Hello everyone! Here I am again, taking another crack at One Piece fanfic stardom. I'm gonna keep trying on this one, I enjoy writing it, although I didn't get any reviews for the first chappie, except from my sister (not that I'm ungrateful) and it made me sad… (sniff) so please, if you read it, PLEASE tell me what you think! I'd like to know if it's good or not. Seriously. So, without further ado, onwards and upwards!
ABPD: Love Lawless
Chapter 2: That Funny Feeling…
"Well… here we are."
Zoro flicked a switch on the wall, illuminating his dreary apartment with the light of a single, bare bulb. Sanji shuffled past him, a travel bag under each arm, surveying his new surroundings with interest. The green haired man watched him intently, waiting for him to make some smart-ass comment about the state of the neglected wallpaper, or the thick layer of dust on the coffee table, or the unwashed pans and plates in the sink.
The blonde man turned to him.
Here it comes…"Where do you sleep?"
Zoro blinked, and pointed to a white door in the corner of the room.
"Uh… through there."
Sanji beamed.
"Great!"
The blonde man picked his way through the clutter on the floor, opened the bedroom door and stepped inside. Moments later, the sound of squeaking and banging reached Zoro's ears. He started angrily.
"Hey! Wait just one minute!"
He found Sanji bouncing up and down on the bed, testing it for comfort. He had already unpacked his bags, and a large majority of his possessions were now neatly adorning the room. There was even a picture of Sanji's family on the wall. Restraining himself considerably, Zoro grabbed the blonde's bags and hurled them out of the door, followed by as many of his belongings as he could reach. He turned to him, beginning to flush with anger, Sanji meeting his murderous glare with an equally poisonous look.
"I believe it's common practice for the guest to sleep on the couch. You're not here forever, so don't get comfortable! You may think you're smart for fooling around on the job, but so help me, when you're in my home, I make the rules!"
Sanji leapt up, his entire frame trembling. His fists were balled tightly, ready to smash Zoro's furniture, Zoro's body, anything.
"Excuse me, Officer Roronoa, but in case you've already forgotten, I saved your life today. And, whether you like it or not, I – am – here – to – stay. So if you keep on pushing me around, maybe next time I'll think twice about saving your ass."
And with that, Sanji snatched his family photo off of the wall, shot one last ferocious look at his partner, and stalked out of the room.
Zoro stood for a moment, still seething. Stupid jumped-up selfish know-it-all son-of-a-bitch. Who does he think he is… smart-aleck floppy-haired moronic space invader… He slumped onto the bed, screwing up his eyes, trying to get the burning anger to fade from the pit of his stomach. Maybe he is right. He did save your life today- he's the only reason why you're not six feet under right now. Zoro placed a hand on his forehead, letting out a long, weary sigh. Sanji's face slowly filtered through his swirling thoughts, smiling that curious, knowing smile that made something inside him flutter. Huh. That weird feeling again. He shook his head slightly, making the image in his mind swim away. I'm probably just hungry. The last thing I need to think about is him. God dammit, why me? Why why why…? His body slowly settled into a light sleep, worn from the effort of the day gone by, his dreams plagued with worry and stress, and the grinning face of that irrepressible stuck up jerk…
A while later, Zoro was woken by the smell of cooking food wafting into the room. Pushing himself slowly and wearily out of bed, he shuffled to the door and peered through the crack. Sanji was preparing what looked like a huge and very appetizing fried breakfast, even though it was almost 9.30pm. Opening the door a little wider, he noticed something else, too; the room seemed neater, and cleaner- the magazines, instead of being strewn all over the floor, were now neatly stacked on the coffee table, which itself appeared to have a notable lack of dust. Everything seemed brighter and fresher. He stepped slowly out of the bedroom and closed the door behind him, still trying to take in his apartment's significant transformation.
Sanji turned round, beginning to serve the food up onto two plates.
"Hey, you're awake at last! C'mon, we've only got half an hour before we have to be back at the station, so eat up now!"
Zoro sat down slowly at the table, rubbing his eyes and ruffling his hair sleepily, expecting to suddenly wake up and find that his apartment was still drab and lifeless. Sanji slid the last of the bacon on to his plate, quickly washed the pan, and then joined him at the table. Zoro looked up at him with an expression of gratitude mixed with drowsy bewilderment.
"Come on, eat!"
Zoro snapped up, nodding, and began to stuff his mouth ravenously. Sanji ate slower, holding his knife and fork in an oddly delicate manner. He glanced at Zoro, who had already cleared half of his plate.
"Oh, I also managed to clean your uniform."
Zoro looked up, about to shovel another forkful of fried egg into his mouth. Sanji smirked.
"It was disgusting."
The green-haired man looked down, smiling, absent-mindedly playing with the remnants of his food, feeling steadily more ashamed about his behaviour earlier on. He sat up a little, eyes still fixed on his plate. I'm sorry.
"Sanji, I'm, um… "
I'm sorry.
"Mm?"
"I'm, uh… um… s-s…"
Zoro's sentence trailed off weakly.
"Huh? I didn't quite catch that."
"I said the bacon was nice! It's nice! What, do I have to spell it out for you? I said the bacon was nice!"
Zoro dropped his knife and fork angrily onto the empty plate with a clatter. He looked up. Sanji sat there, slightly shocked by Zoro's outburst, but then shrugged and gathered up the cutlery for cleaning.
"Thanks… it was all right, I guess."
He dropped the plates into the hot water, and then looked over his shoulder, grinning.
"I'm sorry, too."
Zoro, who was now sipping a cup of scalding coffee, chocked slightly, and looked up at him in surprise. Sanji chuckled, his smile broadening, and turned back to continue cleaning the dishes. After a moments pause, Zoro realised that the boiling hot cup was steadily burning his hands without him even noticing. Damn. That feeling again. It seemed like it was getting stronger and more frequent, now accompanied by a dizzying numbness in his brain. Sanji bent over the table to pick up a glass, his syrup-coloured hair flopping over his face. He stood up, pouting, brushing the annoying little strands from around his flushed cheeks. He turned to Zoro.
"Is it just me, or is this kitchen starting to feel more like a volcano?"
Zoro shook his head, trying not to stare at the blonde, whose blushing, handsome face made his stomach do a somersault.
"I-I-t's a little hot in here, I guess…" said Zoro, who was now desperately keeping his eyes fixed on the slowly ticking clock.
Again. That feeling again. Maybe I'm coming down with something…Sanji bent over to stack the cutlery in a low down cupboard. Zoro's eyes wandered slowly and surreptitiously away from the clock's hands. Oh my God. Did the Chief give him those pants? They're way to small, and way… way too… tight…
Zoro let out a yelp as the blonde whipped round, snapping his gaze back onto Sanji's face.
"Are you gonna keep gawking at me, loverboy, or are you gonna change into your uniform? We have ten minutes to get down to the station!"
The feeling vanished. Zoro stood up.
"I was not gawking at you, numbskull! I'll get ready when I feel like it, not when you dictate me to!"
Sanji shrugged, unfazed by Zoro's rapidly escalating blood pressure.
"Whatever. As long as you weren't gawking. I'll have you know that I belong to… to…"
Sanji turned to him, his eyes hazy with a sudden swelling of romantic emotion.
"What's her name again?"
Zoro stared at him incredulously.
"Who? You mean the Chief, Nami?"
Sanji gave a dramatic, impatient sigh.
"No, idiot, you know the one! Fiery temper, tanned, black curly hair, long eyelashes… "
Zoro suppressed a snort, instead setting his face with a determinedly earnest expression.
"Oh! You mean Usopp."
Sanji's eyes lit up even more.
"Is that her name? Usopp?"
The blonde man whipped around, heading for the bathroom.
"I could write a poem about her! 'Usopp, your name, like the wind blowing through the blossom on a summers day'… not bad, huh?"
Zoro grinned wickedly, gleefully imagining the curly-haired youth's livid face as he was read a corny sonnet straight from the heart of another man.
"I'm sure Usopp would love it."
Sanji beamed.
"Then we've gotta get down there right away! Come on!"
It was now 10 at night, on the dot. The air was balmy, signifying that summer would soon be on its way.
Zoro and Sanji strode through the doors of the ABPD's main depot, into the cool and brightly lit foyer. Sure enough, they were met by Usopp, on his way out of one of the offices, busily neatening his uniform. He looked up, occupied by gathering his unruly curls into a short ponytail.
"Hey, Zoro."
He glanced coldly at Sanji, who wore an almost startlingly wide smile on his countenance.
"And… uh… oh. It's you."
Turning slowly and warily back to Zoro, Usopp checked the fastenings of the equipment on his belt.
"Did he settle in well?"
Zoro answered with a voice filled with laboured sincerity.
"Oh, yeah. Really great."
Usopp chuckled.
"I thought he would."
In a split second, Sanji appeared at Zoro's side.
"I did all the cooking and cleaning! All before we got back here, too!"
Usopp raised his eyebrows and looked at Zoro for confirmation, who shrugged and nodded in reply.
Sanji's voice turned low and smooth, leaning in dangerously close to Usopp's face, whispering into his ear.
"How 'bout you come round and I show you how comfy the bed is…?"
Usopp choked and turned a fetching shade of beetroot.
"Ugh! In your dreams!"
Sanji chortled slyly.
"Well, of course. I haven't dreamt about anything else since I met you."
Usopp let out a furious growl, snatched a bunch of keys off his belt and slammed them into Zoro's palm.
"Unfortunately, the three of us have to keep watch on a warehouse together tonight. Now get the patrol car started. I want to make this as quick and Sanji-free for myself as I can possibly make it."
The sky was now inky black, but a light dusting of stars was visible between the shadowy, dilapidated warehouse buildings.
The three men sat in the now discreetly parked patrol car, surrounded by darkness on all sides.
Zoro switched the headlamps off, turning to Usopp, who was sitting in the backseat, engrossed in his notebook.
"So, Usopp, what's the plan?"
Not looking up from his notes, Usopp opened up a small personal computer.
"This warehouse was subject to repeated raids a month ago, from black market dealers wanting to get their hands on expensive imported goods. All's been quiet for a while now, but we have to make completely sure that this place really is secure."
"So we sit here and keep watch."
Usopp tucked the notebook and computer back inside a small bag, nodding.
"We keep watch. Although it's actually very unlikely that we meet anyone… unsavoury tonight."
Sanji turned around, grinning a lecherous grin. Usopp shuddered.
"Then again, I could be wrong."
Zoro stretched.
"Well, if you're sure that it's gonna be quiet, I might take a trip down to that all night donut and coffee place."
An even larger grin spread across Sanji's face. Zoro leant back inside the car, turning to Usopp.
"You want anything?"
Usopp shook his head vigourousy, at the same time mouthing 'Don't go!', and shooting wary glances at the angelically beaming blonde in the front.
Zoro sighed, giving Usopp an apologetic glance.
"I won't be long…"
Usopp watched as Zoro's figure disappeared into the city night, and thanked God that there was a wire cage separating the front and back seats. Well, at least he was sort of safe from that lovesick maniac in the passenger seat. Letting out a slow, calming breath, he undid his ponytail, letting his curls flop down over his face. Maybe he could get a nap in. Hmm… but then again, falling asleep with someone like Sanji in the car might not be such a good idea. Wait… where was Sanji?
The front seat was empty.
Usopp felt the darkness and shadows suddenly press down, seeping into the car. He shivered, huddling up in the corner next to the door. Sanji had disappeared. There was no one there. He hated being alone in the dark- especially in such a creepy place… anything could happen…
Suddenly, the door Usopp was leaning against flew open, and with a rather unmanly scream the curly-haired youth toppled backwards into Sanji's arms.
The blonde man grinned, his face looming through the dark just above Usopp's.
"Hey there! Caught you by surprise, did I? Sorry, sweetheart!"
Usopp pushed himself forcefully out of Sanji's arms and back into the car, straightening his uniform irritably.
"Yeah, well…"
He froze as he felt Sanji flop down next to him in the backseat, slamming the door behind him. Usopp composed himself, turning a glacial frown on the blonde man's grinning countenance.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Sanji let out a shout of mirth.
"Hey, it's not safe for a pretty girl like you to be all alone like that! You might get kidnapped right under my nose…"
He leant in closer, boring a blue-eyed gaze into Usopp, who now felt distinctly hot under the collar. Sanji wagged a finger at him, prodding the end of his long nose as he uttered each word.
"…and I'm not about to let that happen."
Usopp shuffled backwards uneasily, but found that it didn't make much difference to the suffocating proximity of Sanji's face. He had nearly met with the cold of the glass window on the other side of the car, and realised with a thrill or horror that the door was insolvably locked.
"You look so nice with your hair down. You should do it more often."
Usopp shook his head quickly.
"I-I-I d-don't usually. I have to keep it up for work."
Sanji brushed the black strands of hair from around his eyes, and Usopp gulped, flushing, the trail of the blonde man's fingers still tingling on his face. Snapping out of his momentary stupor, Usopp tried to regain his cold, aloof manner, but to no avail, as an encroaching heat neared his face. His eyes were so wide now, they felt like they were going to fall out of their sockets.
"Sh-sh-shouldn't you get back in the passenger seat? Z-Zoro will be b-back any minute!"
Sanji's grin widened.
"Why should I do that? You seem to have warmed to me pretty well, my lovely Usopp-chan."
Usopp opened and shut his mouth like a fish in protest, but found no words to argue with. Eventually, he managed to squeak a reply.
"Uh… n-no! It's not like that! I-I'm a g-g-"
Sanji interrupted him.
"Oh, but it is like that. Don't be embarrassed to admit it…"
The blonde man gave a warm smile, lessening the distance between them inch by inch. He was now unconsciously crushing Usopp's legs so that it was impossible to escape, and as the raven-haired man made one last desperate attempt to pull backwards, he ended up falling flat on his back, black curls flying across his face.
Usopp gasped in surprise, but any further objection was suddenly muffled by something very hot and wet being clamped down on his mouth.
He valiantly tried to fight off his crazed assailant, attempting to thwart the groping hands that seemed to be everywhere at once. At last he managed to grab both of Sanji's wrists, pushing him away to relieve some of the weight pressing down on him. Both were as breathless as if they had run a marathon. Usopp recovered slightly, a strange dizziness in his head that made him feel that he hadn't hated it as much as he would have liked to.
Sanji shook his head, his hair a disheveled mess.
"I'm sorry… I don't know what came over me… you were just there, and I was just here… and then…"
He fixed an innocent gaze on Usopp, who still caught up in the whirlwind of the blonde man's romantic tirade.
"…I just couldn't help myself."
Usopp gazed up at him, feeling… softened. But it wasn't right. He's a guy, and I'm a guy… but he doesn't know that. Still, it didn't give him any right to… to go at me like that! It's just wrong! The blonde man was nearing him again. Usopp suddenly met a resolve. Better end his miserable infatuation now, rather then have his heart broken by discovering the truth…
He looked up at Sanji, who returned his hardened gaze questioningly.
"You couldn't help it, Sanji? Well next time, I hope this reminds you to keep your hands to yourself!"
Mustering all his strength, Usopp brought a hard, bruising slap right across the blonde's face, sending him reeling backwards. Sanji slumped heavily against the opposite door, a thick trickle of blood beginning to drip slowly from his nose, spattering his new shirt. Usopp's eyes widened in horror, taken aback by the effect of his retaliation. He gulped, opening his mouth to stutter an apology, but nothing came out. The blonde man vainly attempted to wipe the blood from his chin, avoiding Usopp's worried gaze with red-rimmed eyes.
"Oh, Sanji… I'm… oh…"
Usopp reached out a tentative hand, but the Sanji shied away, eyes still fixed on the view outside of the rear window. A lump rose in the curly-haired youth's throat. He wanted to make it better. To brush the blood away from his fair skin. To say he was sorry. Sanji continued to stare out of the window. Usopp let out a choke.
"Sanji, please… "
As if in slow motion, the blonde man leapt forward, forcing Usopp onto the floor of the car. Usopp gasped, all breath crushed out of his body, trying to raise his head over Sanji's shoulder.
"Usopp! Stay down!"
There was the deafening sound of splitting glass, the rear window now peppered with small holes. The sound of gunfire rang through the air, ricocheting off the dilapidated walls and through grimy alleyways. Usopp pressed himself to the floor of the car as hard as he could, both of them showered relentlessly with jagged pieces of glass. The air continued to explode around them.
And then, silence.
Usopp remained stock still, his whole body shaking beneath the warm weight of Sanji's. His eyes were wide, fists clenched tightly on the blonde's shirt, listening to their fast and frightened breathing rip the uneasy silence of the night air.
"Are… are you alright?"
Usopp couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I'm fine! But what the hell are you asking me for? Are you O.K?"
The two of them sat slowly and carefully upright, making sure to remain unseen. Sanji began to continue brushing the dried blood from off of his chin.
"Yeah, I'm O.K… a little sore though…"
Usopp sighed sadly. The blonde laughed uneasily, gazing up at the almost non-existent rear window.
"I saw someone moving inside the warehouse… watching the car. They must have seen Zoro leave."
Sanji shook his head.
"Stupid dumbass. If he'd have just stayed put…"
Usopp looked up worriedly.
"Sanji, where is Zoro? He's been gone a long time… too long."
Sanji placed his hand on the his gun.
"You're right. Come on."
Usopp nodded, his hair still flopping messily across his face. He drew his gun as well, following Sanji quietly out of the door and into the fractious night air.
They moved slowly together, glancing warily about them as they crept across the grimy courtyard. Suddenly, Usopp stepped on something that crunched loudly, sending a loud echo through the shadowy night. Glancing down, he saw that it was a paper cup, the coffee it contained collected in a small pool on the ground. Usopp gasped fearfully as he saw empty bullet shells littering the surrounding area, and then, something else… dark, red, glistening thickly with the watery coffee. He looked up at Sanji, whose eyes were also fixed anxiously on the shining puddle.
"Zoro's… in danger!"
End of Chapter 2
Oh my God, was that a marathon and a half! Did you like? (Hurhurhur… Zoro is such a little perv… XD ) Remember, please REVIEW! Thankyou very very very much!