Me: I'm on my way. Be ready!

Zoro: Can we please just eat at home?

Me: I don't want to cook.

Zoro: We can order take out.

Me: You're impossible.

Me: We're going out. Jeans. Button down. Go change now.

Zoro: ヽ(*≧ω≦)ﾉ

Me: Adorable.

Zoro: You're impossible.

Me: Thank you. It took years of training.

Me: You have 10 mins.

Eight days post-accident and he hadn't left the apartment other than his five day checkup. You were afraid he was going to turn into a neet if he stayed cooped up any longer. So you started forcing him out. Yesterday it was a trip to the store. He did not like it at all. When a handsome guy with strong sharp features strolls in with a bandage on his face people stare. Day nine you were making him go to your favorite Mexican restaurant. You wanted to go there because it was small and you knew everyone working would be friendly. There was some anxiety that he'd refuse to go in. You were 90% sure you could charm him into it.

Things hadn't progressed much between the two of you since the offhanded confession. You weren't even sure it counted as a confession. He comfortably snuggled you to sleep every night and had breakfast with you before work every morning.

You pulled into the complex and picked up your phone.

Me: Let's go!

A few moments later the greenette emerged head lowered. He released an irritated sigh and hoisted himself into the passenger seat.

-Twenty minutes later

"Ugh." You groaned slumping over the steering wheel, "So...hungry."

"We could be eating right now if you'd let me order pizza like I wanted." Zoro grumbled slouched down in the seat beside you.

"How was I supposed to know there'd be an accident on the highway?" You narrowed your eyes at him.

"Sorry." He muttered turning toward the window.

Something about the tone he used made you feel guilty. You brushed your right hand over his left arm. He relaxed under your touch.

"I just want you to have a nice time and not be trapped in the apartment."

"I always have a nice time with you. Doesn't matter if it's at home." His gaze still locked on the window.

"You adorable mossball." You giggled as traffic began to move.

He muttered something inaudible but you could see a slight curve to his cheek.

_____________

You sat in a booth across from each other in the fairly quiet restaurant. He glanced down shyly, which would have been the cutest thing you'd ever seen, except it didn't match his personality. Until the accident people's stares didn't bother him. Granted the nature of the gawking was more out of attraction than curiosity. You were positive the staring would end or at least decrease considerably when the bandage comes off in a few days. Now you sort of relished the fact that you were the only one to see him without it. The swelling and bruising had all pretty much healed. The scar that remained added a rugged mysteriousness to his otherwise perfect face; in your opinion anyway.

The server interrupted your thoughts setting your drinks, chips and salsa on the table. You slid Zoro's cup from his left to front and center. You'd learned that lesson at home. He broke a couple of glasses simply because he couldn't see them. It was obvious that it wore on him a bit. Sure he couldn't follow directions, but clumsy, he was not.

"People are staring." He muttered.

"Don't worry about people. Just talk to me." You munched on a chip.

He deadpanned.

"So, how was your day?"

"It was alright I guess." He shrugged, "Madara still won't leave me alone."

"He feels like you need him." You said thoughtfully, "It's kind of amazing considering he never trained to help people. And all he's ever done for me is trip me and pull me down."

"He pulled you down?" He asked taking a chip from the parchment paper lined basket.

"Oh man! So when he was still a puppy - a 70 pound puppy - I'd taken him out later than usual. I remember it was already really warm out. Anyway, he did his business and as I was leaning down with the baggy to pick it up he bolted for a squirrel. I landed face first in...well...you know. Thank the gods I was wearing sunglasses. It was down my face and my shirt, I was so pissed. I stormed back into the apartment cursing and slamming cabinets. And all Marco could do was shout 'Damn yoi! What's that smell?' from the sofa."

A hefty laugh rumbled through his chest as he no doubt pictured you flopping face first in dog crap. You sat back pleased that your horrifying experience drew him out a little.

"Did he even try to help you clean it?" He asked still chuckling.

"Who Marco? Pfft." You scoffed, "He tried getting pictures for blackmail. When he couldn't he settled for mass texting his brothers, which is almost as bad. Ace, Thatch and Marco can be ruthless. Sabo and Luffy are the only one's pure of heart in that house."

"You guys are close?"

"Yeah well Marco and I were a thing for a few years. You date one brother you get them all." You shrugged.

"I didn't know you guys dated for that long." It felt like he was digging for something.

"Yeah we were terrible for each other. I mean I loved him, just not the way I thought." You made room on the table as the server placed your orders in front of you, "What about you? You never talk about that stuff."

He flushed slightly.

"I had a girlfriend right after high school. We were both really into kendo and swords and stuff but we fought a lot. She ended up joining the military."

"Only one girlfriend? I find that hard to believe."

He scowled, "I already told you, I'm not some playboy like Sanji. I'm just not interested in investing time on something that isn't going anywhere."

"How do you know that if you don't try?" You quirked a brow.

"You just do I think." His expression was as unreadable as his tone.

You had to fight the urge to tease him about how cute that was, after working so hard to get him to relax.

"You might be onto something Mossy."

_____________

"Roronoa!" A tall husky female nurse called from the doorway.

Zoro stood and stalked toward her with you close behind.

"Moral support?" Her entire face crinkled up when she smiled down at you as you nodded.

She escorted you down a small hallway that turned abruptly forming a square of exam rooms in the middle of the office. The outer rooms seemed to be for x-rays and more tedious examinations. She stopped at the last room opening the door.

"I'm just going to get your blood pressure and remove the bandage so the doctor and get those stitches out."

Zoro climbed onto the exam table, tissue paper crackling under him. You chuckled to yourself watching him cross his ankles as his legs dangled off the table. It was the only time he'd ever looked small to you. The nurse moved around the room like she'd never done anything but this her entire life. She didn't try to make small talk; probably sensing the brooding greenette would have none of it.

If he wasn't so over his now itchy stitches it probably would have taken a lot more to get him to the doctor. He flinched when the nurse reached up with gloved hands to remove his bandage.

"You've been taking good care of it." She noted cleaning the area with a gauze pad.

Zoro tipped his chin toward you.

"Great job." She added turning, "Everything is set. The doctor will be with you in a few minutes."

"Nervous?" You asked as the nurse stepped out.

"No, Just ready to get this shit out of my face."

The door opened slowly as the doctor stepped in. He greeted you and examined Zoro's scar. Ten minutes later he was stitch free.

"You can start back at work next week. In the meantime keep applying ointment and make sure you keep the area clean." He handed Zoro a slip of paper.

"You're free!" You cheered climbing into the driver's seat.

"Yay." He mumbled flatly.

"Don't be like that. I got some sake just for today." You winked.

He perked up a small smile appearing across his lips, "Yeah?"

"Mhm!" You hummed, "You deserve it."

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­_________________

"Who knew sake bombs could fuck you up so fast?" You laughed stumbling to the sofa.

"You just can't handle alcohol." He chuckled pulling you down next to him.

"Wha? No." You gasped offended, " You just drink too much."

"Are you calling me an alcoholic?" He rumbled in your ear.

"N-no." You shivered.

He smirked, "Then what are you saying?"

He was just close enough for you to steal a smooch. It had been too long since the last time he kissed you and this was the perfect moment. 

Your chest tightened as he nipped at your bottom lip before deepening the action. His left hand rested gently on your hip while his right cradled the back of your head. You reached up gathering the sleeves of his shirt in your fists and pulled him closer as you laid back. He smirked into your lips sliding his knee between your thighs. A soft moan escaped your lips as you pulled away to breathe. He tugged at your shirt slowly removing it before doing the same for himself. You giggled and traced your fingertips along his jaw and down to his shoulders as he looked you over, shades of pink dancing across his cheeks. He nuzzled into your throat kissing and licking.

His arm snaked around your waist pulling you into his lap as he switched to a seated position. You placed your hands on his shoulders, your hair cascading over both your faces as you greedily searched for his lips again. He gripped the curve where your hip and thighs meet while he slowly rocked beneath you. Your breath hitched and warmth flowed through your body.

Your phone buzzed across the coffee table behind you.

"Ignore it." He breathed hands roaming into your back pockets.

When the call kicked to voicemail the phone started buzzing again.

He groaned pulling you in so you couldn't reach the table.

"The last time that happened it was Joni calling about you." You placed your right palm against his bare chest and reached back for the phone which was on its third round.

He sighed as you relaxed in his lap and answered the call.

"Hey Nami. What's wrong?" He rolled his eye annoyed that it was just Nami.

"F/N, I just got your wedding announcement in the mail."