This Tashigi revenge convo didn't quite turn out like I had expected. I like it though and I hope you do too.

pairing: ZoTash
rating: T

I love you

"I shouldn't even be answering this."

"Hello to you too."

"Yeah, yeah. Hello."

"So why shouldn't you be answering this? Too busy?"

"No I have plenty of free time you just don't deserve to be getting it."

"How's that?"

"You're a jerk."

"I've always been a jerk. What makes it different now?"

"There's a limit to how much I can take Zoro. There's a limit to how much I should take."

"What are you saying Tash?"

"I don't know."

"Look I'm sorry. What do you want me to do?"

"There is nothing you can do. I can't change who you are just because I want to."



"You want me to change?"

"No, not really. You know I love you right?"

"Tash this is sounding dangerously like you ending things."

"..."

"Are you ending things?"

"..."

"Tash?"

"Would it make a difference? We never see each other. All we have is these conversations in which most of them you are a jerk and do you even care?"

"Of course I care and it does make a difference."

"Does it really?"

"Tashigi listen to me. We might not get to see each other and trust me when I say that I hate that. I would love to simply hold you in my arms but since I can't have that I need these conversations. I'm sorry if I'm a jerk but you know I don't mean it. Please don't take these conversations away from me."

"Are they really that important to you?"

"They get me through each day babe."

"They mean a lot to me too it's just that some days I'm not so sure about your commitment to us. You're on a ship with two gorgeous woman and even when you make port there's got to be hundreds of woman who would die for a chance to show you a good time..."

"Tash, I am committed to you completely. Besides you know Nami has Luffy and surprisingly enough Robin seems to actually have fallen in love with someone who is not me, shocking I know."



"Zoro."

"What I'm saying is you don't have to worry about me. The only woman I am interested in is you. Now me, I have reason to worry. You are an incredible, talented and gorgeous woman in a field that is heavily dominated by men. You are on a ship that is full of men who would have to be stupid or blind to not notice how amazing you are."

"..."

"I know you wish I could say those words to you but I can't. It doesn't mean that I don't though. You are in my heart Tash. You are my reason to continue getting up each day, to train and get stronger."

"I thought defeating Mihawk was that reason."

"Defeating Mihawk would mean nothing if I didn't have you to share it with. You understand more than anybody, even Luffy the importance of it."

"How do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Convince me that all my fears and worries are ridiculous and trick me into falling in love with you all over again."

"Because I am awesome. But seriously, it is no trick Tash, I mean everything I say."

"I love you Zoro."

"I know."

You know? Who the hell responds to 'I love you' with I know. What the hell is wrong with you baka?"

"I'm sorry?"

"I can't deal with this right now. I'll talk to you later."



"Tash?"

"Later Zoro."

/\\\\

"Zoro what part of later don't you understand?"

"It is later."

"Five minutes doesn't really count as later baka."

"Tash?"

"What?"

"I love you."

"..."

"Tash?"

"I know Zoro. I'll call you later okay?"

"Bye Tash."

"Goodbye Zoro."