Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece.
Dedicated to ZethRoronoa13 and it is thanks to ZethRoronoa13 that I thought of these spin-off birthday stories.
Love Geometric Shapes
Gift Surprise
Sanji bent down to take a better look. He put his hand on the glass case to imagine what it would look like on someone else's neck. That someone was Roronoa Zoro, his childhood friend and crush. He wanted to say 'boy friend' but his enemies prevented him from proclaiming Zoro as his.
This time, for sure, he was going to win all the other suitors by buying the best birthday gift for Zoro. Next week was Zoro's birthday, and he was one step behind everyone else because he met Zoro last. The others, Ace, Luffy, and Shanks, befriended and were attempting to win Zoro's heart in the same way. Sanji wasn't letting them do that.
The cook pointed to the silver necklace between the jeweled bracelet and rings.
"May I buy this one?"
"Oh yes...it's thirty-thousand Beli."
Thirty-thousand Beli. That was almost all of his saved allowance. He swallowed all of the things he wanted to buy down his throat and gave a firm nod. The clerk, oblivious to the blond's thoughts of forsaking his dream of buying a new kitchen pot, unlocked the glass case and pulled out the bracelet.
Examining it up close, the necklace shimmered like a gentle light. It had tiny gemstones dangling down its elegant chains. He picked the emerald one because it was Zoro's favorite color. Sanji imagined and smiled because it looked nice on him.
"Would you like to put in a box?"
"Uh, yes please."
The lady smiled and pulled out a sleek, velvet box. Sanji always wondered why the outside was always made of velvet, but he didn't ask. She carefully placed the bracelet in so that it made a slender oval with the gem standing out. An exchange of item and cash, covering the box with a fancy wrapping foil, and Sanji was out of the door. He hugged the present against his chest before putting it away. He hoped that Zoro would like it.
-.-.-
School started and he was met with the friendliest and most liked teacher. Sanji used to like and revere him but later found out he was one of his love rivals. Shanks, just Shanks, greeted him with a happy air.
"Hey, good morning Sanji!"
"Good morning to you too." Sanji stuffed his hands in his pockets, "You look strangely happy today."
Shanks grinned, "Why, it's almost Zoro's birthday. Did you forget?"
"Of course I didn't forget! I already bought a present." Sanji then pulled up a smirk, "And I think it's better than what you bought."
"Hey, how do you know I already bought something?"
"Well, you wouldn't be smiling with empty pockets."
"Good observation." Shanks sidled up and nudged him in the shoulder, "So, what did you get him? I'll tell you what I bought if you tell me yours first."
"Nah. You'll know when he opens it up."
"Ah. Keeping a secret." Shanks shrugged, "Fine with me. I like surprises anyways." The teacher, nonchalant as always, headed to his class before the school bell rang. Sanji headed but walked slower steps. Shanks was, after all, his homeroom teacher; he rarely checked students off from being late to class.
-.-.-
Zoro's birthday was a week ahead, and Sanji was anticipating it. That was all he thought in his head. Of course, along with the necklace he was planning to make a feast. That would probably gain good points over the rest of the guys. Speaking of other guys, along with Shanks, Sanji had to battle with the D. Brothers. Luffy was the youngest suitor and was like a kitten to Zoro. Ace, who worked as a firefighter, always had a sneaky hand: stealing a kiss from Zoro or giving him an unexpected squeeze. Sanji wondered what the two were going to do. Maybe Luffy was going to buy him something that was close to his age range, like video games or action figures. Or maybe the kid was going to do some magic show with his rubbery powers.
The cook was more worried about Ace. Ace already had a job, so he could buy anything if he saved his money. He and Ace always had a heated battle while Shanks and Luffy stood by watching and smiling.
Just a few more days, and the judgment day would come. Sanji counted down the days of in his head as he headed to town to buy some groceries. He was turning toward a busy street when he spotted a familiar freckled faced man walking out from a jewelry store. That grabbed his attention right away, and he ran back a crosswalk to get to the jewelry store.
"Ace!"
The man turned and Sanji met with a handsome grinning face.
"Yo Sanji. What's up?"
"Nothing, just stocking up for Zoro's birthday dinner."
"Oh yeah! Love what you make kid."
"T-Thanks." Sanji hated when Ace called him kid because he felt so inferior, "Uh...what did you buy?"
"This?" Ace showed Sanji the box, "Zoro's birthday present."
Sanji glanced back at the store, and he a sinking dread came over him. He bought the necklace at this store too. He recalled the many other fine watches and rings that were too much for his high school student wallet.
"Uh...what did you get him?"
"Hm?" Ace frowned, "Do you want to see?"
"Sure."
"No way."
"What?"
Ace smirked, "If you see what I got, you're going to buy something greater. I'm not letting you do that."
"That's not fair."
"Hey, I heard you did that to the old man, so I'm just doing him a favor."
"Did he show you what he got?"
"Nah, I wanted to keep it a secret too." Ace stuffed the box in a plastic bag to blend in with the vegetables and fruits, "See you at Zoro's birthday."
"See you." As Sanji watched Ace leave, he felt nervous. He quickly bought the meats, the vegetables, and wine for Shanks, and then went home. After he stuffed all of the necessary foods in the refrigerator to take it out easily, he went to his room to look at the necklace. It was still there, lying quietly in the box. Sanji stared at it and smiled a confident smile. If Ace was going to win Zoro's heart by buying something fancy, then he would beat him by making fine dishes that only exclusive members ate.
-.-.-
The day arrived, and Sanji came to Zoro's home early. His father dropped him off because the cook needed to bring a lot of food for the party. Zoro welcomed him with a smile.
"Happy birthday Zoro." Sanji said. He wanted to say it with an upbeat manner, but at the sight of Zoro made him blush and stammer.
"Thanks." Zoro replied with a same bashful manner, "Come on in."
Zoro helped Sanji bring in the ingredients even though Sanji told him not to. It was his birthday, and Sanji wanted Zoro to do nothing but enjoy the day. The cook felt like he got an ace shot when he realized he was the first one there. That fueled his heart to high power, and immediately started cooking.
"Do you want help?" Zoro asked as he followed Sanji around.
"No, it's fine. You can do whatever you want...sleep, read, or play with Chopper."
Zoro brushed a hand through his hair, "But I feel bad."
"Ah, don't. It's your birthday. And, I bet you will only have this time to relax because the others are coming."
"You're right." Zoro smiled and hugged Sanji, "If you need me, I'll be in the living room."
Sanji's heart fluttered and the warmth remained after Zoro pulled away. Once Zoro was gone, he returned to his sober self and arduously cut, sliced, marinated, cooked, boiled, fried, roasted the ingredients.
It was about three o'clock when Sanji started making the birthday cake when the other guests arrived. Zoro welcomed them just as warmly. Shanks and Ace peered into the kitchen and awed at Sanji's work. Luffy barged inside and was about to take a taste of the marinated meat, but Ace swapped his hand and dragged him out. They asked for help, but Sanji declined. He wanted the whole cooking side to be his job for tonight.
-.-.-
It was as if it was Luffy's birthday because the kid's eyes glittered with tears at the sight of the feast. Ace had to pull his brother away because he wouldn't stop drooling. Zoro sat at the end of one side and the rest of the men crowded around him. Once the birthday boy got his utensils, everyone started eating.
"Wow! This is good!"
"I've never ate something like this before."
"You can be a great cook someday..." Shanks mused.
"Thanks...I'm aiming for that."
"I think you'll succeed." Zoro smiled while most of his words were drowned by his chewing. Sanji grinned and wiggled in his seat.
Thanks to Luffy's appetite, the dish Sanji worked for nearly five hours disappeared within an hour. The kid appreciated it the most, so Sanji was glad. The birthday cake arrived and everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' in different tones. When the candles were blown and the cake was cut into pieces, the main event began.
"Do you want to open presents before or after the cake?"
"After!" Luffy answered for Zoro. Ace slapped his hand over Luffy's mouth.
"Don't listen to him Zoro."
"O-Okay. Uh...I kind of want to open present right now." Zoro could sense there was a heated competition at the table. If he delayed it too soon, someone was going to explode from impatience.
"So who's first-"
"Me!" Everyone yelled at the same time, but Zoro caught the fastest. This was typical in Zoro's home: the fastest caller won.
"Luffy." Zoro smiled holding out his hand, "I heard you first."
"Yes!"
"Aw man." Shanks, Ace, and Sanji leaned back in their seats disheartened. Soon, they sprang up from their seats when Luffy handed Zoro a velvet box. Their hearts leaped into their throat, wondering how Luffy bought jewelry.
"Luffy, where did you get the money to buy that?"
"Huh?" Lufffy glanced at the box, "I save my money too Ace."
They hoped that it was just the box that was fancy and not inside.
Zoro was startled to receive a fancy box, so he hesitated a bit. He glanced awkwardly at Luffy who grinned bashfully, and slowly opened the case.
Shanks, Ace, and Sanji stared wide eyed at the accessory. Zoro was surprised the second time at the prettiness of the necklace. The slender silver chain held a gorgeous glimmering emerald.
Zoro awed the necklace, "It's beautiful."
Luffy smiled, "I'm glad you like it!"
"Hey..."
"Wait..."
"Hold on."
"Hm?" Luffy and Zoro asked. The three rummaged through their pockets and pulled out their gifts. They pulled off the wrapper and opened the box for Zoro to see. The green haired man was surprised one last time when he saw the same necklace in each of the other man's hand.
"Oh...wow." Zoro blinked, lost at words. The group fell into a brief silence staring at the four boxes containing the silver chained necklace. They imagined what the jewelry owner thought as this necklace was sold off four times in a row this month. Then, the silence was broken by Zoro's mirthful laughter.
"Aw, man!" Zoro stood up to hug everyone, "I love you guys!" The four blinked at one other and then broke into laughter also. Because of their stubbornness all picked what they knew Zoro would like. It was silly, and probably a waste of money but they learned something important. Even if they were enemies at love, they sometimes needed to cooperate, so the same mistake wouldn't happen again.
Zoro kept all four and wore them rotationally, so it would be equal. Unfortunately, the four couldn't tell the difference.
The End