RATING: T

Prove it. That was the phrase that Nami said that got Zoro to do whatever she wanted. Coincidentally, it would often actually be whatever Zoro wanted, too... he'd just be too stubborn or not vocal about his desires.

Nami said it when he told her he liked her in the most unclear and roundabout way. She said it when he started dating her steadily but would not call her "his girlfriend". Nami used it to hand him the key to their apartment when he finally admitted he wanted to move in with her. It was said with a blush and between kisses when he confirmed his commitment to her. And now...she said it when he tiptoed around the idea of buying her "a specific and special piece of jewelry that should go around her finger."

Those were his actual words as if "engagement ring" would burn his mouth. However, as usual, Nami wanted to complain just a bit more which lead Zoro to his favorite tactic: the tease. They mutually agreed upon this next step in their life, but Zoro informed her that she would get that ring when she "least expected it". Nami felt like she was going mad at the possibilities.

Every date felt like "the one." Each time he bent down to tie his shoe, Nami would hyperventilate which just brought a wicked grin to his face as he stood up and watched her talk herself down from the high.

"Serves you right, witch," he would say as he kissed her cheek and she punched him in the chest.

Asshole. She adjusted the blue flat cap on her head and returned her attention to the speaker at the podium. Nami was finally graduating with her Ph.D. in childhood development. She would be able to apply to higher paying jobs with the multitude of internships and jobs she already secured. Her hope was to be a district supervisor, but she'd need to start off with being a principal first. Her family and her career...everything was falling into place. Well, everything except for Zoro.

Nojiko was pregnant and though her sister was dying to come and see her walk that stage, Ace and Bellé-mere clearly forbid it. Nojiko would have done what she wanted but their mother did not lessen her military style mothering even when they were well over 25 but Nojiko being the more obedient of the two of them promptly remained at home.

Her mother was so very proud of Nami but with Nojiko a week or two away from her due date, Bellé-mere made the hard decision of staying with Nojiko until the baby was born at least. Nami and Zoro would visit them of course to see the baby but until then...Nami was supposed to have her doting boyfriend. That was...if he ever arrived.

She had made a point to put the directions as a shortcut on his phone. He had adamantly stated that graduation ceremonies were hours wasted for literally 30 seconds of seeing her walk down a stage, shake hands with old men and women, and accept a blank piece of paper that cost more than either of them cared to admit. However, as annoyed as he sounded, he was going to be there for her. Or so she thought.

Zoro was...lost. Apparently, some construction and closed roads had rerouted him so far that he was going to be horribly late. Nami just hoped he'd be here to at least hear her name being called. Though her doctorate program had only 10 students, they needed to sit in the overall show and celebration with all the other students graduating in the winter. Just another reason Zoro didn't want to come, but again...he promised.

Nami bit her cheek as she thought about broken promises. Zoro, as rough around the edges he was, was a man of his word. If he said he'd do something, he did it. Nami loved that stability and strength in him. She often craved that in previous relationships, but whereas others often got tired of Nami's natural doubt and fears turned into aggression, Zoro stood his ground.

She wanted to stand next to him, not just as his best friend, his girlfriend, or the love of his life...she wanted to be his wife. And it hurt her to think that Zoro was being childish by not asking her properly. She knew he would not have some grand gesture planned out. That just wasn't his style. Even if it was when they were snuggled under a blanket on their couch watching reruns of Criminals Minds, she'd take it...but he didn't ask.

Not at the fair when they were perfectly stopped on top, overlooking a full moon. Not in the park when he surprised after work for an afternoon walk. Not when he took her to the most beautiful spot on their weekend hike. He didn't say it when there was an impromptu get-together with all their high school friends, friends who would inevitably be in their bridal party and invited to the auspicious wedding. Zoro didn't ask her when they visited Nojiko and Ace a couple weeks ago, or when her mother had bluntly told Zoro to "stop waiting around". These were all perfect moments in Nami's book, but still, she sat angrily tapping her foot during another celebratory moment of her life because her boyfriend was being an...

Asshole! An elbow bumped into her and she came back to the present. She realized that the rows were standing up to walk up to the stage. It was her turn to get up. She did so and looked at her phone to see if Zoro had texted. There was nothing there and she couldn't stop the frown. Her face heated up and she felt tears form, but she shook the sudden sadness and tried to smile.

She wasn't really alone. She knew Zoro loved her and that her friends and family were all just too busy to come to her graduation themselves. They sent her plenty of love and encouragement through texts, emails, and calls...but...Nami wanted to see them here. She wanted to share this moment with them.

Nami finally came to stage and waited to hear her name. It was muffled, so Nami was hyper-focused on hearing the inevitable 2 syllables that signaled her to walk. When it came, it sounded odd. "Nami Willyoumarryme."

Her feet moved before she could comprehend what was said because she was too focused on keeping her cap on her head and shaking all the right hands in front of hundreds of people. But as she moved forward, time slowed down. Her brain began processing. How could they butcher my name like that? That's not even...

She looked at the professors before her who ushered her elsewhere instead of extending their hands towards her.

Wait, what is... She looked around and it seemed every eye was on her. But she just did not know why. Then the speaker system rang aloud again. "Nami...will you marry me?"

She moved her head around like it was searching for the source of her confusion. Unsure of where the sound was coming from or what the words were saying, she fumbled on the stage. Wait. Wait. HOLD ON.

There was a cheer from the crowd as she saw a whole row filled with all her friends and family, even Nojiko and her swollen belly, holding up one word at a time.

Nami

Will

You

Marry

Me

She shook her head, tears pooling as the audience began to point and shout. She followed their gestures to her right where he kneeled, crisp dark blue suit, white button down, black dress shoes, and of course a small glimmer between his thumb and index finger.

Nami shook her head as she stumbled forward, wondering if she was dreaming this all. But then he shouted, a wide grin on his face. "Oi, oi. Proved it."

Nami walked to him with a wobble as he stayed kneeling.

"You... you weren't lost then?" She said with a muffled cry.

He shook his head. "I had to grab your mom and sister, didn't I?"

"You convinced Ace?"

Zoro shrugged, "He's a romantic."

Nami moved her shaking hand forward and he gripped it firmly. Slipping the ring on her finger he stood up, and she nearly collapsed into his hug as the crowd went wild. The receiving of her diploma almost paled in comparison. Almost.

As they moved off the stage together and her friends and family ran forward to hug and congratulate them, Nami felt like she was floating. Never in a million years would she have thought Zoro, the same man who hated jogging in their neighborhood because he doesn't want to talk to people, got her school to agree to this very public and wild display, round up nearly everyone in her phone book, and did it all with a smile to boot.

As they were told to go back to their seats so that the ceremony could officially close, she held onto his sleeve and whispered, "I can't believe you...you really are such a...ugh."

Suddenly her finger seemed heavier with the weight of the rock on it. Zoro took her hand and pulled her in for a kiss. "Didn't I promise you that you'd never be bored with me?"

She smiled as he wiped the tears from her cheeks. "And remember what I told you?"

He smirked and leaned in to hug her. "You told me to prove it." Zoro kissed the top of her head and looked down at his now fiancée, "And I plan to do just that...for the rest of my life."

A/N: Facts- my kinks are "prove it" "make me". There's so much good smut and fluff when you use those two phrases and I hope you felt that here.

And I know Zoro doesn't do these big wild gestures, but I feel like when he's challenged - he brings. I think that the same logic applied to romantic relationships.

Nami and Zoro make sense to me because I think neither of them would placate or settle for or with each other. They'd constantly push themselves and each other, and it is a desire to grow that is built of respect and loyalty.

As for this AU, my backstory (since this is more so from Nami's POV) is that Zoro shared his original plan to propose with Sanji and Sanji shot it down saying it wasn't good enough for Nami. So. I natural Zoro and Sanji battle royal, he'd dethrone the Prince of Love himself with the most dramatic and elaborate proposal I could ever imagine.

Slightly selfish but ya know he's gonna get that good good when they get home. Nami believes in rewards and punishment;P

But I will say - I add my own personal feels in here: these elaborate proposals are more for the photo ops and the social media tags. Give me a chill night at home and a ring you hid in your (clean) sock...and I'm a happy camper. I think Nami would be the same way...if she was with the person she loved, it didn't matter how that ask came.

Anywhoo. HAPPY THANKSGIVING LOVES.

XoXo shipfiend