AN: I do not own One Piece or any characters.
Zoro X Sanji Rated M
Not bataed. Oh! And the word I picked actually contributed really little to this chapter. *Face palm* Why.
"I nonetheless read the final section in rapt attention, forgetful of my qualms and by the final line, I found that I was in tears."
"Zoro," Nami began not knowing how to approach him anymore. He's been like this for what? Two weeks? This was getting ridiculous. "What are you doing?" she tried sounding casual, really. Except when someone who is incapable of third grade literature starts cradling the Oxford dictionary in his arms and actually reading it. A dictionary. No joke, reading it. Casualty came hard.
"Reading the NewYorker, what are you doing?" Zoro once again casually flipping the page smiling all the while. Too engrossed in the fucking the NewYorker. They didn't even live in New York. How on Earth…
"Okay" she snatched the paper from the boy's sturdy hands. "No more" Nami warned, ignoring the dark unimpressed eyes sparing her the dirtiest of looks. "Chopper says he can't diagnose, whatever it is you have, until you start talking to us"
"Chopper isn't even a real doctor" Zoro growls reaching for the paper, with no real effort. She knew he didn't want to strain her. Sixteen and pregnant perks.
"Chopper is a fourteen-year-old MED Student. And what can you say for yourself?"
"I'm an avid NewYorker subscriptionist. Now if you just-" he reached once more now successfully knocking the thing from Nami's petite hand.
"Don't pretend like you know what the word rapt means, Zoro!"
The greenette hissed at her as if she just lathered salt on an open wound. "You know," he started, eyes dark and serious. Determined about this crazy quest he so suddenly picked out for himself. "I'm working on it."
At this point Nami didn't know what to do. Chopper told her to handle the situation maturely. Because given the fact that they were dealing with Zoro and Sanji, both none too willing to be mature, it was up to rest of them to be the better person. For the sake of their friendship or fuckship whatever it is they had, really.
The first three days were fine. Sanji and Zoro had been distant and broody for the better half of the year and eventually the rest of the gang got used to it. It was between the two of them anyways. They all figured that as long as they could provide support and comfort for the squabbling two, the rest would work itself out. Sure it was hard having to schedule time for each dumbass separately. Sure they tried to spending time all together. But with the heartening bickering of the two rivals being replaced by Zoro's longing looks and Sanji's attempt to not notice them, things got depressing. And fast.
And so they stupidly believed that it would be like before. Oh how stupid they truly were. Nami didn't know which situation was worse. Sanji's complete withdrawal from the real world and all its problems or Zoro's vain attempt at a new hobby.
And so the rest of the group started forming a team, strategies, anything of the sort. It was becoming a full-fledged operation. Bring the boys back. At least so they can tolerate being in the same room. Failing miserably but the effort was there nonetheless. They were all tired of Zoro's rampant and distressed rambling about words and their definitions paired with endless synonyms. And they all hurt for Sanji when he silently slipped out of the room, thinking they didn't notice that he was constantly crying. Or trying not to.
Now it had been fourteen days of this. Which was not by any means fine.
"-you say that Luffy isn't rapt in the conversation you have about the future of…" Zoro interrupted Nami's thoughts, placing a big hand on her subtle baby bump. She groaned and swatted him away even though the touch was oddly comforting. When was the last time Luffy did that? And what the fuck does rapt mean? Because Luffy hasn't been anything about any conversation regarding the future of anyone.
In the distance they could see Luffy, Usopp, and Chopper, gloomily walking closer towards their table. They looked crushed and defeated and most probably failed once again to reach Sanji.
"Nami maybe you should focus on facing your own problems before butting in with mine" the green haired teen said very-matter-of-factly as the rest of crew plopped down on the benches, filling the picnic table.
"What problems? Do I need to beat them up?"
"-did Zoro just-"
"-problem is you, get a fucking clue"
"-Nami calm down he didn't mean it"
"-why are you so mad?!"
"-listen! Zoro! Plea-"
"-this is just as much as your fault as it is mine except I'm the only taking responsib-"
"EVERYBODY SHUT UP!"
All heads turn to see little Chopped softly panting, wide chocolate eyes bulging, long messy hair wild and everywhere.
"Zoro what was the last thing you said?"
"Uh, I told Nami she should start facing her own problems before concerning herself with mine?"
Everyone looked at Zoro, blinking dumbly, mouths agape.
"Did he just?"
"Yeah" Chooper breathed and for the first time in these two morbid weeks the little boys starter laughing. Not giggling or snickering but wholeheartedly laughing. Nami joined in and so did Luffy, soon Usopp too. The Quattro just sat there fucking laughing. Nami could feel a smile of relief crawling across her face as she examined Zoro, who was no doubt confused.
"Zoro, don't you get it. This is the first time since whatever happened between you and Sanji in the first place that you admitted that there is a problem. Something wrong" Chopped explained grasping Zoro's bulky hands in his own smaller ones, too excited. Nami could see the gears in Zoro's head turning.
"I don't have any problems" Zoro whispered yanking his hands out of Chopper's hold.
"Really? I mean you and Sanji and the fact that you guys- come on really?!" Usopp whined.
"Zoro, it's your fault" came Luffy's voice deepening in seriousness. Zoro looked up to meet his captain square in the eyes. Challenge and determination was coursing in the air between them.
"Fix it" was all Nami heard before Zoreo briskly stood to take his leave.
"Don't be so fast to assume" this time his stare was directed at Nami. "I didn't fuck n' chuck"
That left everyone speechless. They knew nothing. And it was about time they stopped pretending that they did.
AN: Why did I write this? Pointless? I know. Sorry
"I nonetheless read the final section in rapt attention, forgetful of my qualms and by the final line, I found that I was in tears."
Isn't mine it's from the Tearjerker, NewYorker, October 2010
Again nasty punctuation. Thought I'd write something and ugh who knew it could be this frustrating. Prompts would be cool. Thanks for reading and please review.
