"Another." The greenette called turning his empty shot glass over adding to the small collection he'd started.

Drinking like this never worked. It was proven, no matter how many times he tested this theory it always ended the same. But it passed the time and helped numb the guilt.

Another night on the road chasing an assignment, a target that was especially elusive. This town was just a short stop on his way to that bounty. It was a long lonely trip, but the payoff would have him set for a few months adding to the savings he had built up for something special.

The bartender placed a full shot in front of him and asked if he needed anything else.

Maybe he should call it a night. There wasn't much else to do, and tomorrow was planned out. He'd head out of the inn early to the next city where he'd intercept his mark, cash in and head home.

Once retiring to the small hotel room, he flopped onto the stiff foreign mattress brandishing his phone and pressing it to his left ear.

"You have one saved voice message." the automated voice chimed, "To listen to your messages press one."

After choosing the desired option he sighed returning the phone to his ear.

"Roronoa," your voice, albeit tense and a little angry sent a flash of goosebumps across his tanned flesh, "I'm still pissed. And don't think I'll just cave and forgive you like last time." there was a long pause followed by a soft sigh as your demeanor shifted, "Be sure to come home in one piece so I can kick your ass." another pause while you chuckled, "I love you."

With that, the call ended. You never said goodbye while he was on the road and no matter how angry you were, every message ended with, ' I love you'.

Zoro groaned rolling over to stare at the ceiling.

It had been almost four months since you'd left that message knowing once a mission started he couldn't contact you and you felt guilty for quarreling over his choice to accept such a dangerous mark. The last things you said to him were bitter and hurtful. But for Zoro that voicemail erased it all. He didn't care if you were mad, you didn't know the motivation behind it. He understood your frustration but was sure to be forgiven once you saw what he had planned.

Bringing his phone back into view he scrolled through pictures stopping on one you weren't aware had been taken.

Sheet pulled taut between your exposed thighs just covering your torso under your crossed arms. The soft light of that afternoon filtered through the blinds giving your dewy skin a warm glow. Your hair slightly tussled from the passionate session that had recently taken place. He wasn't a sentimental man, nor was he a romantic by any means but you did something to him. He had remained still watching you nap in your afterglow and couldn't help but capture the moment. His index finger traced the curve of your hip in the photo craving the real thing. Soon he was panting your name into the darkness before finally drifting off to sleep.

Only a few hours later he awoke in the still dark room headache splitting his brain. Fumbling around he dumped a few advil into his palm and found an unfinished bottle of sake to wash them down. It was almost time to move so, quickly he packed his bag loaded his weapons into the rusty old pickup and checked out of the inn.

Following the GPS on his phone closely he made the two-hour drive to Way City. The target, a once notorious gang leader and current fugitive, Crocodile, would be arriving to reunite with The Company's double agent Robin. It was an arduous mission that required loads of planning and coordination. Zoro was just glad it would be coming to a close soon.

Parking on the top level of the empty garage adjacent to the rendezvous point, Zoro began unpacking his equipment. He checked his phone feeling a bit uneasy. Something seemed off. Peering through the scope on his rifle he watched the warehouse door slam open as Crocodile passed through dragging Robin by her waist, pistol pressed firmly to her temple.

"Shit." Zoro muttered adjusting the gun with his mark's quick movements.
"Shoot me and see what happens to your friend. I can't guarantee I won't squeeze the trigger." His smooth deep voice resonated through the alley as he glared up at the bounty hunter.

While Crocodile was distracted by Zoro's presence Robin calmly but swiftly raised her arm elbowing the gun from his hand. Her attempt to escape his grasp, however, failed turning into a scuffle as she ducked blows from his prosthetic hook.

"Fuck." Zoro breathed.

They were moving too quickly for a clean shot. There was no way he would risk taking out a colleague so, he scrambled into the pickup and drove down to the bottom floor. Abandoning the vehicle, he snatched up his weapon of choice and ran toward the warehouse.

"What trash fights an unarmed woman?" the greenette huffed unsheathing his katana.
Crocodile turned from Robin's slumped form, a smug grin bending his lips, "A sword? How old-fashioned."

In mere seconds metal clashed with metal as Zoro's sword swiped the crime boss' hook. It was newly acquired and recently sharpened. Zoro noted from the dossier to avoid gashes from the appendage as it was often filled with some sort of poison; though this one didn't appear to be hollow.

The men continued their dance landing a few blows here and there. In a miscalculated move Zoro had allowed the hook to make its way around his blade. A flick of his wrist and the sword was torn from the greenette's grasp clattering against the pavement. With brute force, his fist made contact with Crocodile's jaw sending him back arms flailing for balance allowing Zoro an open shot at his torso diving into the large man's body. Both fought for dominance, Zoro ultimately losing, shouting a string of curses as Crocodile's hook swiped down his left eye from brow to cheekbone.

He stood over the bounty hunter chuckling, hook smearing Zoro's own blood against his throat. Perhaps enjoying his taste of victory a bit too much the raven began to speak only to have his words stifled by the crack of the pistol in Robin's hands. Swaying backward Crocodile dropped to the ground sputtering something incoherent.

"I'll contact Trafalgar and update Buggy on the mark." She stated calmly tearing the hem of her shirt and handing it to Zoro to cover his afflicted eye.

__________________

It was storming out, thunder continuously rattled the windows throughout the afternoon. Much like any other day off you cleaned and prepared dinner early in hopes that your boyfriend would finally be arriving home. A few days before he'd sent a simple text that the mission was completed but debriefing would take a bit longer than usual. You'd discarded all of your anger just happy he was alive and well fully intending to apologize the moment he walked over the threshold.

The sound of keys clattering against the deck drew your attention to the door. Heart pounding furiously you ran to open it for him.

"Moss - y..." your breath caught in your now constricted throat at the sight before you.

Zoro stood over the entrance, soaked green hair matted to his face far longer than it was the day he left. A bandage placed over his left eye, the right looking sunken and tired. You raised your hand gently caressing his stubbled jaw.

"What happened?" you managed pulling him into the house.

Without answering you he bent down capturing your lips. The tension left his body as he kissed you harder with an urgency you'd never experienced before. You allowed him to do as he pleased clearly needing the contact. Pressing you against the wall his large hands slipped behind your thighs lifting you off the floor and wrapping your legs around his waist. Clinging to him now your fingers wrung out his drenched locks while his lips carved a burning trail down your throat.

"I'm sorry." you huffed embracing his head, nails grazing over his scalp while he continued to kiss, lick and bite at your chest, "I'm - so so-rry."

Zoro pulled back to look at you, lust glazing over his visible eye, now puffy chapped lips parted with his labored breaths.

"Shut up."

It wasn't an angry demand, he knew you were sorry, he was too. You didn't want him to take this job and he paid a price for it physically and mentally.

He began to devour you again with a sinfully deep kiss shoving your back further into the wall. You caved into the delicious haze of pheromones, moving with him rather than against. This was his time to take you as he pleased. Calloused fingers dug into your soft thighs, the right slipping into your shorts to cup your rear as he began to grind against you.

Sliding your hands over his shoulders instantly reminded of his soaked clothing.

"Z-zoro." You mewled trying to get your boyfriend's attention.

He grunted against the base of your throat acknowledging your flustered call but refusing to stop his assault.

"H-honey... Stop," you shivered, "you're soaked."

He pulled back lifting you away from the wall eliciting a yip as he carried you into your shared room depositing you on the mattress. Stepping back, he quietly tugged his wet clothes off before crawling over you. His right eye didn't leave your face as you took in the sight of his bare skin, rivulets of water still making their way down the valleys between muscles. You reached up to touch a deep bruise on his shoulder, but he caught your wrists pushing you back into the bed.

His hands roamed over your clothes with an intense need while he nuzzled into the crook of your neck. It seemed innocent enough, something teenagers do in the back of a car on a lakefront, but you were instantly a shuddering panting mess. You caught a glimpse of his smile as he lowered himself to grind against your clothed body.

Such a tease.

Slowly he pushed your shirt up tugging it off and discarding it with his own clothes. His stubble scraped against your skin as he placed soft kisses down your stomach before hooking his index fingers into your shorts and panties yanking them down your legs leaving you just as exposed as him, save for your knee-high striped socks. He ran his hand over your calf bending your knee as more kisses peppered your inner thigh. You squirmed trying to relieve the burning need the greenette incited. There was no need to prepare you further he could see that, and you hoped he'd end the teasing and give you what you so desperately wanted.

Done wasting time he gripped your hips and slowly pushed himself into your warmth watching your lips part to moan his name. His arms slipped under you as he lowered himself leaving no part of your torso untouched as he thrust unhurriedly into you. You panted, clawing at his broad back earning a growl against your shoulder. Now working in rhythm with each other it was getting harder to keep his cool. Your voice so close and desperate to keep him going drove him crazy.

Feeling his orgasm build he quickened his pace, pulling back slightly to press his thumb to your clit. There was no way he was going to cum first. Unaware of your competition, your needy whine at the loss of warmth ended in a loud moan.

"Fuck." You breathed reaching your limit and subsequently taking Zoro passed his.

He remained near pulling the sheets over both of you while you ran your fingers gently down the left side of his face. His body was littered with scars already, that you didn't mind, but the loss of one of his beautiful chestnut eyes had you in a pout.

"I hope he paid for that." You murmured.

He hummed brushing loose strands from your face. It was quiet as lightning flickered through the windows giving you a clearer view of his calm expression, which was much different than when he arrived. He watched you comfortably search his face a soft smile gracing your lips. Little things like this made his chest tight, never having thought he'd have someone look at him with such love and adoration.

Before he could stop himself to wait for a better moment, the words tumbled right out of his mouth, "Marry me."

A/N - This wasn't a request. I just miss Zoro.