A lot of your days were spent with Pops at home. Occasionally you'd go to the office with Marco just to break up the time spent sitting around. Though you were thankful for having such a successful business that afforded you that ability. Running a global security company was always busy but even more so during big travel holiday seasons, and Christmas was coming so the boys were otherwise occupied while you kept Pops company.

You sat on the sofa in the den tucked into the big man's left side swathed in an enormous quilt. Pops snored heavily while you buried your nose in an e-book. He'd found in the later stages of his illness that he slept better sitting up or reclined so he'd practically moved into the den. No one minded, of course, the room was big enough with enough seating that the entire family could collectively spend time with him, and he certainly wasn't complaining about that.

Things with Law has been progressing slowly, very slowly. Many dates had been rescheduled and interrupted. It had been two months and you'd hardly made out. It was starting to get frustrating, not to mention you were reduced to just hanging out for any amount of time he could.


Law: I got out a little early and don't have to be back for 4hrs
Law: do you still have time today?

Me: Ace will be back in 30 mins then I can head over to yours
Me: should I bring food?

Law: I have that taken care of
Law: see you soon then


You were holding out some hope that his schedule would get a little less hectic and you could spend some longer periods of time together rather than short bursts. He was sweet enough to call and text when he could during the day though.


___________

The door practically swung open before you could even knock. Tattooed fingers gently wrapped around your wrist tugging you into the dimly lit apartment. Law smirked and backed you into the door effectively shutting it. He closed in the space between you quickly capturing your lips in a desperate kiss. You were definitely surprised but welcomed his touch as you had been patiently waiting for it all this time. His lips trailed over your jaw and around the shell of your ear sending uncontrollable shivers through you.

"I thought we could start with dessert." he purred.

That was all you needed to hear before lust completely took over. Finally, you could see where those interrupted make-out sessions were leading.

You cuddled in your afterglow not worried about the clothes strewn about the room or the food that had long since gone cold in the kitchen. Finally, you'd connected with your boyfriend on an intimate level, but you couldn't help the feeling that something was off.

Law had fallen asleep beside you content in your warmth, it was a rarity for him to sleep so you decided to leave him be until he absolutely had to get up and go back to the hospital.

____________

Nami sat with Luffy on the floor in the living room accusing him of cheating in the current round of Mario Kart. Ace reentered the room handing Zoro a beer as he sat watching the couple in front of him bicker.

"We haven't seen much of you lately." Ace commented.
"I picked up extra shifts at the bar and Uber in my off time. The holidays make for good over time." Zoro replied easing back into the recliner.

He'd been quietly wondering where you were. Though you texted often he tried to refrain from overdoing it. He didn't want to overwhelm you or make you think he was hitting on you or something. It was ridiculous logic really.

"Where's F/N?" Sabo asked as if on cue, taking a seat with Al on the sofa.
"She ran off to Law's as soon as I got home." Ace answered taking a swig of beer.
"I didn't know they had a date today." the blond murmured glancing discreetly at the greenette.

Zoro knew you had a boyfriend; you'd felt bad about not saying anything initially, but you almost never talked about him so bringing him up was always a tiny shock to the system.

"I think it was more of a booty call. She was in a hurry and said he had to go back to work." Ace scoffed.

Al smacked his knee.

"Hey!" he protested eyes trailing up to see the glare on Sabo's face, "what?!"

Zoro stood abruptly, "...I'm gonna get some fresh air." he quickly stepped out onto the porch which was shimmering with Christmas lights.

"What?" Ace repeated after Zoro left the room, "What'd I do? What's up with him?"
"You have no delicacy," Al muttered crossing her arms.
"It's pretty obvious that idiot likes your sister." Nami piped still focused on her match with Luffy.
"How the hell was I supposed to know? Sabo brought it up why'd I get hit?" his voice raised an octave with every question.
"Because I was trying to stir him a little, maybe motivate him," Sabo replied, "not break his heart."
"But I didn't know!" Ace defended, "Besides she's with Law."

Al rolled her eyes.

"It's also pretty obvious that she likes him back," Nami added flatly.
"They are both too stubborn," Al commented.
"She thinks he thinks she's too old, and he thinks she thinks he's too young."
Luffy laughed gaining everyone's attention, "They are dumb."

Everyone deadpanned.

Nami swiftly pushed him over, "We covered that."

"So, are you trying to break them up?" your freckled brother asked.

"Short answer? Yes," Sabo started, "but I think if pushed gently in the right direction maybe they'll come together naturally."

"I don't think Law's a great match for her anyway," Nami added.

"Why didn't I know about any of this?" Ace's shoulders dropped.

"You ruin stuff." Luffy blurted.

Sabo shrugged, "With his schedule, I'm not sure it'll last too long."

"Why are you trying so hard though?"

"He just wants her to be happy," Al replied brushing her fingertips across Sabo's cheek.

"Who?" everyone turned wide-eyed toward your voice as you and Zoro stood in the entryway.

Luffy raised his hand pointing above your heads drawing your gazes to the mistletoe you'd forgotten you hung a few days ago.

"You have to kiss." he chuckled.

Damn you for teaching him that and smothering him with kisses when he was little.

Zoro had stiffened next to you losing all the color in his face, "Uh - no it's fine."

You chuckled reaching up to cup his face, "Don't be silly, it's the rule."

Gently you tugged him down and placed a chaste kiss on his cold scarred cheek. His eye had closed instinctively allowing your perfume to fill his senses, he would have loved the moment to last more than a fraction of a second. You stepped back with an adorable blush and small crooked smile, it was as if no one else existed until, of course, Luffy burst into laughter.

"She did it!" he called catching a throw pillow to the face from Nami.

"Alright, are you guys hungry? I'll cook - I'm starving." You cleared your throat removing your scarf leaving the greenette frozen in his place.