For the OP fic for all, Prompt request - "Sanji as a Host Club member."


All in a Night's Work

.

She was always first.

Not that he even minded of course, Nami-swan was one of his most loyal customers. And a refreshing change to the shy, lonely women that normally frequented his company. Nami was anything but shy, or lonely, she just needed to spend some time away from it all.

"Thank you, Sanji-kun."

She was always so kind to him, even while she was ranting to him about her evil boss or irritating friend or her sister's bullheadedness. Not wanting to disrupt her venting, Sanji would be the good host he always was and smile and nod and listen.

"I mean, how can he just cut my wages like that? I've been saving that money for years and years and to just take it back from me? After I do so much for him?"

"He's clearly a fool for treating such a brilliant staff member so badly."

She had demons, he had always known this. But as close as they were, Sanji had never pried, never tried to soothe those pains from her heart. He was just a friend, and those hurts could only be satisfied by love. He just needed to listen, to reassure and try and distract her thoughts wherever possible. Mostly, he found that an impossible task as Nami was one of the smartest women he'd ever met.

"Thank you Sanji-kun. These cakes are delicious, by the way. Did you make them?"

"Of course. Only the best for one as beautiful as you."

And he meant it. He meant all the kind things he told his women, even some of the men, but Nami was Nami.

She was more than his guest, she was his friend. It was her who recommended to him this job as a host, knowing his kindness and manners, not to mention good looks, would make him a hit with the customers. Owner Robin was particularly pleased with him joining, as not only did he host but cooked the sweet treats they served the guests as well.

"So Sanji-kun, I should get going, Luffy will be waiting for me. How long are you working tonight?"

He smiled up as his red haired angel, dreaming of what could have happened if he weren't such an idiot and she hadn't found the arms of one who could ease those nightmares that he could never battle.

"2 o'clock tonight. We're not too busy though, you're my only regular."

She smiled at him, winking devilishly.

"I should think so too, you're my Sanji-kun after all. You should come round soon; Luffy's been missing your food."

She waves, and leaves, and the weight he helped carry just slightly sagged her shoulders once more, as she left to fight her daily battles. He prayed that Luffy would save her before it's too late.


He couldn't remember most of his customers; they normally just paid for some nice drinks, and warm smile and company and then moved on. The first male of the evening certainly caught his attention.

He looked quite young, and nervous. He was looking around tentatively, a betrayed glance looking over to young Chopper who was talking to Owner Robin again. So this was another the doctor dragged along, huh? Sanji's ability to piece things together was sharp. He placed a drink down in front of the boy and smirked.

"So, Chopper didn't want to come by himself, did he?"

"Wha! Ah, no, he persuaded me to come too."

"So why choose me, Mr...?"

"Usopp, my name's Usopp. And you looked the kindest."

Sanji liked this kid. He was instantly likable, and that was a great feature in someone he was being paid to spend time with. His long nose was an interesting feature, and the way he fidgeted suggested he still wasn't quite comfortable, like he was fighting with himself to talk or run.

"Calm down, okay? Chopper doesn't normally bother Robin for too long. Just enjoy your drink."

The glass trembled as the boy nodded, gulping down the drink. Even the way he held his glass show insecurity, nervousness over his own self, something Sanji was fortunately never troubled with. Usopp looked like he wanted to talk, to mention something he felt forbidden to ask. Sanji's hosting skills never missed a beat.

"So, what do you want to ask me?"

Usopp almost fell out of his chair; fortunately Sanji's foot caught him just in time.

"Oh, um...it's nothing really; just Chopper told me you were really popular here."

Sanji couldn't help the blush.

"I was hoping you could give me some advice"

"I'd be happy to help you if I can Usopp, but you need to stop beating about the bush and tell me."

And tell he did. Usopp began weaving a spellbinding tale, of a fragile young woman who Usopp had cared for and now loved, and that their difference in class and behaviour made him nervous to express his feelings. It was more like listening to a poet preach of love and beauty than a simply story of young love.

"How do I get Kaya to like me?"

The nervousness again, and it almost made Sanji laugh because it was unusual for someone to pay for his time just to ask him for help, And Usopp was so predictably scared he almost kicked himself for not noticing earlier.
"Just be yourself Usopp. From what you've just told me, she's already in love with you. Just be brave and take that first step."

His warm smile, blue eyes sparking like magic, and Usopp seemed reassured. He would've explained more but Usopp's drink was finished and Chopper was calling from across the room.

Usopp smiled, and it wasn't anxious or worried, simply grateful. Sanji knew the kid' be okay.


It wasn't until half past one did anyone else remotely interesting arrive.

They were mostly empty now, just a few regulars talking to their favourites. Sanji was about to leave his booth when Owner Robin's voice perked up.

A male again, one that Sanji would never have assumed needed to come to a host bar for company. Broad muscles were hidden under a trench coat, hunched over in the corner of the booth with his head in his hands.
Sanji swallowed. He'd seen plenty of things but this was different.

"Do you want something to-"

"Sake. Just bring the bottle."

The voice was harsh, hard, and tired. And it made something inside Sanji twist.

The man, he learnt, was called Zoro. He didn't say much, but when his sharp eyes glanced up to meet Sanji's he knew why he was here.

Pain. Similar to Nami-sans, but at the same time entirely different. She was trying to vent, to get over her upset. He simply wanted to forget. But Sanji couldn't let him just sit there, so he had to ask the questions instead.

"So what's a guy like you doing in here?"

"You're open, you sell booze."

"Plenty of places stay open this time of night."

"...I've exhausted most of my sources."

He drank again, guzzled Sake like water, as if trying to drown the memories. It clearly wasn't healthy, and Sanji couldn't help but worry. With a wave, Zoro was requesting another bottle. When he set it down, Sanji frowned.

"You shouldn't drink that much, it can't be good for you."

"...I didn't pay to have someone bitch at me. Just shut up"

"Why come to a host club and not want me to talk? You drink like you need to let something out."

He didn't even answer, just closed his eyes and downed the next bottle. Feeling brave, Sanji questioned relentlessly.

"What are you running from?"

The bottle slammed, and dark, angry eyes bore into his very soul. Sanji saw the pain, loss, and was it guilt? All swimming around and it threw him. This guy had demons alright, and if he didn't talk they would kill him. He opened his mouth and quietly asked the one question his senses voiced for him.

"Who was she?"

A strong hand flexed around the sake bottle, and Zoro sighed and closed the eyes, breaking connection, and began.

If Usopp's story was told like some form of art, Zoro's was not. It was simple, and honest, and somehow that hurt Sanji even more. The man talked of a girl, a rivalry that bloomed almost into love. Then an accident, that he tried to stop but couldn't, and a young kid who could never be forgiven for what he'd unintentionally done.

Sanji wanted to console him, wanted to do something to ease the suffering that was in Zoro's voice. But he wasn't Nami, couldn't be made to forget with kind words, and couldn't be reassured with truth like Usopp. Kindness would be shrugged off; honesty could possibly break him more.

So Sanji just poured the sake and sat, watching the man drink the memories away. And Sanji knew that he would do the same, the next time he needed to forget, a horrendous cycle that was nothing constructive. But their time together was running short, so Sanji just gave himself one shot to help him.

"What would she say to this?"

The sharp, though slightly dull by now, eye glinted at him. "What?"

"What would she say, to know you've given up and taken to drinking yourself into a stupor instead?"

He didn't answer, gazing at the bottle in thought.

"I think she'd want you to move on. She wouldn't want your life ruined because of her."

There was still no response from the green haired man, and Sanji just left him to finish brooding; his shift was over.

When he left the bar to find the green haired man waiting for him, Sanji smiled. Maybe he could still help this one after all.

-.-.-