Disclaimer: One Piece (and its characters) belongs to Eiichiro Oda-sensei.

Reminder: I have no beta-reader. Any grammatical and spelling errors are solely mine.

Warning: OOC possible.

Rating: T

Note: From the 24 hours prompt request in my tumblr by ravenandcat.

24 Hours

[11:37 AM]

"Zoro."

"Nami."

Nami tilted her head to the right, gazing at him with a wondering look on her face.

"You're back early."

Zoro was doing the same to her.

"You're still here?"

They stared at each other. Both blinking as they come into a realization that they actually know what the other's schedule is and is actually hoping the other didn't notice it.

"Errr…" Nami was the first to divert her eyes while Zoro cleared his throat, looking the other way.

"I have to go now."

"I should be going now."

They both said it simultaneously, both taking a step forward.

"…"

"…"

Nami suddenly broke into a nervous laugh as Zoro chuckled.

Okay… why are they being a bit awkward with each other?

Nami tucked an errant strand of her hair behind her ear. "I'm just surprised to see you here around this time."

"Same."

"You're usually at the dojo around this time right?"

"Yeah," Zoro nodded. "But something came up and now I have the rest of the day free."

"I see," Nami nodded in understanding. "Well, see ya." She gave a slight wave of her hand.

"Hnn…"

Nami hasn't even made it to ten steps when she stopped. She turn around to look back and saw Zoro still hasn't made his way inside the building and was watching her.

She hesitated for a moment before she was marching back to him.

Based from what she knows (and heard from their neighbors, of course); there is no way in hell Zoro actually has something in his apartment's fridge that would be edible enough to make lunch.

She's pretty sure that is one of the reasons why he is back at their place at this hour.

The man rarely does any grocery shopping at all! She hadn't seen him do it in the whole two months since she moved here.

Not that she's watching him.

And no, she was not being judgmental. She heard the story from their neighbors consistently enough that it had to be true.

Though, she's got a feeling that they told her about it more because they somehow wants her to look out for him too (the same way they're doing, bless them) than it being just a gossip.

Honestly. What kind of grown man cannot even cook his own meals?

"I'm going out to grab some lunch, want to join me?" Nami inquired, wincing inwardly when she realized that it kinda sounded like she was asking him out.

Nope, of course she's not. She was just being a kind, considerate neighbor. That is all.

Zoro cocked an eyebrow at her invitation.

"Your treat?"

Nami's face scrunched into a grown.

"No," she growled at him.

"Tch. Cheapskate."

"Hey!" Nami punched his arm lightly.

Zoro laughed at that. Loud and booming and Nami's hand just fell to her side as she gazed at him.

When his laughter finally died down, Zoro was smiling instead of smirking at her.

It was the first time he actually smiled at her.

Her heart thudded loudly against her chest.

"Fine," Zoro chuckled, running a hand through his green hair. "As long as it's not where curly brows works."

Nami stayed rooted on the spot still recovering, even as Zoro started walking away from her.

"Come on witch, what are you waiting for? I'm starving."

– The End –

R and R please.