Christmas dinner had its usual moments of bickering and teasing among siblings and friends. Lots of curious glances were tossed your way as you and Zoro sat together his hand resting on your knee under the table. Your younger blond brother seemed to be acting quite smug all evening while your older blond couldn't seem to wait to corner and interrogate you.

"You don't think it's a little bit suspicious, yoi?" Marco asked taking the plate you'd just washed to dry.
"First of all, ouch," you looked at him ironically, "what's so suspicious? I didn't know you had such a big problem with him."
"I didn't mean it like that," he deadpanned and continued, "I don't have a problem with him. It's just your age difference and it's no secret that our family is successful and well off while he has been working multiple jobs to make ends meet, yoi."
"So you're saying he wants a sugar mama?"
"More or less, I mean who knows that could be it?"
"I guess I wasn't clear enough before." Zoro interrupted.

Marco sighed.

"Before?" you echoed.
"It's not a fetish and I don't need your money," he paused and flushed a little, "I happen to enjoy and appreciate your sister's company. We're both adults and don't need your permission."
Marco tensed and puffed out his chest, "If you ever -"
"You don't have to threaten me. I don't intend to."
You looked away flustered and cleared your throat, "I'm right here ya know."
"I need a smoke." Marco rumbled dropping the dish towel and marching out of the room.
"I'm really sorry about that." You turned back to the sink.
His arms made their way around your waist, "Don't be. He's allowed to be worried, I just don't appreciate the assumptions."
"It was still rude." you pouted.
"Well, a sugar mama would be nice." he breathed teasingly against the crook of your neck.
"S-shut up." you shivered, "Help me dry these dishes."
"Yes ma'am." he rumbled kissing the tip of your ear and moving beside you.
"Don't call me that." you nudged him playfully with your elbow.
"Well if you insist on calling me Tiger then you'll have to get an embarrassing nickname too." he argued quietly.
"Ma'am isn't a nickname, for one, it's something you say to your elder."

He smirked at you.

"Don't say it." you scolded.
"Ok, ok." he raised his hands, "I'll think of something."

After you and Zoro cleaned up everyone gathered in the den to play games and watch movies. Thatch and Marco had dipped out to smoke while you were helping Al and Nami destroy your younger brothers at Scene It Music. Zoro sat in an armchair next to Pops watching you laugh and talk shit to each other.

"You won't find someone with a purer heart." your father murmured.

Zoro sighed inwardly, he knew you lived with a bunch of protective men but if he was going to be threatened individually by them this shit was going to get old.

"I agree." the greenette nodded.
"Don't listen to these brats by the way," the old man chuckled, "they talk big but they'd never do anything to hurt her."
Zoro took a swig from the bottle of beer he was holding, "And I wouldn't either."
"That's good to know, lad." both men looked on as you turned and smiled at them still laughing at something Al had said to Sabo to make him pout, "She looks at you differently than the others."
"How so?"
"It's almost how she looked at me when she was little; like I could do no wrong. It's an infectious feeling." Pops glanced at the younger male.
"She makes you believe you can't." Zoro muttered taking another drink.

He really felt if you had a super power it would be your ability to draw out the good in anyone and make them feel supported.

"Cherish her, lad."
"Yes sir."

"Girls win!" you cheered.
"You guys pay the next time we go to the bar." Al affirmed.
"Sign this." Nami slid a small sheet of paper across the coffee table, "You won't be getting out of it."
"What are you two talking about so seriously?" you asked plopping down in the chair with Zoro.
"It's a secret." your father winked.

You gave Zoro a pout.

He smirked and flicked your forehead, "What a brat you were when you were little."
"Hey!" you protested grabbing his hand.
"I like this one." Pops rumbled.

________________

Zoro admired you as you rested in his lap on the sofa in the den.

You'd spent most of the night awake with Pops who was too sick to move, and even if he wanted to his legs were retaining water and were puffy and stiff. He couldn't keep anything down which included his nausea medication, you wasted a few doses trying. The boys needed rest so they could get some work done and Marco and Thatch could start preparations.

So, your boyfriend of less than a week came by to help. He convinced you to lie down while Pops was finally resting and nap until the hospice nurse arrived. Once you got comfortable on his thigh you were out like a light. You snored softly as he ran his fingers through your hair.

Not even fifteen minutes into your nap the doorbell chimed sending Chopper into a frenzy and startling you awake.

The damn nurse was early.

"I'll let her in." Zoro murmured as you sat up rubbing your eyes.

You nodded and straightened yourself up trying to recall everything you needed to tell her in your sleepy haze. After giving her a run down of the night before she entered Pops' room and checked his vitals and gave him a few shots. He barely stirred during the examination.

"Are your brothers here?" the nurse asked stepping out of his room.
"Not yet, is something the matter?" your stomach dropped.
"It would be best if you contacted them so we can all discuss the next steps." she smiled empathetically.

It took less than an hour to assemble all five of your siblings.

You walked out on to the porch with Zoro adjusting the scarf around his neck.

"You don't have to go." you murmured nervously.
"It's a family moment. I don't want to upset your brothers." he brushed your hair behind your left ear, "I'll be nearby so just call me when you're done and I'll come back. Ok?"
"K." you pouted.

He swiftly kissed your lips and turned toward his truck.

"I'm going to have to suggest he be moved to the hospice center." Marcia, the nurse announced once you had all gathered in the living room.
"Why the center? He wanted to stay home." Sabo voiced.
"Yeah, you guys can just give him his treatments here anyway." Ace agreed.
"He's reached a stage where he needs around the clock care." Marcia explained, "We cannot do that here."
"How soon?" you asked
"There's a space available now. We can move him tomorrow." she replied.
"What does this mean? How long will be have to stay?" Luffy questioned from his seat next to you.

Marcia glanced at Thatch and Marco before turning back to the youngest as you wrapped your arms around him.

"Well, the hospice center is where people come to be kept comfortable in their final days."