Your mouth dried up and mind went blank as you watched the gorgeous creature before you. It was most likely a uniform, but that black vest and blue shirt unbuttoned just low enough suited him too well.

While you struggled to compute a pair of arms came down on either side of you caging you against the bar, his chest brushing against your back.

"Whiskey, top shelf, neat and a Moscow mule for the lady."

You flinched and turned before catching the reaction of the green haired bartender.

"Sure." the nameless male replied.

"Jesus you can't just surprise people like that." you panted remembering how to breathe again.
"Surprise? You knew I was coming." Shanks smirked wrapping his arms around you and squeezing you tight.
"I mean yes, but you snuck up on me, idiot."
"You haven't changed a bit." he grinned stepping back to look at you, "Oh, except maybe that little silver streak." he reached up touching a thin river of silver that ran the length of your hair from your temple.
"Shut up." you smacked his hand away, "It's completely resistant to dye apparently."
"I think it's kinda sexy," he said lowly closing in on you again.

You blushed against your will.

"Your drinks." the bartender called regaining your attention.
"I'll open a tab," Shanks replied placing his credit card on the counter.
"No problem." the greenette muttered glancing at you again before taking the card to the back bar.
"You know that guy?" Shanks asked, tone dripping with interest.
"Nope." you answered quickly taking a sip of your beverage, "Want to get a table?"

Picking a small booth in the corner you sat across from each other. Shanks had pulled out his phone momentarily and you took that time to note little things that had changed for him as well. He was definitely working that scruffy look and his hair had grown out quite a bit. He hadn't lost any of that rambunctiousness that made him so adorable and annoying.

His onyx eyes trailed up from the device when he realized you were staring, a crooked grin tugged at his lips.

"Like what you see?"
"Shut up," you muttered glancing back toward the bar frowning slightly when you didn't see the handsome stranger.
"I don't remember you being this mean." Shanks pouted.
"It has been a long time, maybe you forgot in your old age." you chuckled.
"I'm not that old." he protested.
"Older than me." you chimed smugly, giggling at his childish reaction, "I guess I did miss your goofy face."
"You're impossible." he chuckled.

Two menus flopped down on the table startling you and drawing your gaze up to the bartender.

"A server will be with you shortly." he husked seemingly uninterested.

"Tha - nks." Shanks trailed off as the other male just walked away, "Not much of a talker that one."

You nodded following his form across the room with your eyes.

"I swear I know him from somewhere." he rubbed his stubbled chin, "Ah, I think he's friends with Luffy."

You almost audibly gulped and quickly recovered.

"How do you know Luffy's friends?"
"Oh, they help me with some warehouse work occasionally."

If that guy was really friends with your brother you had a good chance to see him again, and you weren't sure if that was good or bad.

Your evening with Shanks continued with casual glances toward the bar. It was terrible, but you didn't even feel bad about it as you watched your date's eyes dart after multiple shapely behinds swaying passed your table. At least you were only checking out one person, right?

"Thanks for the ride." He murmured from the passenger seat as you pulled up to his house.

"Thanks for not getting totally blitzed. Do you need me to get one of the boys to pick your car up from the bar?"

"Nah Yasopp will get it, I already text him." He unbuckled, "Tonight was fun. We should do it again sometime."

"Sure, I don't see why not." You shrugged.

He reached over the center console to get you into a crippling bear hug, "You know if you're ever looking to rekindle things... I'm here."

"Oh, I'll keep that in mind, now let go I can't breathe." You wiggled out of his grasp as he giggled and stumbled out of the truck.

_____________________

"Chopper!!" Luffy shrieked followed by loud thumps up and down the hall.

You grumbled rolling over in your bed, it was still quite early.

"Shut up, yoi!" Marco called after him, "Some people are still trying to sleep."

You'd forgotten how loud this house was. The scuffling of Choppers paws against the hardwood floors continued as your youngest brother chased the dog through the house.

It was Saturday, what the fuck was he doing up so early anyway?

Ace and Sabo's voices could be heard briefly passing by your door. You were going to have to find a way to soundproof your room or move into the basement, though the boys probably wouldn't enjoy having their game room gutted.

Finally, it got quiet enough for you to drift off again.

Today was your fourth day back home and the boys had planned to have a huge barbeque in the backyard. Any excuse to have a party. You were hoping to get some rest before being kept up all night with a bunch of strangers. You'd been gone so long you didn't really have any friends here anymore, aside for Shanks and his buddies.

The soft click of your door being opened and closed startled you from your slumber.

"Uh... sorry." a vaguely familiar voice mumbled as you rolled over, "I was looking for the bathroom?"

Your eyes widened finding the green haired bartender fumbling for the doorknob. Suddenly realizing he'd entered your room scrambled his already confused brain for a moment. You were frozen sitting upright, hair a disaster, no makeup, t-shirt hanging from your right shoulder struggling to find words.

"A- across the hall." You blurted.

"Thanks." the man all but squeaked finally managing to open the door and slip out.

"I told you the door on the left! How do you always forget? We've been here a million times." an unfamiliar voice grumbled, "Oi, why's your face so red?"

"Fuck off." the greenette snapped slamming the bathroom door.

"He went into F/N's room." Luffy laughed loudly.

"She's here?!" the other asked excitedly.

"Luffy!" you shouted confirming you were indeed there, "A little privacy? Do you guys need to shout right outside my door?"

Now you'd moved across the room and cracked the door open.

"Get outta here, yoi. Go help Ace set up the backyard." Marco called, "And take your perverted friend with you."

Perverts? What happened to your little brother?

"Going!" Luffy called, "Zoro hurry up!"

The bathroom door slammed again, you stiffened when knuckles dragged against your door.

"It's just me, yoi." Marco turned the knob, "I brought you coffee. Sorry, it's so loud. I forgot you haven't been around when everyone is here in the morning."

You took the coffee and sat down as he shut the door behind him.

"I'll remind them that you have to adjust."

"It's fine as long as their friends aren't barging into my room." You chuckled.

"Do I need to kick his ass?" he cocked a brow.

"Hah, no he just went into the wrong room." You laughed, "Well, I'm awake now. Nothing like a hot guy seeing you looking like a garbage person first thing in the morning."

"I'll send them to the store with Thatch, so you can get ready in peace." the blond gave your shoulder a soft pat.

"Thank you, Pineapple, ~" you sang as he left quickly flipping you off before shutting the door.

You groaned slumping back into your bed.

Great, now you had to see this guy all day.