Archive of Our Own

“You need to get laid or something, this is getting ridiculous Zoro!” Nami shouted at the taller man.
The group were currently standing around in their best outfits outside the club Zoro had managed to get them all kicked out of. The unsurprising part is that this was in fact not the first club they had been kicked out of, and likely not the last at this rate.
“Oi! Not my fault this time.” Zoro defended. His party outfit being a dark blue tank top, black skinny jeans and his usual combat bot. “Bastard had it coming.”
“If a drunk person bumps into you you don’t have the right to punch them and break their nose!” Nami shouted, being held back only by Vivi. Her knee length, emerald green dress blowing in the wind. A red crystal rose petal bouncing from her neck, a gift from Vivi for their three year anniversary just gone. Nami sighed. “You are so lucky it’s Luffy’s little fan boy, otherwise we would have criminal charges.”
Zoro refused to answer and looked away from the group. The group now only consisting of six of the usual eleven, as Franky and Robin were home with their son Chopper, and Jinbee had long since decided he was too old for clubbing and let the ‘kids’ get on with their fun. This obviously never stopped Brook from going out with the group, currently rocking yellow tiger print jeans, an old band shirt and a blue denim jacket. Certainly a look from his younger years.
“Now what are we going to do?” Usopp asked. Usually he would be accompanied by Kaya. However the medical student had exams coming up soon. He had black trousers with a green plaid shirt with rolled sleeves over a black shirt, under that a long sleeved purple shirt with the arms rolled up. “We can’t go back to mine, Kaya will already be asleep by now.”
“We could go over to Ace’s? He’s having a party tonight.” Luffy announced.
“What and we weren’t invited!” Usopp shouts.
“Of course you were.” Luffy answered, picking his nose.
“No we- Luffy…” Nami started before remembering who she’s talking to. “Did you forget to tell us we were invited again?”
“Oh ye!” Luffy smiled.
“You idiot!” Nami shouted, hitting Luffy on the top of the head.
“Party over already?” Sanji asked with a smile, only now arriving after his shift ended at the Baratie. “Who did Moss punch now?”
“Yohoho, Sanji-san has finally joined us.” Brook announced.
“Whatever.” Zoro grumbled. “I’m going home.”
“Like hell you are, if we let you go now we won’t see you for a month and find you on the other side of the county again.” Nami accused, pulling Zoro back towards the group.
“That was one time.” Zoro tried weakly.
“Come on Zoro, the night has only just started. You can’t go home yet.” Luffy cried, dragging down Zoro’s other arm.
Said man only grumbled, but didn’t try to leave again, resigning himself to his fate. Deep down knowing they were right and didn’t fancy another lost journey around the city.
“So what is the plan? Moss included or not.” Sanji asked, only hearing parts of the conversation walking up to the club. He mostly just had his work uniform on, a white shirt, black tie and black trousers, but had matched it with a new blue blazer with lighter blue and pink wave pattern.
“Looks like Luffy forgot to tell us Ace was having a party… again.” Nami answered, shooting daggers at Luffy again, who had since started watching a rat eat from a bag of abandoned chips.
“Sounds like a plan, but I assume you guys didn’t drive here and I can’t fit seven people in my car.” Sanji smiled. “Obviously I don’t mind taking you and the lovely Vivi with me and let the rest make their own ways.”
“You know what, that sounds like a good plan. Thank you Sanji.” Nami said, putting her best smile on. She turned to Vivi. “Saves us money anyway.”
“Are you sure Sanji?” Vivi asked.
“Of course, I haven’t started drinking yet. You’re both safe with me.”
“Please Sanji, please take me with you.” Usopp begged, dropping to his knees to grab at Sanji’s trouser leg. “I don’t have any money and if I share with Luffy he’ll never pay me back.”
“Nope, my car is only for the lovely couple.” Sanji pulled away.
“Come on, you too.” Nami said, grabbing Zoro by the elbow and dragging him along. “You’ll get the rest of them lost if you go with them.”
“No spreading your moss in my car.” Sanji warned, narrowing his eyes at the man.
“Oh fuck off. You wanna go cook?” Zoro stormed towards Sanji.
This is when they are reminded that they were still standing in front of the club by a security member shooing them away from fighting more. Also so they could let Bartolomeo without starting another fight. This however didn’t stop said man from running up to the group and inviting himself along to their next place of drinking. This making the group of eight, and the poor sucker who was going to pay for the taxi for Luffy, Usopp and Brook.

After a quick stop at a local shop for drinks, the four eventually made it to Sanji’s car, still parked outside the Baratie around the corner from the club. The car was a small light blue model that although didn’t look too fancy was the most expensive of all the groups, costing the same amount as both Robin and Franky’s cars.
Sanji shot a text to Zeph, letting him know he was now taking the car as not to give his old man a heart attack when he left later on.
“Right, lady’s in the back.” Sanji smiled, opening the back door for Vivi, before moving to the drivers side and doing the same for Nami. “Moss in the boot.”
“Fuck off.” Zoro protested, opening the side door and sitting down.
“Oh oh, Sanji, please let me put music on.” Nami exclaimed, reaching for the wire to connect her phone.
“Of course dear, whatever you want.” Sanji smiled, snaking the wire around the center and to the back of the car.
“None of that girly shit.” Zoro demanded, crossing his arms after doing his belt and looking out the window.
“I will be putting on the queen herself.” Nami smiled sweetly at Zoro, Chappel Roan song starting. “Now, pass your phone over.”
“Me? Why?” Zoro questioned, while also handing it over.
“1, 2, 3, 4? Really Zoro?” Nami laughed.
“What? It’s easy to remember.” Zoro huffed.
“At least use your birthday or something someone needs to think about, not just-whatever.” Nami tried but gave up quickly. “Oh.”
“What?” Zoro asked, watching her through the passenger window.
“Well, I WAS going to download a dating app, but looks like you already beat me to it.” Nami admitted.
“Aww, Moss trying to get a girlfriend?” Sanji laughed.
“You don’t find many women on Grinder.” Nami smiled. She moved to the messages, seeing that a few conversations had already happened. “Found anyone lucky yet.”
“Why’s there no women on Grinder?” Sanji asked.
“Are you serious?” Zoro laughed.
“Ye, what am I missing?” He asked, looking back at Nami.
“Oh my god!” Nami shouted, dropping the phone to her lap. “I didn’t need to see that.”
“What was it?” Sanji asked, concern lacing his voice.
“What did you expect to see?” Zoro questioned, laughing. He tried to reach back and retrieve his phone, but was batted away by Nami.
“I just wasn’t expecting to see it in the first conversation I opened. There’s nothing else here but photos.”
“Well no, why would I talk to people?”
“What are you doing on a dating site if you aren’t talking to people?” Sanji tried again. This time Vivi took pity on the clueless man.
“Grinder is an app for gay men to hook up with each other." Vivi explained, trying but failing to not look at Zoro’s phone as Nami continued to skim through conversations. “Typicaly a lot of these profiles won’t even have faces to them, just an age and a photo of someones abs or butt with a name.”
“Oh, so like anonymous hook ups?” Sanji asked.
“Pretty much, ye.”
“Wait, you're gay!” Sanji shouted. “Since when?”
“Always dumbass. How did you not know? I brought my last boyfriend to that picnic we had a few years ago and Luffy didn’t like him so I dumped his ass right then and there.” Zoro explained, avoiding eye contact with the chef.
“Ooh, I remember him. He was a weirdo.” Nami shivered. “Glad he didn’t stick around long. Luffy is usually right about these things.”
“Ye, he’s in prison now.” Zoro informed them. “Well, he was in prison. That’s why the account has no information, don’t need him finding me again.”
“Again?” Vivi asked.
“He tried calling when he was first put away but I never answered.” Zoro admitted.
“How did I not realise you were gay?” Sanji asked himself.
“I don’t know, seems like a skill issue your end.” Zoro smirked.
“Oh fuck off.”
“Zoro, you have sent your dick to so many guys on this app. Why?” Vivi asked.
“If I send one they send one back.” He shrugged. “If I like what I see I we meet up.”
“Meet up?” Sanji asked.
“Ye, we fuck then never speak again.” Zoro told him.
“That is so unromantic.” Sanji shuddered.
“Well it’s not about romance you perv.” Zoro defended. “What you have a problem with it?”
“With you? Always.” Sanji goaded.
“Fuck off, pull over and say it to my face.” Zoro sat up.
“Sanji, I swear you better keep driving. I am too sober to be seeing photos of Zoro’s dick.” Nami threatened, holding her head in her hands.
“Aw Nami.” Vivi giggled.
“Why do you like them?” She asked Zoro and Vivi, the only two in the car who had any attraction to it.
“Feels good.” Zoro answered honestly.
“I don’t really want to know. Vivi, thank you for not having a dick. They look so ugly.” Nami whinged into Vivi’s shoulder.
Seeing this Zoro burst into laughter in the front seat.
“How long until we are there?” Nami asked, face still buried into Vivi’s shoulder.
“We are just pulling up, my sweet.” Sanji answered with a smile.
“Oh thank the gods.” Nami replied, looking up to see the house Ace shared with his boyfriend Yamato.
There were a few cars already parked out front as the party was in full swing. With people already passing out in the front garden and someone throwing up in the roads drain. They were clearly late, and Nami hoped the rest of the group weren’t far behind them or else they’ll have to explain to Ace and no doubt Sabo how they lost their brother again.
“I’m going to go find Ace and at least say hello. Zoro go get laid or fight, I don’t really care but blow off some steam. Sanji… No cooking.” Nami warned him.
“What? I didn’t plan to.” Sanji huffed.
“You always say that then usually end up in the kitchen if Luffy has anything to say about it.” She replied, climbing out of the back seat. She then opened his door and watched him for a second, letting the other two move away before she whispered the next part. “I know you had that crush on Ace a few years ago, but you can’t jump when he asks you to. He has a boyfriend and if what Luffy has said is true he plans on proposing at some point.”
Sanji blanked, he clearly didn’t know how to respond.
“It’s okay Sanji, I won’t tell anyone, but you need to move on buddy.” Nami smiled, resting her hand on his shoulder.
“Wha-No, I’ve never-why would… I don’t know what you’re talking about Nami dearest.” He stumbled over every word, face going redder and redder.
“I’m sure buddy, maybe try talking to some guys tonight, see where you end up. But remember, we are all here and support you.” She squeezed his shoulder before running off to join her girlfriend at the doorway into the house.
Sanji sat in his car for a minute, doing nothing but taking deep breathes and trying not to read into what Nami just told him. He was only into women and nothing would change that, especially not Luffy’s brother, Ace. Not the teller, handsome man who was always nice to Sanji, was always welcoming, always had his hot abs out, with the deep voice that once haunted Sanji’s wettest dreams, with-
“Oi Cook, you coming in?” Zoro knocked on the passenger side window, breaking up Sanji’s spiral downwards.
“YES!” Sanji coughed. “Ye, I’m coming.”
“Good, you know I hate going into these places alone and the witch already ran off.” Zoro complained. He may be one of the strongest and most self assured people Sanji knew, but that didn’t stop him from having a bit of social anxiety at these parties.
“What, not going to wait for Luffy like usual?” Sanji asked, pulling himself out of the car and locking it. Normally, Zoro would follow Luffy in. The loud character pulling everyone's attention to him while he slips in.
“Who knows where he is at this point, probably been kicked out of two separate taxis already.” Zoro laughed.
“You know what, good point. Surprised he’s not banned from every taxi rank on the island.” Sanji smiled.
“Oh he is, but Bart guy is paying isn’t he.” Zoro guffawed, watching the sleeping drunks as they walked towards the door.
“Oh no, I didn’t think of that. Welp, good luck to the guy.” Sanji frowned.
“He’s going to need it.” Zoro smiled back.
Entering the house Sanji b lined for the dinning room, knowing where Ace kept the spare cups. Only to be confronted by Law as soon as he made it into the room.
“Oi, where’s Mugiwara-ya?” He asked, frowning.
“Luffy hasn’t made it yet, he is on the way if that helps.” Sanji answered.
“I’ve been here for two hours waiting for him. Did he forget he told me to meet him here.” Law sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Don’t answer that, I already know the answer.”
“Hey, he forgot to tell us this was even happening to begin with if that helps you sleep.” Zoro chimed in, leaning against the door way to see around Sanji.
“Not really. Glad I had the foresight to at least bring Bepo-ya.” He huffed, going back to find said friend.
Zoro laughed behind Sanji before pushing past to sit somewhere in a corner and finally open the bottle of sake he had brought with him.
Sanji began the rounds, saying his hello’s, his flirting with any woman that came close and finally his last habit of sitting among the sleeping drunks and watching the stars in the back graden. It was a habit he started in High school when they would have parties, there used to be less people sleeping around the floor than there are these days. Usually he would sit on the ols swing set and think about his life, his past, his future and make resolutions with himself; many to be ignored or deemed stupid by the morning; many more completely forgotten to the stars.
That’s where Zoro found him anyway, watching a satellite slowly crawl over the night sky.
“What you thinking about this time?” Zoro asked, dropping onto the swing next to him.
“Hmm.” Sanji replied dumbly. “Oh, uhh, just thinking about work the usual.”
“You sure?” Zoro asked.
Sanji didn’t answer, but Zoro let him sit with the question for a while, knowing that sometimes the cook needs a few minutes to think of an answer. It was only at this time of night when the stars are bright and watching them that they didn’t argue. They were almost friends for a few hours. At least until morning came and everything went back to normal.
“I-I think I’m finally coming to terms with something and I don’t know how to fully accept it.” Sanji finally answered, hands shaking.
Zoro waited, still watching the sky. He glazed to the side occasionally to track Sanji’s face, but always returned back to the stars.
Sanji finally took a deep breath and looked towards Zoro, both making eye contact.
“How- how did you know you were-”
“ZORO!” Came an unknown voice, interrupting what Sanji was about to ask.
Zoro completely froze, eyes going wide as Sanji watched him. He looked towards the back door where the voice had come from. A giant of a man stood there, face split with a smile. Sanji didn’t trust him.
“There you are buddy, not seen you in a while. Where you been hiding?” He asked Zoro, coming up to the two. “Not interrupting something am I?”
“Of course not.” Zoro replied, voice weak.
“Who’s your friend?” He asked, eyeing Sanji up.
“Sanji, the cook. You met before.” Zoro answered again, no bite in his voice, no emotion either.
“Oh, I remember. Didn’t even get to say hi before you told him to leave.” He smiled. It unsettled Sanji.
“I’m Jason, his ex-boyfriend.” He turned to Sanji, pulling him up from the seat and sitting down himself.
“Hey, I was sitting there.” Sanji argued.
“Oh sorry about that, but I need to chat with him for a few minutes if you don’t mind.” He smirked.
“Ye, fine whatever.” Sanji rolled his eyes, moving back towards the backdoor.
Nami was just coming out, dragging an over excited Luffy with her, shouting about breaking a table, but something told Sanji to turn around to look back at Zoro.
Nothing had changed, he was still sat on the swing set with that guy. He looked tense, worried. Both hands down at his sides, fists curled, but not in his usual fighting way, just tense. Something that was incredibly rare for the swords man, something Sanji could gladly say he hardly saw from the man.
Sanji turned around but quickly turned back when he realised what he was seeing. Zoro’s hands weren’t tucked into fists, the thumb was sticking out away from his body. A sign in the group that meant one of them was uncomfortable. Something every member knew about and had used at least a few times over the years. However, Zoro was the only person to never use it. Usually on the other end rushing into to break up whatever was happening. Now he was the one in need.
“Luffy, now!” Sanji called, marching back towards the unknown man again.
“Sanji what’s-” Luffy started with a laugh, but quickly cut himself off when he noticed what was Zoro and who he was sat with.
He and Nami marched up, hot on Sanji trail, Nami holding his wrist so he couldn’t run ahead. Even Usopp, who had slowly followed the other two out, also ran up behind the other two to join the march.
Zoro refused to make eye contact with anyone, just watched the floor.
“I said I need to talk with him, alone.” The guy snarled. Watching as the group took their last steps towards him, Nami struggling to hold Luffy at her side.
“I think you’re done.” Sanji replied forcefully.
“And what makes you say that?” He asked, grinning up at the group, but making no move to get up.
“Come on Zoro, let’s get out of here.” Nami said, moving to his side. “I saw a bottle of sake in Bartolomeo’s hand earlier, I’m sure we can convince him to give it to you.”
Zoro let the words hang for a moment and eventually stood up to follow Nami.
“Zoro sit, we aren’t done here.” They guy ordered. Narrowing his eyes at Sanji.
Zoro hesitated and almost went back to sit before Sanji grabbed his wrist and pulled him behind the group. Zoro held onto Sanji’s arm when he was behind him, not letting it go.
“What are you, his owner?” The guy provoked. “He can stay here if he wants.”
“It doesn’t matter what I am to him, but you are leaving.” Sanji demanded.
“You know what, fine. I said my peace.” He smiled, standing up. “I’ll see you around Zoro.
“No you won’t, Jackass.” Nami replied from behind the group, keeping Zoro blocked in the center. At some point Vivi and Brook had also joined the protective circle.
The guy huffed and eventually stalked through the back gate and back onto the street.
The group watched him go, not dropping their guard till he was out of sight around the house, then they finally and collectively let out the breath they had been holding. All of them now turning to watch Zoro, still holding Sanji’s forearm in a death grip.
“Hey Zoro, you okay?” Nami asked, placing her hand on his shoulder, only for him to jump. She pulled away.
Everyone stood around him for another minute, waiting to see if he replied. He didn’t.
“Okay, me and Vivi are going to go back into the house, make sure he isn’t there. Brook, you and Usopp go around the front through the gate and do the same. You three stay here. We’ll be back in about five minutes, I’ll bring some water out.” With that most of the group left the scene.
“Do you want to sit down?” Sanji asked, now holding Zoro’s hand that still held Sanji’s arm.
Zoro nodded.
“On the swings?” Sanji asked, keeping his eyes on Zoro, who shook his head. “Okay, abc of the garden on the old logs?”
This time Zoro hesitated, but agreed.
Sanji slowly stepped backwards as Zoro followed, one step at a time. Eventually they made it to a few logs at the far end of the garden. Logs that were once a beautiful tree that they used to play under when Luffy’s grandfather still owned the house, but after a storm fell and no one had the heart to remove them from their resting place.
“Do you want to tell me who that was?” Sanji asked, looking Zoro in the face.
“It was his ex, the one who came to the picnic a few years ago.” Luffy answered in Zoro’s place. “I didn’t trust him, so Zoro sent him away, after…”
Luffy stopped, he looked down at Zoro from where he was standing in front of his friends who were sat.
“Do you want me to tell him?” He asked Zoro.
For a few seconds Zoro didn’t reply, eventually nodding.
“No one else knows, but after he left he went back to Zoro’s place and broke in. He waited until he came back and attacked him for breaking up with him.” Luffy told Sanji, clearly getting angry.
“Why I was in the hospital for a week during college.” Zoro finished, finally finding his voice, even if it was softer than usual.
“I-I remember that, you told everyone it was from sword training, but wouldn’t let anyone in.” Sanji remembered.
“Luffy sunk in after hours and hid under my bed every time someone came into the room.” Zoro reminisced, looking up at Luffy who smiled in return.
“We got in sooo much trouble when they found me sneaking food in for you.” Luffy laughed.
“Nothing like what you were making us every night.” Zoro smiled, remembering their college days. “We were spoilt.”
“You guys are allowed to come over for dinner you know.” Sanji smiled, then spun to Luffy and pointed at him. “3am does not count as dinner, I swear to god Luffy.”
“Whhaatt, why not?” Luffy huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Becuase it’s 3am and some of us work in the mornings.” Sanji argued back.
Luffy just huffed at him again while Zoro smiled, it didn’t reach his eyes, but something was better than nothing right now.
This is when the rest of the group finally returned, along with a worried Ace and Sabo.
“Everything okay here guys?” Sabo asked. “We heard what happened.”
“You just telling everyone?” Zoro scowled at Nami.
“Of course not idiot, I told them so they can keep an eye out if he ever tries that shit again.” Nami refuted with a huff.
“Look, here’s the key to the spare bedroom, go and lay down if you want. No one will disturb you there.” Ace offered, holding the key out to him and Sanji.
Before Sanji could take the key offered Zoro replied.
“No, I just want to go home.” Zoro told the small group. “Sorry.”
“Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for. I’ll call you a taxi now.” Sabo replied, as Ace put the key back onto his house keys and put them away.
Sanji felt Zoro tighten his hold again.
“No,” Sanjis started before he could stop himself. “I’ll drive him back.”
“Sanji, no, we’ve all been drinking. You can’t drive.” Nami tried to argue.
“It’s okay dear, I haven’t had much tonight. I had a glass of wine when we got here about three hours ago and haven’t had anything since.” Sanji reassured the group. “Plus I’ll message the Discord group as soon as we get back, okay?”
“Fine.” Nami sighed after a minute. “If you forget to tell us I will be charging you.”
The group smiled at each other now that the tension was leaving their bodies.
“Come on then big guy, let’s get you all snuggled up in bed, shall we?” Sanji joked.
“Oh, fuck you.” Zoro shot back.
Sanji stood, Zoro pulled up with him. Sanji was still holding Zoro’s hand that had his arm. IT was no longer a death grip, but it was still tight. Sanji wanted to remove it to make it easier for the two to walk, but had a feeling that it would be a mistake if he did, so left it.
The whole group walked around the two, keeping an eye on every person they passed. Ace, Luffy and Brook moving through the gate ahead of them and scanning the front garden. It felt like a scouting operation or an old game of Mr. President. Everyone on high alert.
“Well, we’ll see you at Robin and Franky’s on Sunday for movie night.” Sanji nodded at the group as they finally reached his car.
“I think Luffy’s picking this week, I dread to think what it’s going to be.” Nami replied, head in her hand.
Luffy only laughed in response.
Sanji moved to the passenger side and opened the door for Zoro to sit. This is when he finally released Sanji’s arm and put his seat belt on as Sanji shut the door. He moved over to the driver side and got in, pulling the window down as soon as the car started up.
“If you need anything do not hesitate to let us know.” Brook smiled at the two.
“Don’t forget to let us know when you get back.” Vivi smiled.
“I will fine you if you forget.” Nami warned.
“Ye, ye, I’m not a child.” Zoro huffed at the group, turning away. Sanji could see his ears turning red.
“See you soon guys, get home safe.” Sanji told the group as he started pulling away.
The group of seven that remained at the party all waved as the car pulled away from the curb.

The ride back to Zoro’s apartment that he shared with Luffy was quiet, it wasn’t often that the two spent quality time together, unless it was on the swing set, and that had been interrupted. Lucky enough the trip was only ten minutes before they reached the car park of the building.
They sat there for a minute longer, Sanji waiting till Zoro was ready to go in before he would move, and eventually Zoro did get out of the car.
Both looked up at the windows of the building, most of the lights were off except for 3 where people were up late, Zoro and Luffy’s flat was still dark and so was Sanji’s two across and three floors up. It made nights like tonight much easier.
“Ready Moss?” Sanji asked, coming around to meet Zoro who was still watching the windows.
“Yes.” He answered bluntly.
Sanji walked to the door, scanning his fob and going towards the lift to. When they eventually got in he then pressed Zoro’s floor then his own floor.
Zoro’s eyes widened at that.
Eventually the lift reached the third floor and opened, but Zoro made no move to leave, almost letting the doors close, only saved by Sanji reaching out. But even then Zoro refused to move, he just eyed his door suspiciously.
“Earth to Moss. You getting out?” Sanji joked. He looked down to see Zoro’s hands balled into fists, trying to keep the shaking at bay.
“I’m going, shut up.” Zoro bit back, with no bite.
“Shit.” Sanji replied. “I-I forgot.”
With that Sanji moved out of the lift, but still held it open for Zoro to leave and follow him.
“What are you doing?” Zoro eyed him, suspiciously.
“I’m coming into yours for a cup of tea, unless you want to come up to mine?” Sanji offered.
“I’m not a baby.” Zoro stormed off to his door.
Sanji sighed, but quickly turned to follow him. He knew it was Zoro’s way of saying he could leave, but what kind of friend would leave when someone was shaking like a leave at the thought of going into their own apartment, their own safe space from the world.
When Sanji caught up to Zoro he was struggling to put his key in the door, his hands were shaking so badly.
Sanji gently reached forward, giving Zoro enough time to see him. He placed his hand on top of Zoro’s and eased the key out of his hand.
“Fuck.” Zoro muttered under his breath, but moved aside so Sanji could open the door for him.
Sanji made quick work of it, immediately welcoming himself into Zoro’s space. He looked around the hallway and opened the door to the closet, checked it over. He pulled off his blazer and hung it on one of the hooks before then closing the door again. He then turned and walked the rest of the way through the hall and into the living room and scanned the area.
The room was incredibly bare, there was an old poster on one wall that Sanji knew was hiding a hole that Luffy made with his foot the day the two moved him. The old green settee that the previous tenant had left was still there with its mystery stains. The only thing that was new in the room was the TV that Sanji had helped them bring back because Zoro couldn’t fit it on the back of his motor bike, and trust him, he did try.
Zoro slowly followed him in, scanning the area himself.
“What are you doing?” He asked, shutting and locking the front door, both the chain and the door lock. He then kicked his shoes off in front of the completely empty shoe rack because they both only owned one pair of shoes each.
“Nothing.” Sanji replied, now moving back through the hall and into the kitchen that over looked the living room over a breakfast bar. “You hungry?”
“I-uh, ye actually.” Zoro stuttered.
“Okay, I’ll see what I can make now.” Sanji replied, opening each cupboard and glancing inside before moving to the next. There wasn’t much to look at in any of them, the odd spoon or pan covered in dust, and nothing more. Sanji already knew that the two weren’t allowed to cook, but Luffy would always order food in and Zoro would usually try and swipe some extra food from work before heading to the gym.
After he finished that he moved back into the living room and towards the last three doors in the apartment. Zoro followed a few paces behind Sanji, now in his socks. Sanji started with the bathroom, he opened the door, looked behind it and in the bath then left again. He put his hand on Luffy’s door handle, but before he could push it open Zoro stopped him.
“Seriously, what are you doing?” Zoro asked again, holding Luffy’s door shut.
“Nothing, I told you. Look, go sit in the living room and put the TV on. I’ll be back in a minute. Luffy will understand.” Sanji replied, forcing his way into Luffy’s room, the room was unsurprisingly bare. There were a few posters on the walls badly held up with thumb tacks and falling, there was paper plates and fast food bags piled next to a bin, or what Sanji assumed was a bin at the bottom. The shelves and desk were completely covered in toys, figures and anything Luffy thought would look nice ranging from paper cranes to shiny rocks and stickers that had no home.
He looked under the bed, in the gap by the wardrobe and finally inside the wardrobe. He found almost nothing in there, which was almost worrying but not his objective for the moment, but is something he will be bringing up to Nami tomorrow. The fact that Luffy owns little to no clothes outside of what he wears on a daily basis, even turning to the laundry basket that’s full, there still wasn’t a lot.
“Does Luffy really not have any more clothes than a basket full?” Sanji asked, exiting the room and shutting the door behind him.
“Not really, I do his laundry and I never see anything new.” Zoro shrugs. “Well, unless it’s something of Law’s that’s been mixed up again.”
“How often is Law here that that happens?” Sanji laughed.
“More than you’d think.” Zoro smiled back. “He works long hours at the Hospital down the street, so sometimes after a long day he’ll come here and crash in Luffy’s room.”
“That’s… weirdly sweet. Are they…?” Sanji hesitated.
“Fuck if I know, as one of them.”
“You aren’t curious at all?” Sanji asked, moving away from Zoro and towards the final room.
“No, I’m not and what do you think you’re doing?” Zoro asked.
“Nothing.” Sanji replied again, reaching for the door handle.
Zoro beat him to it, pulling the door closed before it could open.
“Zoro,” Sanji started. “Do you trust me?”
Zoro hesitated, it was clear he wanted to retort, instead he dropped his hand and let Sanji through.
Inside was the same lay out as Luffy's; the only exception was that it was clean, not spotless but clean. The other exception was the handful of books neatly lining one of the shelves and rather than random posters Zoro had his three prized swords hanging from the wall next to the window. Sanji made his way to the side of the Wardrobe and found nothing but his bokken and training gear. Sanji turned to open the Wardrobe, but found Zoro out of the corner of his eye, he was hovering next to the door, watching Sanji.
He opened the wardrobe and found it was full of cloths, gym, training, motor bike gear, formal, all sorts that Sanji has never once seen him wear. However, when he looked down expecting to find shoes and boxes he was surprised not find them and more.
“Wow, okay.” Sanji declared, shutting both the doors that lead into the wardrobe. “Didn’t need to see them, now I know what Nami felt earlier.”
“What the hell does that mean?” Zoro questioned him, storming up to the wardrobe and pulling the doors open, looking down he immediately found what Sanji had been talking about. His face burst into a bright shade of red.
An open bag of sex toys sat at the bottom staring up at him.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t see them, ye?” Sanji smiled, making his way back into the kitchen now that he was satisfied with his search of Zoro’s apartment.
Zoro didn’t get a chance to reply, but simply took a deep breath and shut the wardrobe again. After his face had calmed down he followed the cook back into the kitchen.
When he got there Sanji was back to opening and closing every cupboard door, looking for something.
“Can I help you?” Zoro asked.
“Ye, you could tell me where you hide all your food?” Sanji threw back.
“Some in the fridge and the top cupboard next to it.” Zoro replied, moving to watch him from the stool on the other side of the breakfast bar.
“Do you really think I didn’t check every cupboard in here already?” Sanji shot back in disbelief. “All I found was three bags of protein powder, two out of date eggs, and a half eaten Marz bar.”
“I’m saving the Marz bar for later.” Zoro eventually answered, avoiding eye contact with the cook. “We can order or just have tea?”
“You’re lucky you even have tea, we’ll skip food for now.” Sanji replied, knowing that at this hour in their area only three places are open to order from now. Sanji moved back to the kettle next to the sink. “I’ll make breakfast if you play your cards right, I have plenty upstairs.”
“You say it like we’re about to hook up or something.” Zoro laughed.
He watched Sanji freeze while pulling out two mugs, his ears growing bright red.
“Don’t fucking say shit like that.” Sanji eventually unfroze. “Fucking idiot.”
“Why, you didn’t disagree.” Zoro taunted.
“Shut the fuck up or I will kick you!” Sanji spun, clearly flustered, but still not denying anything.
“Fine, fine, whatever you say lover boy.” Zoro laughed, looking down at his hands.
Sanji followed his gaze down, watching as his fingers still slightly shaking with adrenaline. He turned back to roll up his sleeves and complete the task at hand, making two cups of tea and slowly placing one in front of the other man, but stayed on the other side of the Breakfast bar to drink hold his cup.
Neither said anything for a while, both letting the warmth of the mugs absorb into their hands, knowing that sooner or later they would have to talk about the elephant in the room.
Zoro took a deep breath and hung his head, watching his hands clasp around the mug finally stop shaking now that they had a job.
“What?” He asked, not moving to look at the blonde.
“Did you want to talk about it?” Sanji tried gently, looking up at the other hesitantly.
“Not really…” Zoro answered. “But I guess you deserve some sort of explanation, I guess.”
“Hey, no. If you don't want to talk to me about it then don't.” Sanji replied, he looked away. Eyes now watching the steam coming from his mug. “Look, I know I'm probably the last person you'd ever want to talk to about this, I get it. So we don't have to.”
“Do you… Do you really believe that?” Zoro asked, finally looking towards Sanji, who looked back up in return.
“Well, ye. Just assumed I would be the last person you told, literally anything.” Sanji faltered.
“You do realise that, aside from Luffy, you probably know the most about me?” Zoro stated to the other, holding eye contact.
“Bullshit, you never tell me anything. I didn’t even know you were gay till tonight.” Sanji blushed, pulling back to take a swig of his tea.
“Okay, that’s on you. Everyone else just figured it out.” Zoro chuckled.
“Fine, but still, I couldn’t tell you the last time you told me anything?” Sanji questioned, thinking back to any conversations the two had; nothing was coming to mind.
“Every time we drink we end up leaving the group to talk. Not my fault if you don’t always remember.”
“Hey, I remember plenty.” Sanji lied.
“You were the first person I told when Mihawk agreed to adopt me and not just foster.” Zoro reminded him. “You were also the first person I told in the group that I lost my eye, because you were the only one to notice it was glass.”
“I still forget it’s glass now.” Sanji told him, looking up to look at said eye. “Didn’t realise I was the first, assumed everyone else already knew and just being polite.”
“Well, not everyone spends their time gazing into my eyes.” Zoro watched.
“Shut it, I don’t.” Sanji defended weakly, face going a bright red. “Well, either way, I don’t remember you ever telling me anything about this guy.”
Zoro took a deep breath and closed his eyes, letting the breath out slow and heavy.
“I tried, only once.” He admitted.
“Why didn’t you?” Sanji asked.
“I started,” Zoro started, opening his eyes to look at Sanji again. A smirk formed on his face. “But someone threw up down their own legs and got us kicked out of the smoking area of the pub.”
Sanji hid his face in his hands, remembering only snippets of that night in question. He remembers their usual chat but everything was blurry like he was under water, next thing he knew he lent forward and after that was Nami and Zoro throwing him into his bath at home. That lead to the worst hangover of his life.
“I am so sorry.” Sanji mumbled into his hands.
“Hey, if nothing else it gave me an entertaining night.” Zoro smiled, knowing the cook was going to feel guilty regardless of if it was his fault or not. “it’s in the past now anyway, no point getting bent out of shape over it.”
“Clearly there is if it’s still affecting you now.” Sanji tried, finally looking back up at Zoro.
“This is the first time in a while, I just wasn’t expecting to see him is all.” Zoro admitted, taking a long sip of his cooling tea.
“Did you want to talk about what he did?” Sanji asked carefully.
“No, or well, not in detail. Maybe another time. All you need to know is that he was a bad guy, ten years older than us. I got the courage to tell him it was over thanks to Luffy at that picnic, but I didn’t think he would break into mine to attack me.” Zoro clutched his mug tightly, avoiding eye contact again.
Sanji stayed quiet, letting Zoro talk. He carefully moved his hand over Zoro’s.
“It was everything he did, I didn’t see the red flag up close, but I was standing underneath them looking at the green grass around them. He stopped me seeing you guys, controlled what I ate, controlled who I spoke to and when. The only time I got to see you guys was in college and even then, he would be sat outside waiting when I finished. I got no time to myself. The only times I ate was when you brought me food thinking I kept forgetting.”
Zoro took his hand off of his mug and held Sanji’s hand, watching as their hands laced together in support.
“Only reason he stopped was because there was footage of him breaking through my back window and he was sent down for four years and a restraining order.”
“One that he has already broken?” Sanji questions. “We could call the police for that.”
“No, no, I just want to forget about it.” Zoro squeezed his hand.
“Fine, but if he comes anywhere near you again we are calling them. Deal?” Sanji asked.
“Okay, okay Mr Prince.” He smiled.
“And don’t you forget it.” Sanji smiled back. “And honestly, I kept bringing you food because I thought you couldn’t afford it.”
“Either way, thank you. It gave me at least something to look forward to.”
“I’m glad, but you should have spoken to me. Sure Zeph wouldn’t mind hiding you in the freezers for a while.” Sanji joked.
“I’ll keep that in mind next time.” Zoro laughed.
“Hey, if it helps I think I was nearly in a similar position. You remember Pudding?” Sanji asked, tightening his hold on Zoro’s hand.
“Ye, little bubble of rainbows and joy. Nami loved her.” Zoro replied.
“Well, turns out it was all an act. Luffy clocked her as soon as she walked into Ace’s house. Obviously I didn’t listen to him and stayed with her for another six months. She slowly started showing her true colours and one day Nami heard it coming into my place for a catch up. Put her foot down there and then.” Didn’t see her again after that.
“Wow, we both fucked up big time then?” Zoro joked.
“Ye, guess we did.” Sanji smiled back. “Gods Zoro, you were with him when you were in college? We were like what, sixteen, seventeen at the time?”
“I was seventeen when we started dating, but nothing held any proof. So when the attack happened I was already eighteen and they just brushed past that little detail.” Zoro admitted.
“Fucking idiots, the lot of them.” Sanji said angrily. “I am serious though, if he comes anywhere near you we are calling the police. Obviously after.”
“After what?” Zoro questioned, looking back up at Sanji.
“After me and Luffy beat his ass for laying a finger on you.” Sanji smiled.
“Okay, sounds good. I’ll let you know.” Zoro laughed again.
“Well, it’s getting late. I should head off to bed, I may not have work but doesn’t mean we can spend the day in bed.” Sanji said.
Zoro held his hand tighter, refusing to let go.
“Zoro?” Sanji asked.
“Please don’t go yet. I- I can’t.” Zoro admitted, still holding tight. Suddenly he let go and moved his hands into his lap. “Sorry, ye. You should head home. I’ll see you soon.”
“You know what.” Sanji said, coming around the edge of the breakfast bar and in front of Zoro. “I think I should stay here tonight.”
“What? No, Curly, you don’t have to do that.” Zoro stood up.
“I don’t have to do anything, but I want to.” Sanji smiled, starting to move towards Zoro’s room. “But I am not sleeping on that fucking setee in the living room.”
“Are you sure?” He smiled.
“Yes, now come on, I need to get out of these clothes.” Sanji said, turning into Zoro’s room.
“Everything I have is going to be massive on you, you know that right?”
“I am well aware, I think even Nami is jealous of the size of your tits.”
Zoro burst into laughter as he moved to the wardrobe to fetch two shirts. Sanji took a hanger and hung his clothes neatly on the back of the door before putting the shirt provided over his head. He let Zoro climb in first, then followed on the opposite side.
Both lay there on their backs for a while, nothing being said, but neither sleeping yet.
“Hey, what were you going to say back there?” Zoro asked, turning on his left side to look at Sanji.
“Back when, Moss for brains?” Sanji asked back, turning onto his right side to watch Zoro.
“When we were on the swings, you asked how did I know then we were interrupted.” Zoro remembered.
“Oh that, umm. It’s nothing to worry about, really.” Sanji said, trying to turn and hide his face.
“Nope, we aren’t doing this.” Zoro pulled Sanji back around before he got too far. “What did you want to ask?”
“Fine.” Sanji sighed, turning back to look at Zoro again. “How did you know, you know, that you were gay?”
Zoro blanked sitting up on his elbow, not expecting that sort of question from someone who always seemed he knew he was straight.
“I guess I just always knew. Had crushes on boys as a kid, wanked to men when I grew up. Never seen a woman and thought I want that. You get me?” Zoro admitted.
“Hmm, that easy for you?” Sanji joked.
“Why, someone have a crush on a boy?” Zoro asked, pulling out the y in boy.
“Oh shut it.” Sanji huffed, crossing his arms and looking away from where Zoro sat, face red under the cover of dark.
“No, no. I’m only joking. But ye, I always knew. Do you think you’re gay?” Zoro asked.
“No, but maybe bi or pan? I’m not sure. I’m a bit late to the party here.” Sanji uncrossed his arms to cover his face.
“No you aren’t, it’s not a race. Some people don’t figure things out till their later in life. You still have plenty of time.” Zoro said, laying back into bed, still on his side. “What brought this on?”
Sanji stayed quiet, refusing to answer the question.
“Oh my gods, you do have a crush!” Zoro shouted, sitting back up again. This received some angry banging from the downstairs neighbour. He whispered, “You have to tell me who.”
“I am not telling you, you’ll tell everyone.” Sanji whined.
“I have never told anyone what you’ve told me over the years, why is this different?” Zoro asked, laying back again. “I never told anyone you used to feed the rats around the high school, or that you got a boner in school once-”
“You saw that?” Sanji interrupted.
“I did. Didn’t tell anyone you once pissed the bed in uni or about your brothers or-”
“Okay, okay, I get it. You can stop. Please stop.” Sanji hid his face again.
“So, who is it.” Zoro asked again.
“I’m not telling you.”
“Oh, so someone I know. Is it Ace?” He guessed.
“No, but I apparently did have a thing for him a few years back and didn’t realise. But no.”
“Okay, Sabo?”
“No, too much of a good guy.”
“Ohh, so you like bad guys?” Zoro laughed.
“Shut it.”
“Is it someone in the group?”
“Stop trying to guess. Go to sleep, before I kick you to the floor.”
“So yes, Usopp is too nice and Luffy isn’t a bad guy, just bad at everything.” They both laughed. “Franky?”
“No, he’s too much of a perve.”
“Said the perve. Jinbee?”
“No, I know I have father issues but he’s too old for me.”
“Okay, Okay. So not Brook then. Unless you also have grandfather issues?” Zoro laughed.
“No, unlucky, or maybe lucky enough, all four were already dead by time I was born. Even Zeph’s parents passed a few years before I met him.”
“Okay, so that only leaves-” Zoro stopped. That only left one person in the group that could fit the criteria; him.
“Like I said, stop guessing.” Sanji grumbled, turning over in the bed. He sat up. “Look, I should go, I’ve made things weird now.”
“Don’t go.” Zoro asked, holding Sanji’s wrist still. “I don’t think it’s weird. I promise.”
“You should.” Sanji told him, pulling away to lay back in the bed. “I would.”
“What if I-” Zoro coughed. “What if I told you I had a massive crush on you near the end of high school and the start of college?”
“What? Really?” Sanji asked loudly, earning another knock, this time from the next door neighbour that shared a wall with Zoro. “Why?”
“The fuck you mean why?” Zoro laughed, both sitting up in the bed. The street lights illuminating the back of Sanji’s head.
“Ye, why?” Sanji asked again. “I was nothing but a dick to you in High school. How could you think that was attractive?”
“I remember when it happened. You remember that creep that would come around every now and then? The one who would preach about God and his children?” Zoro reminisced.
“Ye, he started saying some misogynistic shit to Nami about bearing children and getting a husband, then he turn on her and pushed her to the floor when she said she was a lesbian.” Sanji carried on.
“Well, after that you kicked him in the face then sent and axe kick to his head when he bent over. Broke his nose and gave him a concussion.” Zoro finished the story.
“Ye, what about it? You’ve seen me kick dozens of people.”
“At the time I was still in the closet, or more accurately, I hadn’t told anyone yet. And realistically you probably kicked the weirdo because he hurt your dear Nami, but something in but stupid head convinced me that you…” Zoro trailed off. “You know.”
“That I what?” Sanji asked, curious what Zoro thought.
“That you were protecting me. Stupid I know.”
“It was partly because it was Nami, but it was also because of the shit he was saying. Him pushing Nami just pushed me over the edge.” Sanji said, inching his hand closer to where Zoro’s sat between them. “I mean, we can get you a shirt that says homo and I can go kick someone for you if they say anything?”
Zoro laughed, also inching his hand slightly closer. Both too shy and nervous to connect them yet.
“You know what my awakening was?” Sanji started, pulling Zoro’s attention to him. “It was actually back when we first started going to the gym together, the one down stairs. I sometimes watched you work out while I ran and thought about running my tongue along your pecs.”
Zoro laughed, pulling his hand from where it nearly touched Sanji’s, so he could wipe away tears.
“Oh, shut up.” Sanji blushed, crossing his arms.
“Well,” Zoro coughed. “Maybe next time I finish a workout I’ll come and find you, let you lick my chest clean.”
“What? Oh, oh my god, don’t say-say it like that.” Sanji stammered. Covering his face.
“What? I’m doing what you asked.” Zoro said, placing his hand down, next to Sanji’s hip.
Sanji noticed where Zoro had put his hand and hesitantly placed his own hand on top. They sat in a comfortable silence for a while, both too afraid to break it up. Zoro was half afraid that Sanji would pull the rug from under him and claim it was all a joke. Sanji on the other hand was afraid he had already missed his chance and that Zoro didn’t want to tell him that.
“We should sleep soon.” Sanji tried to smile.
“Hey, uhhh…” Zoro trailed off. “Would you want to, you know, like, go out some time?”
“Like-like on a date? Us two?” Sanji asked, hand still holding Zoro’s.
“Ye, I mean, unless you didn’t plan on dating guys then like, I get it, no pressure, we can just forget-”
“Of course, Moss. I’d love to go on a date with you sometime.” Sanji butted into Zoro’s stumble of words.
“Nice, cool, okay, cool.” Zoro replied, he turned his hand around to finally hold Sanji’s hand and not just sat underneath it.
“Come on, we can think of something to do tomorrow, for now let’s just sleep. Luffy and no doubt Law will be back soon.”
As if on que the two could be heard stumbling into the dark house. Luffy rummaging through the empty fridge and Law telling him to be quiet.
The two laughed, glad that they made it back safe. They took that as their sign to finally sleep as well.
Zoro moved to lay back on his left side again, while Sanji did the same, but shuffled closer to where Zoro was laying. Zoro just watched him as he now lay in the center of the bed, waiting.
“Get over here idiot.” Sanji demanded, pulling Zoro by the front of his shirt.
Zoro obliged, shuffling closer to Sanji. As soon as he was close enough Sanji wrapped his arm around Zoro’s waist and pulled his chest to meet his face. He let his head lay there, listening to Zoro’s heart try and beat out of his chest.
“Calm down and get some sleep. Big day tomorrow.” Sanji smiled into his chest.
“Ye, ye Curls.” Zoro smiled. Letting his arm rest around Sanji’s shoulder, he gave him a squeeze. “Good night.”
“Damn.” Sanji commented on his strength, but decided that was something to think about another time. “Good night Marimo.”
With that both drifted off to a quiet night's sleep, even with Luffy still making noise in the living room.