If you're a Muse fan, then you really need to see them live. True Fact.
I wonder if I'll ever get around to posting during normal hours (it is currently 4:40am-ish and I have yet to sleep).
Word Count:2,513
Disclaimer: I wiiiishhhh I owned One Piece. Well. No. I'm very glad that Oda owns One Piece, but you get it.
Notes: plooootplooooooot development is apparently my weakness. But I think I know how I want things to go from now on. Enjoy and nitpick!
Zoro stood, leaning against the wall near the door, watching the three yell at each other.
"What were you thinking, Pell?! How could you bring a completely unrelated foreign civilian into this?"
"It's the best option we have right now! It'll take at least a week to get more guards into the country. Chaka, we both know that Zoro is just as capable of protecting her as any of the royal guard. Probably even more capable."
"You're both being ridiculous!" Vivi's hands were clenched into fists. "The rebels have never posed any threat to us! Yes, sometimes they're a bit extreme, but they've never killed anyone. Not to mention they focus most of their attention on gathering support against Baroque Works."
Pell gripped Vivi's shoulders. "Princess, we understand that you trust them to not cross the line into outright violence, but the fact is that Baroque Works is in Alabasta while a number of rebels have been confirmed to be here."
Chaka moved to stand next to Pell.
"It would not be farfetched to believe that they have finally tired of waiting for the investigation into Baroque Works to produce results and are now looking to use you as an incentive to speed things up. Your father has been back in Alabasta for the past month. You are the only plausible reason for their presence in this city."
The three of them froze as they heard clattering in the kitchen.
Zoro stuck his head around the open doorway at the sudden silence, his lips attached to a bottle of beer. He had quickly gotten bored watching the argument and had decided raiding the fridge was a more polite alternative to falling asleep against the wall.
Vivi looked embarrassed.
"Zoro, I'm so sorry! You were called here on my behalf and we haven't even explained anything to you."
He shrugged his shoulders and took another swig of beer.
"They're worried you might be in danger. I don't really need to know, well, I'd actually really rather not have to listen to the politics behind their reasoning. Booze and the freedom to carry my swords are reason enough for me to be here."
"We'd like to thank you for responding so quickly, Roronoa, but I think it'll be best if we take the princess back with us to Alabasta where we can put her under proper surveillance."
Zoro sighed and stared as Vivi fumed. Had they said 'royal' guard? They had also called Vivi 'princess' twice and it hadn't sounded like one of the over flirtatious cook's fluffy terms of endearment. He looked at his empty bottle of beer. I wonder if they have anything stronger.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What the hell do you mean I can't see Vivi anymore?" Sanji wasn't Vivi's personal chef. What he was was a gentlemen who had taken it upon himself to make sure Vivi had a proper and varied diet. If she was studying foreign cultures, then he would teach her everything he knew about the culture of food.
At least, that was his excuse for showing up at her door everyday.
Vivi groaned and pushed Chaka away from the door. "I'm sorry, Sanji. We're in the middle of negotiating the terms of my continuing to study in the States and one condition is that you have to keep your distance until they're satisfied with the results of your background check." Her eyes were full of apology.
"Oh, my lovely lady, why ever wouldn't you be able to continue your studies?" Sanji could see Pell speaking to Zoro behind her. Their faces were serious and photos of people he couldn't make out were scattered across the table.
Chaka moved to stand behind Vivi and blocked Sanji's view of the room. "That's a private matter."
Blue hair popped up over Chaka's shoulder. "I really am very sorry, Sanji, but I'll be looking forward to your cooking once this is all settled." She gave him a sad smile as Chaka closed the door.
Sanji scratched his head. "Ahhhh hadn't I wanted to stay out of this shit anyways?" He thought of Zoro and the pictures. But there's no way I'm going to fucking let that bastard take all the credit for helping Vivi.
He pulled out his phone.
"Robin, love, could I possibly ask a favor of that delightfully clever and well-connected mind of yours?"
XXXXXXXXXXX
"So. Zoro. I must say. I didn't expect our first hangout session upon my return to involve helping you move into some chick's apartment. I know the appeal of exotic foreigners, man, trust me, but living together? That's all kinds of bad news. I know Franky thinks you need a good lay, but don't give up your freedom for it! There're plenty of-"
"ACE. I already told you it's not like that. There are some political activists in town who have a history of causing problems for her family so I offered to stay with her until they leave. End of story." Zoro wasn't really sure how Ace had known he was moving. The guy had gotten back from visiting Marco in San Diego the night before. And 'moving' wasn't even accurate. Vivi had guest rooms that were already prepped and Zoro had just come home to grab his clothes.
"Also, you and Franky need to find new conversation topics."
Ace had managed to get tanner despite the signs of an early winter. It made his smile seem stand out even more. "We're just looking out for you,bro. So, what do you need me to help carry?" Zoro had hefted his oversized duffle bag over a shoulder.
I've got my sword-care kit and keys. He did a quick survey of the room. "I didn't ask you to help out because I didn't need any. I bet you haven't even stopped by to see Luffy yet."
"Luffy's used to waiting, it's no big deal. You and your new-not-girlfriend though, that's a pressing issue."
"You've met her, Ace. You were there when Robin introduced her as the ambassador's daughter."
"Well, yeah, but that was business. Also, you'll need someone to help you carry the contents of your liquor cabinet."
Zoro pondered the thought. Vivi had, in fact, not had anything much stronger than beer; wine had never really been his thing.
"Fine."
The sky was starting to darken by the time Ace and Zoro had finally reached Vivi's. They had almost missed the figure sitting in the shadows near the entrance of her building, but Zoro had recognized the smell of those particular cigarettes. Which, he realized, was really a bit ridiculous. An ashtray was an ashtray.
But still, I've fought the guy enough to know that it's the smell of his cigarettes. Zoro knew it wasn't quite so simple, but his instincts knew he was right. And that was enough for him.
"I'm pretty sure Chaka wouldn't mind getting an official restraining order, creepy-brow."
Sanji got up from the bench and walked over to the ashtray by the door. "It appears that you're my all-access pass, moldy-scalp."
"Oh? I get to be your chaperone? And what if I decide that not having you around would just be easier?"
"You're right. Vivi's a mature and understanding lady. She wouldn't think any less of you if you were to explain that you're not confident enough in your abilities to keep her safe if I were to be your opponent."
"Aha! Blonde with The Legs. I see you're still getting my dear Roronoa all hot and bothered with that mouth of yours. I don't think we've ever had the pleasure of meeting. I'm Ace." He held out his hand, face beaming.
"Ace. You're Luffy's brother." He decided to ignore the comment. They gave each other a firm hand shake. Sanji had almost expected him to have an obnoxiously hard shake full of challenge and manly assertion. Right. He's not the idiot swordsman.
"I'm Sanji. And I know this stick-wielding fool would be happy surviving off of the bottles clinking in that bag you're holding, but I've had a roast marinating in that fridge for two days and it'd be a pity to let it go to waste."
"Ahh don't even worry about it. Zoro wouldn't let food go to waste, if only to avoid the wrath of my little brother."
"Fucking shit, Ace. Aren't you supposed to be on my side?" He knew the damn cook would enjoy sicking Luffy on him. They made their way to the elevator doors.
"And aren't you supposed to let me know when you're moving in with a woman?"
Sanji's ears perked up. The oaf's got a woman? There was a ding as the doors opened and the three got in.
"It's temporary and it's practically a side job."
"If you insist." Ace kept a smile on his face as they rode the rest of the way in silence.
Another ding and the doors opened.
Sanji watched as Zoro shifted his large bag from one shoulder to the other. "Why didn't you drop off your shit before coming here?"
"…" They made their way down the hall.
"… You're not… with Vivi…" Zoro continued to ignore Sanji as he pulled out the key he had gotten earlier that day and pushed the door open.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me!" Zoro barely had time to drop his bag and unsheathe his katana before Sanji's foot came flying towards him.
Vivi looked up from her position on the couch. "Oh, Zoro, you brought Sanji with you. How nice!"
Sanji spun around at her voice and clasped his hands together. "Ahhhhh Viviiiiii. My lovely princess! It feels as though it's been forever since I last set my eyes upon your beautiful-" He was cut off as he ducked to avoid the sweep of a blade.
Luffy looked up from where he, Usopp, and Chopper had been playing charades. "Ace! You're back. Did you bring me a souvenir?" Ace pointed at the blur of arms and legs.
"I brought your favorite chef, but Zoro's busy playing with him right now."
A second later and Zoro found himself face first on the floor with Luffy sitting on his back. Sanji blinked at the sudden loss of his opponent.
"Food?" Sanji could practically see stars in his eyes.
"I can't believe you guys are still fighting with each other. Sure, you think it's just fun and harmless sparring, but you guys aren't even holding back. If someone trips they could end up with a blade through their throat or one of you might turn your head at the wrong moment and …"
Chopper had made his way over and had first examined Sanji until he was satisfied before kneeling next to Zoro.
Zoro found himself watching Sanji again. Sanji had at first looked bewildered by Chopper's fussing, but his expression had quickly softened to a look of contented adoration. His eyes continued to follow the happy cook as he began bustling about the kitchen.
He shook his head and shoved Luffy off, looking for the bag Ace had brought in.
Ace's smile got wider as he contemplated his friend's actions.
Interesting.
"I put the bag on the table." Luffy had joined Chopper and Usopp at the table to watch Sanji cook.
"Usopp. Can you pass me one of the Genshu sake?"[1] Usopp dug through the bag. "Uhhh. I'm going to assume that's one of the bottles without an English label?" Zoro groaned and got up, pulled out two of the bottles, stared at the labels, and shoved one in the fridge. He proceeded to open the remaining bottle.
"You can read Japanese?" Sanji's eyes were focused on the swift motions of his knife as he moved through different ingredients.
Zoro gave an affirmative grunt. "I was born there."
Usopp leaned in towards Chopper. "I used to be a yakuza boss you know. I was in charge of the entire Tokyo area, which pretty much meant I controlled Japan's entire underworld! Zoro was a struggling swordsman when we met and I took him under my wing and trained him to be my right hand man…" Luffy joined Chopper as both their mouths dropped open in awe.
Zoro was staring. Again. Has the damn blonde always smiled this much?
"I learned how to cook Japanese food from a chef in Hawaii once, but I definitely plan on actually making it all the way across the Pacific and getting first-hand knowledge someday." He could feel Zoro's scrutinizing gaze. "My parents taught me how to speak French though?"
What the hell is up with the staring? "In all honesty, I'm surprised you know Japanese, or any second language at all. Even as a kid I'd think language acquisition would be tough for someone with only one brain cell."
"You wanna fucking die shitty cook?"
Vivi quickly made her way over. "Maybe I should show you your room, Zoro. You can put your stuff away and, uhm, get some rest. I can wake you up when the food's done?"
Zoro complied and followed her down the hall. A nap sounded perfect.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sanji's cheek was resting on the hard surface of his desk.
Chaka and Pell had been recalled to Alabasta the night Zoro had brought his stuff over to Vivi's apartment. Sanji had hoped to take advantage of their absence and convince Vivi to let him stay to protect her chastity from the ogre. Said ogre had wrestled him out the door before Vivi could answer and had locked Sanji out.
He grimaced at the employee evaluation sheets in front of his nose and instead looked past the edge of the desk, beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows, and out at the ocean.
Somewhere out of view Vivi and Robin were undoubtedly spending the day at the film set, helping the actors gain a deeper understanding of their characters.
That idiot swordsman is probably there too. Sanji couldn't get over the fact that Zoro was not only Vivi's bodyguard; he was her live-in bodyguard.
He gets to spend all day with that beautiful free-spirit. The lucky moss-headed bastard… grass-haired…astro-turf…moldy…
He squinted out at the boats and faraway trees, looking for inspiration.
Zoro was constantly coming up with new insults for Sanji, but Sanji had found himself reusing the same handful of nicknames. He had run out.
His eyes drifted to the bright computer screen in front of him.
A few minutes of googling left Sanji with two conclusions:
One: 'moss' had no acceptable synonyms
Two: 'green things' was a Save The Earth campaign
Sanji had considered insulting him in French, but the French word for 'moss' was 'mousse'.
It was unsatisfying.
Plus, he can't be upset about an insult if he can't understand it.
And then Sanji remembered that Zoro had said he was Japanese. That he knew Japanese.
Two clicks later and Sanji found himself staring at an image of a green ball of fuzz.
Japanese moss ball: marimo Sanji stared at the caption for another second.
Something this perfect can't possibly exist.
"Ma-ri-mo… marimo." He smiled.
It rolled off his tongue.
Footnotes:
[1]: Generally, sake is watered down and the alcohol content is reduced, but "Genshu or "cask strength" means this sake is full strength (19.9% alcohol), not watered down" (thanks BevMo!)