"___! I'm home!" Your mom's call wakes you up. You sit up, stiffening as Katakuri stirs. "So I was thinking we could-" You dive out of bed, falling into the door before she opens it all the way, hitting your head on it in the process.

"Ow..." You mutter before peeking around the door as she blinks in surprise. "Morning, guess I got up too fast." You hum sheepishly, rubbing the bump on your forehead.

"Heh, you didnt have to jump right up.." She smiles guiltily. "I'm sorry I've been away so much. Lets have breakfast together at that place you like... The place where Sabo and Ace work."

"Sure. I haven't seen those two in a while." You comment straightening up. In the corner of your eye you see Katakuri sit up.

"Good. Get ready." She smiles before heading off. You relax, closing the door.

"Are you ready to meet her?" You whisper to Katakuri. He pauses before shaking his head.

"Not the best circumstances to meet her." He points out.

"Yeah. Took her a bit to get used to Zoro." You agree. Just then there's a surprised cry out your door and you instinctively run out.

"Gah, Dammit! Zoro!" She growls into the hallway closet.

"Mmm... Morning ____'s mom." You hear him hum.

"Geez! Use the guest room!" She scolds storming off. You blink and peer into the close, finding him lounging on a mound of blankets.

"... You couldn't find the guest room could you?" You guess, helping him out.

"... Was I close though?" He hums, letting you help him start for the guest room.

"Yeah." You smile a bit, passing your door.

"... Your mom's gonna flip if she finds your boyfriend spent the night too." Zoro tilts his head, spotting Katakuri.

"At least he wasn't sleeping in the hall closet." You shoot back.

"Was he really sleeping though?" He smirks. You karate chop the back of his head.

"Of course he was. He has manners. And he doesn't break and enter just because he cant find home." You retort.

"... This can be my home. Home is where the heart is. And you guys still got sake and beer in the fridge." He smirks.

"You're such a bad kid." You sweatdrop, pushing him toward the guest bed. He rolls onto it with a hum.

"Read me a bedtime story?" He gives a childish grin.

"I don't have time to Zoro. Just go to bed you weirdo." You scoff, putting a blanket over him.

"Fine..." He gives a pout.

"Are you still drunk?" You raise an eyebrow.

"Maybe." He grins.

"Well... Try to sleep it off then head home or take a shower here. You smell like a brewery." You brush some of his hair back. His eyes try to drift close at that.

"Kay." He manages. You smile and start for the door. "Katakuri, right?" You pause and glance back. He meets your gaze before closing his eyes. "Don't let him take you for granted. I'll kick his ass." He adds rolling to his side.

"Alright Zoro." You smile before returning to your room.

"I didn't hear anyone enter..." Katakuri says seeming troubled.

"Don't worry about it, it's Zoro." You assure, closing your door before gathering some clothes.

"I cant help but to worry..." He sighs, getting up. "I'll leave once you two do so your neighbors don't get weird ideas if I'm spotted going out the window." He says. You look him over before nodding.

"Yeah that would be hard to overlook." You agree before slipping into the bathroom and closing the door.

You walk back out after getting ready, finding him playing on his phone while sitting on your bed. You go over leaning on his side. "One of those puzzle games?"

"Yes. Said it was scary but so far I feel nothing." He answers. How he said it made you giggle.

"Well, I hope you do soon... I'll see you later hopefully." You hum, hesitating briefly before kissing his temple and heading out again.

"Finally. Lets go, I'm hungry and I have so much to tell you." Your mom smiles.

"Cool.."

"Hello welcome back." A familiar blond greets with a bow. He straightens, eyes regarding you warmly. "It's been a while."

"Yeah it has." You agree as he grabs two menus and leads you both to a table.

"We'd come here more often it wasnt such a drive." Your mom points out.

"I understand.." He smiles as you sit down. "How's Luffy?"

"Staying out of trouble." You assure.

"___!" A freckled waiter slides in beside you, giving your cheek a big kiss in greeting before hugging you. "I missed you!"

"Ace! Don't do that!" The blond gasps.

"What? I cant say hello to ___ now?" Ace frowns at him. "Don't be jealous Sabo."

"Wha- I'm not! I'm just saying you shouldn't go putting your lips on her!" The blond retorts with a blush.

"But she has such a cute face I can't help it." Ace pokes your cheek. "She's like a marshmallow person."

"Marshmallow person..." You echo. "Are you calling me fat? Because I will squash you." You warn.

"No. You're just adorably soft with a mushy face." He mushed your face in emphasis. You growl, making him laugh in amusement.

"That never gets old." Your mom's comment makes all of you look over. "The three of you were the same way in kindergarten too."

"Some things never change." Sabo says thoughtfully.

"So what can I get you two to eat?" Ace hums, pulling out his ticketbook.

You both order and the brothers leave you alone. So your mom starts talking about herself and her work and how she's been so busy. You used to hang onto everything she said, but it's all become so repetitive. A new boss, usually nice at first then turns into an asshole. A new hotshot associate that tries to get her in trouble. A new boyfriend that she doesn't want you to meet yet. All new things that are usually the same as old. Was this grown up life?

Soon your food was brought over looking so fantastic and delicious, but it did little to give you the mental energy back that had drained while listening to your mom drone on about new-old things. Maybe this was a form of anti-social behavior? Couldn't be depression right?

Not long after you start eating does she get a call from her boss that she must step outside to take. You sigh as she disappears, closing your eyes. "You look tired." Sabo's voice snaps you back as he sits beside you. He offers a small smile.

"I'm trying to wake up." You chuckle lightly. "How have you been Sabo?"

"I'm more interested on how you're doing.... You seem really happy even though you look a bit tired right now." He tilts his head. You shift slightly before smiling.

"I made a new friend, and I've spent almost everyday with him since we met. He's really cool. And I just found out that we've been playing games online together for even longer." You couldn't stop yourself from smiling more and more as you spoke.

"Wow.. I haven't seen you smile like that since you had a crush on Ace." He chuckles. "I am jealous."

"You shouldn't be. I had a crush on you too at one point." You hum.

"What? When!?" He gasps blushing.

"What are you two talking about?" Ace asks plopping down across from you both.

"Nothing." You and Sabo say together.

"Alright. Hey, you got World of D?" Ace inquires.

"Yeah, do you guys have it? It's really so awesome!" You gush.

"Not yet but a few have turned up in the pawn shop nearby so I was thinking on getting it." He rumbles.

"Yeah... I guess some people would get rid of of after finding out about the risks." You comment.

"Risks...?" Sabo echoes.

"Well... Die in game and you might die for real." You breathe. They pause at that, exchanging a glance.

"And you're still playing.." Ace frowns.

"I know... But they put you in groups and make it hard to die... And being in that world... it's like a dream come true..." You avoid their gazes.

"Well... I'd still like to try it." Ace hums.

"Me too. I hope we can play with you." Sabo agrees.

"I hope so too." You smile at him.

"Alright ___, I have to go," Your mom says returning.

"Your check."Ace hands it to her. "I'll get you both a drink to go." He adds before getting up and disappearing to get them. Sabo gets up so you can get out.

"Another big assignment?" You guess to your mom.

"Yeah, seems so." She nods with a small smile.

"Well... It was good too see you." Sabo breathes hugging you warmly.

"I'll see you later. Message me if you guys go to play that game." You murmur as Ace returns handing you and mom a drink. "Thanks Ace. See you later." You giggle lightly as he kisses your cheek again.

"See you!"

You roll onto your bed with an exasperated sigh, looking at the ceiling before closing your eyes briefly. They snap open as someone crawls into bed with you. Zoro yawns, rolling into you. "How was mother-daughter time?"

"Exhausting and all we did was go eat." You murmur, peering at the back of his head. "Saw Ace and Sabo though, so it was worth it." You add, fingers rubbing the back of his head absently.

"Well that's something. You gonna go back out to see your boyfriend I take it?" He murmurs sounding groggy.

"Probably. But I don't know if we're actually a thing..." You admit quietly.

"You should ask him then." He tells you. You pause, feeling nervous at the thought. He senses it and turns to you. "Just ask what you two are."

"Alright... Sounds easy enough." You breathe.

"And you probably wont even do it." He quirks an eyebrow.

"... I can ask a simple question." You scoff.

"Okay." He smirks before drifting off. You smile a bit before checking your phone- nearly dropping it when someone calls you. You quickly answer to keep from waking Zoro.

"Hello?" You ask quietly as maneuver off your bed and out your door.

'Hey it's Kid. Did I wake you?' He asks carefully.

"No, sorry, I was trying to keep from waking Zoro... What's up?" You ask, moving to the kitchen and adding his contact.

'I uh... Forgot...' He mutters. You pause and smile a bit at that. 'Ugh... What was it?... Oh right, I was wondering if you would want to go with me to the Con that is making a stop in town next week?'

"That sounds like fun." You muse thoughtfully. "Sure."

'Alright cool... And uh.. Do you want to get something to eat with me later?' His question makes you pause.

"Sorry. Im going to have to take a rain check." You tell him.

'That's okay. I'll see you later.'

"Bye Kid." You hum before hanging up. You frown, checking a text from Katakuri.

'I had fun. Message me if you want to hang out today.'

"What are we....?" You murmur hesitantly messaging him back. 'I'm glad you did. You want to go for a walk today? My mom went away for work again and Zoro's asleep.'

'Sure. I'll be over soon.'

You rest your cheek on the table, mind already going to bad scenarios. "Ugh... It's just a question chill out..." You rub your face in unease.

After a while you hear a knock on the front door. You get up and go to answer it, smiling up at him. "Hey."

"Hey... Are you okay?" He inquires looking at you in concern. "You seem stressed."

"Im fine. I just want to go for a walk with you." You offer. His brows knit together but he nods.

"Alright. Where to?" He tilts his head.

"The park at the edge of town. There's a woodland path I havent been on in a long time." You breathe brushing past. "We can take a bus there."

You and him take a bus to the park, not talking much on the way. In fact he stayed silent for most of it. You step off the bus, looking around the park and feeling a bit lighter as you stretch. "That's better." You smile.

"How was breakfast with your mom?" He inquires, seeming to relax as well.

"Same as always. She did all the talking... But Sabo and Ace made up for it. Might see them in World of D soon too." You tell him, moving for the path.

"Good friends of yours?" He guesses.

"Childhood friends. Luffy's older brothers too but they're all in college right now so I don't get to see them much." You murmur, looking around in thought. "Actually.... I think we used to play in these woods when we were little... Maybe it was this one." You purse your lips in thought.

"Sounds like fun." He comments.

"It was..." You agree. After a while you come to an open field that the path cut through. You stop looking over at the tall grass as it dances about with the wind. It was beautiful and soothing. "Katakuri?"

"Hm?"

"What are we?" You ask looking at him carefully. He blinks, becoming still as he meets your gaze. He was quiet for a while, face becoming a steady shade of pink.

"We are... Whatever you want us to be." He breathes surprising you. You blink before blushing and looking away, rubbing your cheek anxiously.

"Heh... I um... I-I..." You start to stammer as if your mind had stopped working all together. You didn't get to stammer much longer before he brings your head to his chest.

"It's okay ___..." He assures lightly. You relax nuzzling his chest. "You were so stressed the whole way here I thought you were going to give me bad news." He hugs you warmly.

"No.. I just... I dunno I thought it would offend you some how..." You admit quietly. "And that it would make things weird that I wanted to know..." He lets out an amused breath before covering your eyes. You tense slightly just before he kisses your cheek warmly.

"You didn't have to worry. I was wondering about that too..." He shifts his gaze as he covers his mouth again and uncovers your eyes. "As always you surprised me." You blink up at him as he looks to the side. A smile comes to your lips and you lean up to kiss his cheekbone.

"You know... I always feel so much better after talking to you. Thanks Katakuri." You smile warmly. His eyes soften and he cups your cheek.

"Anytime, I'm glad I can help."