#zonaevents

Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible. One shot scribble.

Rating:T

Note:To aani_cos. My ZoNa secret santa for the ZoNa Holiday 2021 at @zonamievents. Hope you like it!

Happy Holidays! I hope everyone will have a blast celebrating Christmas and New Year!

Summary:The snow started to fall down softly on them as the temperature around them grew slightly colder. But the soft smile on their faces and their joined hands were enough to warm them both up.

Everything is white.

It was like they stepped inside one of those snow globes displayed in one of the store windows that Chopper was admiring earlier.

The town they were currently at is pretty laid-back. It was calm, quiet and just… white.

Everywhere. White.

Probably because it was the height of winter on this island.

It should’ve made the whole area plain… boring even. But somehow all that whiteness decorating anything and everything only gave the place a rather magical quality that wasn’t seen in any island before.

Zoro impatiently shifted his weight from one leg to the other, the soft crunch of snow under his boot reached his ears. He was standing in front of the store for a good half hour now… waiting. He let out a sigh and scratched his head in a frustrated manner.

The sound of a bell tinkling caught his attention as the door behind him opened. He swiveled around and was met by two of his crewmates—who both have bright smiles plastered on their faces.

“We’re done!” Nami announced as she took a step beside him.

Zoro noticed that there was a certain bounce in it… something that he usually sees whenever she bought something that made her really happy.

“And Zoro’s still here Chopper!” She gushed exaggeratedly. “He didn’t disappear nor did he get lost!”

A vein popped on his forehead at that.

“Wow!” Chopper was looking up at him in amazement. “It’s a miracle Nami!”

And another.

“I know right?” The navigator joshed, giving Zoro a wink before cheekily shoving the shopping bag she was holding at his direction.

Zoro just grabbed it from her without another word, an addition to the growing number of bags that he was already carrying.

“Chopper,” Nami sing-songed. “Just hand your shopping bag to Zoro. He’s our delegated hauler for the day and he is more than happy to help us.” The mapmaker instructed as she beamed a smile at him.

Zoro scowled at her. Yet he signaled to Chopper to give him the bag that he was holding.

Chopper blinked up at the swordsman, looking a little hesitant. The former bounty hunter crouched down and patted his head in an assuring manner before taking the bag from him.

“Thank you Zoro,” Chopper said shyly.

That actually made the green-haired man smile. “No worries Chopper.” Zoro then lifted him up and placed him on his shoulder.

Chopper giggled as he got a much better view of his surroundings from where he was perched at. Nami had invited him to go shopping for the crew’s Christmas gifts. He was actually surprised to find out that she managed to rope Zoro into coming with them and helping them out. He couldn’t help but be in awe at how she was able to do that.

Only Nami can do that to one of their formidable fighters.

He really wonders how she does it. More so, because instead of the usual grumbling Zoro does whenever Nami succeeds in making him to do something that he doesn’t want to… he was surprisingly tolerant of the navigator’s shopping expedition.

And he also doesn’t look like he loathes the idea of being Nami’s pack-mule for the day.

Chopper initially volunteered to help carry Nami’s shopping bags but Zoro dismissed the offer with a slight wave of his hand.

That had the reindeer doctor wondering. Zoro was being… nice to Nami.

And Nami wasn’t berating him or talking his ears off like she usually does.

The two weren’t even trying to kill each other with glares or words the whole time they were wandering in town.

What is going on?

Chopper straightened up from his position and Zoro looked at him questioningly.

Zoro and Nami had a weird yet working dynamics that was kinda hard to understand.

Maybe it’s because… it’s Christmas time? And they both decided for a truce to celebrate the holiday spirit?

If that’s the case then this is really the wonderful time of the year!

He was giggling again as he shook his head at Zoro.

“What is it Chopper?”

“Nothing,” the small doctor smiled. “Ne, Zoro. Your ear is cold.” 

“That’s because Nami is taking too long buying things.”

Nami—who was busy consulting the small notebook she pulled out from her coat pocket—swiftly turned towards them with a glare. “It’s not my fault you refuse to wear a knit caps or earmuffs!”

“Hnn…”

“I can’t have you freezing before we even finished shopping Zoro!” She complained as she stomped towards him. “You promised to help carry the stuff while I help you with your presents remember?”

“Forced is more like it.”

“Zoro you can borrow my scarf,” Chopper offered. “It’ll help warm you.”

“I’m alright Chopper.”

“Alright my ass,” Nami muttered as she rummaged through the bags Zoro is holding. She pulled out a beautiful midnight blue scarf, fixed him with a glare that promises nothing good for him if he didn’t let her have her way.

He silently conceded and let her wrap it around his neck, almost covering half of his face as Chopper watched them. Zoro didn’t bother protesting lest she decides to smother him with it instead.

Plus it actually felt nice. The scarf. Not the way Nami was wrapping it around his neck like a concerned girlfriend.

He inwardly winced at that thought.

He felt a weird twitch in his hand.

“There!” She announced, brushing his coat with her hands and straightening it. “You look pretty.”

“Shut up.”

She placed both of her hands on her hips. “We still need to finish our task today Zoro. I don’t want your ass turning into an icicle before we do!”

“Besides,” she continued. “We still need to buy your gifts for us! Don’t you want to give us something nice for a change? Everyone’s preparing something for everyone.”

Zoro grumbled something under his breath.

“How about saving your lives? That doesn’t count anymore?”

“You’re really that broke huh?”

“…”

Chopper watched their exchange with keen interest. Initially when he joined the crew, he thought they hated each other and was only being tolerant of each other’s presence because of Luffy.

But he realized that was not the case. They are just like that with each other. He come to understand that despite their heated exchanges, their callous words and sarcastic tones… they do care for each other.

Robin had said it before… sometimes words are not needed as action speaks louder.

Zoro is with Nami today, accompanying her as she did her shopping and going as far as carrying her bags for her. And knowing how the older lad prefers sleeping or training than a shopping trip to town… this is saying something to be honest.

And Nami was being absolutely tolerant of the swordsman. She didn’t nag him that much or got angry with him or even punched him like she usually does…

She even draped a scarf around his neck to keep him warm. A scarf he knows Nami had actually bought for Zoro as a gift.

The reindeer doctor felt warm and fuzzy all over. It was really nice to see his two friends who are always at odds with each other be nice to each other for a change.

What a very merry Christmas indeed!

Chopper fought back a giggle and Zoro threw a curious look his way again.

“What is it Chopper?”

“Nothing.”

“You keep on tittering. Is your stomach upset or something?”

“I’m ok Zoro it’s just…”

“Are you alright Chopper?” Nami asked, scrutinizing him. “Your face is kinda turning red. Are you cold?”

“No! No!” Chopper shook his head. “I’m just…”

Zoro and Nami exchanged concerned glances.

“I’m just happy that’s all!” He chirped. “It’s really a very merry Christmas!”

Zoro and Nami smiled at that. It wasn’t really a secret that they both have a soft spot for their youngest crewmate.

“Merry Christmas Zoro. Nami.”

“Merry Christmas Chopper.” Nami tiptoed and gave his blue nose a peck. Zoro in turn, patted his head again.

“Let’s go and finished this,” Zoro suggested.  “How many more stores do we need go?”

“Ok,” Chopper agreed. “Oh! There is that bookstore that Robin mentioned last night.” He pointed towards the building a few feet away from them. He clambered down from Zoro’s shoulder, jumping halfway and changing into his walk point as he trotted toward the store excitedly.

“You should know, the next stores we’ll be going are all Chopper’s requests.” Nami threw Zoro a look that clearly says ‘go on and try to complain’. Because she knew he wouldn’t and couldn’t.

Zoro glanced at Chopper who was ahead of them. He nodded as Nami started walking towards where the reindeer is.

Then she stopped and turned her head to look back at him.

Zoro raised an eyebrow at her.

Nami gave him a smile. That smile.

That damn smile that never fails to make his stomach feel weird whenever he sees it. The one damn reason why he is here with her instead of back in their ship, sleeping.

His felt hand twitched again… for the umpteenth time. It had been doing that all day.

And he realized now why.

He was fighting the urge to reach out and hold her hand in his like a goddamn love-struck sap all this time.

He’d been wrestling with that impulse from the moment they left the Sunny to go shopping in town.

Suddenly Nami was in front of him, standing on tiptoes again, this time to plant a kiss on his cheek.

Zoro sputtered. His face immediately turning to red from embarrassment.

And Nami laughed out loud. She knows how he easily gets flustered when she does something like this out in the open and for all to see.

He’s still not used to displays of affection. Well… they did decide to be together just recently.

Plus, he did have a reputation to keep.

Still that won’t stop her from trying to break that ever-stoic exterior of his every now and then.

“Thanks for today Zoro,” Nami grinned. “Even though I know this is more because I promised to lend you some money for your gifts, free of interest of course!” She winked at him. “I guess you should consider that my gift to you.” With that she spun around to follow Chopper.

But not before giving him that smileagain.

And he was lost.

He reached out and grasped her hand in his.

Nami stopped and looked back at him in surprise.

And Zoro watched her face slowly lit up.

It was the first time he had ever tried to hold her hand while they were outside.

And it was… exhilarating.

Her features softened as she stared at their hands then at his face. She gave it a squeeze, a silent gesture that she appreciated the effort he placed into it. And that if he wants to let go… she wouldn’t mind because she knows this is something new to him.  

But he held on tighter, clasping her hand as if it was the most natural thing in the world as he tugged her slightly to head towards where Chopper is.

The snow started to fall down softly on them as the temperature around them grew slightly colder.

But the soft smile on their faces and their joined hands were enough to warm them both up.

————————-

Chopper watched the two figures walking towards him amidst the falling white snow.

He had reverted back to his original form when he witnessed what happened earlier.

Chopper giggled and blushed when he realized what was really going on between his two friends.

Oh what a very merry Christmas indeed!