Love/Hate -Zoro-

-Twenty-

"It's just not fair!" You shouted, throwing the item into the box beside you. "I want to stay here."

"I'm sorry, but it's hard," Killer says with a sigh. "I tried talking to Garp but it seems his mind is made up..." The man trails and you could feel yourself trembling in anger.

"Is this even legal?" You breathed shakily. "Like can he do this?"

"Technically, yes." His arms cross as he leans back against the counter. "You were gone without a doctor's permission for two weeks more than needed. That was fine by him, but Sengoku had other thoughts on it." You whimpered, feeling dread wash over you.

"What am I going to do?" You whispered more to yourself. "This was all I had for money..."

"What about your family?"

"My mother wishes I was dead, I'm sure," You remark. When you realized you were taking your stress out on Killer, you sighed and apologized.

"It's fine, Reader," He mentions before coming over to rub your back in a comforting way. "Just go home and get some rest. I'm sure things will work out." You nodded, grabbing your box of small things and heading towards the front door of the building.

"Reader?" Ace's voice echoes from outside as he pulls his cigarette from his lips. "What's up with the box?"

"I got fired," You grumble in reply. Ace gasps, putting his cigarette out on the brick wall before coming over to you.

"What the hell for?" He asks with obvious anger. "Was this Garp?"

"No, it was Sengoku."

"That son of a-"

"It's fine, Ace." You try to stop him before he carries on. "I'll figure something out."

"If you need anything let me or even Kong know. We treat each other like family, alright?" You smile weakly and nod. Without another word, you walk to your car that finally got replaced by the insurance and climb into the driver's seat. The box you carried sat in the passenger's side unsteadily as you drove off, mind clouded from what was happening. You frowned and looked at the time. It was barely going to be eight-thirty and you knew Zoro had just gotten home at seven before you left.

You debated whether or not to call Zoro and let him know what was happening, but after the nasty wreck, you were scared to get distracted while driving. You decided to just focus on driving, worrying about everything happening after you get home. You pulled up into the driveway and immediately Zoro was looking out the window in confusion. He came to the front door and opened it, seeing the distress on your face immediately.

"Come on inside. I'll get you some dinner." You nodded at the offer and entered the house without a word. You sit at the dining table with a heavy frown, thinking of how to tell Zoro that the second income source was cut off now. A bowl of stew that looked freshly made sat in front of you within seconds after Zoro appeared again.

"Thank you," You whisper, playing with the handle of the fork absentmindedly.

"You don't need to tell me what's wrong if you don't want to, but do you mind if I take a guess?" You pause. Your head shakes and he sighs after a moment of thought. "You were fired, right?" You frowned deeper, hands going to your lap as your head hung low. Tears welled up in your eyes and you sniffled, trying your hardest not to cry about it.

"Yeah," Your broken voice answers. Zoro takes no time to go around the table and pull you up from the chair you sat in, a hug engulfing you quickly.

"It's alright," He mutters into your hair. "I figured as much with how long you've been off. Luffy said Garp wouldn't have minded but his boss would have told him to hire someone else." You nodded into his shoulder to let him know that the exact prediction came true. "Well, if you want, you could work with me at the shop?"