"F/N," your cousin drew your name out into a long whine, "please just give this guy a chance."
"I told you I don't like being fixed up P." you replied sternly, "Zoro please talk some sense into your sister."
"It's not like you have to marry the guy." the greenette muttered from the sofa.

Perona grinned mischievously; Zoro almost never took her side, "See it won't be bad. You need to get out more. Plus you get a free meal. Just say yes already."
You dragged your hand down your face, "I hate both of you."
"Yes!" Perona cheered whipping out her phone, "You won't regret it."

*ping*

Sake8zero: How's the night?

"Doubtful." you smirked at your cousins.

Pyt07: ugh
Pyt07: and I'm not even at work

Sake8zero: so what's so ugh?

Pyt07: I'm with my cousins and the oldest is trying to set me up

Sake8zero: in what sense? Are they plotting a murder or some kind of heist?

Pyt07: you have quite the imagination
Pyt07: a date.

Shanks frowned at his phone.

Sake8zero: Blind dates aren't all that bad
Sake8zero: if we ever met it would sort of be a blind date right?

Pyt07: that isn't even close to the same
Pyt07: we at least talk, minus names and you not having a profile picture. The point is I feel like I know you at least a little.
Pyt07: Perona is awful at matching me with people.

Sake8zero: Well, if it turns out to be bad at least you won't have to deal with it again.

Pyt07: You're awfully supportive of this Mr. WeShouldMeet

Sake8zero: Feel free to stop brining that up.
Sake8zero: Also, it's just a quick meeting. It won't hurt.

He was being too nonchalant. Not knowing what else to say, he somehow managed to come off as if he didn't mind you going out with another man. He minded he minded very much.

Pyt07: sigh
Pyt07: you guys are killing me. I'll try to be open to this but based on past experience I don't have much hope.

Sake8zero: What was so bad about the last time she set you up?

Pyt07: It ended up being my ex's best friend. She didn't know the six degrees of separation I guess and neither did he. It was only a few weeks after Killer and I broke up so it just made me look really sad.
Pyt07: Not to mention he and I never got along so our personalities weren't even compatible.

Sake8zero: That is troubling.

Pyt07: See?!

Sake8zero: You can always text me if it goes South and I'll send you a 911 message.

Pyt07: My knight is shining armor

Sake8zero: I try.
Sake8zero: when is the fated date?

Pyt07: two days apparently. We're supposed to meet at some bar downtown.
Pyt07: She's literally squealing.

Sake8zero: you're such a good cousin.

Pyt07: Shut up.

Sake8zero: I have to get back to work so I'll stop interrupting your date planning

Pyt07: I didn't know you ever worked this late.

Sake8zero: We took on a new client recently. I'm just getting things in order.

Pyt07: Oh I'll catch ya later then.

Sake8zero: Talk to you tomorrow.

                                                                                       __________________

You sat at a two top in the back corner of Shaky's Bar. Tapping your phone anxiously on the table you glanced around the busy room. Your date was late, by a half hour. The only thing worse than a blind date is being stood up by a blind date.

"F/N?" a breathless voice rasped pulling your attention from your phone.
"Bartolomeo." you replied looking over the incredibly tall greenette.
"Sorry for being so late." he took a seat in front of you, "My roommates ...well it's a long story."
"It's alright," you held back a sigh, "I hope you don't mind I started without you." you gestured toward your drink.
"Ah...no." he flagged down a server to place his order.

You didn't want to be there and he could probably feel it. He was attractive but face tattoos and septum piercings weren't exactly your style. Plus being late regardless of reasoning didn't leave a good impression either. After getting his drink you continued to sit and awkwardly chat. It was blatantly clear that you had nothing in common. Soon the conversation dwindled and his attention shifted to his phone.

Pyt07: you said I could request an emergency...

As you pressed send on your messenger a small group of men pushed passed your table bumping into you dumping an entire glass of merlot down the front of your lavender dress.

"Oh my," a familiar voice piped, "I'm so sorry... F/N, right?"

Something about the redhead's genuine smile brought a flush to your cheeks.

"Hey!" Bartolomeo called rising to his full height, "Watch where you're going asshole."

"I'm apologizing to the young lady." Shanks calmly replied before turning back to you, "It seems I've ruined your dress."

You had been too busy staring to do anything about the spill.

"Ah...uh...yeah." You stammered grabbing napkins from the table and patting yourself dry, "I think this is my cue to call it a night. Thanks for the drinks Barto."

"Uh, no problem?" he looked on confused as you stood grabbing your purse.

"I'll see you out." Shanks chimed.

Bartolomeo watched the two of you walk through the crowd completely puzzled by what just happened.

"You should at least let me replace the dress." Shanks offered for the third time before you even made it to the entrance.

"Don't worry about it. I didn't like this dress that much anyway." You raised your hand in front of you, "I should thank you actually. He was a nice guy but it was a terrible date."

The redhead chuckled, "Well then you're welcome. Need a ride?"

"I'm not far from here." You shivered not realizing the evening had cooled down so much.

"I'll walk you then." He suggested shrugging out of his jacket and slipping it over your shoulders.

"Sure, thanks." You snuggled into the residual warmth that swathed you, "I'm surprised you remembered me. My customer service couldn't have been that great."

"On the contrary, you made an impression."

There was that smile again.

"Quite the charmer." you smirked.

Another exuberant laugh rumbled through the man beside you. It was a pleasant sound that even in this short walk; you were convinced you'd never grow tired of.

Shanks was practically floating down the sidewalk, completely ecstatic that you allowed him to accompany you. He'd initially fretted that you'd find it creepy but it seemed your personalities meshed well no matter the platform. The conversation continued playfully to the entrance of your building.

"This is me." You jabbed your thumb toward the stoop behind you, "Thanks for the walk."

"It was my pleasure really. Maybe we'll run into each other again sometime."

"We'll see I guess." you held back the bold urge to ask him for his number, not knowing he was doing the same.

"Have a great night." the redhead murmured turning back the way you'd come raising a hand to wave.

You entered the building not realizing you were still wearing his jacket until you reached your apartment.