You sat at a table alone on the patio of your favorite coffee shop waiting for your best friend to arrive. He was late and honestly most likely lost. You didn't mind the alone time, people watching was your favorite way to pass time. Your phone buzzed against the table.

Zoro 2:25PM : Where the shit is this place?

You 2:25 PM : On 6th buddy. You've been here before.

You 2:26 PM : ...more than once.

Zoro 2:27PM : I gave up and called a cab.

Zoro 2:27 PM : Be there soon

Zoro 2:29PM : Don't fucking call me buddy.

You 2:29PM : Took ya long enough
(￣ω￣;)

You 2:30PM : Also don't curse at me. I'm a lady!

Zoro 2:30PM : Lady? The hell you are.

You chuckled locking your phone. His grumpy disposition is one of the things you liked best about him. Mostly it kept people from getting too close to him and stealing your friend.

***

The two of you had been inseparable since your sophomore year in high school. Zoro moved in next door; he was a freshman at the time. You shared a few commonalities like how cheery people pissed you off and an insatiable love of naps. He didn't say much but still walked to and from school with you every day. You assumed because it was on the way and not out of willingness.

On a rainy spring day he had to stay behind for tutoring so you went ahead without him. You felt a presence behind you but paid no mind. It was a popular path from downtown. Suddenly a large hand grabbed your wrist snatching you back into his flabby chest. His other filthy hand slipped over your lips. You panicked as he dragged you into an alley leaving only your upside down umbrella spinning on the sidewalk.

"Shh. I'll be quick." He breathed into your ear sending a fog of tobacco and mint across your face.

His hand moved from your wrist up your sweater cupping your bra. You chomped down on his palm and immediately spat. He smeared blood across your face as he pulled away.

"You little bitch!" He shouted shoving you down into a pile of trash bags.

"Oi." A familiar voice rumbled behind the man.

Zoro stood at the entrance of the alley closing your umbrella.

"Mind your own business kid." The man snapped giving Zoro his full attention.

"She is my business." Zoro replied pointing the metal tip of the umbrella at your assailant.

The man stepped toward him. Zoro launched himself forward smacking both sides of the pervert's face before jabbing the umbrella into his gut. The man immediately wretched and collapsed. Zoro stepped over him and pulled you to your feet.

"You're bleeding?" He wiped the sleeve of his flannel across your cheek.

"It's his." You stated proudly," I bit him."

He pulled your face into his left side and grabbed the perv by his collar with his right hand.

"Good job. Let's go find a police post." He grunted.

He rarely left you alone after that. Until you graduated of course then you only saw each other on holidays and during summer break. The distance didn't stop you from texting every day and occasionally actually speaking on the phone.

"Excuse me." A soft male voice politely pulled you from your memories," May I take this chair?"

A tall thin man stood before you with his tattooed hands on the back of the empty chair.

"Sorry I'm waiting for someone." You smiled.

"My apologies." His lips fell from a simper to a straight line before his golden eyes guided his attention away from you.

Alright...

"F/N! Sorry. I had to Google the shop for the driver. Apparently neither of us knew where 6th street was." Zoro huffed walking up from the opposite direction.

"It's fine. I always give you an extra 45 minutes when we make plans." You stood to hug your friend.

"Shut up." He pulled you in wrapping his huge arms around your shoulders and squeezed you into his chest.

This was a luxury; he wasn't a hugger. Honestly you'd only seen him hug his mother and your younger cousin Luffy and it's more like Luffy hugs him. He's always had to pry the poor kid off of him. It had been four months since the last time you and Zoro had seen each other. He just graduated from college and has the summer free.

"It's been a minute." You smiled looking him up and down, "Are you trying out for a strong man competition?"

"Thanks? But no. I've just had more time to work out. It helps me focus. How do you think I got through exams?" He sat down and picked up your menu.

"So what do you want to do today? It's already 3 I'm surprised you haven't stopped by your mom's for a nap." You chuckled.

"I dropped my bags off but I'd rather hang out with you. I thought you'd have something planned."

"Well, we can go to my place after this. You haven't seen my new apartment. I might have to take a nap though." You yawned settling into the back of your chair.

"You were so excited I was coming home you didn't sleep?" He winked.

"Don't flatter yourself buddy." You smirked knowing he hated being called that.

Buddy, pal, friend for whatever reason it always made him cringe. This honestly entertained you to no end. And you were also a liar. You had been tossing and turning all night. Any time he came home from school was exciting for you. You had been in love with the directionality challenged greenette since you were 16 after all.

At first you chalked it up to 'shoujo manga syndrome' - falling for someone who saved you.

Truthfully you could hold your own in a fight. You'd been prepared to kick that bastard in the dick.

As time went on your feelings didn't fade but they did get easier to cope with. He never dated though he was always being chased. You couldn't help but feel like that was your fault. However, when he went off to college there was never any word of a girlfriend or even a random hook up. Perhaps he just didn't want to share that with you. He did on occasion treat you like a girl and spare you gory details even if you never spared them for him.

_______________

"You sure you don't want to go somewhere?" He asked as you tossed your keys in the tray by the door, "It's a waste of a Saturday."

"I work man. Saturdays were meant to do nothing." You flopped down on the sofa.

"Lazy as ever." He rumbled removing his boots and climbing over the back of the couch.

"Sit down like a normal person you savage." You ordered firing up Netflix.

He plopped down unusually close as you tucked your legs up on the cushion. As previously stated he wasn't much for closeness. Maybe you were just being hyper aware. Even the last time he came home was for the holidays and you hadn't been alone together for more than five minutes before Luffy came bounding in trying to get you both to play games.

You scrolled through the list of movies, shows and stand-up comedy specials before he pointed out something he hadn't seen. You differed greatly when it came to movie genres but you were happy to oblige since you didn't plan on staying awake.

"Oh Luffy and Ace want us to meet them at the Redline later." You mentioned after a few beats of silence.

"Sure." He replied getting absorbed in the movie.

He isn't listening.

You yawned again scrolling through messages on your phone.

________________

You awoke to soft even snores huffing through your hair. Your right arm was completely numb. Panic cracked through your body as your eyes flitted open. You didn't remember falling asleep but you were positive you'd been sitting upright. Now you were stretched out over the sofa facing Zoro who had managed to wedge himself between you and the back of the couch. His left arm was folded under his head while his right hooked around your waist keeping you securely on the cushions.

Quietly you slipped your free arm between your hip and Zoro's arm. You ran your arm down your backside and tried to pry his hand from under you.

Who sleeps with such a death grip?

The obnoxious ringtone Luffy had set for himself in your phone filled the room. Zoro shifted simultaneously freeing you and shoving you onto the hardwood floor. He peered over the edge of the sofa rubbing his eyes.

"What happened?"

"You pushed me." You huffed.

"Sorry?" He sat up still mostly asleep.

Your phone began ringing again jolting you to your feet.

"Yo?"

"F/N!!! Shi shi shi!" You could hear Luffy's grin over the phone, "Are you comin'? It's already 9 o'clock!"

"Yeah yeah. We'll be there soon." You said softly.

"Did you just wake up?" Luffy asked

"We somehow ended up taking a nap." You answered.

"You slept with Zoro?" He shouted.

"Whaaaaaaat?!" Ace shrieked in the background.

You palmed your face.

"Thanks Luffy. Thanks a lot." You sighed.

"You're welcome!" He replied proudly.

Fuck.