XX.
Sanji gave in eventually, relaxing his shoulders. His mind was finally calm, shocked into it by Zoro's sudden display of affection. Of affection. Zoro was kissing him. He had moved in, took his lips and was kissing him. Sanji's heart was going to rip out of his chest, if, of course, the feverish red of his face didn't kill him first. It was an unusual feeling, but all the same a growing calm spread and consumed him whole. Zoro didn't back away and neither did he.
Slowly, Sanji's hand acted on its own, raising up in a sorry attempt to push him away, but Zoro's own found it first, gently holding him by the wrist. Zoro grazed against the back of his neck and was deepening his hold on Sanji, ensnaring him, and Sanji didn't resist. Sanji hadn't asked for or anticipated such a kiss, but he wasn't exactly complaining. He was speechless. And with his eyes closed like this, he couldn't help but recognize a feeling in it. The same he'd felt on the rare occasions they'd brought up what they'd decide once they were here in France. What they might have planned if things were back to a reasonable normal.
It was unreasonable to think Sanji didn't need air, but as much as his lungs burned he didn't want to pull away so quickly. It was selfish and he knew he'd beat himself up about it later, but he wanted to hold onto whatever this feeling was just a moment longer. It was new to him, but at the same time it felt like something he'd had for a while, but hadn't allowed himself to experience. Of course, that was an unreasonable request. He opened his eyes again and whatever temporary enchantment Zoro used used on him was shattered. There was nothing that was more effective as a cock block than Sanji kissing his own damn face.
Sanji's senses flooded back to him, as did reality. This wasn't some kind of romance drama. Reacting fast, he shoved Zoro off him, gasping out for air and covering his mouth like an embarrassed schoolgirl. It wasn't his finest moment, but fuck, what was that? It wasn't like he'd never been kissed before, what was the need for a whole damn romantic montage where time seemed to stop? He bared his teeth, ready to lash out and curse Zoro's brains off, but stopped, noticing the genuine smile on the bastard's face.
Smiles usually weren't bad things, except for some reason it made everything about that kiss ten times worse. What a manipulative Marimo! What was his intention, pulling some kind of stunt like that? What, did he think if he kissed Sanji like they did in the movies, he'd just shut up and drop the subject? Sanji rubbed and scrapped at his lips. He'd just made out with himself, his own damn face! And on top of it, the sacred lady-loving lips on his body had been tarnished thanks to Zoro, using them to kiss himself, a man! While he was naked! How on earth wasn't Sanji foaming at the mouth?
"What was that?!" Sanji spat out. He watched in horror as Zoro's smile transformed into a smug smirk. "I swear I'm going to kill you."
It didn't help Sanji's brain still wasn't functioning at normal speed. He was angry and flustered, that was a given, but what was Sanji supposed to do after saying such an empty threat? He wasn't going to actually kill him, of course, but what other option did he have? Why was his brain so slow? Sanji wasn't one for punching, either, it didn't sit right with him when it was his face that could come under fire, so instead he settled with lashing his arm out around Zoro's neck, putting him in a headlock.
It seemed to shock Zoro, who instantly resisted by cursing out his favorite Japanese phrases that Sanji had long learned were insults. His arms went up to push Sanji away, but of course, this was an opportunity where the upper body strength of Zoro's body bit him in his own ass.
"You liked!" Zoro growled out, pushing his hand against Sanji's face, turning his face more toward Sanji to shoot a glare. It encouraged Sanji to tighten his grip, just a smidge.
Sanji grunted. "Who the hell enjoys kissing themselves, asshole?!"
Taken by surprise, Sanji only had seconds to realize what Zoro would do next. One moment, he felt the shove to his knee, taking away his balance, then he felt how Zoro's hand was under his chin now, pushing him away and sending him toward the floor. Then of course, because it was Zoro, there was over kill when he gave a strike to his midsection, insuring Sanji splashed back on his ass on the bathroom's floor. Because, what could be more embarrassing than that kiss then being knocked down by your own body, yeah? What did this guy have, some kind of black belt too? Really, Sanji needed to catch up on this kind of crap.
Sanji winced, hand on his midsection and rubbing at his head. At least there wasn't blood, last thing he needed was to be red and green like fucking Christmas. "Fucking ninja."
Zoro crouched down in front of him, still smug. "You mad, shit cook?"
Sanji glowered. The bastard wasn't the only one who had tricks, Sanji's just weren't as technical. He would show that, swinging his leg against the floor and catching Zoro off his balance and knocking him back as well. It was amusing, since Zoro was still very nude, but also bittersweet since he'd harmed his own body. Oh well, chances were he wouldn't be returning to a bruised ass anytime soon.
Both of them groaned to themselves while they tried getting back to their feet for any further rounds. It was sort of pathetic, but they were both out of commission and didn't have their usual assets to have a truly fair fight. However, it didn't seem like they'd have to worry about it anymore. A very aggravated, ticked off yell from downstairs promptly ended all fighting. Zeff had returned home and wasn't very happy about what mess Sanji hadn't yet cleaned up.
Sanji cursed under his breath. He was getting to it, damn it. Quickly he scrambled to finish up. Zoro picked up on his urgency, thankfully, and moved to help. Except, whenever Zoro wanted to help - which was rare enough - it only made matters worse. Especially when, at that moment, of all the moments it could have happened, he forgot he wasn't some kind of ghost person. You'd think the sore ass would have reminded him of that, but no. In the end they ended up colliding yet again, ass on wet tile and both still very fucking wet. A truly great way for Sanji to spend his first hour back home.
-0-
If Sanji thought about the things he wanted to do the first day he was back home, whether in his body or not, going through his stepdad's closet wouldn't have appeared on the list. Yet, here he had to be, going through an old bag of clothes Zeff never got around to donating. Which really was fortunate for Sanji at the moment. Thanks to the whatever in the bathroom, the clothes he'd been wearing since back in Japan got soaked and needed to dry, leaving him with few options.
Sanji couldn't even think of trying some of his own stuff to dress Zoro's body, so the next best thing would be hand me downs. Thus, why he was wearing some old baggy pants of his old man's and why his chest was bare while he looked for a suitable shirt. So far, though? Nothing but god awful Hawaiian themes. It made Sanji's skin crawl. He sighed, though, sitting back on the floor and tossing another reject shirt to the side. Mentally, he had to apologize to Zeff for being a little shit. He wasn't sure why things were this way, but he was certain it was only worse because a certain bastard was around. Yes, even now, he was playing the pointing game. Whatever helped him sleep at night, right?
He hissed under his breath, remembering again the reason why he was doing this. That damn kiss! No matter what he did, he still felt all weird on his lips and just... everywhere. It was a flashback to what happened in Zoro's bathroom in Japan, except very real and recent and more intense. What if he wasn't blushing, though? Zoro's body couldn't have been adjusted to France's environment yet, right? He was probably just dying, that made a lot more sense to Sanji anyway.
Sanji paused, making a face at a pattern with swirls on the shirt in his hand. Who let Zeff buy this kind of stuff before he was around? How ancient was this shit? Should Sanji start planning the intervention now, or later? So much confusion, why did he care anyway, it was only about dressing himself so that he could show his face downstairs.
Maybe it was because he was being watched, carefully, from the doorway. Sanji was trying not to look over in that direction for a reason. He wasn't over the k-i-s-s-i-n-g thing. At least Zoro had gotten dressed afterward without a fuss. Well, not totally, he felt the need to keep sending disapproving looks and pick at the clothes on him. The guy didn't know how lucky he was, getting to use Sanji's wardrobe, or have clothes that complimented his body. Sanji would trade in an instant. But nope, now he just got to chose between few evil patterns, all unflattering. First thing's first, though, he should stop checking himself out jealously and make a decision. Still, his eyes found their way over to Zoro.
Zoro happened to look up around the same time. His face was calm, his eyes looking Sanji over as he hadn't apparently been paying attention, too busy being annoyed by the shirt he was in. Interesting enough, the monstrosity in Sanji's hand caught his attention. He gestured his hand at it.
"Oi!" His face brightened, his eyes going to Sanji's. Was he literally making a grabby hands gesture right now. "Give!"
Sanji clenched his teeth, slowly looking down at the shirt in his hand again with swirls. Zoro had to be kidding him, he really wanted to wear this kind of shit? Hell no, Sanji was not even about to allow that, holding it a little closer, almost possessively. Then, his expression darkened, a realization settling on him. Unless, it wasn't about the shirt at all, but instead, its swirly pattern. What was this guy's issue with his eyebrows, huh?!
Silently, Sanji told Zoro off with his eyes before throwing the swirly patterned shirt back into the bag, his expression rather grump. He could've said some colorful things, but he didn't even want to talk to him right now. He found something else, something a bit simpler that wasn't too big to slip on.
In reality, he wasn't sure if he should be weirded out or not that some of his stepdad's older youthful stuff could fit Zoro. But really, he just tried not to think about it, only focusing on how it was a relief. Carefully, Sanji put everything back the way he'd found it, closing the closet softly before heading toward the doorway. He looked Zoro down, daring him to say something about the outfit choice, but Zoro didn't take any bait, too busy picking at the collar of the shirt he was wearing. Sanji rolled his eyes before nudging him in the direction of the kitchen.
Sanji stopped him before he could walk in, though, grabbing his arm and pulling him aside. Zoro sighed, scowling at Sanji. Still mad.
"I'm not going to talk to you anymore, but -" Sanji started, looking to the kitchen's entrance. "I need you to ask Zeff how things went."
It would be unnatural for Sanji not to worry about what happened with the billing situation. It was his fault they were deep in the financial hole now, wasn't it? Zoro stared at him, annoyed just the same, but seemed to be keeping up with what he was asking.
"You." Zoro pulled his arm free, heading toward the kitchen again. Then, once more, got snatched, snarling in the process.
"I can't do it, moron! Listen, do this for me, alright?" Sanji wasn't going to drop this. "He won't want to talk to me so you have to ask. How-" Sanji started, drawing the word out a bit to see if Zoro would try repeating it.
Zoro didn't seem thrilled, but he took a deep breath. "How."
"-did it go."
"How did it go?" Sanji was actually impressed, Zoro's parroting was getting better, even if it still had his awkward, kind of cute accent. NOT cute, that's what he meant. Regardless, Sanji was still mad, so he just nodded sternly and gestured that Zoro could go on ahead.
The kitchen was part of the housing building behind the restaurant and not the actual fish building itself. It was better that way, keeping both fridges separate for their meal planning and preps. It was significantly smaller than how big the other was, but it was enough and Zeff was standing right next to the counter's island. He was reading something, but stopped to look up and show his displeasure to both Sanji and the other idiot. Well, it made sense, who wouldn't be pissed that their house was nearly flooded in their absence?
Zeff moved around the island to approach them, but stopped, staring directly at Sanji's clothing choice. Of course he recognized his own stuff, but if he did, he didn't say anything about it. Hopefully, he shrugged it off as 'Sanji' finding his friend 'Zoro' something to wear. At least that's what Sanji was banking on.
"Yo." Zoro half waved to him and Sanji nearly face palmed. Idiot, there was nothing else to it, Zoro was an idiot. Zeff just stared.
The moment lasted longer than it should have, still very silent and awkward, no one really knowing what to say. Sanji nudged Zoro, who was standing next to him, to just go ahead with his new trick. Zoro flared his nostrils at him, cursing under his breath, before looking back to Zeff, a very uninterested expression on his face. It was exactly why Zoro shouldn't ever pursue an acting career.
"How it go?"
It wasn't exactly like Sanji had taught him, but still it was impressive given he'd only learned the correct way a few minutes ago. Sanji sighed, studying Zeff's expression anyway and hopeful for a good answer.
Zeff arched an eyebrow at Zoro before staring at Sanji. He wasn't amused by any means, probably seeing through their shitty ass plan, but still going along with it. He rubbed at the back of his neck, turning to walk back to the kitchen island and gesture to the paper he'd been reading. Zoro followed him, most likely interested in what he kept looking at, but Sanji stalled in following, stopping only on the other side of the counter.
"It went alright," he started, giving it a look over, then turning it so they could have a look if they wanted. "We're debt free now. We had a huge mystery donation last night for your fund."
"What?" the word flew out of Sanji's mouth in disbelief before he could completely understand. He looked down at the paper on the counter, reaching over and snatching it to stare at what was written. All of the debt that must've piled up was gone? Because someone on Facebook decided to pay for it? Who did he even know that was that rich? "How?"
Sanji lifted his gaze, catching sight of Zoro's and all of a sudden it seemed to become clear to the both of them. Robin. Who else could it have been? It totally fit her profile. It worried Sanji slightly, but if it was an anonymous donation, there was no way to prove it, no reason to waste effort worrying about it. Still, it only reminded him he really did need to thank her, big time.
Zeff skeptically looked between the two of them, but his perplexed expression stopped on Sanji. He reached over and took the paper back. "Why the hell are you so interested?"
Shit. That's right. To Zeff, Sanji just looked like the crazy guy who thinks he was Sanji, but was actually in fact supposed to be Zoro. Great, another weird situation to get himself out of.
"Uh, well, I..." he muttered out helplessly. This was bad and it didn't help that Zeff seemed to enjoy putting him in a tough spot. Shitty old geezer.
Zoro was pretty amused as well, leaning against the counter. He looked over next to him at Zeff and gestured to Sanji.
"Why?" Zoro questioned the old man's question, irritably coming to Sanji's rescue. "Boyfriend."
The bastard said it so casually, like it was something so obvious that Zeff should've remembered from before when Zoro first tried saying that shit. The hair on the back of Sanji's neck stood up at that. How could anyone believe that statement? Before he didn't want to acknowledge it with a reply because it was too stupid to deserve one, but this time - come on! The guy wasn't even using proper sentences. Who believed that?
To make matters worse, Zeff nodded a bit to himself, like that made complete sense. What the hell, were they teaming up against Sanji now or something? That wasn't even right. They were not allowed to get along.
"Anyway," Zeff changed the subject. "I figured a celebration dinner might be in order."
Celebration dinner? If that were the case, why would Zeff announce it? The old man was more of a guy who would have already had it done or at least started. Unless something was wrong and he still hadn't the motivation for it. That worried Sanji a lot, too. After all, because of him, Zeff had to deal with a lot of emotional stress.
Zoro nodded in understanding, but really, the idiot was hungry. Sanji couldn't blame him, he was too, they hadn't exactly eaten lunch, but still. The way Zeff kept looking to Sanji kept him anxious, like he was waiting for a moment to say something, to question his claims.
"It would be a perfect opportunity for convincing too, wouldn't it?" he said lowly, challenge in his tone.
Sanji swallowed thickly. Damn straight, with the right conditions it would be the perfect way to prove himself to his old man, except... flash backs to why he wasn't a cook in Japan. Zoro's hands were so damn strong and clumsy for such elegant work. Their muscle memory wanted to mince in a totally different way.
"What, can't cook? I can have Sanji here-" Zeff patted Zoro on the back. "Help you if you'd like. You would help him, right, eggplant?"
Zoro looked up at Zeff, having been lost. "Egg... what? Yes?" He even allowed Zeff to somehow guide him out from the other side of the kitchen island and toward Sanji, like he was a part of this. When really, it was between Sanji and his stepdad.
Way to put dirt in the wound, old man. Sanji shook his head. Whatever, a challenge was a challenge and Zoro wouldn't slow him down this time. "I can do it. What do you want, old man?"
Zeff chuckled to himself. "Whatever you want to show me."
Challenged accepted. Sanji dragged his new lackey with him to the fridge, shoving ingredients into Zoro's arms and providing no explanation, just doing so before moving to the pantry and doing a lot of the same. Next it all went onto the counter and off he was, looking for his tools he hadn't touched in forever. It was a relief to find them right where he remembered, still in the precise condition he'd left them in. Though, now wasn't exactly the time to stop and admire them, or ask for forgiveness for leaving them so suddenly.
Sanji started peeling and eyeballing his measurements. It had been a while, but he was anything but rusty in his craft. He'd studied cooking his whole life, a while as some idiot wouldn't take that away from him and he would prove it. Not to mention, this would be the first time he could shut Zoro up from calling him a shit cook. If Sanji pulled it off, it would be such a personal victory. Failure wasn't an option.
However, even in thinking that, he couldn't help but hesitate before continuing with his prep work, hovering a blade over what it was he needed to cut. Zoro, his intentions might have been good and fueled by curiosity, but he was cramping Sanji's space. He was just there to really watch, standing too close in Sanji's bubble, throwing off the atmosphere by reminding him of stupid shit. Sanji wanted to be fueled by his own determination, not... that embarrassing, face reddening, shithead.
It was just that Sanji was already stressed trying not to use too much of Zoro's strength in his hands to do something incorrectly, if his mind kept wandering off like this, it would just lead to some kind of mishap yet again. Who knew if the counter would shatter this time? What if it was worse and they had to return to the hospital they'd just escaped that morning?
Sighing, Sanji gently lowered his knife and turned to Zoro, reaching his hands out to push him back at the shoulders a few paces. Zoro allowed it, stepping back a few steps himself like he understood he was in the way of something, but quickly went to move back once seeing that wasn't the case. Sanji rose his hand, stopping him.
"No. Stay."
Sanji slowly eased back to where he was working, shooting glances back at Zoro to ensure he didn't move. Then, exhaling again to get back to his happy place, he picked up his knife to continue. Of course, that was too easy.
"Why are you two so tense?" Oh right, Zeff was just sitting there fucking watching. "Did you kiss or something?"
Sanji outright banged his head on a cabinet overhead, his face reddening and Zoro snorted to the side, giving that answer away quick. Sanji cursed under his breath. How the hell did Zeff even know, there was absolutely nothing to suggest that by their behavior? Really, what was this old man up to.
Determined to still not let this burst his cooking bubble, Sanji aimed his knife back at Zoro who attempted to move. Then slowly, like a prey backing away from predator, he turned back to his job. He began slicing away and preparing the ingredients he would use, very hesitant how much force he gave. The first and perhaps the second time he found himself jumping slightly how effective Zoro's hand strength was here, but being adaptive as he was, Sanji soon found a comfortable medium to get it done. Sanji had thought about putting the idiot to work, trusting his own muscle memory to get the job done for him, but decided against it. This was Zoro, after all, that he was talking about, if something could go wrong, it probably would and Sanji valued his hands more than that.
After everything was sliced and diced, things became easier and Sanji didn't have to glance over to realize it had also become less entertaining to Zoro. Apparently, he was suffering from a case of I-don't-have-to-pee-but-I-can't-stand-still syndrome - Usopp would've been proud of that disease name. It was frustrating in its own way. Sanji loved to cook, how could Zoro find it so boring? Although he really didn't need to, Sanji felt like he had to at least include him somehow. Otherwise it would be silent torture for the both of them.
"Here." Eventually Sanji had enough of the dish he was making to offer out on a utensil. "Try it."
For some reason, Sanji swallowed dryly. Mostly it had to be because of how closely his stepdad was watching them and Zoro was already making it sound like they were something more. This act would probably only add to that suspicion, but it wasn't the case. At least, Sanji was trying to convince himself it wasn't. Zoro had his taste buds right now, his own personal divine taste palette, if anyone would be able to tell him something was off, it would be him at the moment. That was, of course, if he played along.
Zoro eyed down the gesture. Then, as Sanji watched, his eyes moved to the side only briefly to notice Zeff was watching. Dammit, couldn't he just be normal for once and take the damn fork? Sanji waved it in the air a little, flaunting it. Wouldn't it be one of the few tastes of food he'd have since being a person again?
Sanji narrowed his eyes. They didn't have all day! He parted his lips from where he'd been grinding them into a thin line. "Come on." He pushed it out further. "Ita~daki~masu."
He knew he was butchering the word, but if the idiot didn't understand after this, he was a damn lost cause.
Chomp. It'd been unexpected and Sanji immediately let go of his end of the fork - he no longer needed it anyway, not when that asshole only leaned over and let Sanji feed him. It made Sanji's heart drop and he quickly turned back to his work. Shit. What the hell was going on here? Zoro finally had a physical dick of his own and he just kept doing things like this - not caring who saw? What kind of person was fate hooking him up with, exactly? Sooner or later, Sanji would really have to kick his ass for this.
"Be serious for once!'"
Zoro, still next to him, let out a grunt at how quickly he fled, slowly taking the fork out of his mouth. He licked it once more, pondering to himself it seemed, before giving a shrug. Then, something totally irrelevant apparently came to his mind, because then he felt the need to share it. And he was somewhat excited in doing so.
"You got booze?"
Booze. Yes, steal Sanji's fork with your mouth and ask about his booze. Fucking alcoholic, Sanji could remember visuals of all the beer cans in Zoro's apartment when he first arrived. It took Zoro like twelve hours, but now it seemed he remembered the actual love of his life. Sanji reached out and snatched the fork without looking, scowling ahead. His body just got out of the hospital, it did not need to get wasted.
"No. There's no shitty ass booze." Sanji made a noise in the back of his throat. "Go sit down, get out of my face."
Zoro watched him skeptically, but didn't protest. He left and Sanji didn't even pay any attention to see if he went to sit down. Instead, he drowned himself back into his favorite hobby, back into his happy place, which only became happier once he tasted his creation and found it just the way he remembered. Perfect.
Sanji would be able to show off, he knew more of what the 'real' Sanji would know later, when he found plates in the kitchen without searching. Then, he plated his dish flawlessly and set it on the table the exact way that had been drilled into him since he was a kid. His eyes stared across at Zeff, determination oozing off him before he sat down cooly. This would do the trick, Sanji knew it would, he was never not confident in his culinary skills. All it depended on now was how stubborn Zeff would be.
The minute Zeff lifted up his eating utensils, Sanji's eyes shifted over to Zoro, sitting in the chair next to him. He didn't seem too thrilled, most likely still annoyed Sanji sent him away mid cooking. Sanji wouldn't put any salt in the wound by calling him out on it, instead he watched carefully to see how Zoro would go about eating.
Maybe Sanji was a bit of a food nerd, but it'd been a while and he really needed to see someone enjoy his meals again. That and there was this odd thing inside him that wanted to know if Zoro would like them. The guy survived on onigiri, so anything with flair should please his tastes. Damn though, just remembering the damn rice ball had Sanji's temporarily Marimo stomach growling. No, this would be the perfect meal to transition to instead, Sanji incorporated rice for a reason.
Zoro hesitated a moment, glaring at Sanji because he'd felt his stares, before focusing more on his meal. He took one bite, his expression contemplating it, then he propped his elbow and face on the table in disinterest.
"Shit cook."
Basically, he lit Sanji's fuse. Sanji glowered, smacking his fist on the table. Really, why had he been anxious for any other answer. He swallowed dryly, trying not to launch over the table and force feed him or some weird combination of both. Kinky.
"What was that, bastard?!" Sanji gritted his teeth.
Zoro smirked, leaving his fork by his mouth a little bit before taking another bite. Then, he nodded, satisfied with his answer before repeating it yet again.
"Shit cook."
Such an irritating bastard! It was so obvious that he was outright lying, it boiled Sanji on the inside. If he didn't like it, he wouldn't keep returning for more bites, he was playing with him. This was serious! Not life or death serious, but something Sanji honestly had wanted to know. Unless somewhere along the lines, that insult had a reversed meaning, though he doubted it. Zoro's smirk gave his whole plan away.
Frustrated, Sanji shifted to his own plate to eat. He could be critical of his own dish, but this time he was pleased enough given the circumstances.
Across the table, Zeff had been eating silently, enjoying the show. While Sanji was eating, he watched as his stepdad turned to Zoro. He could only imagine what kind of conversation this would be, his stubborn old man and the moron with little word vocabulary.
"How did you find this guy?" he asked lowly, his intention probably more joking than it sounded.
Zoro looked over to him when he spoke, but his eyebrows furrowed. Then something dawned on Sanji. Had he not understood him? It seemed like a normal enough phrase, something Sanji had to have asked before about something else... but it hadn't been said by Sanji in the way he spoke. Zeff's voice was different, it was deeper, a different speed. Were things really that complicated for Zoro to understand?
Sanji, if he cared about Zoro at the moment, might have shown some concern at how he was in a tight spot and didn't know what to say, but he didn't bother. He even went as far as to ignore when Zoro looked over at him, as if waiting for him to rephrase what had been said like he might have normally done. It was a very bad idea, of course, and would come back to bite Sanji in the ass.
Zoro looked back to Zeff, pursing his lips slightly before blurting out the first thing to jump in his pea sized brain, making a gesture to himself and Sanji.
"We screwed?"
Sanji rolled his eyes. What was he, some kind of action figure with ten action phrases? Anyone with a brain could see how much they were screwed. He sighed, looking back over at them, then freezing at the sight of his stepfather's wide eyes. What? Why was that such a surprise?
Then, like everything obvious, it dawned on Sanji a little late. He'd never noticed it before, fully acknowledging Zoro's lack of words in his sentences and understanding them in a different way that wasn't the literal way. That wasn't the same, of course, for anyone outside of both Sanji and Zoro, so of course Zeff would take it for how it actually sounded. Like Sanji and Zoro fucked.
Zeff cleared his throat and Sanji's face went blood red instantly. Then came rambling word vomit. "No- that's not what he means. He means screwed like it was bad. Wait no - not like that was bad like we're in a bad situation- Damn it, old man, don't listen to him. He lives on a throne of lies."
"You little shit, I don't want to know how bad it was! This is still a dinner table!" Zeff shook his head, looking right back to the food, opting not to make further comments about it.
That just made Sanji uncomfortable, whether it had been bad manners or not. Why wasn't Zeff saying or doing anything more than that? No death looks, no killing or yelling, it was uncharacteristic for him to only say that. Or at least, different from what Sanji had been expecting.
Instead, Sanji scowled at Zoro who was playing victim, not really understand what was going on. Forget it. Screw it all. Sanji ate his food and allowed the silence to consume. Confirmed: Sanji couldn't take Zoro's ass anywhere.
When Zeff finished his food, he seemed conflicted. It concerned Sanji more than the potential images he suffered earlier. What if that stupid mishap had ruined his chance at proving himself? He wasn't sure how else he could really go about proving he was Sanji other than to serve a meal like this, in a quality that was kicked into him and personally tweaked by himself. Zeff rose from his seat, taking his plate with him.
"Need to open the Baratie for dinner service," he muttered to himself, placing it down in the sink. He paused, before turning around and looking at Sanji.
For some reason, it made Sanji's heart sink nervously. This was it, wasn't it? Time for the results. Well, he'd taken rejection from the old man before, it wouldn't be the first time and certainly not the last. He'd never work harder if he didn't. Instead of rejection however, he spotted the small twitch on the end of Zeff's lips that tugged into a small smile.
"You coming?"
Victory. Sanji wasn't sure he was even breathing. "What?" he gasped.
Was the old man suggesting he come with him back to the Baratie, to work? Sanji had missed The Baratie like crazy, but to work in it was a very hard honor to earn which could only mean... Zeff finally believed him? It wasn't as sentimental of a victory, kind of simple, but Sanji would take it, it made tons of shit in his life right now a lot better.
"I'll be there right away." Sanji scrambled out of his seat, grabbing his plate to put it in the sink.
Zeff nodded, moving to leave, but stopping in front of the table. "You come too." He pointed at Zoro. "Got some dishes for you." Then he left.
Zoro's face was still incomprehensive and Sanji couldn't help his grin. He found himself falling back into his seat just so he could properly put his face in his hands and exhale in relief. The idiot next to him really wouldn't ever understand what this meant. Or perhaps maybe he did. There was a nudge to Sanji's side.
"Oi, Idiot." Another nudge. "Go, cook."