An excited smile spreads across your lips as you near the end of your duties for the day, you're absolutely dying to see the back garden since you caught a glance of it through the window when cleaning.

It's very spacious and there's a lot of different types of flowers all over the place, plus a few benches and a fountain. Usually you're not such a nature person but it just looks so tranquil out there, you're dying to sit and feel the calming sensations in person. 

"Fool!"

Huh?

You're knocked out of your daze when Thatch's annoyed voice reaches your ears, for a moment you think he's talking to you but upon turning your head, you find that he's not even in the room but rather, in the hallway. Something stirs inside you, you're not sure why but you feel on-edge suddenly, maybe it's because you haven't imagined what Thatch would sound like when angry before now but something is telling you that you don't want to get caught eavesdropping. 

But there's really nowhere I can go!

"What would you prefer? Confusing her even more when pops brings Luffy home and she has to try and figure out why none of us ever mentioned him?!" 

That's Sabo...

Eagerly trying to finish your duties and leave, you pick up the pace, sweat beginning to form across your forehead as you press harder into the table beneath you, trying to wipe away this coffee stain with extreme force and speed.

"You know what'll happen if he fails! Pops won't be bringing back a loose cannon! How will you explain that one?!"

Damn, their father disowns them if they're unable to keep up with the business lifestyle? That's horrible...

"Luffy won't fail!" Sabo argues as you finally manage to remove the coffee stain, beginning to pack away your cleaning supplies as loudly as you can so to make them aware of your presence but to no avail, they're yelling at each other too loudly to hear you. "He has more will than you realize, he can get through the tests! He just needs some time!"

"It's not just a test, Sabo! It's--!" Thatch immediately falls silent as you open the door leading out into the hallway, the two tensing as they notice you and their mouths falling ajar. "H-Hello, miss [F/n]." 

You can tell that Thatch's politeness is forced and it's taking everything for him to keep up his act as you nod at him in greeting. "I believe my duties are over for the day, would you mind if I explore your garden in my free time? It's truly beautiful!"

Thatch's expression changes, you can tell that he looks slightly uncertain as his eyes flicker back to his brother. "Hm...Sure you can." You sense that he's trying to work out whether you want to quit or not upon hearing him so angry but it's nothing to you, you've heard worse at your previous jobs. 

"Thank you!" You politely smile as you make your way past the two brothers, you have to put away your cleaning products and get changed before you do anything else. A smile on your face as you think back to the flowers, you're dying to run your finger along the petals, they always feel so soft.

Finally taking off your outfit, you feel a sense of relief washing over you. You've got no problem at all with your work attire but with all the cleaning you do, especially when vacuuming and mopping, you always get so sweaty and you feel all grungy and disgusting.

It's nice to take these work clothes off and relax a little... 

Beginning to get dressed in a more comfortable outfit, you consider taking a bath before going outside but after a minute or two, you decide not - maybe you'll take one at night, it sounds more peaceful that way.

"What did you hear?" A masculine voice breaks into your thoughts just as you've finish putting on your shirt, causing you to jump slightly before swinging around to face your intruder, you wonder just how long he has been there. However you only find yourself facing a strong chest, some toned muscle peeking out from under the blue button-up shirt and causing your face to heat up a little as your eyes rise to meet his.

Sabo! I didn't notice how muscular he was before!

"...Huh?" You murmur mildly, your eyes must look hazy as all hell considering your brain still trying to imagine how he looks underneath the rest of his clothes, much to your dismay your mind has taken a turn right into the gutter. 

Control yourself, [F/n]!

"Between my brother and I." Sabo clarifies as he gently places his fingers under your chin and tilts your head up a little, trapping your sights on his own orbs, they're hazel and so pretty that it takes you a second to wake yourself up and answer him. 

"J-Just that Luffy might be disowned if he fails his test! I get the sense that your father is very serious about making business men of his sons? B-But that's fine, it's not my business and I have no wish to concern--!" 

"I see." Sabo cuts you off, a flicker of relief in his eyes as he smirks mischievously. "If you had said it was a problem...I may have killed you." The blonde chuckles softly to himself as he releases your chin, his eyes peacefully scanning your room.

He's kind of playful now...

You watch as something catches the blonde's interest, he calmly walks over to your beside table and you begin to worry to yourself, trying to think if you had spilled anything on it or chipped the wood at all, anything that would potentially anger this man.

Your heart dropping itself into your butt as he picks up a few of the books you bought with you, a teasing glint in his eyes all of a sudden as a looks at each of the covers. 

"You like romantic stories? That's...unexpected." 

Oh, hell!

You're admittedly a bit of a hopeless romantic, yes, but you've always been secretive about it. You mostly kept your books hidden and always made jokes with your friends, even grilling them a little when they claimed to be 'in love' with someone. You're not against love at all of course but it was just how you protected yourself from someone taking advantage of your softer nature. 

"Sometimes its nice to escape reality, sue me!" The blonde raises a brow at your defensive remark but his smirk is unwavering as he places the books back down onto the table neatly. 

"Why would I condemn you? I completely understand where you're coming from." The blonde reassures, a slight fluttery feeling emerging in your stomach as you try to think of an appropriate response, you've never come across a man that's so understanding of these kinds of things. 

Or is he toying with me?

"Are these books what inspired you to say that I'm handsome at the dinner table?"

YES, HE'S TOYING WITH ME!

There's no possible way to describe how you feel in this very moment, a bucket of sweat pouring down your face and your temperature going as hot as the sun as your heart and stomach seemingly do flips inside your body. 

"N-N--Well...Mayb--I don't know! It just came out, okay!" You've never stuttered so much in your damn life, heat emitting even more from your face as Sabo chuckles at your reaction, the hot blonde carelessly waving his hand as if to say it doesn't matter.

Trolls...they're all trolls...

"It's okay, from a pretty little thing like you, I'd take it as a compliment."

Pretty little thing?!

Before you even find the strength or words to respond the blonde takes his leave, flashing you another charming smile as he reaches the door. "Don't tell my brothers I think you're attractive though, they'll torture us both for a fortnight." Sabo adds before leaving the room, closing the door behind him and your legs just about give way, your butt plopping down on the edge of the bed as you try to cool your burning face down.

He thinks I'm pretty and attractive?! One compliment at a time! Okay, they both mean the same thing but damn it, man! He's trying to kill me with kindness!