Five years.
In retrospect it doesn't seem all that long. Since Sanji graduated with his friends, it's been culinary school and helping his adopted father with his restaurant and all it's other new locations. One day turned to two, then turned into a week, then a month and next thing he knows it's been five years.
It's like that for everyone. They got so into their jobs that everything seemed to blur. They all kept in touch, at least almost all. Zoro is the only one they haven't been able to contact, or seem to get a hold of. They don't even know if he's a live, honestly. This has helped them learn that they didn't know much about him, or anything at all.
Sanji stood in front of the buffet restaurant. Every month or two the straw hat's get together and talk. Being an adult is tiring and being with each other let's all of them let loose and the pressure of being an adult goes away. Sanji snubs his cigarette out throwing it in the trash outside the restaurant. He walks in and is greeted by the waiter standing behind the podium. "Welcome. How many?" He asks after bowing.
"I'm here for the straw hat's." Sanji says putting his hands in his pocket.
"Right, please follow me. Most of them are already here." The man says walking towards the back where their seats are. "I think you are the second to last." The man says stopping then motions to where everyone is sitting down.
"No, I'm the last one." Sanji says smiling at the man while giving him a nod as thanks. The waiter stands there confused. The party was of 9. They should be expected one more person. The waiter shakes his head and goes back to work. Sanji saunters over to the group, they are all laughing.
"He saw Luffy and ran away. Tail tucked between his legs." Usopp says. He seems to be telling a story.
"Well I would too, if Luffy beat my ass in high school." Nami says taking a zip of her drink.
"Oh, Sanji you made it." Robin says getting the attention of everyone sitting at the table.
"You're the last one."
"Yup." Sanji takes his seat. "I always am." Nami takes a deep breath.
"It's been five years. Robin are you sure you can't find him." She says turning to him.
"He never answers his phone." Robin says.
"I've texted and he's never answered." Usopp says, looking down at his lap.
"Is he ignoring us?" Chopper ask, eyebrows furrowed.
"Don't worry. He's just busy." Luffy says being optimistic. "I'm going to get some food." Luffy stand up smiling with his straw hat on.
"I'll go with you." Usopp says. Knowing Luffy, he'll fill his plate until a mountain is formed.
"Me too." Chopper says running after them. The others just smile at them, watching.
"What do you guys think?" Nami asks breaking the attention away from Luffy, Usopp and Chopper.
"About?" Brook asks.
"Luffy says Zoro is just busy, but it can't be that convenient." Nami says. Looking at the faces looking back at her.
"Zoro said he was going to be a cop right? What do we know about the work hours of a cop?" Franky asking a very good question.
"True." Nami says, putting this whole conversation behind her. She can't blame Zoro. They didn't get in touch with each other until a year after graduation, being in a year of their respective colleges. Having a year of the college experience. They didn't want that to happen so they started to have get-together more often.
"You look sad. Is work not going well?" Robin asks looking at Sanji who is leaning back in his chair and looking at the ceiling.
"I feel better already knowing you're worried about me." Sanji says smiling Robin.
"What's wrong?" Robin asks again, but the tone seem to press further.
"It's Lohan." Sanji says sitting straight and looking down at his hands. Rubbing them together, nervous about actually talking about it now.
"What about her?" Brook asks.
"It's just that, I... we've been dating for almost three years now. I've been asking if she would like to met you guys but she always says no. We've talked about marriage, once, and she said she's not ready. We've even talked about having kids."
"What did she say?" Nami asks.
"About what? Marriage or kids?" Sanji pauses, he sounded a little to sarcastic, he didn't mean to. "For marriage she says 'it's not the right time' and she says she will never have kids, well she said gremlins."
"What are you going to do?" Nami wonders.
"Do about what?" Sanji asks back.
"About Lohan." Brook says.
"I don't know maybe we haven't talked about marriage enough yet." Sanji says shaking his head a little.
"What do you want Sanji?" Robin asks him.
"Well, I would like to get married with her. I really love her. When she's happy I'm happy." Sanji says with a smile.
"What about kids?" Nami asks with a frown.
"Well, maybe I'm not suited for kids. My job, her job, we wont have time."
"That's not what I'm asking Sanji. Do you want kids?" Nami asks again this time saying it differently.
"Who wouldn't? Isn't that the dream?" Sanji leans in closer to the group.
"Then talk to her." Brook tells Sanji.
"Just because you're busy with work now doesn't mean you always will be. You both need to talk, not just about marriage but about having kids too." Robin says.
"Listen to Robin, Sanji. We talked about it a lot." Franky looks down at Robin who nods. "If you want kids then take the hours where raising a child is possible."
"And if you or Lohan need help we're here. Raising a kid by yourself is hard." Robin says. "If you want to get married or have kids you need to plan and talk. Communication is key." Robin says smiling. Sanji smiles back and the moment is ruined when Luffy sets his plate covered in meats and other things on the table. Usopp and Chopper right behind him. While these three eat the others go and get their plate of food.
When they get back they continue on talking with each other asking about personal lives, letting loose about what happens at work. They tell Usopp to just go for Kaya, his crush since middle school. They laugh and joke like they always do but they all feel that something, no someone is missing.
Five years and he doesn't say anything. Doesn't check in to say 'hi' or tell anyone what's he been up to. But they are his friends. They will wait for however long it will take. Zoro is a straw hat. When he's not busy with work he'll find them. They know he will.