Hello there, fair warning before you start reading this fic: English is not my first language and this is my first fic here. So please go easy on me ;v; and I really hope you enjoy this story.


Sanji scowled as he saw how many boxes the men from the moving company brought in to the mostly empty apartment. He didn't know they had so many stuff. And many stuff meant a lot of time to unpack, and too much energy to unpack and set everything in its right place.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips. Well, at least the furniture and clothes are in right palaces. So, he'll just need to unpack these boxes which all contained the kitchen tools, Sheets, Books and DVDs, and toys. Not a lot if toys but yeah.

"And This will be the last one." A man from the moving company said as he placed a box on top of the other pile of boxes in the living room. "Thanks for the hard work." Sanji said with a smile. "Wait, I'll get you something to drink." He added, to show his gratitude.

"Nah, thanks. We've got so much work to do and a little time especially today." The man replied waving his hand. "Oh, by the way. is that kid sitting down the stairs yours? you two looks the exact same." Especially the eyebrows. Was the man silent thought. He wouldn't be as rude as to point that out. Plus that will cause him his tip.

"Yeah, he's my little brother. why?" Sanji tilted his head, wondering if his brother had said or done anything to disturb their work. "He didn't do anything, did he?"

"Not at all!" The man waived his hand again. "He actually offered to help. Good kid."

"Yeah," Sanji said, rubbing the back of his neck. "He is."

Outside the apartment, At the bottom of the staircase, Sat a bored, young boy holding a baseball and throwing it from hand to hand. He was looking at the building's play ground that was full of joyful kids running around and playing in the sandbox. The only thing that's stopping him from joining was all of them were girls.

He doesn't like girls. they cry a lot, they don't play ball, and they cry a lot. The boy yelped as the ball slipped out of his hand and rolled away, he got up and ran after it until it bumped into a man's foot. The boy came to a stop a few feet away. He looked up at the tall, scary, strange hair-colored man who looked angry for some reason. The stranger knelt down, picked up the ball before looking at the boy.

"Is this yours?" He asked and the boy nodded. The man tossed the ball to the boy. If said boy wasn't trembling from the man's glare, he would've caught the ball easily. And so, the second he had the ball safely in his hands, the boy fled up the stairs.

Sanji's head peeked from the kitchen as he heard the front door slam shut and saw his little brother panting and leaning his back against the door. As if he had been chased or something. "Aki? What's wrong?" He asked, approaching the pale boy and crouched down in front of him.

"Nuthin'!" Aki answered immediately. Sanji just raised a brow at that but shrugged it off. Aki'd tell him if it's something serious.

"Okay… I was thinking of going to greet our neighbors, wanna come?" Sanji could swear that he saw Aki flinch. However, the question was answered with a nod.

"Alright then. Let's go~" Sanji got up and waited for the boy to move from the door so they can get out. but it took a while for Aki to realize that he's still leaning against the door. "Any time now." Sanji chuckled when he saw the realization dawn on him and move out of the way sheepishly.

Sanji and Aki stood in front of the closest apartment to theirs. To Sanji's relief there's two apartments other than his. So he'll just have to greet two persons… families? Whatever, this building looked very quiet and the landlord was a nice man. He'd told Sanji that he made the best decision in choosing this place. For him and his brother.

It's true. Sanji thought. The building looked safe. there's a safe play ground for kids. which is why he chose it for. and it's close to the Baratie too―Sanji's train of thoughts was cut off with a rude. "Ahem!"

His head jerked to the source of the sound and he was greeted with a nasty scowl. He also felt his brother's tiny hand clench to his pant leg as hid himself behind Sanji's leg. Which was the trigger as he returned that damn glare ten times worse. "The hell is your―" but he was cut off one more time. "You're standing in front of my apartment." The man said. "SO? Doesn't mean you can scare him off with that stupid moss on your head!" His green hair was the first thing he noticed.

"The fu―?! Don't you think that shitty thing on your forehead is what scared him―oh wait that's your eyebrow." The man sneered. Sanji's eye twitched. He'd kick the hell out of this shitty bastard if Aki wasn't holding his leg. however, the man's expression changed immediately when he saw Aki peek from behind Sanji's leg. "Oh, it's you!"

"What?!" Sanji was confused by now. How the hell did this man know Aki? they just moved to this apartment this morning and they haven't greeted their neighbors yet…"What do you mean 'it's you'?" Sanji asked venomously. This's not okay. This man didn't look okay with his stupid hair. no fucking way is he going to live next to him.

"I just saw him downstairs before he ran away." The man said nonchalantly.

That's why Aki was so scared just now! "YOU―!" Sanji was about to lash out at the man, if it weren't for tiny grip tightening on his pants. He looked down and saw big, blue, frightened eyes looking back him. He placed a hand on the boy's head to assure him that everything is okay. This man won't hurt him with Sanji around.

"So, You're the new residents in apartment 32, I assume?" The man asked. "I live in room 33. the one you're not letting me get into." He pointed to his door.

"Oh." Sanji stepped away from the door, pulling Aki with him. "The name's Zoro, Roronoa Zoro." The green haired said as he held his hand out.

"Kuroashi Sanji." Sanji shook his hand. "And This is my brother, Akihito." He said and nudged the boy forward to greet the man properly, even if he didn't deserve a proper greeting. However, Aki did nothing but cling to his brother's leg tightly and hide his face.

Sanji raised a brow at the odd behavior of his brother. He's never done that―unless the stupid moss-ball has done something to him?! And that earned Zoro a confused look from the older blond. "He's not usually this shy―" more like afraid than shy actually.

"Nah, that's how most the kids react when they first meet me." Zoro said rubbing the back of his neck. He knew very well that he's got a sharp natural glare and that what scared brats like this one all the time. BUT I CAN'T HELP IT! Was zoro's silent thought as he proceeded to unlock his apartment door.

Sanji thought that that was good enough of a greeting and waved goodbye to the moss-head. "I guess I'll go and say hi to the other neighbor.." He walked to the next door to Zoro's while Aki clung to his leg like a small monkey.

"Don't bother." Came Zoro's voice. "They're not there and won't be back till tomorrow, or the day after. Not really sure."

And with that Sanji went into his apartment. After the door has been closed, Sanji looked at the monkey still clinging to his leg. "You can let go now." He said softly.

"Unn." Aki replied as he let go of his brother's leg with a small smile, it was a fun trip and he wished it lasted longer.

Sanji crouched down and placed a hand over the boy's head. "Were you scared of that ma―Zoro?"

"Nnn" Aki shook his head before lowering his gaze to the ground. "Aki, it's okay. You can tell me." Sanji tried to assure him.

"…a little." He said after a short pause.

"Did he do something to you?" The older blond asked

"Nuthin'…"

"Then why were you so scared of him?" Sanji tone was too gentle from what he's used to himself. It's hard raising a child, he knew that. but he needed to understand each other. For Aki to depend on him.
It's true that he wasn't there for his him for a long time and Sanji regret it. He fucking hate himself for doing that. That Aki didn't know anything about him for three years.

But it's gonna change now. He's here for him and he won't mess this up even if cause him everything.
Aki looked up at his big brother, Blue eyes met blue.

He resisted the urge to cry. He's a big boy and His father, Zeff had told him not to cause troubles to Sanji. So he can't cry. Never.

"I, He's, He didn' do anythin', I―" Sanji could hear the hitch in Aki's breath and he knows that hitch, he's about to burst into tears. So he pulled the boy in warm hug. "It's okay, Aki. You can tell me." He whispered as he rubbed soothing circles on Aki's back.

Tiny hands griped the front of his shirt and Aki buried his face into his brother chest and mumbled something.

"Hm? Sorry what was that?"

"Dad told me not to talk to strangers…and he talk to me when I was playing…"

"Yeah? Did he say something, then?" He was more than ready to kick some moss ass right now.

"No.. he gave me my ball when I drop it." He said almost immediately. "But he was angry―scary!"

EH?! Sanji's visible eye widened for a moment before he burst out laughing which earned him a confused look from Aki.

"It's alright, Aki!" He said between his laughter. "He looks like a good guy even thought his eyes are scary." He ruffled the boy's hair playfully. "You saw him just now. He's good and even thought we had a small fight I think he's nice. He's cool, Almost as tall as me," Maybe taller, And very muscular. "He seems to be strong too. kinda ho―aAAArrrrrggggghhhhhLALALALA!" Sanji manage to cut that dangerous word by yelling and shaking his head like an idiot.

DID HE REALLY THINK THAT BRUTE THING HOT?!

Aki didn't really catch the last bit of what Sanji was trying to say, but his behavior made Aki laugh. "You're weird." He said patting his brother's head to bring him to calm down.

Sanji went silent and pursed his lips. "I'm the weird one now?"

"Un!" Aki nodded and gave the brightest smile Sanji had ever seen.

How the hell am I supposed to sulk when you smile like that?! Sanji thought. He got up and picked up his little brother and went to the kitchen. "Time for dinner~!"

Meanwhile, In Apartment #33, a certain moss head was standing in front of his closed door. Glaring a hole into the wooden surface as he was trying to comprehend what just happened.

What the fuck's wrong with that shitty eyebrows? What's wrong with his eyebrow! For fucking real was that normal?!

Even the little boy had the same eyebrow, same hair style (Not The same. The older one had his hair covering the right side of his face while the chibi was covered the other side) same everything? IS THAT FUCKING NORMAL? Not that he's the right to talk about normal with his hair color but―For fuck's sake their eyebrows were curled at the end. Well, One at the end and the opposite for the other―aah fuck!

Was really it the eyebrow, or was it something else that was making him feel uneasy?! Whatever it was, it's nothing he can't handle.

Was he always meant to meet with weird people though?

He ran a hand through his short hair and decided to forget about it. The damn blond looked hard to get along with. And Zoro saw no reason to even think ABOUT THAT! He didn't want to get along with him. No way!

The green haired man shrugged all thoughts about the his new neighbor and decided to go to bed early that night.

Back into apartment #32 Aki was sitting by the coffee table drawing and making a little mess in the living room when Sanji walked out of his bedroom. He's finally finished sorting everything out after dinner.

He plopped down, face first on the couch. "It's bed time, Aki." He mumbled into the cushion.

"Kay~" He heard Aki say cheerfully.

How can he not feel tired? Sanji thought. It was a long day even if Aki didn't help out with putting out their stuff he still played and ran around the apartment. He should be as beat as Sanji or even more.

"Ahh, I smell like...something bad.." He said lazily. "I need to take a shower, Aki."

Aki turned to face his brother on the couch, scoots over and takes a whiff. "You smell good."

"―Pfft, you think?" He was too tired to even laugh. "I'll take a shower in the morning then."

"Yes, Me too." Aki exclaimed happily.

"You little―That's why you told me―"

"No! Sanji really smell like vanilla!" Aki cut him off.

"…..Vanilla?" Sanji looked at the little boy with big eyes.

"Unh!" He nodded. "Sanji smells like cake!"

Sanji chuckled softly at that. "Thank you…I guess."

The next morning, Sanji woke up to something tickling his nose. He opened his eyes to be greeted with Aki's head right in his face. He took a moment to realized that the boy was snoring lightly…and another moment to take his surroundings "Ahh… I passed out on the couch." He sighed as he tried to get up without waking the sleeping boy. He looked too cute to be disturbed, dammit. Even thought he didn't want to do that and sleep a bit more. He had work to do. And Zeff won't take any excuses, Damn geezer.

"Ahh, work!" Sanji whispered. He can't take the boy with him to the Baratie. It's not a place for kids. So where in the world is he gonna leave him… He can't leave him here alone!

He reached out for his phone in his pocket, Thank god he didn't put it away when he passed out last night. And dialed the old man's number. It took a couple of seconds before said old man picked it up.

"How was your first day together?" Came the loud gruff voice of Zeff. He sounded too amused damn shit head.

"It's too early for your shit, old man." He replied.

"Watch your tongue in front of the boy, eggplant."

"I know, shut up! He's asleep."

"Yeah? What did you want?"

"I was wondering…" Sanji gently removed the sleeping boy from on top of him and went to the balcony So he could shout all he want without waking up Aki.

"No, I need you in the restaurant! I can't give you a day off on your first day!"

"I KNOW! I JUST WANTED TO ASK SOMETHING!"

"Shoot."

" Where do I put Aki? He's still asleep and I think he won't wake up till I get back so is it okay if I lef―"

"ARE YOU AN IDIOT!?" Sanji could hear that even with the phone this far from his ear. Damn. "YOU'RE GONING TO LEAVE A FOUR YEAR OLD KID ALONE IN AN APARTMENT HE'S STILL NOT FAMILIAR WITH? EVEN IF HE'S USED TO THE DAMN PLACE YOU CAN'T DO THAT!" Zeff continued to yell. And Sanji rolled his eyes.

Zeff let out a heavy sigh when Sanji didn't yell back at him. "Look, I know you're not used to this. I told that it's hard raising a kid on your own…I've already done that, So I know. You can just bring him back to me. He won't hate you for that."

"―No! What the hell old man! I can take care of him."

"You're not doing a good job by lying to him."

"What do you want me to do? It's already too late to say anything…" Sanji said bitterly.

"You can start by telling the truth."

"….I'll think about it." Sanji said almost audibly. "Now what do I do?"

"Didn't you call a babysitter or something?"

"No."

"Great."

"Shut it, I was fucking busy that it slipped my mind."

"Yep, sure."

"Fuck you! I'm bringing him with me today!"

"Do as you please, shitty eggplant."

And with that Sanji ended the call. Fuck this old man and his shitty attitude. He could take it easy on him. It's his fucking first time taking care of a tiny human. Of course he doesn't know what to do.

"ARRGGHH!" He groaned, pulling at his hair.

"Take it easy, man." Came a very familiar voice. Which made Sanji flinch and almost drop his phon. "The fuck?!" He looked all sides but there was no one. "The hell? Am I hearing things now?" He tilted his head in confusion.

"Pffft―I'd like to mess with your head. But no. I'm here." A green bush peered from the behind his balcony wall. Of course. It's his new neighbor Roronoa Zoro. Who was grinning from ear to ear.

"It's rude to eavesdrop on other people's private calls." Sanji said with a scowl. Someone is in fucking great mood this morning.

"Couldn't help it." Zoro held up his hand in surrender. "What's the matter, neighbor?"

Sanji glared at the other for a few minutes before letting out a heavy sigh. "I have work in half an hour but I can't leave my brother alone."

"Didn't you call a babysitter or something?" Zoro said matter of factly

"IT SLIPPED MY MIND OKAY?" Sanji snapped. The last thing he needed was this shitty bastard mocking him. "Do you have a daycare in this building or something? I've a few kids yesterday so there must be something like that here."

"Not that I know of."

"Aahhhh, shit. I don't have time to look for one now!" He'll have to wake him up and take him to the Baratie, even if that will get him a kick or two from Zeff.

"I can watch over till the afternoon if you like…?" The green haired offered.

"What about your work?"

"My shift starts in the afternoon."

"I―I wouldn't trouble you."

"Nah, that's fine. I teach kids around his age. So I can handle him."

"You do?!" Sanji's visible eye almost popped out of his head. "I'd never tell!" seriously the guy looked like a gangster with his unusual hair color.

"….Who's being rude now?!"

"Sorry." A soft chuckle left the cook's lips. "It would be a great help if could come over to my apartment."

"Sure, I'll be over in a minute" Zoro gulped audibly as he felt a small flutter in his stomach after hearing that chuckle. He blinked a couple of time as Sanji ran back into his apartment to get ready for work.

Half an hour later, There was a knock on Sanji's door. He opened the door to be greeted with Zoro's smug expression. "Yo."

"Hey. Sorry, again. I owe you one." Sanji said with an apologizing look on his face as he moved to let Zoro into his apartment.

"It's fine," Zoro smiled. "What are neighbors for?"

"Thanks. I'll be back at 11:30" and with that Sanji waved goodbye and went to work.