Sake8zero : There has to be a reason a pretty young lady would be on a site like this.

Pyt07: Not particularly.

Pyt07: Mostly I was bored. Thank you for the compliment btw.

Sake8zero: I see.

Sake8zero: Just here stealing hearts then?

Pyt07: Hah. Sure

Pyt07 : and you're just here to chat I suppose.

Sake8zero: It does pass the time.

Pyt07: How do you get away with no profile picture?

Sake8zero: Keeping some mystery

Sake8zero: People don't seem to appreciate the art of conversation anymore

Pyt07: There is that.

"F/N? Helllooooo?" The greenette across from you pulled your attention away from your phone.

"Sorry." You tossed him a small smile.

"Still playing with that dating site?" He poked at the food on his plate.

"Yeah most of the guys on here are creeps though."

"Well, you seemed to be pretty into whomever that is." He smirked pointing his fork at you.

"Shut it. This guy seems pretty polite..."

"But?" Zoro asked.

"He's ten years older than me." You sighed.

Not that an age gap is bad but ten years is quite a lot. Even if he was nice so far you weren't sure you'd find much common ground. Having someone to chat with wouldn't be terrible though

"What's the big deal. You're 27 it's not like you're in high school." Zoro grunted.

"Well that's true but when I was starting high school he was graduating college."

"At the very least he could be a sugar daddy." The greenette laughed.

"Why do I hang out with you?" You cut your eyes at him.

"Because I'm your favorite cousin, you love me and I'm irreplaceable." He retorted smugly.

"Alright...ya got me there." You sighed in defeat.

"So, give the old guy a shot. You might like him."

"But he doesn't have any pictures up. What he's like deformed or has a big gnarly scar-" You cut yourself off to back pedal as your cousin deadpanned, "I-I mean not like yours, which is mysterious and handsome. I just mean like what if like half his face is gone or something?"

"If that is the case maybe he wants people to get to like him for who he is and not what's adding to or lacking from his face."

"When did you get so mature?" You muttered lowering your gaze.

___________

"So who's this guy Zoro told me you're talking to online?" Nami asked Leaning over the computer at her station.

"Why does he have such a big mouth?" You rolled your eyes, "We've chatted for maybe two and a half weeks. He's just nice it's really no big deal."

"Zoro said he's 10 years older than you." She whistled.

"He's dead that's it."

She frowned, "Hey I came in early today just to talk to you about this. You could give me something to work with here!"

"I didn't ask you to! And your mouthy boyfriend needs to mind his own business." You snapped.

"Hey – you're still related don't forget." She chuckled swooping her ginger hair behind her ear.

"Don't remind me." You rolled your eyes.

A few beats of silence passed as you watched the national morning show intro start on the TV in the lobby. Both you and Nami worked at the front desk of a privately-owned resort, you worked the overnight auditor shift.

"Fine... I've got a half hour to kill anyway. Yes, he's older than me. No, I don't think I like him like that. He will in no way shape or form become my sugar daddy. He only signed up for this site to get over his ex-wife... just like I signed up to get over Killer." Nami's eyes widened as she took in your rapid-fire statements.

Your phone pinged.

Sake8zero: Good morning! Hope you had a good night.

A grin spread across Nami's face, "It's him, isn't it?"

"So?"

"SO?! He tells you good morning? He totally likes you. Who sends good morning texts?" She paused and interrupted you, "Boyfriends, that's who."

Pyt07: Morning. It wasn't bad but I'm about to slap the morning shift.

Sake8zero: Not a morning person – noted

Pyt07: I've been up all night remember?

Pyt07: I guess I'm not an anytime person

Sake8zero: I don't believe it.

"Alright your time is up. I'm clocking out early." You hopped over the counter as Nami scoffed.

Sake8zero: I'm almost at the office but you have a good day's rest

Pyt07: Yeah have a good day at work. I'll probably be awake a little after lunch time.

You didn't know what compelled you to share that information. Well, you had gotten used to his messages. Nights when he fell asleep early were weirdly lonely. Of course, you weren't about to admit that to a soul.

____________

Sake8zero: How is the night shift?

Pyt07: Can't complain I guess. The hotel is pretty empty tonight so after reports should be smooth sailing.

Pyt07: Why are you awake right now anyway?

Sake8zero: Talking to you of course

Pyt07: Right.

Pyt07: But really

Sake8zero How do you do that?

Sake8zero couldn't sleep. It wasn't a great day

Pyt07: Its been a month, weirdly I can tell when something is bothering you.

Pyt07: that probably doesn't make sense

Pyt07: What happened?

Sake8zero: Ran into the ex wife

Sake8zero: it makes sense to me...

Pyt07: I thought you guys were on good terms?

Sake8zero we are

Sake8zero she's getting remarried

Pyt07: ah... I see

Sake8zero: don't misunderstand - I don't want to be with her. There are reasons it didn't work.

Pyt07: I get it

Pyt07: it's still kind of a shock

Sake8zero: And a blow to the ego I guess

Pyt07: Well you're out there doing your own thing

Sake8zero: true I suppose

Pyt07: don't be so down about it. Good things come to those who wait right?

Sake8zero Look at you cheering an old man up.

Pyt07: oh shut up.

Pyt07: You aren't that old

Sake8zero Hey is there a TV in the lobby?

Pyt07: of course, why?

Sake8zero There's a good Hitchcock movie on the classic movie channel.

Pyt07: My statement about your age has be retracted

Sake8zero How mean!

Sake8zero I was born in the 80's you know

Pyt70: In 80 you mean.

Sake8zero: 😭😭

Pyt07: Don't cry. It isn't becoming of a man your age.

Sake8zero: Woooooow

Sake8zero: I pour my heart out and this is what I get

Pyt70: Come on now. I'm playing and you know it.

Sake8zero: ...

Pyt07: OK geez.

Pyt07: I'm sorry

Sake8zero: I can't stay mad at such a cute face

Sake8zero: Are you gonna watch this movie with me or what?

Pyt07: 😧

Pyt07: Oh - Rear Window... I know this one. Nosey neighbor thinks the guy across from him killed his wife right?

Sake8zero: Exactly.

Sake8zero: it's my favorite.

You continued to watch the movie as you ran your reports and chatted with the still nameless man. The movie wasn't bad and his commentary and random trivia made you chuckle.

Sake8zero: Maybe I'm just delirious, but this was kinda fun

Pyt07: It is 6AM

Pyt07 : You're delirious.

Sake8zero: You're always on huh?

Pyt07: Got me in a LOT of trouble growing up

Sake8zero: It's weirdly cute

Pyt07: Weirdly? I'm hurt

Sake8zero: It's a compliment. I promise.

Pyt07: Oh thank you! I'm so flattered.

Sake8zero: I think we should meet

He'd erased and rewrote the message three times. Why did he send it? There was no way you'd be willing to meet a guy so much older without even knowing what he looked like. And divorced? You're young. You don't need that kind of baggage.

He turned his phone off and threw it on the floor.

Why are you like this?!

A/N This was a suggestion by the lovely Blood-Reaper

Go visit and give her a follow!