30 Day Writing Prompt Challenge

Day 26

'Interacting with family members'

By aoi koneko chan

Zoro grumbled as he followed his blond lover down the garden path to the front door. The house was nothing special. Simple townhouse, brick. A small front yard, a slightly larger backyard. He'd seen it before when he'd been here last with Sanji.

"Hurry up, marimo." Sanji hissed softly.

"I don't know why I had to come along, curly." Zoro replied loudly. "Your old man hates me anyway."

"Shh!" Sanji hushed as he turned to face his lover. "He does not hate you."

Zoro huffed. "He does too, blondie. Fucking tried to stab me with his kitchen knife, remember?"

Sanji sighed as he swept a hand through his bangs. "You're being melodramatic."

Zoro rolled his eyes.

Sanji pouted.

Zoro glared.

Sanji huffed and turned towards the door. "Fine." He huffed "Stay in the fucking car for all I care."

And if that didn't make Zoro feel like a heel. It was one of their relationship-long problems. Zeff just hated Zoro and unfortunately it was Sanji who came out with feelings hurt. Zoro couldn't care less for the old man and his opinion and the older chef had made sure to make it known the feeling was mutual. The sad part was, Sanji so desperately wanted them to get along, however it seemed Zoro and Zeff in the same room was like inviting a dragon and a tiger to tea.

Sanji was at the door now and fumbling around for his keys. Zoro could see the frustration from their words together already eating at his lover and his sighed and decided to put on his big boy boots. Fuck Zeff. He was here for Sanji and Sanji only. He strode up the path and came to stand in tow with the cook. Sensing his presence, the blond looked up and shot him a suspicious look. Zoro merely shrugged, his game face on. Sanji leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on his lips pulling back with a small smile. Zoro gave a crooked grin of his own and was about to dive in for a kiss of his own when a shout from inside interrupted them.

"Keep your lips to yourself broccoli! Stop lollygagging you two and get on in here. I don't have all day."

Sanji gave an apologetic glance at his lover before he opened the front door. "Keep your shirt on, old man!" He yelled in response. "As if an old codger like you has something else to do!"

Zoro took a breath to steel himself before entering the enemy's territory. He followed Sanji in following the sound of the two blonds' argument into the kitchen. Of course the kitchen. Where else would two chefs hang out.

By the time he reached the kitchen, after ending up in the laundry two times, Sanji already had an apron on and was helping his father out in the food preparation department, their quarrel still going strong.

It was one of the weirder things Zoro had had to adjust to in the time he knew Sanji and his father. Zeff and Sanji always seemed to speak as if they were arguing. Their chatter sounded like bickering and their endearments for each other came across in fierce screaming matches. However, there was hell to pay if someone outside the two of them broke into their verbal fights. The two had been all each other had had for the longest time and they were both similar in how easily they took offence at other's judging of their lifestyle or communication methods.

Zoro entered the room and opted to stay in silence. Anything he did say, Zeff would surely find some bone to pick with so silence was better.

"What? Got nothing to say, broccoli?" The old man spat out in his direction. "Took your time getting in here."

Zoro held back a curse. Apparently silence wasn't safe either.

Sanji looked over to his lover with a soft look. Zoro just shifted his eyes in disbelief of Zeff's comment. The blond gave him a pleading look. The swordsman sighed and asked.

"Hey, Zeff. Anything you need help with?"

The old man bustled around his kitchen. "And have you butcher up a fine meal?" The man threw over a shoulder. "Go and sit down in the lounge before you hurt yourself, broccoli. Eggplant, I hope you're on top of those turnips."

"I've got it, you gaffer." Sanji retorted before turning to catch Zoro's eye. Zoro gave the blond a look and Sanji nodded towards the living room. Rolling his eyes Zoro made his way there.

This was exactly what he was expecting to happen. Zeff didn't want any piece of Zoro around. Why couldn't Sanji just see that despite his attempts at being civil to the old man, Zeff just didn't want to get along? He knew the man cared for Sanji deeply. Having conceived Sanji with his wife in old age, they decided to keep the baby knowing the risks. Unfortunately, Sanji's mother dying in childbirth took a huge toll on the man who had to be strong through his grief to look after his son. Zoro could tell how much adoration Zeff had for Sanji despite his gruff attitude and harsh words. Zeff had always held the idea that no one was good enough for his little eggplant. And therein was Zoro's problem.

He was the 'not good enough' bloke.

And in Zeff's mind he would never be good enough.

Sitting on the couch Zoro felt exasperated. There was no point in him being here. The old man clearly had just wanted to see Sanji. His presence only created more friction and made the blond more uncomfortable. He doubted lunch would be a pleasant affair, not with Zeff finding something to complain about every minute.

"Oi, marimo."

Zoro turned to see his lover in the door way.

"Lunch is about done."

Zoro hummed and Sanji strode into the room and came to plop on the couch in Zoro's lap. A sweet kiss was placed on Zoro's lips and as Sanji's retracted from his own, Zoro gave a small peck to them. Golden hair came to rest on Zoro's chest and he automatically wrapped his arms around the blond.

"I'm sorry he's being like that." Sanji murmured. "I spoke to him about it when you left…"

The blond let the sentence hang in the air and Zoro knew that obviously Zeff had made no motion to amend his attitude. He never would. The stinking old man. Zoro just hummed.

Silence reigned for a little while as the two just enjoyed each other's presence.

Finally, the blond spoke up. "I appreciate it, you know. You coming with me." The blond paused a moment but Zoro stayed silent. "I know you don't like to come. He's a bit rude and picks fights… but I'm glad you come with me. You know...despite that…" Sanji trailed off and Zoro just hugged him closer.

"No problem, curly." He whispered into golden locks.

"OI! LOVEBIRDS!" Came the yell from the dining hall. "LUNCH IS GETTING COLD, EGGPLANT! I TOLD YOU TO GET THE BROCCOLI, NOT MAKE OUT WITH HIM!"

Sanji huffed as he rose from their comfortable spot. "WE'RE FUCKING GETTING THERE, BASTARD!" The blond returned as he stomped into the other room.

"COULD HAVE FOOLED ME, EGGPLANT!"

Zoro stood and stretched enjoying the satisfying pop of his shoulders flexing. The father and son were still carrying on their argument in the other room but for some reason Zoro didn't seem to mind as much now. He set off for the dining room. Whatever was for lunch smelled amazing.

Okay, well how was that?

I already mentioned it before with my other Zeff-related chapter, but I really love the dynamic between these three characters! I mean especially in the fanverse there's just so much drama waiting to happen. I think in my last Zeff piece, I came at it from the angle of an adopted Sanji, this time I wanted to speak about a Zeff who actually is biologically Sanji's father, just had him maybe when he was like forty something? That way I see the man as kind of like a 'do what you want' kind of father. I think when parents are older and still have younger kids, they kind of let them 'get away' with more because they kind of are transitioning into grandparent age! Sorry if that's offensive, it's just my opinion from what I've seen of older parents at my work place and through families I know.

Anyway, tell me what you liked ;)

Until next time!

aoi koneko chan