A/N - There's a lemon in the middle of this one.

Moving day was finally over. Your brothers left one by one after arranging the furniture to best suit each room.

"It's so quiet." you sighed dropping onto your new sofa.
"Because there aren't 18 people here arguing with each other." your boyfriend chuckled picking up your feet and taking a seat before resting them back in his lap.
"That's true." you settled, "How do you like it?"
He hummed, running his hand down your bare shin stopping at your ankle,"I've never lived with a girlfriend."
"So, you're unsure." you chuckled.
"It's you." he looked down at you, "I know we'll be fine."
"You just have to get used to sharing space. Besides we've practically been living together this whole time."
"Hey, I can share." he ran a finger up the sole of your foot making you chortle and clutch the cushion beneath you.
"Such a mean lil tiger." you regained your composure and shook your foot from his grasp.
"Say that again," he smirked, "I dare you."
You attempted to match his energy, "Ohho~ what're ya gonna do about it?"
Slowly he crawled over you like a big cat stalking its prey, "I'll have a lesson for my little bunny."

Before you could squirm away his fingers crawled up your sides tickling you.

"Ahhh! St-stooop!" you gasped and cackled while simultaneously tensing and grabbing his forearms, "I ha- I...haate i-it!"

The desperate edge in your voice and your nails digging into his skin sent a chill through his veins. As immediately as he had begun his hands flattened against you gliding soothingly over where he'd been prodding.

"S-sorry." red faced and breathless you gently touched his wrists, "I'm ok, Tiger."
"Don't apologize," he bent down to smooch your nose, "I didn't know you didn't like it."
"It's just hard to move and breathe s-so I panic. I know you're only playing, so it's alright."

That was the first time you saw your boyfriend pout. It was subtle, someone that didn't know him well probably couldn't detect it. But for you it was incredibly obvious.

He lowered his forehead to yours and gently nuzzled your cheek, "That laugh was just...really cute."
You blushed a little over his admission and moved your hands to either side of his jaw, "Liar~" you playfully provoked.
"You just want to be punished." he leaned back taking you with him.

"N-wha?" you yelped as he hoisted you over his shoulder.

Quietly he stalked into your bedroom and placed you on the matress before kissing your lips. His hands traveled up your sides making you hum pleasantly. Warm digits carefully roamed over you, worshiping every curve and appreciating every soft sound he could draw from you. As your senses started to heighten you felt him tug at your pants. Slowly his lips made their way down your neck while he moved down to undress your lower half. A soft gasp left you as he nibbled on your hip and ran his hands up your thighs.

"Babe... I-I need to shower." you weakly attempted to stop him.
"So do I." he replied before sliding his tongue over your clit.

Your fingers made their way into his hair while a soft moan pushed past your lips. That was the sound he was looking for. Not that he didn't like your quiet appreciation, but it was so nice to hear your voice. You were finally truly alone in an apartment that didn't have paper thin walls.
Lost in the lustful moment you raised your hips encouraging him to continue. His hands slid from your thighs to your hips pinning you to the bed as he licked, kissed and teased your most sensitive place.
When your breath began to hitch and your grip on his hair tightened he pulled away.

"Tiger~" you whimpered breathlessly.
"We're not done," he smirked stripping quickly and then carefully began to help you get out of your shirt and bra, "C'mon."

Once you were both undressed he gently herded you into the bathroom while playfully squeezing your ass. When you entered the bathroom Zoro started the shower and held out his hand to assist you. He pulled you against him under the hot water, not wasting a second before capturing your lips again. This time you could feel his excitement twitch between you as he hummed deepening the kiss. His lips moved down your jaw until his breath tickled your ear.

"Hold on," carefully and briskly he lifted you forcing your arms around his neck.

There was a moment of confusion until he shifted you slightly using gravity to his benefit. He pushed into you, immediately relieving the soft ache that had started to bloom.

"Zoro!" you gasped as your warm back pressed against the cold tiles of the shower wall for leverage.

A shiver shot down his spine hearing his name in your needy tone. He took advantage of your parted lips, kissing you more aggressively than you ever thought he had. You tightened your arms over his shoulders and your thighs over his hips doing your best to work with the rhythm he'd set. Your moans echoed off the ceramic lined walls as he nibbled and licked your neck. His fingers dug into the back of your thighs as his grip slipped under the water. You were already feeling the pressure build with every thrust and then he nuzzled into the crook of your neck cursing between breaths. Stars edged your vision as you felt the pressure give way sending you into a hard shudder. Quickly and attentively Zoro pulled away with a shiver erupting against your thigh while you found your footing.

The actual shower finished up swiftly, full of your giggles as the water had begun to run cold. It was still rather early but the two of you were exhausted so you decided to lie in bed and relax. Zoro fiddled with your damp braids
while you sighed against his chest and held his other hand.

"Can I ask you something?" his voice was quiet but sort of heavy.
"Always." you replied kissing his knuckles.
"Why did being tickled make you react that way?"
"I knew it bothered you," you shifted to lie against his shoulder, "Ready for some information that only Marco knows?"
He raised a brow glancing down at you, "I'm not gonna like it am I?"
"You know how old I was when I was turned over to the state right?"
"Five." he answered.
"Right, so despite what I've told the boys, I remember my birth family."

Zoro focused on you, observing every movement you made trying to see any inkling of discomfort. You never spoke about your life prior to the orphanage so he wasn't surprised to be told only Marco knew.

"She liked to do this thing she called 'tickle torture'. Usually as a punishment for some rule she'd made up on the spot." you picked at the blanket as you pulled it further up, "Neighbors wouldn't be alarmed over a laughing child. It usually lasted until I was gasping for air. A few times I'd passed out, or at least I think I did. One minute she was tickling me and the next I was waking up in the closet."

You felt his chest and arms flex as he clenched and unclenched his fists. He didn't have to ask who the "she" was that you were referring to. Clearly you weren't comfortable calling her what she was. Honestly you couldn't even remember her actual name to call her anything else, but unfortunately her voice and face would never leave you.

"I'm ok now." you summoned the most soothing voice you could muster.
He shifted onto his side and pulled you against him again, "You shouldn't be the one comforting me."
"But I don't want you to think you've upset me, and you are obviously bothered."
"Because you're scarred for life over something that is normally so innocent." he met your gaze very seriously.
You caressed his left cheek, "Maybe you can help me heal it then, hmm?"

He grumbled in affirmation before hiding his face in your neck.

"I love you too, Tiger." you embraced him.