"If you're worried about crowds, then you should consider going to the festival next week." Mihawk offers. "It's relatively small, and the crowds will be small. Going out in a controlled manner with a small group may help."

You had been back to work for a couple of days without incident. Zoro hadn't just escorted you to work, he had stayed with you the entire day. You were worried he'd be bored, but he had no issue finding a book to read, and he had been useful to have around when you were shelving books.

He got along well with Robin, seemed to be neutral toward Brook, and the only person who you thought was bothering him was Nami. Not that you thought she was trying to give him a hard time on purpose, it's that Nami talked. Zoro did not.

"We could invite one of your coworkers." Zoro suggests, and you know which one he means.

"I don't think I could invite Robin and not Nami." You admit with a smile. "Robin got a Matchbook while I was out, so it might not be a bad idea to invite her and her match and Nami. It would create a good opportunity all around." You glance at Zoro. "Is that okay?"

He nods. "If you think it'll be for the best."

You smile warmly. "I'll keep Nami from pestering you too much. That'll give me something to focus on other than the people." You were in your phone, sending out a group text, and see how well things would come together. "I haven't been to a street festival in a long time."

"They used to be quite the activity for young people." Mihawk states. "Once the Government stepped in and altered the need for dating, the activity has become more for children and their parents."

Some Matches would go out on dates, and a few schools of thought recommended going on regular dates even after you were married. It helped people bond, but the kind of almost spontaneous dates of Middle and High School students were a thing of the past. Most activities that had been popular among those age groups had either adjusted to the new times or faded into obscurity. Festivals had adjusted, but most festivals had been a mix of couples and families and friends long before things changed, so the fact that they survived wasn't surprising.

You made a face and twitched as you got a string of texts back from Nami. The sound you made was a mix of displeasure and uncertainty and Zoro looked at you from the corner of his eye.

"Nami wants to have everyone wear Yukata." You sigh and look up to the ceiling.

"It's not too cold yet."

"No. It isn't." You admit.

"Don't have one?"

"Huurgh." You make a displeased sound again. "No, I do."

"Ah." Zoro says finally. "You dislike Yukata."

"I dislike the fuss that comes with them." You clarify. Yukata on their own were fine, and comfortable, but ladies tended to wear brighter colors, and get all dolled up, especially for a festival, and you were very sure that Nami wouldn't let you hear the end of it if you let the opportunity pass you by.

You sigh in utter defeat. "It's literally a special occasion though, all things considered, so...ssssuuu-rr-hey Zoro, do you dislike Yukata?" You realize your voice is almost hopeful.

"No, I like them." He responds without looking at you.

"Of course you do," you grumble a little, sending your text to Nami and Robin and agreeing to wear Yukata to the street festival. There were a couple more days of work to do before it happened, and that was at least enough time to get yours unpacked and sorted out.

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Nami, Robin, and Robin's match, a stern-faced fresh-out-of-med school young man named Trafalgar Law, had met up at the dojo prior to the festival. Nami had decided it would be easier for the three ladies to get ready if they could help each other do their hair, and admittedly you had to agree. Your hair would've been in a bun if Nami was lucky, and a ponytail if you hadn't felt like anything more.

Law and Zoro seemed to get along well-enough, mostly because neither bothered to say anything more to the other than was necessary, and both had the same seemingly well-practiced 'neutral scowl' down cold. You wouldn't be surprised if the two ended up as drinking buddies, if they got the chance to know one another better.

Utilizing your nearly unused room, the three of you got ready for the festival together. It was a small, but efficient flurry of make-up, hair pins, simple hair ornaments, and a little fussing over the finer details of each other's outfits, while gossiping a bit about the two currently omitted men who were out in the family room.

"Are things going smoothly for you, Robin?" You ask, your eyes closed as Nami promises a light touch on the makeup she's applying.

Robin hums positively. "He's busy getting his feet under him as a new surgeon, but he's certainly kind enough. His uncle and my mother also seemed to get along quite well." She muses, a happy smile on her face.

"Uncle?"

"It's a bit complicated, but Rosinante raised Law most of his life, and was legally his guardian." She explains. "He's not really his uncle, but that's the term they use."

"Robin can handle herself well enough, (Y/N)." Nami says sternly, poking you in the shoulder as she finishes up. "You always fold too easy. How are you getting along with your match?"

You're not really sure how to put it into words, given how wild things had been. It was hard to translate the comfort of all the quiet moments, of the feeling of warmth. You were fairly certain Nami would laugh herself into hysterics if you told her you had likened him to the sun on more than one occasion.

Apparently, your facial expression was enough for Nami and Robin.

"Oh." Nami says, her eyebrows rising slightly.

"It seems our concerns were completely unfounded." Robin adds with a bemused tone in her voice.

"You sure you don't want a little more makeup, (Y/N)?" Nami's eyes take on a mischievous edge.

"I didn't want any makeup, this is the compromise, Nami." You reply sternly. "Are we good?"

"Yes, and yes." She answers, and the three of you file out of your room and head to the family room where Zoro and Law are waiting.

Robin enters first, and you could see the flash of approval on Law's face, even if the slackness in his jaw didn't last for long. You had come to appreciate quiet connections like that, a little different from the more overt overtures that seemed more prevalent in songs and shows.

"Hey, Marimo, I expect proper thanks for my work." Nami states, causing the scowl to deepen on Zoro's face for a moment before she turns his attention to you.

For the first time in a long time, it was hard for you to sort out what his reaction was. Though after a second you realized he was struggling to keep his face neutral, and you assumed that he just hadn't wanted to give himself away in front of Nami.

"Are we ready?" You question, looking over the whole group. "The bus'll be by soon, we should head that way. It's just a couple stops away, but I figure that would be easier than walking, since Nami so kindly suggested Yukata." You say pointedly.

"Please, no one else here is complaining." Nami shoots back with an exaggerated 'humph'.

Everyone begins to file out and you smile at Zoro as the two of you fall behind a little. He offers his hand to help you get down the front steps, and now that you're closer to him you can feel his body tense.

"You okay?" You ask quietly.

"... Yeah."

"You sure? You seem on edge." You don't normally question his statements, but his behavior is a little different from usual.

"I am." He admits. Leaning down he whispers in your ear. "The Yukata looks good on you."

You feel the heat rise up in your face as he continues on ahead.

"Ah, y-you too!" You practically squeak, catching up to him as he opens the small door for you. "Your Yukata suits you well."

Stepping out through the gate for the first time in a long time wasn't as bad as you expected. Having Zoro distract you probably didn't hurt, but you found you were even relaxed on the bus. Talking with Nami and Robin mostly, with quiet assurances from Zoro and Law that they weren't spaced out. The whole outing was mostly for your benefit, but you wanted everyone to have a good time.

The festival was beautiful, for something so small. The stalls that lined the street were bright and cheerful, paper lanterns providing strings of soft light - enough to make the area safe without being so bright as to blot out the evening sky overhead.

There was music, food, games, and the crowds weren't all that heavy either. Because you and your friends were in Yukatas, you weren't dashing around madly here and there, and the relaxed pace also helped put you at ease. Your fingers stayed laced comfortably in Zoro's, and you were pleased to see a similar comfortable connection between Robin and Law. Hopefully things would progress as easily for Nami, when her Matchbook arrived.

Nami had taken over as a kind of group director, deciding where to go and what to see, and everything fell into a pace. One that caused you to zone out for a little bit.

Zoro had left to find a bathroom, and Law and Robin had excused themselves to go learn more about a concert - some extra event for the night at the end of the festival. When you looked around you couldn't see Nami, and before you could try and sort out what to do a small surge in the crowd shuffled you away from the booth you had been waiting by.

It was hard to keep your feet planted when wearing geta. Especially since all your practice in wearing them amounted to a few hours prior to today. They weren't uncomfortable, but there was a skill to it that you didn't quite have. The last thing you wanted to do was lose your footing and end up on your rear in the midst of a bustle of people.

You managed to scramble away from the surging crowd, but you weren't really sure where you had ended up. Since you'd left where to go up to Nami, you hadn't been paying good attention to the overall layout of things. Patting about your outfit you realize that you had not brought your phone with you. With an internal and external sigh, you realize that it's sitting on the dresser in your room.

You decide to stand near-ish the crowd, but far enough back you could scan for either Zoro, or Nami's distinct hair colors, or maybe even Law's you-were-never-gonna-tell-him-it-was-adorable, adorable hat.

You were a little nervous as the minutes ticked away, but panicking or trying to find everyone else from inside the crowd seemed like it would just make things worse. Something prickled at the back of your neck, and you looked over to see a group of young men walking toward you. You moved a little closer to the crowd, but their movements and body language already had you shifting to defend yourself. If you hadn't been in a Yukata – dammit Nami – you'd be in running shoes, and already in the crowd.

"You look like you could use some company, Miss." one of the four said slyly, his intent clear.

"I'm matched." You kept your voice even, but there was already anger on your face. "So, I already have company."

The laws could be pretty fierce about dating after being matched, or even alluding to ideas associated with dating. People would often have to attest to long standing friendships in order to avoid automatic issues with law enforcement. Stalkers and harassers could see severe penalties as well, far worse than with unmatched citizens. You were suddenly aware that in light of everything else that had happened you and Zoro hadn't exchanged tokens as a sign of being engaged.

"A ringless match? You can just say you're shy, lady." Another of the men pipes up as they all drew closer.

"I'm not shy, and I'm not lying." Your hackles were up, and you weren't even trying to be polite at this point. "Back off."

"Couples don't come to festivals," one of them says darkly. "Just families and girls in yukata lookin' to be made more worldly before they're matched." He leers at you, licking his lips.

Your hand went up, heel of your palm into his chin as hard as you could, clamping his teeth against his tongue and sending him staggering back a couple steps.

"I said I'm matched!" You yell at him, trying not to feel bad for the blood coming from his lips.

The angry look in his eyes made you wilt a little, and his friends seemed to be aligned with his thoughts. He didn't even say anything as the other two came at you, guards raised, trying to grab you without getting hit. One of them got a hold of your wrist and twisted it, but you managed to drive your geta into the ankle of the other before you lost your balance. You grunt from the sharp pain in your wrist, and realize you're not going to get out of this easily.

You were getting ready to scream when suddenly the two nearest you were yanked away. Law and Zoro had pulled them back and the 3rd guy, the one with the bloody mouth, was growling curses - Zoro had twisted his arm around by his thumb and wasn't letting go.

The look on Zoro's face was objectively terrifying. He wasn't looking at you, he was glaring at the guy who had twisted your wrist. From the look on that man's face, he was regretting most of his life choices. He'd gone so pale so fast you were expecting him to pass out.

"I told them I was matched." You tone was angry, even if you were relieved to have been found. "Twice! Assholes!"

"Ew 'lit mah tung!(You split my tongue!)" The man at Zoro's mercy tries to talk, but his bitten tongue was swelling.

"It was three against one," Law interjects. "It would've been within reason for her to break your jaw." His tone of voice suggests he willing to do just that on your behalf.

"You okay?" Zoro asks, when he looks at you his expression is hard, but not terrifying.

"I'm fine. I'm just mad." You admit, a scowl on your face. "The crowd surged, and I lost Nami and I was trying to find someone before I went back into the streets, and then these..." You choose swear words from the language you knew Zoro knew. "Showed up and wouldn't listen."

"What should we do?" Robin questions, her voice the usual almost otherworldly calm she manages to always have.

You rubbed your wrist, it was red and was going to bruise tomorrow, but it didn't look too bad right now. It certainly wasn't broken, but it was going to be tender for a while.

"They'll live." Law says flatly. "We don't need to get them to a hospital."

"You want to file a report, (Y/N)?" Nami asks.

"I have to." You admit. "Officer Smoker would be furious if I didn't. I mean, they're not connected to all that other stuff, but-."

"Yeah." Zoro agrees, holding the one guy by his shirt, the other still by his thumb. "It could help."

Your group got the attention of an officer, and everyone gave statements. It wasn't the best event for your festival night out but given how your luck had been with the outside world it wasn't the worst event in the last two months either.

After the incident was handled you were able to make it to the concert at the end of the festival. Robin and Law had bought tickets for everyone and had come back to Nami panicking because she couldn't find you. Law had spotted Zoro stomping off in a direction with a scowl on his face and had followed after him. The rest was as you had known it.

Nami apologized, but you wouldn't hear it. The whole deal wasn't her fault, or anyone else's, and honestly things had ended well. You defended yourself, and you hadn't panicked. You'd have to thank Mihawk for all the training and frankly the byproduct of all the therapy he'd accidentally provided over the last month. Or purposefully. The older man was wise enough, it wouldn't surprise you if he'd done more than just teach you to fight.

It was late when you got back home. Zoro didn't let go of your good hand for the rest of the evening. You were always either in front of him or right beside him. It was sweet, but you worried a little that you'd have trouble doing work at the library if he was determined to hold your hand for forever. You hadn't asked him how he was doing, only because you knew he wouldn't want to admit to anything in front of the others.

When you got inside the gate you finally asked him. "Are you okay?"

He looks away for a moment and then turns and hugs you. "Yeah. I was mad at Nami for a minute." He admits quietly. "And myself. But you were right, it wasn't anyone's fault." He leans back looking down at you with a pleased look on his face. "You hurt someone. On purpose."

Your face went flat, along with your tone. "You're not supposed to praise someone for that, and it was in self-defense."

"Mm. Next you'll be competing."

You remember the conversation from the official first meeting and your face goes red. "You're teasing me!" You gasp and are rewarded with a smile from him before he kisses the top of your head.

"A little." He admits, and there's a warm pleasant sound that escapes him.

"Humph. I was going to ask you to help me with my Yukata, but I'll sort it out on my own. Teasing me like that." You pout and start toward the doors.

You can feel the amused grin forming on his face and are only a little surprised as he easily scoops you up into his arms. With easy movements he had you over one shoulder so he could get the door.

"Zoro!" Your voice has some urgency to it as your face goes red, but you're not trying to wake Mihawk so your exclamation comes out more like a hiss. He's steadying you against his shoulder with his hand palming almost your entire ass and the idea of being seen this way is embarrassing.

"Quiet, or you'll wake the house." Zoro admonishes you, his hand squeezing your rear. You make a noise, and cover your mouth, but you hold onto him without further protest as he marches both of you to the bathroom to get cleaned up.