AN: I struggled in writing the first part, but I hope you guys will enjoy it.

===XXX===XXX===XXX===

The sun came down, illuminating the wide ocean in orange hues. It was beautiful yet Luffia cannot find time to appreciate this beauty, not when she's waiting for Zoro to speak. It is kind of suffocating to hear nothing but silence between them. The tension is killing her inside.

Luffia remained silent while waiting for Zoro to say anything so she can listen to it. Despite having an idea of what he may say, she still feels nervous. It is nerve-wracking that she can't keep herself from clenching her fist - enough to almost ripping the skin of her palm off.

Their eyes never left each other's gazes, as if they are trying to read what is inside each other's minds - what each of them is thinking.

Zoro sighed before taking Luffia's hands, caging it with his. He grasped them tightly as if to remind himself that what he was about to say will change everything. This is a risk that he's not prepared to do now nor he thinks it will be this soon, yet he must.

"I am not good with words..." He started. "I don't even know where to begin." And what followed was silence.

They remained sitting there, not moving at all as Zoro struggles to find the right words to tell her what he wants. This is not a simple confession just like what others had.

The deeper the bond, the deeper the risks of losing everything. Zoro is aware of how much risk he is going to take at this moment which is why he is struggling. Simply telling her that he loves her more than as a friend is not enough to explain what he's feeling.

Zoro does not want Luffia to be just his lover. She is more than that.

Seeing Zoro struggling to find the right words, Luffia can't help but sympathize.

"I don't know how to say this." He said.

"Zoro is Zoro. All you have to do is be you."

"I know what I am about to tell you will make you feel guilty. I don't want you to. None of this is your fault. I don't want you to share the same burden I had."

"Tell me Zoro... Am I part of the reason why you and Tashigi broke up?"

"...Yes."

"Then, I fail to understand why you are shouldering the burden alone. Shouldn't you be sharing it with me instead?"

The question stumped Zoro for a few seconds especially after looking at Luffia's eyes. Her eyes are full of understanding, full of emotions that it is overwhelming. It overwhelmed him and made him realize something vital. Of all the years he's known Luffia, what she dislikes the most is to be excluded from something she should be involved with.

He vaguely remembers the time when they were struggling to keep the company together. They both promised to be each other's pillar anytime they need it, that they will rely on each other more than anyone else in the world. Zoro failed to do this. He failed to rely on her when it is needed and when it is a must. Granted his reasons are valid, but he still failed to do so.

"Is it wrong to want to keep all the burden to myself so that the person I treasure the most will not be hurt? Wouldn't you do the same thing?" It was enough that he had hurt Tashigi. It's enough that it's just him.

This time, it was Luffia who was taken aback by the question because she had done the same thing all this time. She kept all his feelings for him just so she won't inconvenience him. They both selflessly wanted to keep each other from being hurt.

"What my fault this time is that I stupidly chose to ignore my feelings. It was my fault that my relationship with Tashigi ended. It wasn't your fault that I am in love with you."

Hearing the words directly from Zoro made Luffia's eyes moist a bit. All this time, she never thought and never expected him to tell these words to her.

Seeing her tears falling, Zoro let go of her hand to cup her face and wipe the tears away.

"Hey..." He called out and she looked him in the eyes again. "Please don't cry..." This made Luffia cry even more. It's overwhelming to have him beside her like this. Months - more than a year, she tried to be brave when she's in front of Tashigi and Zoro. She tried to stay out of their way as much as she can, trying not to cry when they're together. All this time, she thought that there's no hope, that there's no way he would love her the same way she does. She is also aware that if he does, Tashigi will get hurt. This put Luffia in a struggle of where she should place her hopes on.

Now that he told her that her feelings will not remain unrequited forever, she's being torn between being happy and being guilty. Luffia can't think straight at all. She started rambling.

"I love Zoro too, but Tashigi got hurt. Telling me not to feel guilty is impossible. Stupid Zoro! You've been keeping this a secret from me for two weeks! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! You don't know how I hoped you will love me too, but then Tashigi will get hurt and now she does! Stupid Zoro!" She sobbed.

Zoro was stumped by the confession. Did he hear it right?

"Wait... Do you love me? How long?"

This made Luffia's sobbing put to stop while remembering that she just outright confessed to him without hesitation.

"Oh." She muttered before placing her hands on her mouth as if to shut it up for good measures.

"Luffia... How long?" He asked again.

"But Zoro! I didn't want to destroy your relationship with Tashigi! She is a great woman for you! I didn't want to confess when you looked so happy with her so I decided to hide it." She reasoned out.

Zoro sighed.

"You've been carrying that all this time?"

Luffia looked down, unable to meet his gaze. She dared to ask him why he is shouldering the burden earlier and yet here she is, carrying the burden for longer.

"I feel so stupid."

"Zoro is not stupid." She looked up to assure him that he is not.

"You called me stupid several times earlier." He answered which made Luffia pout. Both fell silent again before chuckling a little. "I should have noticed. Or maybe I shouldn't have ignored my feelings for you before. Had I done that, maybe Tashigi won't have been hurt? And you wouldn't have been hurt too."

"Zoro..."

"No matter what you say Luffia, I've hurt both of you... Regardless if I meant it or not." The heavy atmosphere is back again. "I am sorry." He bowed to her, asking for forgiveness. The thought of how Luffia was feeling all this time while seeing him with Tashigi is unbearable to think of. How much did she go through because of him? Clenching his fist, he trembled a little. He could never forgive himself for letting Luffia go through that situation - so much that he wanted to punch himself right now. How could he not notice this? He's been with her for so long, so why?

He was trembling just thinking how much he had hurt Luffia. Zoro never thought that he'd ever felt like this - it was suffocating. The feeling that he did something to hurt someone so precious to him is unbearable.

Looking at the trembling Zoro, Luffia can feel his struggles. She can feel how much he is blaming himself. It's a sight that she does not want to see. When Zoro is hurt, she feels it as well.

This time, it was Luffia who hugged him tightly and he hugged her back. There is another silence between them, but this time, it was not as heavy as earlier. It feels as if part of the burdens they've been carrying were unloaded.

"The reason why I did not tell you is probably the same reason why you didn't want to tell me. Maybe Nami's right. We both carry the same brain cells." Luffia whispered while still hugging him tightly.

The trembling Zoro chuckles and pulling her closer to him - if that is even possible.

"Nah, you're more of an idiot than I am."

"Shishishi." When silence followed, Luffia thought of something. "Let's apologize to Tashigi together."

"We will. When the time is right. We were able to talk again after the breakup. She threatened to kill me if I didn't confess to you." This made Zoro smile a little. He's thankful for Tashigi for everything. She is quite right, both of them won't be happy in the relationship in the long run. No matter what, regardless of when, Zoro's priority will always be Luffia.

When they let go of each other, Zoro placed a soft kiss on her forehead then whispered: "I love you."

Luffia let him go and kissed his forehead too. "I love you more." The smile she showed him is so bright that it almost blinded Zoro, but this is the smile that he can't live without. "What are we now?" She suddenly asked.

"I don't want to just label you as a lover." This made Luffia frown. "And you are not just a best friend either. I guess we are partners?" He offered a smile at her. It doesn't feel right to just call Luffia a lover or girlfriend. It doesn't sit right to him as he knows she is more than just a lover. More than just a best friend. There is no proper label that can describe what Luffia is to him. His pillar, his best friend, his partner - his everything.

Who could have thought that Zoro can feel like this for one person? Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think he can feel so many emotions all at once. He loves her enough to give everything he has for her. If she asks for the world, he is willing to give it to her. Whatever he has, he will undoubtedly offer it to Luffia.

"Yes, partners." This feels right to Luffia. They are partners. Their bond is stronger than being lovers or friends.

Zoro then pulled her closer to him and sealed the deal with a soft kiss on her lips. Luffia's quite surprised but responded slowly to him. Never the two of them thought that kissing someone will feel and taste this sweet. It's as if everything is right in the world. It feels magical and that they belong to each other.

The sight is picture-perfect. Two people kissing in front of the sunset. There's nothing they could ask for.

Only if Luffia did not let go and opened her mouth to say: "I suck at kissing." And she made a dissatisfied face with a scrunched nose at Zoro.

Way to ruin the mood.

===XXX===XXX===XXX===

The Straw Hats were standing in front of the glass window overlooking the ocean. Usopp and Nami were holding binoculars to snoop on what's going on.

"Do you think they will get together this time?" Usopp asked, still holding the binoculars.

"It looks like they will." Nami answered.

"Damn that Marimo! Give me that! He better not make Luffia-chan cry!" Sanji forcefully took the binoculars from Usopp and used it to spy on their bosses.

Technically, Luffia and Zoro are their bosses. They hold the most authority in the company as well as shares of stocks, but since all of them treat one another as friends, that seems to be set aside.

"SUPER! I hope they will go back to how they are. It's not cool to see them being tense around each other." Franky said while drinking his cola, sitting comfortably on the couch and did not bother to spy like the Nami, Usopp, and Sanji.

"I second that." Robin calmly said while sipping on her tea and remained sitting beside Franky.

Chopper is on the side looking undecided whether he should join the three spies or not.

"Maybe I should compose a new song called 'True love' for them? Yohohoho!" Brook said out of the blue, holding his violin and start writing on a pen and paper to write a song for them.

"I don't think you should be spying on them like that." Jinbei said, shaking his head in exasperation at the youngsters.

"Ah! Ah! They're hugging! Damn Marimo! I'll kill him if he takes advantage of the innocent and pure Luffia-chan!" Sanji shouted, clenching his fist in annoyance.

"Shut up and give me that!" Usopp took back the binoculars. Sanji did not give up though. It ended up being a tug of war between Usopp and Sanji who are fighting on who will get the binoculars.

"Guys, stop fighting." Chopper is trying to stop the fight - which he is failing to do so. The others just remained sitting watching the tug of war unfold between the two men.

While Usopp and Sanji are fighting, Nami is still watching Luffia and Zoro. And it was this time that she saw them kiss. After seeing them kissing, she deemed it that it is enough and stopped spying on them. At least it ended well for the two of them. She is tired of watching the two of them skirt around their feelings.

Zoro finally manned. Fucking finally. It was not the best circumstance for them to get together given that there was a breakup involved before this happened, but still - the outcome is something Nami wished for.

She hopes it won't result in everyday dates from now on. She will grow grey hairs if the two top authorities of the company are constantly out and are avoiding work.

Usopp and Sanji are still fighting over the binoculars. Good thing too, because if Sanji saw it, he will go over-protective mode on Luffia.

"That's enough. They're no longer there."

"EEEHHH?!" Sanji and Usopp reacted. "What happened?!"

"They left the spot. No need to look further."

"So, what happened? Did they fight?" Chopper worriedly asked.

"No. I think everything is settled now." Nami smiled.

The Straw Hats all smiled in relief, even Sanji. All of them wished for both Zoro and Luffia to be happy and their happiness lies in each other. At least they won't have to deal with a tense atmosphere. Everything will be back to normal and that's what they hoped for.

===XXX===XXX===XXX===

"Big Mom called again..." Whitebeard told Marco when they are alone in his office. "She's been insistent that I marry you off to their family. OR have one of her daughters be married off to ours. Gurarara! Her ways of doing things are still crude as usual. "

Marco groaned in response.

"How many times had she offered that? I presume you did not say yes, did you, yoi?"

"Well, you are at the right age..." Whitebeard playfully smirked at Marco who just rolled his eyes at his father. He knows Whitebeard won't decide unless he asks Marco what he wants. Besides, all of their family members are against marrying anyone from Big Mom's family. They knew that it will be risky to have a rival's daughter in their midst.

Silence ensued. Then Whitebeard started to talk again.

"I am quite surprised..."

Marco looked up at his father, raising an eyebrow as if to ask what he was surprised about.

"That you took Izou's offer to take a leave." Edward Newgate gave Marco a side-eye and meaningful smile as if to tell him that he knows something.

"You all have been pestering me to go on a vacation, yoi. Besides, with what happened recently, it just gave me another reason to take it."

"Hmm..." Whitebeard hummed, eyes still onto Marco's. "You're not going with anyone somewhere, are you?" Bingo!

Marco should have figured that his Pops has a hunch of what is going on. He has instincts as sharp as a wild animal. Add to the fact that Whitebeard has known Marco all his life, any changes will be inevitably noticed.

"I am right, huh?" Whitebeard nodded to himself. Marco's silence was taken as a yes. "Who's the lucky woman?"

Marco sighed in defeat. Pops got him good. There's no use in hiding it anyway. "I am going somewhere with Ann."

"And how long have you guys been dating?"

"A few weeks now, yoi." He answered.

"Gurarara! You've chosen someone great. I like that brat." Marco can't help but smile at the approval that he received from his father. "I presume no one in our family knows, right?"

"Yes. You know how they are. Scaring her away is the last thing I'd like to happen, yoi."

"True. They seem to like her and she fits just right in our family. Invite her to the family dinner by the end of the month." That's roughly two weeks from now, Marco thought. They have enough time to talk about the things that they placed on hold.

"I'll ask her, yoi."

"Good. That reminds me, we have a meeting with her sister tomorrow about the sponsorship." Whitebeard said.

"Yes, it's Luffia. Maybe I should tell her not to say anything in the meeting." According to Ann, Luffia can't keep secrets at all. She blurts out things all of a sudden, forgetting that it is supposed to be a secret. Marco might as well tell Luffia not to mention it to anyone in the family just yet.

"Hmm, so their side knows and have met you. It makes me baffled that you're not doing the same thing." Whitebeard sounds quite sad. This is his way of teasing Marco.

"Don't worry, I'll officially introduce her to the family at dinner. Just not now, yoi."

"I am just messing with you son. I can't wait till Izou hears about this. She's been ranting nonstop how she is disappointed that Ann is not single - that you hooking you up with her is a very great idea. Gurarara! Our family dinner will surely be interesting. I am looking forward to it."

Marco smiled widely. "I can't wait either, yoi."

===XXX===XXX===XXX===

Kidd is not sure if he should start looking forward to the site visits or his meetings with Gol D. Roger. One, he's been nothing but nosy about his love life. Every chance he gets, he will ask Kidd about the interesting Doctor he met.

He must have found it funny. Roger rarely asks about the project they are working on and is more interested in Kidd's love life...

"Can we exclude him in future meetings?" Kidd asked Rayleigh, thumb pointing at Roger who is just laughing on the side, enjoying Kidd's dilemma.

"I am tempted to do just that. Babysitting him all day is a pain." Rayleigh answered with a sigh, looking so done with Roger.

"But isn't it interesting? This is a perfect comedic love-story. Imagine when you get married, you will tell your kids about how you met. Through a spilled coffee!" Roger clapped, finding the story interesting - far more interesting than their project.

"Married? We're not even dating!" Kidd protested, annoyed at Roger's antics.

"Come here kiddo." Roger placed his arm around Kidd, pulling him. "You need to up your game! You can't stay being dumb and ask her out already."

"I don't like her." He answered in an irritated voice.

"Let me tell you about this! When a woman can put you on your toes, I am telling you, she's the one! You can't find anyone like her!" Roger sounds like a love guru.

"I fail to understand why I should listen to that shitty advice. One, I don't like her. We hate each other. Two, she's not my type."

"Hahaha! You are so in denial. Tell me, who amongst your friends can put up with your shitty attitude and can eloquently answer you back? She got you hard in that area! Ah~ feisty women are the best! Look at my beautiful wife. Piss her off and you're dead. Don't piss your woman, Kidd."

"How many times do I have to tell you?! We are not dating!"

"Hahaha!" Roger just laughed. "Mark my words. One of these days, you're going to realize that she's the one for you. Before you knew it, you've already fallen."

The red-haired man looked at Roger as if he had gone crazy. Looking at Rayleigh for answers, the other older man shrugged and shook his head, not wanting to say anything.

With no answers to what's going on, Kidd just concluded that Roger is nuts.

After that eventful meeting, Kidd bid his much-anticipated goodbye to them. He can't wait to get away from Roger's pestering which reminded him of Luffia. If there's anything they excel, that is to annoy Kidd and pester him to no end.

Arriving at the guests' parking lot, Kidd abruptly stopped upon seeing someone familiar. His mood worsened upon seeing the man he is hoping not to see for the rest of his life.

This time, he isn't alone. There's a woman by his side and a green-haired toddler who looks about 3 years old. The child looked at Kidd and smiled.

"Uncle!" He called out to Kidd. This surprised Kidd a little, making him confused about how he should react. The child looked innocent, pure. Ignoring him doesn't feel right, and familiarly smiling at him doesn't sit right with him either. Kidd then decided to nod at the child before walking away, avoiding his estranged brother.

He knows its been years since he was abandoned in the orphanage. It's been years since Shanks tried to talk to him but Kidd is still not ready to talk to him again. The anger is still in his heart, but it had lessened after years although it is still not enough for him to decide to talk to him again.

Maybe he is being selfish here - like a brat throwing a tantrum, yet he can't just forget the feeling of being betrayed by someone he trusted.

Leaving the area with no clear direction, he stopped by his car in an area full of bars and clubs.

The area does not have customers as it is still afternoon. It's perfect for him to calm his nerves after seeing his brother. Deep inside him, he longs for the days where his brother is by his side, comforting him, assuring him that everything will be okay. He is someone Kidd looked up to, someone he aspired to be when he was a child, yet shits happened. He can still remember how he denied Kidd and labeled as someone just asking for money.

It was a shock to him which made him realize that his brother just thinks of him as a burden. He must have been tired of taking care of Kidd. He felt abandoned, unwanted.

Maybe this is why it is hard for him to just trust anyone - to open up. Trusting anyone means commitment. His way of thinking changed after that betrayal. He will never let anyone have a chance to betray him. Maybe what happened is also the reason why he refuses to date anyone at all.

Beep! Beep!

Kidd was woken up from his musings by the sound of the car honking behind him. Still, he did not budge at all.

The honking stopped, only for someone to approach Kidd's car, knocking on his window. The glass is tinted, so the person outside can't see who was inside. As soon as he looked up, he is surprised to see another familiar face.

Rolling the windows down, the person standing outside of his car was also surprised seeing Kidd.

"Don't you know you're blocking the way to the parking lot?" Sab's hands were on her hips, demanding an answer from the driver. Kidd remained there, staring at her and not saying anything. Under normal circumstances, he would have taken the chance to annoy her, but not today. He is not in a mood to argue or talk at all.

"Are you just going to remain silent there? If so, I just want you to get out of the way so I can park my car." Sab pointed at the parking space right beside Kidd's car. Looking at the establishment right in front of the parking space, Kidd is surprised to see an infamous strip club.

Without saying anything, he maneuvered the car so he can park in one of the two spaces available. This move surprised Sab but said nothing and went back to her car to take the last remaining spot.

As soon as she's out, Kidd is standing there, still silent. It made her curious why he's acting like this. This doesn't feel like it is him, but it's not like she can ask him about it.

She was about to go to the establishment when he spoke.

"What are you going to do in this kind of establishment?" He asked while frowning. "Don't tell me you work here?"

"Nanya." She answered, ignoring him and was about to walk towards the entrance when Iva showed up.

"Sab-girl! I see you've finally shown up!" Iva shouted in greeting. The huge okama stopped right in front of Sab while blinking at Kidd. His eyes went back and forth from Sab to Kidd as if trying to connect dots.

Before Iva can say anything, one of his employees walked out of the establishment, greeting Sab and stared curiously at the red-haired man.

"Ah! What a hot guy! Are you by any chance looking for a job? Our customers will love a guy like you." One of the okama asked Kidd.

They are men dressed in women's clothing which bothered Kidd. Not their preference, but the way they are trying to get close to him. Sab may have found it funny and would love to see him suffer a bit, she figured that he wasn't in the best mood right now.

"He's not applying for that kind of job guys. Leave him be."

"Boo! Boring!" They all complained but complied with Sab's statement.

"Is he still single? Is he? Is he?" They all asked Sab. When she did not answer, they turned back to Kidd with the same question.

"Fuck off!" Kidd said in annoyance.

"Alright! Alright! Leave Sab's man alone." Iva clapped his hands to get the attention of his employees. "Let's all get inside."

"What? He's not - "

"Let's go. Let's go!" Iva pushed Sab and Kidd inside the establishment.

"What the?! I am not going inside!"

"Yes. Yes. Let's just go."

Left with no chance to resist, Sab and Kidd were pushed inside the establishment. There were no customers because the club is still closed.

Iva pushed the two of them in the bar where he asked Inazuma to serve them drinks.

"It's still afternoon." Sab said when Inazuma gave her a cocktail. "I just dropped by because I was in the area."

"Nonsense." Iva said.

Kidd was provided with a vodka which he took without hesitation. Sab looked at him and said nothing. He remained sitting right beside her, not saying anything while sipping on his vodka.

Iva asked how Sab is and they started talking just about anything, mostly how businessmen are making moves to try and take over as many companies as they can and are failing to do so.

When Iva excused himself for a bit to attend to a caller, Sab was left with Kidd who was still quiet but was listening to their conversation.

She can't find the right words to say to him or the right words to ask. Instead, she raised her glass of cocktail, offering cheers to him which he took without hesitation.

There was a long silence between them and Kidd doesn't mind it. For some reason, he finds it comfortable to have her presence right beside him when he needs silence. There's an assurance he can't explain. Maybe this is what he just needs. Silence but a presence right beside him. Maybe being with her is not so bad at all...