exhausting game. He looked sophisticated in a velvet long coat with its deep collar and red silk cravat. He was a vampire.
Tashigi tries to ease the tension between the two, but is cut by raging Zoro.
"And what the fuck do you want dartboard brow?! She can spend time with whomever she wants."
They are at it again, Tashigi sighed. It was no secret that two men argued and competed at everything.
"Tashigi-chan, let me save you time, this guy doesn't deserve you," he completely ignored Zoro, turning to her, and yet again taking her hand in his, gently kissing it. "You look wonderful tonight, happy birthday."
No matter how many times he came on to her, Tashigi was always surprised (and a little scared) by his gallant gestures. She hardly managed to utter, "T-Thank you," feeling on the edge.
"Stop ignoring me you bastard," Zoro gritted his teeth, fuming.
"I'm simply asking a lady for a dance, caveman." He dismissed Zoro, in one swift motion. "Such beauty is wasted on him," he took one of her locks, kissing it.
Tashigi widens her eyes in shock.
Isn't this guy like a hundred percent into Nami? He's basically trailing after her like a love-sick puppy. So what the-
"Back off, shitty cook." Zoro intervened between them.
"In your dreams moss head. Why don't you do us all a favor and drop dead? Are you blind to this?" To her horror, he pointed at her.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Zoro cocked his head.
Oh, no. Please, no. Tashigi made one step backward.
"She dolled herself up for you, and you can't even reward her efforts, you poor excuse of a man." He then pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one up.
He stared blankly at her, and even in all of her embarrassment, she found him appealing. There was something about a handsome man who was confused and uncertain of himself.
"Tashigi? What's going on?" he mumbles, and she starts to feel the full weight of his undivided attention; on every breath and movement she took.
She opens her mouth to clarify, and is stopped by something; sweat seemed to gleam on the strong column of his neck.
I'm making him really uncomfortable, the dreaded thought dawned on her. That was the last thing she wanted, to dump her one-sided feelings on him.
"It's nothing really," she tries to smile and her smile is broken. Tashigi couldn't look him in the eyes anymore. Instead, she turns to Sanji, "I'm really sorry, but I can't dance with you," she makes a polite bow, returning to the college Tashigi greeting level.
Zoro still stared at her, even harder it seemed, burning her with his gaze.
"Um, I'm sorry guys, I need to go," she apologetically mumbles, running away as fast as she could, passing by the confused Nami.
Right now she desperately wanted to take this foolish clothes off and cry a little.
A lot, actually.
She no longer cared about her birthday or the party.
Safe in her apartment, she kicked the heels off her legs, desperately trying not to break down. In her sadness, she failed to notice that someone tracked her. She starts peeling off her thigh-highs, lost in her thoughts.
"So... Are you going to explain to me what in the hell is going on?"
"Eek!" She turns to the unexpected voice, heart in her throat. Her eyes widened at the sight of him, and she quickly scans the door of her apartment, which she failed to lock.
"I knocked," and his gaze is serious, almost frightening.
"Uh, Um, I wasn't feeling good so-I was-just-I wanted to-I-call it a night..." She paced the room, trying hard to come up with an excuse and something that would make him leave. Right now, she couldn't deal with it.
He stands in front of her, preventing her pacing.
"Cut the crap."
"Everything is a huge misunderstanding," Tashigi lifted her hands up, to prevent him from advancing further.
"Then why can't you look me in the eyes?" He growled, pressing up against her, trapping her against the kitchen counter.
"I'm sorry," she weakly uttered, tears sliding down her cheek. "For forcing myself on you." With the barely audible voice, she finished her sentence.
The weight pushed up against her vanishes.
"I didn't know..." He combs his fingers through his green hair, "That you felt that way towards me. It's true?"
"Y-Yes, sorry." Heat in her cheeks has come to the boiling point, and she looks at her feet.
"I see."
"I'm sorry for making you feel uncomf-"
"That's a relief."
"H-Huh?"
And in a split second, she is pressed against the counter again, breath robbed out of her lungs, lips devoured by his, as he enclosed on his prey. Aggressive wouldn't even begin to describe it. It was total domination from his part, as she was too confused to react, let alone do something. She clumsily supports herself against his chest, her knees wobbling out of the force of impact of his lips.
Occasional wheeze and groan echoed the silent room, and they finally split.
"So..." Tashigi's breathing was ragged. "You... Feel...The ... Same?"
Licking his lips, he grinned in return. Towering over her, he made her feel small and delicate.
"You have no idea," he murmured into her ear, grazing it with his teeth.
A small moan escaped her. She felt trapped, but it was the trap she never wanted to escape from. She wraps her hands around his neck, gazing into his eyes. "That's-" She's cut off by his lips again, as he firmly pulled her body against his, lifting her up, so she was now sitting on the counter. Her legs open, allowing him better access to her body, as his tongue slips inside her mouth, gentler than the first time, but equally demanding. Her fingers grip his hair, pulling him closer, as her heart throbbed. His hands roamed down, caressing her bare thighs, dangerously approaching the hem of her underwear. A shallow hum escaped her in response. Her body desired him. She could feel he craved her as well.
Their breathing was heavier as they wandered in the direction of the primal needs. But something was off; he was slowing down, his kisses more subtle and tender, until he pulled back and looked away, exhaling. Tashigi was too frightened to ask what was bothering him.
"It's too fast, isn't it?" He racked his hair with his fingers, frustrated.
Tashigi frowned, still sitting on a kitchen counter.
"I liked you for a while now... But I thought how you didn't want to be more than friends. I wanted to confess but... You actually beat me to it."
Her fingers touched her parted lips. Guess we are both fools. Nami was right. Tashigi softly sighs.
"Zoro, what's the matter?"
"Is... Is this too fast for you?" He asked as he rubbed the back of his neck.
Tashigi titled her head to the side. Fast? The pace was so slow that he made her make a move. Her of all people! But she exhaled, deciding to withhold her sarcastic comment. He was nervous just as much as she was.
"No, not really. It's pretty clear what I want."
"It is?" And his face is adorably confused again.
"Yes," she smiled, "I want you."
A small smile formed on the man's mouth, and Tashigi reddened in the response.
"But if you think it's fast then," she got off the counter, "I can wait."
"No, absolutely not." The man vigorously shook his head, making her chuckle at the comical situation.
"I just want you to feel comfortable," his hands trapped her again, and he kisses her forehead.
Her heart starts to melt at his consideration, and that such a rough around the edges man can be soft, failing to notice the way his eyes blaze at her.
"You see," he suddenly lifts her up, and she yelps.
"Z-Zoro, what are you-" She is silenced by his animalistic smirk. "The problem with craving is, the longer we wait," he opens the door of her bedroom with his leg, "...The weaker we are. Unfortunately, I have no self-control left."
"And, saying these words, this wicked wolf (werewolf) fell upon Little Red Riding Hood, and ate her all up."
Meanwhile, upstairs.
"Nice work Sanji-kun," Nami beamed.
"Anything for you, Nami-swaaaan."
A/N: How do you like grumpy Tashigi plus Tashigi the failed seductress? (Trying to write her in some new ways, waiting for your opinion.)
Yes, the dialogue between them is a play on the famous dialogue between the Red Riding Hood and the Wolf disguised as her granny.
In Sims 4 I made Zoro and Tashigi, and they are the ultimate work-out couple xD Zoro owns a gym and is a professional bodybuilder and it's cute how whenever I play somebody else I always see them together, mostly in the gym, and he would mentor her since he mastered Fitness Skill (Tashigi mastered it too though). That's where I got the idea.
To put some trivia here, don't read if you don't want your childhood to be ruined, lol.
There are so many versions of the "Little Red Riding Hood" and earlier tales are pretty disturbing to say the least. In the original version, the wolf makes Red strip and climb in bed with him. Holy mother Goose. Won't go into details about that one, cause it made me sick.
Other creepy shit is that the wolf fed Red with her grandmother x_x
Well, there is one more story I published today, so be sure to give me your opinion for both :)