"You look terrible." Nami commented sitting across the table slapping Luffy's hand away as he tried to snatch the other half of her sandwich.
Robin hummed placing her coffee in front of her, "Perhaps you were a little hasty."
"I would never break up with F/N." Sanji muttered setting another plate in front of Luffy.
"Shut up." Zoro grumbled.
"I don't get it," Perona chimed from Robin's side, "so what if she has some gray hair."
"That's not it." He rested his face in his hand with a huff.
"What is it then?" Luffy asked with a mouthful.
"Yes, enlighten us." Sanji added finally taking a seat.
"You don't have to tell anyone your business." Robin interjected.
"Thanks." Zoro sighed leaning back in his chair.
"Then why are we even here?" Perona complained.
"To support our friend, darling." Robin answered running her index finger along her pouty girlfriends jaw.

An action Zoro blinked and turned away from. It reminded him of you - something you enjoyed doing to wordlessly get his attention. Reburying his face in his palms he choked back the uncomfortable feeling it gave him.

"Anyway," Nami cleared her throat, "you don't have to tell us whatever you aren't comfortable with. But, do you think this is a decision you want to stick to?"
"Marco didn't mean it." Luffy added.
"He doesn't like me." Zoro murmured.
"He's just protective." your younger brother insisted, "It was like that with Shanks. They've been together longer than any of us."
"It's natural to be your sister's keeper." Robin added.
"Especially with your age gap."

Zoro narrowed his gaze at Nami.

"Bingo!" Perona chimed, "So she's older, who cares? Robin is older than me."
"Not by eleven years." Nami argued.
"She's the one who cares." Zoro grumbled, "I don't care, I told her so many times."
"She probably would have dumped you eventua-ah! Ow!" Sanji jolted as Nami kicked him under the table.
"Give it a rest."
"Hmm, I don't think she would have." Luffy hummed thoughtfully, "Her and Shanks broke up all the time and she was never upset this long. She didn't even cry over Tra-guy."
"Well, that was an opportunity." Robin sipped her coffee.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Zoro straightened himself out a bit.
"Obviously, she was trying to date someone more age appropriate."
"Sabo said that too." Luffy confirmed.
"She told Benn and Shanks she was going to end it but he made the first move because his schedule was too crazy." Perona picked at Robin's fries.
"So, she didn't have to be the bad guy and she was free to get with who she really had her heart set on." Nami surmised.
"Ungrateful." Sanji muttered under his breath.
"It's been weeks. I'm sure it's too late."
"You're still hung up on her." the redhead chuckled pushing her leftovers to her boyfriend.
"You haven't shaved or combed your hair all this time, you drink all day." Robin pointed out.
"She doesn't leave her room." Luffy added.
"Maybe we should go to your house then." The ravenette suggested to the youngest.
"Let's go! Ace got a few games we can play." he excitedly jumped to his feet.
"No thanks." Zoro groaned.

___________________

Red: just come out for a bit
Red: a little
Red: tinsy
Red: tiny
Red: puny bit

You: you know I absolutely loathe when you do that

Red: it gets you to answer

You sighed rolling over under your covers.

Red: you can't stay in bed forever

You: I'm certain I can.
You: Just leave me here to waste away.

Red: Not funny F/N.

You: Not trying to be

Your phone continued to buzz with unanswered texts as you dropped it in the mattress and ignored it.

It was April, only three days away from what would have been your father's 73rd birthday. Sabo and Thatch's birthdays were difficult enough, but your boys wanted to celebrate his life with all of your family friends in true Newgate fashion. You however, weren't ready to party.
The romance with Zoro had only lasted a few months, but fuck if he wasn't hard to get over. That heartache rested atop your already crushing guilt.

Your phone buzzed again.

"Goddammit, what?!" annoyed you opened your text to a deluge of messages from Shanks.

None of them had any weight until you got to the bottom.

Red: Benn and I will pick you up at 8. Not taking no for an answer so get yourself cleaned up or we're dragging you out in whatever you're wearing.

He meant it and you knew that. Your brothers probably wouldn't stop him either. They'd all taken turns trying to get you out.

You: I hate you.

Red: 😘😘

With a heavy sigh you dragged your disheveled self to the bathroom for a shower.

After cleaning up you picked out a black boat-neck knit sweater and a pair of dark gray jeggings, deciding to punctuate the outfit with a pair of charcoal booties. For the first time in weeks you sat at your vanity with your makeup spread out in front of you. Taking your time you curled and pinned your hair half up before losing yourself in the makeup.

It was nice to zone out and have something else to focus on. You finished off your smoky eyed look with a bold matte red lipstick. This was the first time in a while that looking in the mirror felt good.

Maybe things would be ok after all.

With a red leather purse hitched in your bent elbow you made your way downstairs. Your younger brothers were being noisy as usual in the living room and you could hear other voices mixed in the laughter. Hearing that gruff grumble as you stepped into the room sent your stomach to the floor as goosebumps flashed over your skin.

Of course he would come over, he's your brother's best friend. You locked in on each other immediately and everything in the room stopped.

"You're going out?" Sabo asked turning to have a better look at you.

You hummed in affirmation trying to rip your eyes away from Zoro who only looked more handsome with a jaw covered in scruff and his usual messy hair.

"You look very nice." Robin complimented actually gaining your attention.
"Ah, thanks." a soft sad smile bent your lips.

Zoro shivered at the sound of your voice. This is exactly what he didn't want. Seeing you all put together and beautiful ready to go out. In his mind you'd moved on with life and had been like this every day - though Sabo's question and Luffy's earlier comment said otherwise.

"Goin' on a date?" Ace teased.
"I wish." A new voice joined the conversation from the doorway.
"This isn't your house ya know." Sabo deadpanned at the redhead.
"Yeah, yeah." Shanks waved as his onyx gaze slithered over you.

The greenette's fists clenched and relaxed.

"Please shut up." you groaned and looked down at your little brothers to clarify, "We're just going to the bar. No dates."
"I'll take good care of her, I always have." those words were pointed and everyone felt the tension drop in as soon as he uttered them.

That was it, Zoro grit his teeth to keep from speaking and moving. He wanted to step between you and Shanks, to put him in his place. But he couldn't - he was an ex now too.

"Let me or Marco know if you need a ride later." Sabo's big green eyes fixed on your enigmatic expression.
"Trust me, I will." you smiled dolefully.
"Ok, ok... Let's get going." Shanks gently took your arm and tugged you out of the house.

All eyes turned to the greenette in the room as he watched you leave. His mouth had gone dry along with his eye. Had he blinked at all that entire time?

With a huff he stood, "I need a drink."