In The Modern World
a/n: The general idea came to me after listening to "Isimo" by Bleachers. The title comes from "In The Modern World" by Fontaines D.C. A playlist will be made, along with some setting details. Was working on this for a while now, and I have to say, it's very dear to me. I really hope you all will enjoy it. If you want to be tagged in the next parts, leave a comment (and maybe some feedback? pretty please?). Much love. ❤️
tags: roronoa zoro x f!reader, uni au, coffee au, slice of life fic, big sister!reader, family problems, vague mentions of past abuse, taking care of a child, soft zoro, ooc zoro I guess, matchmaker luffy, platonic strawhats, found family in the making.
synopsis: being a university student while trying to make ends meet for you and your little sibling isn't an easy task. will you find people that can take some of the burden off your shoulders?
words: 2.8k
One of these days you’d break your alarm in pieces and you probably would have done it already if it wasn’t your phone as well. You got out of bed with a little groan, rubbing your eyes. It was 07:00 already. You needed to rush.
The morning routine went as usual. Waking Finn up with a kiss on his forehead, basically carrying him to the bathroom so he could start getting ready. Smiled as you picked his clothes for the day. You knew he could do all these things himself, as he had done for more than he should, but now that he lived with you, you enjoyed babying him a bit too much and he didn’t seem too bothered either. “You just pick better", he had said to you once.
Preparing some basic breakfast for both of you, you thought about the day’s program. Leave Finn at school by 08:00, work at 08.30, off at 12.30, class at 13:00 till 15:00 and then you pick Finn from school. It was good the school was 15 minutes from the university building, or else Mondays would be a bigger problem. His teacher was understanding of your situation, since you had moved him schools in the middle of the school year last year and had to explain the reason.
It wasn’t easy. Between your studies, job and taking care of an 8 year old, to say you were exhausted was an understanding. There wasn’t really time for you to spend on many other things and your social life was basically nonexistent. Honestly, it got really lonely at times. People your age couldn’t (and to be fair, shouldn’t) understand the weight of your responsibilities, and when it came to romantic life? Who would be willing to spend time with a 20 year old that was raising a kid? But you wouldn’t have it any other way either. It was all worth it for the little sunshine that brightened your days. You didn’t want to think life before you took custody of him and managed to save you both from the everyday hell you were living.
“Got your backpack ready, munchkin?”
“Yes. Finished homework yesterday too.”
“Perfect. Now hurry up, finish your food, we don’t want to be late.”
You had to be on your best behavior with whatever came along regarding your little brother. Child services were a regular visit, and since you also relied on government funds, you couldn’t afford mistakes and risk the custody. Not that you ever minded taking care of him, you had done that since his birth anyways.
Holding his hand as you walked to school, you greeted Makino, mom of Koji who was Finn’s friend, that had just dropped off her son. Other parents gave you weird looks sometimes and you never bothered to talk to them. But she had befriended you, invited you for play dates at her house and took Finn to a lot of activities with her child. He always came back home smiling and that was your biggest win, making you feel grateful for having her in your life.
“Here we are. I’ll be here at 15:15 to pick you up, okay? Don’t leave alone.”
“I won’t but… you know, I can go home on my own. You’re tired. Don’t want to bother you.”
You starred at him for a second, sighing. Your brother was an angel child, too willing to help and bared weights that didn’t align with his age. You kneeled to get to eye level with him, clasping his face between your hands softly.
“You’ll never have to do things on your own anymore, okay? I am here now and I’m never tired of you. We’re always together. Are we clear?”
He nodded, looking down with a slight pout on his lips. You kissed both his cheeks and gently pushed him through the school gate.
“Love you, munchkin. Go inside. See you at 15:15.”
“Love you too.”
~
Velvet Cup, the café you worked, was next to the university building and it had just gone through the busiest morning of the whole semester. You really hadn’t managed to take a breath ever since you stepped foot into your shift, much less have your own morning coffee. With your back on the counter, you sighed against the espresso machine as you prepared your hot drink, already thinking about your fifteen minute break that was coming up.
“Good morning.”
You smiled at the sound of the voice and turned around. Here comes your favorite customer.
“Hello, Zoro! The usual black? Or would you like to experiment on the new caramel toffee matcha latte?”
He crinkled his nose mockingly and you let out a quiet laugh as you started making his coffee. Zoro was pleasant. You weren’t really close, but you had a friendly relationship. A lot of people on campus had the assumption he was a cold person and a snob, but you understood he was just quiet and didn’t enjoy the usual gossip or small talk just for the sake of it. He was always polite to you and your coworkers, always left a tip and never complained about the wait time like a lot of customers you had to deal with daily.
Speaking of which, the bell on the counter rang. Another one. You greeted them while finishing Zoro’s coffee.
“Good morning!”
“Black espresso, straight.”, the customer said, without lifting his head off the phone.
Your smile flattered and you went back to make his drink.
“Were you raised in a barn?”
Your eyes widened as you turned around with both drinks in hand to see Zoro staring the man down.
“What?!”
“I asked if you were raised in a barn. She said good morning. It’s 11:00. Believe me, she wouldn’t want to be here either but she’s making your coffee while you scroll on TikTok. Perhaps you should learn some basic human decency.”
The guy turned red as he paid you for his coffee, not saying a word as he left.
“Asshole.”
“I’m really used to rude customers in general. You didn’t have to do that. But thank you.”
“Well, you shouldn’t be used to that. Nobody chooses to work. People just lack respect.”
You smile at him as your coworker came back from her break to tell you to take yours. You took a breath of relief as you give Zoro’s change back, only for him to throw them in the tip jar. You chuckled as you took off your apron and left the bar with your own coffee in hand.
“Well, I can finally have my fifteen minutes of freedom in the back. Hope you have a nice day.”
“Care for some company?”
You starred at him a bit baffled, and he scratched the back of his head a bit awkwardly.
“I mean, my class starts at 12 so I don’t have anything to do until then.”
“Oh. Okay. Sure.”
You went from your respective doors towards the back alley of the coffee shop. It was cold outside, the November chill making you slightly shiver, but you preferred it than the hot microclimate it had inside. You take a sip of your coffee with your eyes closed, standing against the wall, relief washing over your face.
“Tough morning?”
“Don’t get me started really.”
You chuckled tiredly as your hand went to your coat’s pocket, only to find it empty.
“Fuck. Left my tobacco at home.”
Zoro pushed his hand in his own coat to retrieve a pack of cigarettes.
“Here.”
He offered and you took one.
“You’re my savior today, aren’t you? Didn’t have you for a smoker though.” You said as you lit one and he follows.
“It’s mostly for my friends who often run out. And in social situations. It has its fun sometimes.”
“Good for you. Mine is mostly stress related.”
“I guessed. Anxiety is written all over your face.”
You burst out laughing, him following you. You looked at him, noticing how his smile lit up his sweet face. The man was gorgeous. Tall and built, with hair that looked too soft to the touch and uniquely beautiful, grayish blue eye color. The scar across his left eye surely would make him intimidating to many people, but to you, it just made him more human.
“I always see you around campus but I don’t know what you’re studying.”
“Oh. Physiotherapy.”
“Wow, could you crack my back real quick?”
He clicked his tongue, faking annoyance and you laughed loudly. “As if I don’t get this joke ten times a week.”
You apologized, trying to minimize your giggling. He asked about your degree.
“Linguistics and literature.”
“So many phrases you can use and you preferred ‘crack my back’ to mock.”
You were cackling now, clutching your stomach as you wiped your eyes that had welled up, him smiling at your reaction.
“Nothing else came to mind, I barely function as a human being these days anyway. The gifted child days are over, it's burn out adult now.”
“Okay, Juliet, whatever you say.”
You controlled your chuckle.
“You need to stop making me laugh with your witty remarks, or else I’ll get the random giggles for the rest of the shift and people will think I’m crazy.”
“That’s not a reason for me to stop.”
Your smile widened as you threw your cigarette bud to the ground.
“I have to get back. Thanks for the smoke. And the company. I appreciate it.”
“Anytime. I’ll… see you around. Stay strong with the beasts in there.”
“Don’t worry, that’s nothing.”
You smiled as you parted ways, your little time together making you smile for the rest of the shift.
~
Professor Clover had come down with Covid so class was cancelled today. You had two hours of free time and no idea how to spend it. You walked the university grounds aimlessly when someone bumped into you, your coffee slipping from your hand and spilling on the ground, making you flinch.
“Oh no, I’m really sorry!” , said a panicky voice.
“God, Luffy! How many times have I told you not to run through like that?”
You looked at the raven haired boy in front of you, who shouldn’t be older than you, already kneeling to the ground and trying to contain the mess. The orange haired girl who scolded him from afar was coming closer now, trying to find anything in her bag to probably help him wipe it out. You sighed as you kneeled beside him, taking your wet wipes out of the bag to clean up, giving him one to clean his hands as well.
“It’s okay. Don’t worry about it.”
You threw the wipes and the empty coffee cup in the trash bin, cleaning your hands as well, taking a better look at them. They were customers at your work, usually hanging out with Zoro. The boy was always loud with his laughter but surprisingly, never annoying. His laugh was actually contagious.
“You’re the barista from Velvet Cup, right? So sorry for that! We’re going there for lunch, you should join us, my treat!”
“Oh, no, you don’t have to-”
“No, no, you will come! You’re always nice to us and had treated me cinnamon buns one time! They were delicious, I owe you for that one too!”
The other girl was now next to you, taking a breath.
“Damn, I’m sorry; Luffy is high maintenance at all times. I’m Nami by the way.”
You introduced yourself, trying to decline the offer politely, but they wouldn’t take no for an answer so you yielded. Going to your work outside of your shift wasn’t something you wanted to do in general, but now you had company at least. You made small talk on your way, talking about your ages and studies. Going inside the café, you followed Luffy who made a beeline to a table already filled with other people. You weren’t really surprised when you saw Zoro there, who was dumbstruck seeing you with his friends.
“Thought you had class at 12:00.”, you teased.
“Yes, well, I had, they made me skip. Why are you…?”
Nami proceeded to explain your run in, gaining a couple of groans toward Luffy from the rest, but smiling toward you, inviting you in. You took the empty seat that remained between Luffy and Zoro, blind to the fact that Zoro was side eyeing him annoyed.
Everyone introduced themselves, and after your orders, they made you feel welcomed as they proceeded to ask all kinds of questions, you answering happily. It was strange for you to be the center of attention, and it made your heart feel warm all of a sudden. Your cell phone screen lit up with a notification. Swiping it off, you checked the hour and starred for a second at the picture of you and your brother before turning it off. Zoro noticed.
“You have a brother?”
“Huh? Oh, yes.”
You lit up your phone to show him and everyone else.
“That’s Finn.”
“You look alike!”, Luffy said, giving you a toothy grin.
“How old is he?”, Robin asked, smiling.
“Eight.”, you said prideful. Zoro smiled at you.
“You visit him often?”
“We live together.”
“Oh, I thought you had told me once you didn’t live with your parents.”
Your face soured but you tried to mask it.
“Well… I don’t. Finn and I live together. I’m his legal guardian.”
The group looked puzzled. You scratched the back of your neck, expecting the questions to come but they never did, as Zoro could feel he touched a sensitive matter and he had no intention of dragging it.
“That’s admirable.”, he said simply, taking a sip of his coffee and changing the subject immediately, making you feel grateful.
It wasn’t that you were ashamed. It was just hard for you to explain when every detail felt traumatic. The conversation went on until it was time for you to pick up Finn. The gang asked you to exchange info because they wanted to hang out with you again. Saying your goodbyes, you left the coffee shop. Not even five minutes passed until you received a message from Luffy.
“Hey, forgot to say, we’re throwing Zoro a party for his birthday this Saturday, you should definitely come!”
You frowned as you read the message. Saturday afternoons and Sundays were time you spent with your brother. He spent Saturday mornings at Makino’s place until your shift ended, since she was more than kind to offer, and then it was just the two of you. Even if you wanted to go, you couldn’t leave him alone. You put your phone in your pocket without replying, thinking it would be rude to reject an invitation that quickly. Arriving at the school, you saw Makino and Koji talking with Finn and their teacher and you moved toward them. You thanked the teacher for waiting and she went back in.
“You boys had fun today?”, you asked and they nodded positively. You made some small talk with Makino before she whispered at your ear.
“I didn’t want to mention it to the boys and get them excited, but we’re gonna go on a camping trip this weekend and I’d love for Finn to join us. Koji will have a better time if he’s there as well. We’re gonna leave on Friday afternoon and I’ll bring him back to you on Sunday.”
“I… I’d love to but… we’re a bit tight with money right now-”
“Who said anything about money, dear? You and that kid are like family to us by now. I just want my boys to have fun together.”
You starred at her gratefully as she turned to the boys, telling them about the trip, the kids basically jumping from excitement. Finn tagged at your sleeve.
“Can I go?”
You smiled at him, bumping his nose with your finger. “Of course you can, munchkin.”
He hugged your legs tightly, thanking you like you had given him the greatest gift. It made you feel insecure sometimes, how you could never give him these things yourself. You talked a little more with Makino as you walked down the road and she grabbed your shoulder gently.
“Hey. You are doing your best. I don’t want you to feel less because I offer my help. I can afford to do it and I’m more than happy to. You’ve taken so many responsibilities already, and if I can help the burden on your shoulders even a bit, I will. You’re still a kid yourself, you deserve a break.”
You hugged and thanked her before you parted ways. Talking with Finn about his day as you walked home, you checked your phone, remembering Luffy’s message. You didn’t remember the last time you had gone to a party. It was for Zoro’s birthday too, and for some strange reason, you wanted to be there for him.
Coincidentally, you could be there.
You texted Luffy.
“Hello. Thanks for the invite. Text me the info, I’ll be there.”
