"Here, enjoy!" You chime as you slide a pint of beer over to a guy with red hair and twirled eyebrows, earning a look of distain in return as he walks away without paying, immediately causing your smile to fall. "Oi!"

However, a pink-haired woman comes into view, she looks somewhat similar to him - especially with the eyebrow pattern. She takes some money from her purse, setting it down on the bar for you whilst muttering a small "My apologies." and making her way over the redhead's table. 

It'll be his apologies if he tries that shit again, I have a baseball bat under this counter and I will use it!

Irritably, you grab the money from the bar and make your way over to the register, counting the cash before placing it inside the drawer. 

Well, at least she gave a tip. 

Your eyes shifting back up to spot another customer, he had been waiting for at least 10 minutes to be served but there's a lot of people present tonight and you're on your own since Shanks' friend left and the red-haired boss hasn't arrived back yet. 

Rushing over to the tall male, you offer him a polite smile while blurting over the music and pub chatter; "What are ya having?" 

He doesn't look familiar unlike some people in here; he's very tall with violet hair, maroon-coloured eyes and he wears a scarf that obscures most of his face. 

But he has been patient so he can't be all bad. 

"I'm also so--!"

"No need to apologize for the wait, it's a busy night." His deep voice silencing you on the spot as he simply gestures to a bottle hanging on the wall behind you. "I'll have a disaronno with coke, please." 

It takes a second for you to process what the hell just happened but you manage to snap yourself out of your stupor, finally nodding your head as you grab a glass. "Okay, comin' up! Is that one shot of disa--"

"Two." 

...I wish he would stop that.

"Of course." You begrudgingly smile at the man, pouring the requested amount before topping it up with coke, almost asking if he'd like ice but he beats you to the punch once again and shakes his head. 

So with that, you place the drink down on the counter, dropping a stirrer in it for him and sliding the beverage over. 

Much to your surprise, he gives you a tip also despite the lateness.

Some customers are just feeling generous tonight, apparently.

A group of cheering men reaching your ear as the front door swings open, your eyes following the commotion to make sure it isn't somebody arriving to cause a scene but your eyes only land on your smiling boss, the people cheering being the regulars who know his face all too well. 

Thank God, now I'll get some help around here!

The man waving to the group as he passes and coming around the bar to join you, immediately pulling you into a half-hug. "Hey~!! Have they been treatin' you well?" The playful redhead questions, immediately releasing you and turning his focus onto the tall man from earlier. "Katakuri! You're early~!"

"And you're late."

Huh?

"My bad, you know how weekend traffic can be~!" He carelessly chimes, his gaze drifting to another customer and cheerfully serving them, speaking to you over his shoulder as he pours their drink. "[F/n], have you met Katakuri? He's gonna be one of our new suppliers!" 

And here you thought he was just another customer, although you're just a barmaid, you probably shouldn't except the man to explain himself to you. 

"Ni--"

"Nice to meet you too."

Yep, that's becoming extremely annoying.

Your attention refocusing on another customer stood the other side of the counter, a young man wearing a hat that looks similar to a narwhale. "What can I get ya?" 

"Hmm...3 beers, please~!"

"Of course but first, do you have any ID?" It's your first time seeing this person and he looks somewhat young, although he doesn't seem annoyed by the question, instead grinning as he shows the form of identification to you. Yep, he's legal. "Okay, three beers coming up! And sorry for the ID check." 

"Ah, don't be~! I'll be grateful for my youthful good looks one day~!" 

The goofy boy makes you smile at least, grabbing a tankard and positioning yourself beside your boss as you begin to pour the beer. "By the way, Shanks, I need to ask you something." Whilst you've got a minute, you decide it'll be the best time, the redhead gesturing for Katakuri to go into the backroom, likely to talk business but he still stops to hear you out at least. "My roommate, Bonney, needs a job and I told her I'll ask if she could work here."

The redhead noticeably considers it for a moment, reluctantly answering; "I'll get back to you on that later." before he hurriedly follows Katakuri, clearly he's just as rushed off his feet as you are tonight.

Upon pouring all three beers you return to the young male, Shachi according to his driver's licence, placing them down on a tray and sliding the tray over to him. 

You watch to make sure nobody knocks the drinks out of his hands as he carries them back to his table, you've seen a few people do that before when they've had too much alcohol and thought it'd be 'funny' so now you've grown into a real guard dog about it.

You understand that glasses get broken in pubs and you accept that, but only when it's a genuine accident. 

Like with Rosinante...speaking of.    

 You reach into your pocket as his name springs to mind, grabbing your phone and immediately beginning to scroll through your contacts for his name. You had decided, since he has business with Shanks, you may as well save his number to your phone to make him easier to contact if you ever find yourself in a situation like this again.

Of course, that's the only reason...

Totally not because you hope to hear more from him in future or anything. 

"Hello?" His voice on the other end of the line causing a fluttery sensation to emerge once again inside your stomach as he answers but you at least attempt to ignore it. 

"Hey, it's the barmaid from Red Force--"

"Oh, [F/n], right?" And just like that, whatever you were going to say has backtracked it's way down your throat. 

How does he know my name? Did I tell him it?! 

Oh god, he asked his criminal friends! There could be a gangster watching me right now!! 

"Uh, hello?" The blonde's voice catching your ear again and snapping you out of your gloomy thoughts. 

He sounds so innocent, how are you supposed to be wary of him when he sounds like that?

"Uh...Shanks is back..." It's all you could muster, your brain is far too busy frying itself to come with anything more conventional. 

"Oh, good! I'll be there shortly then!"

And with that, he hangs up, leaving you completely dejected. 

Why can't I speak to him like a normal person? 

"Excuse me! Barmaid! Where's my drink?!"

"You'll get it when I'm fucking ready!!"

Sometimes you just gotta talk to customers like shit in order to feel better.