RATING: M

Zoro took the two cups from the barista and sipped. He made a face and the woman looked at him with concern.

Zoro smacked his lips and she inquired, "Is there something wrong with your drink, sir?"

He handed her back one cup, pushed his glasses back up, and motioned to the cup still in his hand, "No, this is my drink..." he looked down at the drink he sipped from, "But she asked for 3 pumps of white chocolate mocha. I taste only 1."

The barista blinked, picked up the cup and read the label, then looked at him, "Um, okay. Sorry, it looks like the order was messed up. We'll make you a new drink."

Zoro nodded as he sipped his own. When it came to coffee, Nami had a particular taste. Specifically, it was a short caramel macchiato with 3 pumps of white chocolate mocha, almond milk, and extra caramel drizzle. If it was a particularly stressful week, she would ask for whipped cream. It was a bitter drink underneath all the sugar, much like the drinker.

This was in strong opposition to Zoro's bitter and strong Americano that he drank regardless of the time. Rich and aromatic, Zoro did actually prefer them in the mornings when she made them. She had gifted him a rather fancy coffee maker, but upon noticing that Zoro could care less to work it, it became her duty to show up early to his apartment and make them. Then, it became natural for her to move in. Zoro did not even notice the change, but he did admit that the drinks tasted extra delicious when only she made them.

"Alright, sir! We fixed the drink...but I gotta say...not many people would have noticed the difference."

Zoro snorted, "She's very particular about her drinks."

"Hmm," the barista mused, "yes, but if you don't drink it - how would you even know?"

Zoro turned red then. How could he tell the barista that he always tasted it on Nami's tongue and lips? That practically any of her favorite foods were on his palate, too. Since his diet consisted of lean proteins, very few carbs, and an occasional drink, Nami took it upon herself to cook whatever she wanted. He never complained as he did enjoy cooking with her. It came with the additional positive of having her in an apron. If she was in a really good mood, only an apron.

The barista giggled, "My girlfriend can't even tell coffee apart from tea. I mean...you must really love your girlfriend."

Before he could turn yet another shade darker, he picked up the cup, pushed his black thin frames up his nose with an index finger, and moved toward the library. He mumbled a thank you as he thought about the word.

Nami was his girlfriend. It took him a while to get that through his head and sometimes he wondered if he dreamt it all up. Meeting her felt like a scripted rom-com, dating her was even more so. She made things easy. Whenever words would get caught in his throat, she would almost without any pressure, reach for his head or give him a kiss. As if she was already in his head. But love? Did he love her?

That was a heavy thing to say over him understanding her coffee preference. When he first met her, he thought she was cute, but he didn't pay her any mind. Zoro was not like Sanji to be easily swayed by a pretty face. However, Zoro noticed things about her. She was always genuinely interested in people's ideas and thoughts, even if they were utterly stupid. Her inconsistent babysitting was proof of that. Zoro could take care of babies, feed them, change them, put them to sleep. But Nami entertained kids in a way that brought a chuckle to his lips every so often. She had wrangled him into his side-business at one point.

Then there was her general enthusiastic and energetic self. She always had energy. Zoro prided himself in not getting tired out, but Nami balanced a full course load, an internship, a healthy and steady relationship with family, all the while being a pretty amazing friend...and eventually, the most amazing girlfriend. That was something Zoro noticed very quickly. She took commitment very seriously, and at first, that made Zoro afraid. His life was not necessarily scheduled for him. He was a rising athlete, but he also was studying criminal justice. Her being a political science major made them have very similar classes, but his games often took him away and he found a study partner in her...and the occasional tutor. Not that Zoro needed it, per se. Sure, he'd sleep in class, but he was also very quick to catch on. Especially if something interested him.

Of course, as he realized his growing feelings for her, Zoro did tend to take a step back. Even so, Nami was fair-minded and interested in doing the right thing. It made her seem like a saint even when he would ask her for space, with little or no words. Then suddenly he would be the one unable to keep his hands off her as if her cool nature was urging him to prove to her that he should be missed instead of it being the other way around. Though he would not admit it, he did often miss her.

When it came it words, Nami was the queen. She was verbally fluent, which was perfect for their collegiate debate team. That was literally the first night that went any further than heavy groping because the debate team had a hotel room, and he went to support his "official" girlfriend and Zoro was floored by the way she put the competition in her dust...even if he did not necessarily know every word she said. She was direct and straightforward, and whereas other men looked at her like she was Medusa ready to turn them to stone, Zoro just wanted to ravish her. In all the ways she teased him to...and she was oh so good at knowing what Zoro wanted before he even did as if she spoke "Zoro" among the other languages she had under her belt. She was unafraid and Zoro found that so unbelievably attractive as if whatever he said and did, she saw him for what he was.

Whereas some people saw him as quiet and keeping him to himself, they did not know how he was with her behind closed doors. Soon enough, the doors did not even need to be closed for Zoro to do something. Anything. Sometimes Zoro had to catch himself from giving out too much PDA, but that was all in the game, too. She was not going to take "no" for an answer, doling out disciple when she needed. Not that he ever said it. Zoro suddenly remembered one particularly good session where she played "teacher's assistant" - fitted skirt suit, bun, a wooden ruler and all. He shook his head as he watched passersby look at him mumbling to himself and nodding as if there was an existential question being posed inside him. And there was. Right? Did he love her? As he went through his bullet points again, yes, one would assume that Zoro did indeed love her. Even when it came to something as stupid as money, Zoro handed her complete control. Because she was very good with it, and that was helpful since Zoro's idea of balancing a checkbook was...well, he had no checkbook.

He pushed the door open and watched her at the far table, chewing on her pencil. Her long hair was in a messy bun and her cherry red glasses were at the end of her nose. She let it slide far down when she was particularly engrossed in something, and Zoro knew this because she had this face that she made. As he came closer, he saw it. Tongue stuck to the side, held between her teeth as if she was holding in a victory cry. Her brows that wrinkled and curled upward told him that she was not nearly there. Honestly, Zoro did not know which was cuter, the faces she made in bed or when she studied.

Zoro put the cup down and she quickly swiped it without looking away from her textbook. She sipped and purred softly, "Mm, just how I like it."

He watched her as he sat beside her. She sat with her legs crisscrossed in the uncomfortable wooden chair. She could make any space look comfy, like a cat curled around itself. He titled his head to the side as he took her in, the gold bangle that jingled along because of the tiny charms he gifted her. A witch's hat, a cat's paw, and a tiny crystal orange. Wow, three years.

He wondered about what he would give her for their upcoming 4th anniversary, but then the words came out before he knew what he was thinking, "I love you."

The world was so utterly quiet. Not many students came to the library on a Friday morning, so the deafening silence was like a pounding white noise as his words hung in the air. She stopped her chewing to look at him and Zoro could feel the red reach his ears as she gazed at him. "S-stop looking at me like that, witch. D-didn't you hear me?"

After 3 years, Zoro would think that his utterance would be welcomed and as Nami reached out a warm palm to his face, he felt relieved. "That's nice." Then he didn't.

She brought her hand back and returned to reading as Zoro slammed his cup down and shouted, "That's...nice!"

A harsh shush silenced him as Nami apologized for them but went back to her notes as if the secret of life was held between her neat script. "Mm-hm."

"Witch," he leaned in, "I-I just told you I loved you...and all you can give me...is...that's nice?"

Nami rolled her eyes and took off her glasses as she turned in her seat to look directly at him. "Yes, because it was nice. But you shouting at me isn't making it any better."

"I'm shouting because that's normal. I'm..."

"Upset?" she said with a giggle and Zoro blushed again, pushing his glasses back up.

"N-no! You...you just...don't seem to get it." Was he ashamed? What he said did not lose its value, but her acceptance of it was...lackluster to say the least. He was hurt, could she not see that?

"Don't get me wrong, Zoro. For you to say that...I know that was a lot for you. And I'm really, really happy." She leaned in and put her hands on his knees, stopping his apparent fidgeting. "But I won't lie...it was cuter the first time you said it."

With that, she turned back to her books, glasses back on her face. Zoro was stunned.

"Sex-" he shouted but as the librarian gave him another glare, he quieted himself and spoke low to her ear, "doesn't count! What we say in the heat of the moment is..."

"Oh, no. You've said it before all that."

"What are you talking about, witch?"

She had a wide grin on her face and she bit her lip, Zoro battled between pushing her cheeks to tease her and biting her lip himself. He reserved himself to stay glued to his seat. Nami tucked some stray hairs behind her ear as she leaned into the table, cheek in her palm. "Don't you remember that party? Right before we started 'going out'?"

It felt like ages ago to Zoro, days before he met her somewhere for food, purposely and not on "accident". Days before he would walk her back to her dorm and stay over for a late-night movie. As if there was a time before he ordered his coffee and hers in one breathe. Seeing him struggle, Nami elaborated.

"Vivi's 18th birthday party. Everyone was there. Shitfaced cause no one was gonna get caught...and she had really good alcohol." Now, Zoro remembered. She did have amazing liquor. Zoro even tried things he could not even pronounce. However, Zoro honestly did not remember much from that night. Nami was certainly there, he remembered following her out...or was she holding my hand?

"You had tried to challenge me to a drinking game...strip poker. However, you had never played poker...and you lost. Horribly. We were hidden in one of Vivi's multiple bedrooms, and as I learned that you couldn't handle your drink as well as you...I told you to get some water and just go to sleep."

"I-" Zoro began to rebuttal but Nami's finger stopped him. He could not believe that he, Zoro "The Demon" Roronoa, was ever intoxicated enough to...that point.

"So...being the kind, amazing human being I am, I helped you into the bed...made sure to put your clothes back on, of course," she winked at him and Zoro blushed again, "And as I was making sure you had some water and a bucket to throw up just in case...you told me, you love me."

Nami watched him as he took in her words. "Impossible. I would have never-"

"Oh really? Because and I quote," she cleared her throat to fake his much deeper voice, "Nami...I love you. No, I know I love you." She turned her face into a frown as she mocked him, slurring the words to emphasize his state then, "When I wake up, I may lie and pretend I don't...so fuck my bullshit and ask me out, okay. Because I'm way too chicken to do it myself. Because I love you and sometimes...I just look at you and think, goddamnit how is anyone this fucking cute and strong and shit, you're so soft. Like everywhere!"

How dare he. How dare his drunk self be such an idiot. Shit. Shit. Shit. "I...I really...said that?" However, Zoro knew it was true. The fact of the matter was that Nami was cute and amazing, and there were plenty of people trying to get her attention. Zoro was fine with being her friend because at least he could outlast whatever relationship that would eventually crash and burn if they got together. All of Zoro's previous relationships eventually died down, some of them his fault... mostly because he just could not be consistent with his feelings. For once, Zoro thought that if he felt good about Nami, keeping her as a friend was his best bet.

Nami nodded and her smile broadened, "And then you proceeded to tell me about how soft I was and how you would eat my ass like it was a piece of mochi."

"Fuck me," Zoro said as he put his head in his hands in embarrassment.

She turned back to her books, "And so I did."

"What?" Zoro lifted his head.

Nami was glancing at her notes again but her voice was directed at him. "Well, why do you think I asked you out literally the next day? Your drunk self was more honest than your sober self, and it would be fiscally irresponsible for me to not take you on your offer." She turned to him and gave him a cheeky grin and wink. "And look what it got me? I get to fuck you for real."

There was that beet red again as he fumbled. "You-you witch. So...this entire time...you knew."

Nami shrugged, "Of course. I figure if those were your true feelings when we didn't even have...a real relationship beyond friends...being with you for real, well...that had to be better. And you know me. I have very high standards and expectations."

Zoro furrowed his brows, adjusting his glasses to look at her clearly. "Why-why didn't you tell me then?"

She waved him off, "Come on, Zoro. If I told you I loved you...you would have cut and run. I know you well enough to know that you like action...not necessarily commitment. Hell, the fact that you waited a year to put your hands on me says how much this meant to you. I respected that."

"Actually, it was the longest case of blue balls of my life."

"And whose fault is that? I never told you to stop. You just...needed a safety net..."

"You just know everything then, huh, witch?" He said annoyed.

She quickly pinched his cheek and babied, "Yes, my little idiot. I do know you too well. You could never surprise me."

Zoro ground his teeth. How dare she think that I can't be spontaneous or out of the box? He was a good listener and self-confident. What was wrong with not wanting to mess things up? He was not threatened by conflict or criticism, and he wanted to respect her need for space and privacy. Not everyone needed to know about what they felt for each other. He watched her go back to her studies like she did not just drop a pile of bricks on his self-awareness. Well, two can play at that game.

He shot up from his seat and cupped his hands around his mouth, "Excuse me, everyone! I just want everyone in the tri-state area to know...that...I, Zoro Roronoa, love Nami Swan!"

Beyond the running librarian, Nami was turning a red that almost matched the brilliance of her hair. "Zoro, what the hell are you doing?"

"Well, witch, if everyone but me was in on the secret...might as well not make it a secret."

"You are such a child!" she fumed, but Zoro knew she was containing her giggles.

"Alright, guys, this is the last straw. You need to go!" The librarian demanded.

Zoro quickly swept their books into their bags and tossed them over his shoulder. "Yes, ma'am. Come on, witch."

She bowed an apology as she chased after him, his hand ready for her and she slipped her hand into his waiting fingers seamlessly. "Alright, idiot. Where do you expect us to study now?"

"Who says we're studying?" He said as he gave her a look that made shivers go down her spine.

"Zoro...are you trying to outdo yourself? I was just joking, you know...I know you can surprise me."

As they exited, he stopped to face her, "Oh, really, witch? Well, I'm gonna make you tell me how much you love me." He growled it and again Nami felt that quiver inside.

"Oh? Are you gonna punish me, Zoro? I thought you didn't like that." Nami would be lying if she said this was not exactly how she hoped this would go.

"It's a surprise, don't worry," he sneaked into her ear as he bit her earlobe and Nami held in the moan. He would pay for that.

As he pulled her, Nami thought it would be nice to tease him once more. "Mm, Zoro...you know I am still the queen of making you squirm."

"Just wait."

"Oh?" she stopped which forced him to stop and she leaned into his ear this time, pushing herself onto her toes. "Zoro...I just want to have all your babies."

Of course, she said it as if she was syrup dripping off her favorite pancakes. Of course, Zoro nearly exploded and with that, he tossed her over his shoulder as he nearly galloped to their apartment. Nami laughed herself to tears. Little did she know that Zoro had a small box hidden on top of the bathroom cabinet for about 2 years now. Unknown to Zoro, Nami had about 3 Pinterest boards filled with wedding pins. It seemed Zoro could surprise her yet.

A/N: *PRESSES HER HANDS TOGETHER TO BEG FORGIVENESS* I know this is utterly late, but I got buried under life...and then I wanted to go in order even when I had other prompts done. HOWEVER, this helped me think in the realm of one-shots...and like I said, these stories are not connected. And I seem to be blending prompts together, but ya know...these kids are overachievers ;P

Also, I did update the last chapter as I wanted this to be the "I love you" whereas the first one is focused on kisses...and "I really, really like you". Still cute. When I first wrote this- it was MUCH longer and in a totally different direction. A little more angst and...more personal...to me... but I thought, "Nah, shipfiend - let ZoNa be ZoNa" & so here we are.

P.S.S. Glasses kink. *raises hand* Yup, that's me. And that's not just cause I have glasses. I remember in like 8th/9th grade, my Spanish teacher, when I started to complain that I didn't have contacts like EVERYONE else in school, said: "glasses are sexier". And mind you - I was in my formative teenage years, and I didn't think anything on it...but oh yeah, give me a buff nerd in those glasses and a nice jawline I can cut myself on... #checkplease #takemehome #pleaseandthankyou Jesus, bless me, yeah?

Hahaha - well, I hope you enjoyed and don't worry, the other prompts are still on their way!