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Tashigi wondered for the millionth time why she was even friends with the idiot. Sure, they grew up in the same village but he was brash, lazy, rude, and seem to take every opportunity to rile her up. And of course, Tashigi being Tashigi would always rise to the challenge and the two of them would bicker tirelessly much to the amusement of their mutual friends.
“Oi Glasses!”
Tashigi, who had been having lunch with Isuka, looked over at the Gryffindor table.
“What?”
“Wanna go to the ball with me?”
Heads turn and there were appreciative whistles at the bold request. Tashigi was too embarrassed to say something. Merlin’s beard! Has Roronoa ever learned to be discreet?
“Glasses?”
Ugh. Now she could feel eyes on her.
“A-Alright then,” she called back, ignoring the stares and the cheers from the Gryffindor table.
“More muffins, Tashigi?”
“Yes, please.”
She lifted her skirt as she carefully descended down the stairs, not taking a chance to trip and further make herself a subject of embarrassment.
Contrary to popular belief (and what she claimed in public), she doesn’t actually hate the guy. They have some sense of camaraderie after all and have saved each other’s backs from trouble many times before. This lead to half of her housemates wondering about their strange relationship… which she was well aware of since most don’t bother hiding their curiosity. Isuka was more subtle but she had seen her smile like she knew something Tashigi herself didn’t when she ranted about the idiot’s latest antic.
“Glasses.”
She stopped. It was the idiot himself, hands folded on his chest and looking annoyed.
“Roronoa. What are you doing here?”
He rolled his eyes.
“You weren’t in your common room. Told you I’ll fetch you, didn’t I”
The words I don’t trust your sense of direction died on her lips when she took a good look at him. Plain black suit and a shirt that looked like it came straight from the ironing board. Whoa! Is this the same guy who can’t fix his own tie? And speaking of ties, she couldn’t help but notice the color choice. Surely it was just a coincidence?
“No glasses?” He demanded, interrupting her train of thoughts. She narrowed her eyes.
“No earrings?”
“They’re just an accessory. You’re blind.”
“What! I’m not blind, Roronoa!”
“Suuure.”
“Quit teasing me!”
“Yeah, yeah…” He grabbed her hand before she could protest and guided her on the last few steps. “Hurry up. I’m hungry.”
“I bet you just wanted to go for the food.”
“What was that?”
Tashigi looked at their linked hands and tried not to blush.
“N-Nothing!”
She had to admit that he looked dashing plus the fact that he offered to fetch her from the Hufflepuff common room was kind of sweet. Tashigi smiled and picked up her pace as fast as her awkward shoes allowed her.
I hope everything goes well tonight.
*
*
*
Tashigi was speechless. Not only did the idiot cleaned up himself well for the occasion, he was dancing with her too.
“Keep up, Glasses.”
“I-I know!”
But how could she when he was looking at her without the usual contempt or sarcasm in those dark eyes? His actions were uncharacteristically gentlemanlike and it confused her. She was not as brave nor direct as Isuka nor was she as beautiful as her. Not even half as graceful... She watched with longing as her friend followed her partner’s lead like it wasn’t their first time dancing together. Why did she even bother dressing up and not wearing her glasses?
“How come you dance so well?” she asked, despite knowing it shouldn’t be a surprise as she had seen him weave effortlessly through her attacks during their secret duels in the Room of Requirement. “Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you in public gatherings back home.”
He grinned.
“Doesn’t mean I never went.”
“What-”
Caught off guard, she could only gasp when her heel caught the hem of her dress. She grabbed onto whatever she could and braced herself for the impact… which did not happen as her partner maneuvered them easily back into place.
“You alright?”
Words failed Tashigi when she realized how close he was and that she could practically feel his heartbeat.
“I…”
“Glasses?”
She ignored her own heart beating loudly in her chest.
“T-Thank you.”
No teasing. No rude comebacks. He simply nodded like they weren’t about to land in a tangled mess on the floor just moments ago. Grateful that they didn’t turn into a spectacle thanks to his quick reflexes, Tashigi followed his lead and let herself be swept away in the moment. It’s not every day that she can count on Roronoa Zoro to lead the way.
*
*
*
“Have you considered joining the tournament?”
He raised a brow to her sudden question.
“’fcourse I did.”
“Why?” Tashigi couldn’t help but add. “I mean, it’ll be an honor to be chosen as the school champion but…”
He did not protest when she leaned closer. Her feet are starting to feel sore despite the band playing something slower.
“But?”
“People have died in that tournament, Roronoa. Who knows how dangerous the next task would be.”
“That’s what makes it worthwhile.”
A mental image of him wounded and barely alive made Tashigi shudder. All three of the school champions have struggled with the dragons before they completed the task. The Beauxbatons girl had injured her leg while the Durmstrang boy almost got a whole arm ripped off. Portgas wasn’t any luckier as he almost got hit squarely in the chest by a huge fireball that would have killed him in front of their very eyes (not that his brothers would’ve let that happen).
Roronoa loved danger, she knew that, but that didn’t stop her from worrying about him getting seriously hurt one day due to his recklessness. In fact, she was secretly glad that the headmaster placed an age line around the goblet… wait, wait, what?
Tashigi pulled away and looked at her partner in shock.
“What?”
He stopped moving and looked at her expectantly. She froze. Were his eyes a very dark shade of brown all this time?
Oh no. No, no, no, no, no! It couldn’t be! She could feel the heat on her cheeks at the realization. This is Roronoa Zoro, the boy who broke her glasses the first time they met in the village square years ago. The boy who found her and carried her home that time when she got herself injured in the woods on a winter day. The boy who she practices her dueling skills with in exchange for helping him with his essays. The boy who’d get lost in a straight line no matter how much he denies it. She was getting carried away in the moment, that’s all. He’s a friend and there is no way-
“Hey!”
The sudden commotion snapped Tashigi away from her thoughts and just in time to see a familiar redhead hurrying away.
“Isuka?”
Isuka did not seem to hear her and it did not bode well.
“What is it now?”
“I-I have to go after Isuka. She looked upset.”
“Let her be.”
“She’s my friend. Let go, Roronoa.”
She eased out of his grasps but he caught her wrist.
“She’ll be fine.”
“You don’t know that!” She hissed impatiently, annoyed at his dismissive tone.
“Ace went after her.”
“He’s probably the one who made her upset.”
“And what do you know about Ace?”
Tashigi opened her mouth to retort but found no words.
“They can work it out,” he continued. “Besides, what’re you gonna do? You’re blind and clumsy. You’ll end up getting lost or breaking your neck somewhere.”
She stared at him, feeling more hurt than angry. Why did she agreed to go to the ball with him again? Tears threatened to well up in her eyes.
“So that’s how you see me. Thank you for the enlightenment, Roronoa. I’m probably a c-charity case too that’s why you asked me to this stupid ball-”
“What! I did not say that!”
“Oi Zoro!”
He glared at her before addressing the newcomer.
“What, Luffy?”
The boy grinned as he held out a turkey leg.
“Check it out! It’s stuffed with macaroni-”
“I don’t care-”
“Luffy-san, would you please tell me why Isuka looked upset?”
“Ace’s friend? Dunno…”
“Glasses, lay off him-”
Tashigi decided to change tactic.
“Luffy-san, I can help you to the kitchens some time if you tell me what happened.”
“Really?”
“Luffy!”
“Quiet, Roronoa! Yes, I mean it, Luffy-san.”
“I asked Ace about the dare then his friend looked mad-”
“What dare?”
“Nothing- Luffy, shut up!”
“What dare, Luffy-san?”
Luffy’s eyebrows furrowed.
“What’s the big deal, Zoro? Ace got a partner ‘cause of a dare.”
Tashigi stared at him.
What?! They dared Portgas to ask Isuka? Oh no…
She gave her partner one last angry look before yanking her wrist out of his grip.
“Excuse me.”
What a fool Portgas D. Ace was! Tashigi thought bitterly as she rushed out of the Great Hall, not caring if Roronoa was following her or not. Isuka is one of her dearest friends and she couldn’t bear someone toying with her feelings when she was practically glowing in excitement earlier that evening. She stopped in her pursuit and pulled out her wand from a hidden pocket on her skirt.
“I’ll fix it later, mom. Promise.”
Her dress now hung just above her ankles and her heels were transformed into a pair of flats. Feeling more comfortable, she adjusted her gloves and resumed the hunt. She never hexed anyone in anger before but Portgas D. Ace will be the first.
Zoro watched in silence as Tashigi disappeared out of sight.
I’m probably a c-charity case too that’s why you asked me to this stupid ball…
He dragged a hand down his face. To be fair, he acted like an idiot around her half the time so who could blame her for coming up with such conclusion. Still…
“Aren’t you going after her?” asked Luffy. Zoro sighed. No use trying to explain the commotion his idiot friend had unknowingly caused.
“Any ideas where she might go?”
“Shishishishi! You’re good at finding things, Zoro. Even if you always get lost!
*
*
*
Tashigi had to hide her disappointment when the lower year students told her that Isuka hasn’t come back to the dormitory yet. Reaching the Ravenclaw tower had felt like forever and she was feeling impatient. She thanked them politely and left before they could ask further questions.
Where else would Isuka go?
She thought of the places her friend might be in. There’s that gazebo where they usually hang around during their spare time but it must be freezing out there right now so she dismissed it. The hospital wing? Maybe Isuka challenged Portgas in a serious duel and things got out of hand? Tashigi scolded herself for allowing grim thoughts in her head. Besides, everyone knows it’s best to avoid a trip to their eccentric school doctor.
“Tashigi?”
She turned around to find Chopper, a third year Ravenclaw student who is also a part of Roronoa’s circle of friends.
“Whoa.” He stared at her, beaming. “You look so pretty!”
Tashigi blushed. It wasn’t that hard to develop a soft spot for the younger boy.
“T-Thank you, Chopper.”
“Wait, I thought you’re at the ball with Zoro.”
“I-I was just looking for someone, that’s all. How about you, what are you doing up this late?”
He showed her the book in his arm that suspiciously looked like it came from the Restricted Section.
“I did some advanced reading and ah… guess I lost track of the time.”
“I see.”
His eyebrows suddenly furrowed.
“Are… are you okay? Are things okay with Zoro?”
Tashigi did not reply, afraid that she might say something she might regret. Oh great, even Chopper can read me like an open book.
“You know…” Chopper started, arm hugging his book closer. “I was scared of Zoro when I first met him and it took me a while not to try and hide every time I see him.”
He broke my glasses when I first met him. And he hid from me for it!
“I mean, he is still intimidating but I got used to it by now. Not like I want him to start smiling more often anyway.”
“I think “smirking” is more like him. Or scowling. Lots of scowling.”
They both burst laughing.
“What I mean is and I’m sorry if this sounds rude but…” Chopper rubbed the back of his neck timidly. “C-Could you give him a chance?”
She stared at him.
“Huh?”
“He’s not all that bad but you’ve known him longer than I do so I think you know that already.”
He gave her one last smile before leaving her alone with her thoughts.
Do I really know him that well?
Tashigi anxiously traced her steps back to the Great Hall, her spirits sinking with her every step. Chopper had a point, Roronoa wasn’t all that bad. He did say she was clumsy (which was true) and blind (which has some truth to it since she was trying not to squint as much since she left the dormitory) but really, when did he not make that jab anyway? Ugh. Now she could feel a headache coming too. She should have worn her glasses after all. Maybe it would’ve have stopped her from judging Portgas too quickly. Roronoa was right. What does she know about Portgas? Apart from his reputation as a troublemaker that is. She sighed. Was it too much to ask for her evening to go well?
She was about to turn a corner when she saw the two figures heading towards the same direction; one of them wearing the familiar blue dress she had helped pick out some weeks ago.
“Isuka!”
They turned at her.
“Tashigi?” Isuka gave her a worried look. “What are you doing here all alone-”
“F-Fresh air!” Tashigi replied immediately, ignoring the way her friend was casually holding onto her partner’s arm and that she was wearing a coat that most likely belonged to him too. “It’s suffocating inside.”
“I suggest we all go back inside.” Portgas looked at her. “You look freezing, Tashigi-san.”
Tashigi shook her head and tried to smile, feeling guilty for her hasty assumption of him earlier.
“Not really. You two go ahead, I’ll catch up later.”
He looked unconvinced but Isuka tugged him away before he could speak.
“Don’t take too long, Tashigi.”
They were barely out of her sight when she began running towards the only place she knew where she could hide. Away from the whispers, Isuka, and Roronoa Zoro.
*
*
*
The universe hates me.
The young man leaning against the wall was still there even when she blinked twice. She took a deep breath and stepped closer.
“F-Fancy seeing you here.”
“I thought you’d be here.”
“You were r-right.”
The words were hard to admit. He said nothing so she continued.
“Isuka was fine like you said. I got worried for nothing. I m-must look like a fool right now.”
His silence annoyed her.
“What? You’re not going to say “Told ya so, Glasses” or something?”
“Nothing wrong with getting worried for your friend. Sorry for being a jerk.”
Now it was her turn to be speechless. Did she hear that right? Merlin’s pants, her evening just turned even crazier!
“Oi. Are you listening, Glasses?”
“Huh?”
He groaned.
“Oh for- I’m saying sorry here and you’re looking at me like I turned into a demon or somethin’!”
“I’m not… I mean…” It was hard to keep her voice steady. “I-I wanted to say sorry too! But you beat me to it!”
“What would you apologize for?”
“For- For you know, always jumping to conclusions! I’m sorry, okay?”
“’t’s fine. Not the end of the world.”
“It would make me feel better if you just take my apology without the side comments.”
“Accepted. There. Happy?”
“Yes.” And she meant it. “Thank you, Roronoa. I accept your apology as well.”
“Thanks, Tashigi.”
She blushed, feeling like an idiot for liking the way he said her name.
“S-So… we need to get back to the ball before Isuka notices how long I was out.” She started towards the door. “If we’re lucky, there’ll be some food left and we both know you only wanted to go to the ball for the food or-or drown yourself in butterbeer, right?”
“No.”
She stopped walking and looked back at him.
“No?”
“No, I didn’t go to this…” He mumbled something under his breath. “… cause of food.”
“Really?” Tashigi chuckled. “You’re not exactly the most sociable person I know, Roronoa.”
He grinned.
“Wanna guess why I even bothered?”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Who knows? Maybe your friends dared you too.”
“OUCH. Now you’re just trying hard to insult me.”
“I wasn’t!”
“You think I need a stupid dare to ask you to a stupid ball?”
“Yes?”
He raised a brow.
“Okay. Maybe?”
“Then why did you say yes?”
You know exactly why, Tashigi. But you’re going to need more than a teaspoon of courage to admit it.
“Because I…”
“Because what?”
“Because I-I…” She wrung her hands. “I-I wanted to spend time with y-you, alright? Somewhere that isn’t the Room of Requirement or without us going at each other’s throats. Ironic that we ended up here anyway…”
She sighed.
“So, if-if it wasn’t for a d-dare, why d-did you ask me, Z-Zoro?”
She watched as he moved closer, dark eyes never leaving her face.
“Same as you.”
He reached out a hand to wipe away the single tear that fell onto her cheek. She did not even realized she was crying.
“May I?”
How this rough young man can move with such gentleness is a great mystery but none of those matter right now. Tashigi smiled.
“Only because you asked.”
And all her doubts finally melted away when he captured her lips with his. She felt him smile as she closed her eyes.
Just for tonight.
*
*
*
The Gryffindor common room was unusually quiet when Zoro arrived. He went straight to his preferred spot on the floor near the fireplace and loosened his tie without removing it from his neck. The events earlier are still fresh in his mind and it made him grin. To be fair, he did not mind going to the ball as long as there’s good food and company.
Tashigi, his clumsy childhood friend, was a great surprise when he saw her going down the stairs. She looked nothing like her usual prim and proper self and there were no five or so books slung on her shoulder. How was that even possible? And when she reached him, he realized why Sanji was so insistent which tie he should use.
Red suited her.
So much that he had to stop himself from gawking like an idiot and teased her instead like he always did because what else could he do? Talk about goddamn feelings then and there which would probably scare her to not wanting to see him again? Of course not.
“There you are, marimo!”
A sleeping Luffy was unceremoniously dropped by his side. Zoro grumbled, pulling his coattails from underneath his friend. Sanji flopped onto a nearby couch and sighed.
“Could’ve used your help dragging that idiot back to your dorms. Damn glutton fell asleep while eating. His brothers are still dancing, lucky bastards.”
As if on cue, Luffy giggled and mumbled something incomprehensible before breaking into a loud snore. Sanji rolled his eyes then turned at him.
“So, did you bring the lovely Tashigi-chwan back to the common room like a proper gentleman?”
“Yeah.”
“I hope you’re telling the truth, marimo.”
Ass.
“And?”
“And what, swirly?”
He gave him the finger which he gladly returned.
“Nothing else happened?”
Her face was still flushed when he broke the kiss. This was an unexpected turn of events but he might as well go the hell with it.
“I don’t need a stupid mistletoe to kiss you either.”
“You’re so full of yourself.”
“You like me anyway.”
“I don’t. I hate you.”
“You don’t.”
“I could still put you in detention, Roronoa.”
“Oh, I’m scared.”
She chuckled as she leaned on his arms.
“Let’s s-stay here for a while? If Isuka asks, it’s your fault for getting us lost.”
“Whatever.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“Well?”
Zoro folded his arms on his chest and leaned on Luffy’s sleeping form.
“Nothing.”
He stared at the fire, remembering Tashigi’s smile when he asked if he could kiss her. He closed his eyes.
“Nothing happened.”