I really don't think my cat wants me to submit this… He's been attacking my computer all day. Probably just trying to get my attention. But he's adorable so it's okay. Anyway thanks everybody for sticking with me! Updates are going to be slightly less-frequent this week because of Xmas and stufflets. I'll try to keep up a decent pace though. Although Neko and I are starting to run out. Don't be too sad when we do… because you'll get more eventually, it'll just take longer between updates.
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Quantum Collisions
Chapter IX
Falling Back but Pushing Forward
Sanji felt a little odd walking out of the hotel holding the swordsman's hand. Not that he was embarrassed, it was just odd at his age to be holding hands with someone else. It seemed a bit high-school crush-ish of Zoro, something he'd never expected of the idiot Marimo.
"Hey, Zoro. Is Jacques restaurant okay? I think your friend is still hungry…" Sanji, instinctively heading in that direction.
There were no protests to going back to Jacques restaurant. Zoro liked it there after all. And Luffy just beamed at the mention of a restaurant, chanting food over and over and he bounced around the two, following where Sanji was leading them. Zoro was still holding onto Sanji's hand possessively though his hold lessen to the point that he let go when they walked further away from the hotel.
It was a short walk to the restaurant as it was, and with Luffy hurrying them along and chanting his single-word mantra of "FOOD!" all the way it didn't take long for the three-man troop to arrive at the familiar restaurant.
Sanji ushered them in, the usual bell tingling softly as the door opened. There were several other people in the restaurant and Sanji was glad that they'd missed the lunch rush or they might not have been able to get a table at all. Though the place didn't look assuming, with it's simple façade and awning and humble interior, it really was well-known among locals.
Luffy looked over the place briefly, a grin appearing on his face in approval. Seeing as Sanji had taken them here, this place HAD to serve good food! Zoro felt the same familiar ease he had felt the last time he came here, compared to the grand dinning halls of the hotel. It really was more at home and comfortable here. Zoro frowned when thinking about the hotel. He was still booked to stay there until the competition was over. All his stuff was still there! But, with Sanji no longer working there, he was reluctant to spend another night in that place. Later, maybe he should look around for another place…
The three sat down at a small table, not waiting to be sat by a waiter as Sanji knew full-well Jacques didn't employ any. The man was so particular about whom he hired.
"So… What does everyone want?" Sanji asked, not really bothering to ask for a menu. Jacques was already busy, he didn't really need to bother him for a menu when he was sure that Zoro could even read one anyway.
"Everything!" Luffy beamed, stretching his arms out over his head. This resulted in Zoro smacking him upset the head and growling at him a little. Luffy pouted in protest, rubbing where he'd been hit. He then huffed like a child that had been told off and didn't like it.
"Ok ok I'll have…. Anything with a lot of meat!" he said instead. Zoro guessed that was an improvement to his earlier wish for everything. Zoro thought for a second before replying to Sanji. "I'll just have what I ate last time," he replied. Though a small smirk played on his lips. "Either that or you can make me something instead. Since Luffy ate my 'personally made by you' meal last time,"
Sanji was about to interject some witty remark in response to Zoro when Jacques' deep voice spoke first.
"Bonjour Jacques." Sanji greeted the man.
The man stood beside their table, a wide grin on his tanned, stubbly face. "Two days in a row Sanji, some one must be rather special." Jacques spoke perfect English, although his accent was undeniably French, eyeing Zoro smugly.
Though Sanji blushed slightly, his smile didn't fade as he shot some retort back at the man in French.
Zoro hadn't noticed Jacques at all, too focused on the blonde sitting next to him. When hearing his speak Zoro was a little surprised to hear him speak English, perfectly even, since all he heard from the man so far was French. The restaurant owner's comment caused Zoro to look away and frown, embarrassed though a hint of a blush appeared on his cheeks. He chanced a glance over to Sanji to see his own reaction and listened as he said something in French. Luffy merely sat there and observed the others, before losing his patience and chanted "FOOD!"
Both Sanji and Jacques laughed at Luffy's one-worded request. Jacques turning to look at Sanji as if to ask if Luffy should be taken seriously, Sanji shrugged and nodded. Jacques, evidently having taken a liking to Luffy.
"Oui, Food it is then." He said with a laugh before heading back into the kitchens.
The young looking man cheered for all to hear, excited that he'd soon be getting fed. Zoro was unable to withhold a laugh of his own at Luffy's delight. Luffy certainly did brighten the mood easily. Maybe it was good that he was here. Zoro turned his gaze but to Sanji. He seemed fine enough, content and happy in their company. However there was a nagging feeling that just wouldn't go away, saying that he must be troubled about losing his job. And it was Zoro's fault. The green haired swordsman felt like he should make it up to him somehow. But was clueless as to how. Maybe once they were alone, away from Luffy's attention grabbing behaviour, he could actually talk about it all with Sanji.
Though why he was getting so worked up about it troubled him and frustrated him. He wasn't one for caring about other people's problems. It was their's, they could deal with it themselves. But Sanji… Sanji certainly was different. If anything was wrong with him Zoro felt an impulsive need to make it better or to even sort the problem out there and then. It was frightening to realize this, given the sort amount of time they'd known each other. Just one day. It terrified to think how he'd feel within a week or so! Or maybe a month… a year!
Wait, why was he thinking like that? He was only in New York for a couple of weeks. He'd be going home as soon as the tournament was over. Right…?
Sanji remained immune to Zoro's inner turmoil. Aware only of his own odd lack of worry. He really couldn't explain it, he should have been feeling some kind of remorse for being fired, at least some kind of anger at Zoro. But there was a distinct lack of either. Sanji couldn't help but smile and enjoy his 'day-off'.
"So, Luffy. How did you end up in New York?"
The young looking man managed to sit still long enough to pay attention to Sanji and answer his question. He grinned and told Sanji what he had told Zoro when the swordsman had first seen him in his room. "I got on a plane and flew here! I was bored at home, it's no fun without Zoro around!" he beamed, showing his obvious affection for his best friend. Having been brought up together it was no surprise. Though hearing of someone flying across the country just to see a friend JUST because they missed them and were bored was a little odd. But it was Luffy. Luffy did that sort of thing.
From what little Sanji knew of Luffy, he could see that Luffy would be the kind of person to just spontaneously hop on a plane to meet his best friend. Although how Luffy had the money to do some those kind of actions regularly was beyond him.
It was equally obvious how close Luffy and Zoro were, and Sanji couldn't help but become slightly jealous. The result of growing up together Sanji supposed. There wasn't much he could do about the fact that he'd never had that type of relationship, nor ever would.
The three fell into a relatively comfortable silence, the background noise of the restaurant and Luffy's occasional anxious outbreaks that quickly changed to squeals of joy as Jacques brought out their food. Quite a larger portion than normal, Sanji noted, Jacques obviously taking Luffy's zeal as serious hunger. With the usual 'Bon Appetite' he left them with their respective meals and drinks.
Unsurprisingly Luffy cheered when receiving the food and happily dug in and enjoyed himself. Noisily eating. Zoro didn't waste any time either, realising just how hungry he was now that there was a decent plate of food in front of him. Half way into the meal something caught his eye though. And he twitched when realising what it was. Without hesitating he slammed his fork into the table, it inches from Luffy's sneaky fingers that had tried to steal some of the swordsman's food. "Hands OFF Luffy," Zoro growled. Despite having been so close to getting a fork in his hand, the other whined and pouted. His own plate was empty already. "But Zoro! It was so good!" he whined.
Sanji laughed at the antics of the other two, a mischievous grin forming on his face as used Luffy's adequate distraction to steal a small bit of Zoro's food, his pale hand dipping under the swordsman's arm to reach his plate.
Zoro had been so focused on Luffy's own thieving hands that he hadn't noticed Sanji's little move until it was too late. He blinked, surprised that the blonde had done so and also managed to succeed since normally Zoro was so defensive of his food. He frowned at the other but it slowly formed into a pout. "You're damn lucky Eyebrow," he warned. "If I'd caught you you'd have a fork stuck in your hand by now,"
"Yeah, maybe…" Sanji quipped back at Zoro, licking the last of the residual sauce from his lips. "If you'd caught me Marimo."
It was strange how fast they'd fallen into a comfortable relationship, although there were still so many unknowns looming in the distance.
The swordsman was unable to think up of a decent come back to that, mostly because he'd been too busy watching the blonde lick his lips clean. His mind completely went else where. It was only Luffy's constant wiggling and whining for food that drew Zoro out of his trance like state. The green haired man snarled down at his friend and kicked his chair further away from his, Luffy nearly losing balance and topping over with the chair.
"Alright you two." Sanji said, masking a laugh. "Stop it. If you're finished I'll take your plates back to the kitchens. I have to talk to Jacques for a few minutes anyway." The blond stood, taking the his own empty plate as well as Zoro's and managing easily to balance the multiple that Luffy had nearly licked-clean.
The two watched wordlessly as the blonde walked off, Luffy merely watching while Zoro's eyes were focused more lower, to Sanji's ass, hips and legs. Once the blonde was out of sight the two glanced at each other. Luffy grinned while Zoro frowned and swiftly turned away, refusing to let the other see him begin to blush.
"Don't," Zoro warned. "Just don't," But Luffy would not be put off so easily.
"So you got yourself a boyfriend now? That was quick, you've only been here a day!" he beamed.
This only earned Zoro yelling in his direction and causing his hat to fly off his head. "HE'S NOT!!!" There was a pulsing vein on the swordsman's forehead and he had a look that would easily make a normal man quiver in fear. Luffy wasn't normal though. He looked confused and uncertain in Zoro's answer.
"He's not? But you like each other right?" he pointed out the obvious. And with that Zoro looked down and frowned deeply. Yes, they did like each other. He liked Sanji very much. Too much. So… what, WERE they boyfriends?! What the hell?!
It wasn't long before Sanji sauntered out of the kitchens, the doors swinging loosely behind him. "Miss me?" The blond teased, he remained standing beside the table.
"Had a bit to work out with the chef, all things considered."
Zoro had a bit, but like hell he was going to sit there and admit that and say something so sappy and embarrassing. He was half considering saying 'Like hell' but then felt that wouldn't do either. So he just didn't response. Luffy on the other had grinned when seeing the blonde walk over. He tilted his head like a curious dog at Sanji's explanation. "Work out? What you mean?" he asked.
"Nothing too important. There were just some things that needed to be discussed." Sanji said, though there was no malice in his words there was an air of finality. He had contemplated telling them the whole story: That he'd asked Jacques for his old job back, to which, of course, the elder man had given it to him. But Zoro seemed intent on blaming himself that he'd been fired, and Sanji hardly like the idea of a guilt-laden Zoro moping about all day.
The young looking man didn't question further, he merely nodded and accepted Sanji's answer. He stood sharply and stretched his arms above his head, then patted his stomach happily. He had seriously enjoyed the food here. Maybe he should put in a good word for this place. He kept that little thought to himself though.
"Well, I'm gonna go back to the hotel! Let you two have some time to yourselves," Luffy said out of the blue.
That caught the swordsman by surprise. He jerked up right in his seat and stared wide eyed at his friend. Wait, he was willingly letting them be alone together? Was that a good or bad thing? Zoro didn't dare look up at Sanji to see his own reaction. Though, Zoro was wondering just what Luffy was going back to the hotel for. So he asked him.
"Why you going back to the hotel? You didn't book a room and I sure as hell aren't going back soon," Zoro confessed. Luffy grinned at that.
"That's why! I'll pack your stuff up for ya o it's all ready when you find some other place to sleep!" Oh yeah, just where the hell WAS he gonna stay the rest of the week?
Sanji flushed slightly at Luffy's comment, although the action was largely hidden by the curtain of satiny blond hair. Maybe Luffy wasn't as oblivious as he'd taken him to be.
"There's quite a few more hotels down this road. You should be able to get in just about any of them if you drop the Marimo's name. I doubt they'd turn away a high-profile client, no matter how full they are." Sanji added, a little shocked that the two weren't staying at the Silver Horse any longer. Although Sanji felt oddly warm to know that Zoro didn't wish to stay there any longer.
"Which one is the least fancy?" Zoro said, looking annoyed at the constant use of the marimo nickname. He hoped that there was a hotel that felt more comfortable like this place did. He didn't care what others thought, or that his sensei would so nuts when realizing he'd given up his room at the Silver Horse. He just didn't want to be surrounded by rich snobs anymore.
Luffy crossed his thin arms over his chest, looking deep in thought which was an alien look on his normally carefree face. He then shrugged and said something that startled and scared the crap out of the swordsman. "Why don't you let Zoro stay with you?" he asked innocently enough.
Zoro grabbed Luffy by the collar and growled like an animal. "Don't be stupid!!! We've only just met!!" he told his best friend. Seriously, Luffy could be so… so… Gah, it was just Luffy. He didn't think things over at all! He always said the first things that came out of his mouth.
Sanji laughed, if only to cover up the surprise at Luffy's blatant comment.
"You could… I suppose. Although I live in a pretty small apartment, and it's not really on this side of town. You'd probably be too far away from your tournament site…" Sanji said, not completely adverse to the idea of stay with him for the rest of the week. The thoughts of what they could do in that interim of time had his insides twisting in an embarrassingly pleasing way. Although on the other hand, Sanji'd rather not have Zoro seeing his apartment. It wasn't very large and it was hardly his preferred voice of living space, if Zoro saw it he'd probably just feel guiltier at himself.
The fact that Sanji hadn't out right rejected the notion startled Zoro. He'd expected him to look at Luffy weirdly like it was a moron for even suggesting it. Though, yes, he hadn't exactly said YES… he hadn't said NO either. The blonde made it possible for Zoro to step in and have his say, whether it he objecting to the idea of staying with him or arguing that he didn't mind the distance away.
However, Zoro never got a say in the matter. Luffy stepped in once again, wide grin on his face. "That doesn't matter! Zoro won't mind travelling a little to get there!" Luffy announced, obviously oblivious to Zoro's habit of easily getting lost. He patted the green haired sword's shoulder again and again, the grin still on his face. "It's settled! Instead of hotel, you stay with Sanji!" the young looking boy then added, out of the blue- "I'd feel better knowing you're staying with someone nice like Sanji. I'll know you're happy!"
That comment halted any objection Zoro might have said. He stared up at his best friend, seeing Luffy's sincere feelings on the matter. And sighed, in surrender, knowing there was no use in arguing with Luffy. Zoro just looked over to Sanji, silently asking if it truly was ok to stay with him
Sanji shrugged. If Zoro had no objections he didn't really mind. Although the thought of the Marimo's reaction to his small apartment lingered in the back of his mind, maybe he'd ask Conis if she could stop by and make sure that everything was decent…
The blond paled slightly at the thought of the woman. He hoped she and Chopper were both okay, the chef had been fuming when he'd walked out on him. Sanji hoped the man wouldn't be able to do anything to the two of them, after all, there were certain things that just couldn't be done. The Silver Horse was above a lot of things but it wasn't completely above the law…
Some how he couldn't help but worry.
So it really was settled? He'd be living with Sanji for the week before the tournament. Zoro's felt his stomach do odd and weird things, he feeling anxious to be that close to him and to be in his very home! Seeing how graceful and elegent Sanji seemed, Zoro had this image in his head of a fancy apartment that was large and modern. A place where he'd feel uncomfortable just like in the hotel. He wondered if Sanji had a guest room or if the blonde planned for him to… share? Zoro halted that line of thinking straight away!
Luffy was happy that Sanji hadn't argued. He felt that this would be for the best, seeing how the two acted around each other. He adjusted the straw-hat on his head as he spoke. "Ok! I'll go pack your stuff Zoro! I'll be real quick about it!" and before anyone could say anything, the child like man was out the door and swiftly making his way to the Silver Horse Hotel.
Sanji watched Luffy take off in the direction of the hotel, half expecting the hyper-active brunette to take off the wrong way. Never the less, Luffy did seemingly have a fairly decent grasp of direction and Sanji stopped worrying, he had enough on his mind at the moment. Not the least of those things being the muscular marimo who was to be staying with him for the week.
Sanji quirked a brow upwards in bemused confusion. "Is he always like that?"
"Yep," was Zoro's simple answer, his own dark eyes having followed the other leaving also. Luffy was such a strange one. One minute he was acting worse than a hungry monkey and the next he would say something so smart or insightful that it was like he was a completely different person. Luffy was just… Luffy. Always had, always would be. The swordsman picked at the table cloth, his gaze now down as he spoke to the blonde next. Zoro had a slight frown on his face, though it was becoming clear that that expression was just his normal look.
"If you don't want me, just say so. A hotel's fine," he said bluntly. He had to admit he liked the idea of staying with Sanji for a week, but he didn't want to go if Sanji had only agreed purely because Luffy had sort of forced him into it.
"It's not that I don't want you, Marimo." Sanji said, with a slight smirk, flicking a pale finger into the center of Zoro's forehead. Sanji leaned forward across the table, so that he was close enough to Zoro to whisper while still being heard. "If I recall I wasn't the one who stopped last night."
That hadn't been what Zoro meant, but hearing the blonde say that caused a warm jolt to travel through his body and then focus around his groin area. When Sanji leaned closer to whisper and remind him of their activities the previous night he couldn't stop the shiver that ran through him. Memories flooded his mind and Zoro found himself craving Sanji more than usual. He felt it unfair that he alone felt like this. He smirked and leaned even closer, so his lips just barely brushed against the blonde's ear. His breath tickled as he whispered in his deep voice. "Disappointed that I stopped?" he teased. He felt a strange burst of confidence and mischief and so flicked his tongue out to trace Sanji's earlobe. "We can easily pick up where we left off whenever you want,"
Sanji's smile widened at the swordsman's words. Zoro had certainly been successful in getting a few distinct shivers to run down the blond's body. He was oh so very close to crawling fully across the table and the rest of the occupants of the restaurant could be damned if they didn't enjoy the show, although Sanji remembered distinctly that he now worked at this restaurant and Jacques, as well-humored as he was, probably wouldn't appreciate their display. But that was no reason that he couldn't play along.
"You're not even going to buy me a drink first?"
A laugh escaped from Zoro, a large grin following. He sat back just a little, enough so they could actually view each other's faces now. "Hmm… guess I should," It was the least he could do, seeing as he'd affected Sanji's life a lot since meeting him. He'd caused him to lose his job, which, ok he didn't seem all that concerned about but was still a big event and also he would be imposing on him in his own home. So, he owed him at least a drink!
"Know any decent bars?" Zoro asked curiously. If they were back home, Zoro would have taken him to a few of his favourite places, all of switch were… rather intimidating to most. He was interested to see Sanji's choice in bars.
Sanji sat back in his chair, tapping at his cheek lightly with his fingertip. Truth be told, he wasn't often seen in bars, he preferred his drink with fine food, but he certainly wasn't about to decline Zoro's offer. "Can't think of any off the top of my head. But I'm sure if we wander around long enough we should find someplace acceptable?"
That didn't surprise Zoro, he was half expecting it. He merely nodded with a grin on his face, agreeing that that was the best bet. "That sounds fine by me," he told the other. After that his eyes wondered a little, studying Sanji once again in his casual wear. He cursed the table briefly in his mind, wishing that it wasn't there so he could stare at the blonde's unbelievably long legs. Legs that had proven to have a hell of a lot of power in them. Which, to Zoro, made Sanji all the more arousing.
Sanji stood, pushing the chair in behind him. The blond noted Zoro's gaze as it drifted over his body, but he didn't say anything to make the marimo stop. At one point, he'd stopped caring. At this point, he'd stopped responding with snarky comments. Although he doubted they would ever stop completely, he'd give Zoro a break temporarily.
With Sanji now standing Zoro got the view he had wanted before, able to watch the way the blonde's legs moved and hips sway ever so slightly while moving the chair in under the table. The green haired swordsman was slow to respond, he seemingly in a trance already. Though he sooner or later snapped out of it, shaking his head a little and stood also. Time to go get a drink. Though a thought came to him suddenly. He'd almost forgot, despite Luffy only been gone for a few minutes.
"What about my stuff?" he asked. It would be rather hard to get his belongings from Luffy if the child like man didn't know where they were going or where they were.
"Ah." Sanji said, nodding curtly. He'd completely forgotten as well. "What should we do about that? I've got a spare key there, do you think Luffy could find his way there if I gave his directions?"
"He found his way to the hotel so… probably," Zoro confirmed. How the hell Luffy managed to find his hotel was belond Zoro. One day he'd actually have to ask, since he hadn't given the boy any details or directions or anything! And yet he somehow ended up in his hotel room. It was a little scary actually. But, the scary part of it aside, it was good that Luffy COULD do that. It meant they wouldn't have to wait around and Zoro could start having a good time with Sanji.
"Alright, good. You've got a phone right?" Sanji asked, taking the offered phone from Zoro's hand and scrolling through to find the contact labeled 'Luffy".
Sanji had to hold the receiver about a foot away from his ear when the younger man picked up, and even then, Sanji doubted he'd be able to hear right for a few hours. After an explanation as to why he had Zoro's phone, the blond was able to convey their plan easily enough to Luffy and he seemed to understand as Sanji relayed him the directions.
Luffy took in everything Sanji told him and at the end told Sanji that he'd easily find his place. He then proceeded to tell them to go and have fun and take their time, whatever it was they were planning on doing without him. Zoro was able to caught a little of the conversation despite Luffy being on the other line and it caused his tanned cheeks to redden slightly. He was grateful that Sanji was more focused on the phone conversation than on his surroundings, it gave him a chance to calm himself and for his cheeks to cool down. Once all was done Zoro took his phone back with a 'thanks' and then a smirk appeared on his face. "Ready to go?"
"I would think so." Sanji smiled as they exited the restaurant, waving a goodbye to Jacques as the pair left, the dark-haired man giving his friend a knowing smile.
End Chapter IX
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This might be one of my least favorite chapters…. Although I'm not sure, the next one might be I'm not sure. These two are a little awkward – at least I don't like them as much, things get a little spotty. Mostly because Neko and I couldn't think of anything to progress the story from here for awhile – god we were so brain dead. It was kind of silly.
