Same story, told in Sanji's PoV.
.SHOUNEN-AI (Boys' Love).
/ SUBWAY /
One Piece (c) Eiichiro Oda
Info(s): AU, human world, no magic
Pairing(s): ZoroXSanji
Warning(s): SHOUNEN-AI (BoyXBoy), OOC, cursing, bad English, bad writing
I own nothing except for the plot. I don't make any profit from this story. It's purely just for fun.
-Sanji's POV-
Sanji's new life started that day.
He inhaled the fresh air after he's out of the airport. It's still noon and he's very excited to head straight to the new place he's going to work at. Jet-lag forgotten, the blonde immediately took a cab and showed the driver the address he needed to go to.
Sweet! Was his thought as he got out of the cab, reading the sign written 'All-Blue' Restaurant.
As soon as he passed through the entrance, so many savory fragrance welcomed him. Just like he remembered when he was a child, going there with his beloved mother to enjoy the fantastic meals. It was his very reason to work at 'All-Blue' in the first place, the smile of his late mother.
Gosh, Sanji almost dropped a tear if he didn't get a hold of himself.
"Candy-boy~! You're here! I miss you!" Ivankov came out of his office and hugged the blonde.
"Hey, Iva." Sanji tried to free himself from the hug but it's futile.
He loved 'All-Blue' with all his heart and soul. It's just sometimes Ivankov could be a little bit... challenging to cope with. But he respected the owner fully, they knew each other since Sanji was a little boy going there with his mother. But ever since she passed away and his father's whereabout was unknown, Sanji's being adopted by Iva's acquaintance and brought back to French, his real birth land.
"I can't believe papa Zeff finally gave you the permission to come here on your own." Ivankov broke the hug.
"Me neither. Persistence paid off, I guess." Sanji shrugged.
Ivankov was the one introducing Sanji to Zeff after the loss of his parents. The old man immediately took Sanji under his wings and raised him until he grew into a fine young man, ready to fly on his own. And he's very much papa-boy. Not that he would ever admit.
Ivankov's nice enough to let Sanji only observe the restaurant that day, knowing he must be exhausted after the long flight. So he did, observing until the last shift ended.
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Sanji's not broke. But he didn't have the luxury to pay for expensive place to stay in uptown area where 'All-Blue' restaurant's at. And he refused to ask for money from his old man. Never.
The blonde dragged his suitcase to the subway station as he held his phone and a map from his boss. Iva said the easiest was taking the subway. He would need to memorize at least how to get to his apartment and his workplace.
The train arrived and Sanji got in to the rear car, hoping to get a seat there.
'Moss ball?' Was his first thought when he saw a stranger with green hair. GREEN hair.
They accidentally exchanged look but it was cut short due to announcement of departure and the blonde immediately took an empty seat on the corner just before the train moved.
He crossed his legs while sitting, fully concentrating on the map he's holding. After a few more stops, Sanji was sure the next one's his. And he's right, the station's name was broadcasted. Sanji double-checked his map and off he went out the train after he's sure it's the right one.
Still a bit curious about why-the-hell-his-hair-green, but the blonde left it at that.
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Working at the restaurant was though, Sanji knew it well since he'd been working at his old man's 'Baratie' back home. But this was different since he had to adapt to a whole new system, new recipes, new co-workers (some were fucking irritating), and basically new lifestyle.
Sanji's life only circled around his apartment, 'All-Blue', and sometimes groceries. Repeat.
And subway.
Where he met his green "travel buddy".
Their evening schedules often coincidentally collided with each others, forcing them to take the same subway. And somehow they always chose the rear car so the meeting was inevitable.
Sanji eventually realized that the moss-head (he decided to call him that) was kind of 'checking-him-out'. Well, mossy wasn't very secretive about it, his eyes literally aiming towards Sanji. But no harm's done, so the blonde still chose the rear car since it's always the emptiest he could get a seat.
Fine, mossy's such an eye-candy.
Tall, muscled arms, broad shoulders, overall well-built, and his face's pretty much okay, if not handsome.
Ever since he's in high school, Sanji had been questioning his sexuality. And finally came out to his old man that he might swing both ways. Which was fine, Zeff would forever love him even if he's a pile of fish crap. But the blonde had never been in actual relationship with a guy, very much zero experience he had.
The train moved and Sanji saw moss-head almost fell because why would one be standing when there were many empty seats?
Looking at mossy's reddened face and his silly attempts trying to hold his balance, Sanji couldn't help chuckling. Idiot.
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The exhaustion was unbearable.
Sanji was stuck with birthday party at 'All-Blue' and since he's the sous-chef, which was basically second-in-command there, it was his responsibility to keep up until the end of the event. Which was, almost midnight. Fortunately he still caught the last subway on his way back.
The blonde only got 3 hours of sleep before his next morning shift resulting the overwhelming exhaustion he even fell asleep in the subway on his way back to his place that evening. He slept so soundly and didn't realize he almost reached his stop until he felt a shake on his shoulder.
"H-hey... I think this is your stop."
Slowly stirring up from his sleep, Sanji found moss-head standing in front of him, with his big warm hand holding his shoulder.
Sexy deep voice and definitely handsome even closer, he though half-unconsciously.
Another broadcast totally snapped the blonde out of his slumber and he immediately stood up. "Oh my god, thanks for waking me up, man."
Sanji quickly ran out of the car just before the door closed. The blonde took a last glance at the already moving train and was relieved mossy didn't see his flustered face.
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"This is your twenty-second call in one month since I've been staying here."
"'That's not how you greet your father, brat. What can I say? I'm worried about you, eggplant.'"
"For a million times, don't. I'm doing great here, okay? You know 'All-Blue' and Ivankov. Just go do your job or something."
"'I wasn't talking about 'All-Blue'. You've always been so occupied with work it's not healthy. I'm worried about your LIFE, you seriously need to get one. How's the broccolli head you've mentioned before?'"
"C'est un ÉTRANGER!" [1] (He's a STRANGER!)
"English. You're in English-speaking-country. And what's wrong with him? Aren't you interested?"
"But he's not. He only stares and does nothing. And NO, I ain't the one making the first move only to embarass myself. By the way the train's here so I'm ending the call."
"Fine. But you better GET a LIFE or I'm flying there to drag you back home myself. And watch your manners, little brat."
"Pour la dernière fois, arrête de me traiter comme un enfant!" [2] (For the last time, stop treating me like a child!)
Sanji punched the dissmiss-button as he stepped inside the train.
And there's mossy (and few other pairs of eyes), staring at the blonde. Right, excuse him for yelling. Manners, manners, manners. No need to preach him because he got lots of those. Sanji's a gentleman, okay? In fact, one thing he's proud of was his manners.
"Here, have a sit, sir."
See? There you go. Manners. Elderly and his granddaughter? Of course, have the seat. Anyone who needed it, Sanji would gladly give up his. Gentleman, indeed.
"Dear, my lady. Here's a seat I've saved for you."
Especially.
"A seat especially for you, princess."
For women.
"Of course you deserve the best treatment, my beautiful butterfly."
Because women are true jewels of the earth.
"Mademoiselle! Reserved seat just for you!"
Every one of them are beautiful they deserved the best treatments.
Stupid look mossy throwing didn't bother him. Moss head also gave up his seat to those in need, so what's the difference? Except the blonde added an extra category to his list of 'those-in-need' (read: women).
Sanji knew by then mossy's not a man of words. He's barely talk, even when offering his seat he just stood up and nodded.
Good looks and mysterious.
No wonder the green haired caught many eyes, especially girls'.
But the moss kept staring only at Sanji.
And the blonde started to question the intention.
Was mossy checking-him-out or competing on who-gets-more-girls'-attentions?
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Due to periodically service and repairment, the subway schedules lessened. And the subway was far more crowded than usual. Especially in those rush hours.
The car door opened and Sanji was greeted by the standing moss. The blonde decided to throw his hesitation away and get in the car after mossy shifted a little to allow him some space.
There's no way Sanji stood face-to-face with that handsome face so he turned a little to face another direction.
One big guy suddenly forced himself into the already fully crowded car. And somehow the bastard managed to get in, pushing Sanji farther in so his right side touching mossy's front.
Sanji so wanted to kick the big bastard but couldn't inside the cramped car.
And mossy's firm pecs glued to his right arm didn't help any better. Or made everything better? Fuck! How long he's gonna be stuck in this pleasant situation?!
Sanji was broken out of his own inner battle with something creeping, no, groping his bottom.
The fuck?
Who the hell- Oh don't tell me...
The blonde turned his head right to see a daydreaming moss head. This fucker.
Sanji threw his deadliest glare ever until mossy finally caught his eyes. Causing a scene especially in a very cramped place was never the best option. It only resulted in more panic. And being the logical person he was, murderous glare was the best he could do at that time, hoping this fucking pervert asshole to desist.
Mossy's so dead he would be skinned alive if no one's there.
Instead of stopping, the harassment became even more exacerbating. With another thing assumed to be a fucking finger, trying to pry between his legs.
Sanji jerked a bit, clenching his legs as hard as he could. He couldn't bear facing the pervert so he threw away his reddened face. Sanji bit his lower lip to prevent any sound coming out (or moan, hell no) and he was slightly trembling, trying his best to stay calm and keep his legs closed.
Wishing for it to end soon.
After three more stops and more people got off, Sanji immediately moved to empty space in the corner of the car, staying as far away from the source of harassment.
Screw his stop, Sanji stabbed a mental note to teach mossy some lessons.
Mossy's out. Sanji followed silently. To the restroom. And voila, it's empty, perfect.
"Hey." Sanji called out.
Mossy turned his head after washing his hands and was surprised to see Sanji there.
"Uh.. Hey-
BAM!
"Écoutez-moi, espèce de gorille vert." [3] (Listen here, you green-gorilla)
Stomping his leg harshly next to that stupid green hair, was it threatening enough? And of course, the death glare, very close to that idiotic handsome face. Sanji really wanted to kiss him.
KICK, he meant.
"I know you've been not-so-secretly watching me since forever. But I didn't expect you to be so low as to dare groping me." Sanji's tone was full of wrath.
What's with that confused face? Playing stupid? Oh Sanji wouldn't buy that.
"Never, EVER, do that again to me or anyone, or your handsome face is as good as broken." The blonde pulled his leg off of the wall, decided it would be a waste to ruin such fine face, leaving the speechless moss.
Before he could get out of the restroom, the big guy from the train came in. "Hey there, sugar!"
The fuck sugar?
"I've been following you in the train, you know." Big guy said as he approached the blonde. "Thanks for the treat, by the way. Nice ass."
Sanji's eyes widened as he saw the pervert bastard wriggling his right hand fingers, proudly gesturing the harassment he did back in the subway.
"How do you say we go back to my place and I can show you an even more great experience, sugar?" Big bastard grabbed Sanji's chin and the other hand shamelessly slided to his bottom, again.
WHACK!
SMACK!
From left and right in the exact same timing, Sanji's kick and mossy's punch came in contact with the bastard's face. Very, very hard.
And down-down he fainted. Maybe with broken jaw.
They both stared at each other for a few seconds before other voices are heard from outside. Sanji grabbed mossy's wrist without thinking, the only thing in his mind was escaping the 'crime-scene' a.s.a.p.
Well fuck new place. Sanji didn't actually know where to go after they ran for some times, still stuck inside the subway station. Until suddenly moss head decided to take the lead, accidentally intertwining their fingers in the process. They stopped at the roadside outside the station, panting a little after the whole escape mission's over.
"So, it wasn't you?" Sanji finally spoke between the pant.
"No." Mossy answered shortly.
"Then why didn't you say so?"
"Well, you didn't exactly give me a room to explain myself."
"... Right, I apologize."
"Sure."
Awkward silence filled the air. Sanji felt very bad for accussing he didn't know what to say anymore. Until mossy nodded his head and started walking away. Maybe going back to his moss nest? It's late and dark already.
Sanji took out his phone to browse how to get to his own place from there. And it's dead.
Karma's a bitch.
Alright, maybe the way they started the 'relationship' wasn't a very pleasing one. But he's tired. He's hungry. He's kind of lost. He knew nobody around. He wanted his bed. He fucking needed help.
Lord have mercy, the blonde gritted his teeth.
"Wait." Sanji decided to finally make a move, he approached mossy and grabbed his elbow.
"Yeah?"
"I... I don't actually familiar with this area of town, never been here before, and my phone's dead, so..." Sanji said, refusing to meet the green haired's eyes.
He didn't want to sound so desperate but he was.
"... Want to stay at my place for the night?" Mossy suggested.
Yes. NO. Stay logical, Sanji!
"... I was wondering if you could escort me to a bus stop since I don't exactly want to squeeze myself inside the subway again, and telling me how to get to my place by bus." The blonde said again.
Mossy slowly looked like a steamed broccoli. So red and bashful Sanji just couldn't not laugh at his idiot clumsy face.
"Hahaha! Y-you should see your face!" The blonde laughed while holding his stomach. "It looks so dumb!"
"Hey! You look stupid yourself with that swirly eyebrow!" Mossy returned the insult while still blushing.
"Ah?! Look who's talking, you green gorilla!"
"Idiot womanizer!"
"Brocolli brain!"
"Scrawny!"
"Moss head!"
They finally stopped after a few more insults at each other, ignoring people staring at them as they walked by.
Sanji gave up. "Fine! I'll just find the bus stop myself or ask another pers-
"I'll take you there."
"... And why should I trust you?" The blonde squinted his eyes. This guy's sure hard to read he needed to double-check. "We don't even know each other!"
"I'm Zoro."
Still a bit skeptical, the blonde finally gave in. Anything for his bed now.
"... Sanji."
"Now we know each other. Come on, there's a bus stop over that corner." Zoro smirked.
"You sure it's the bus stop and not your place?" Sanji raised his eyebrow.
The green haired's face flustered again. "N-no! I mean- my place is over there the other way- I mean-!"
"Chill. I'm just messing with you." Sanji chuckled.
Zoro was fun to tease. He's more of a demure dork rather than a cool reserved mysterious prince. But one thing Sanji's sure, he's a decent guy.
"The fact that you punched that bastard for the nasty thing he did to me even though we're strangers? I admit you got yourself some dignity." Sanji said. "Nice punch, by the way."
"Ah, thanks. He deserved it, such crazy bastard. And you too, nice kick." Zoro scratched the back of his head. "So, uh... shall we?"
"Sure. Bus stop? Or your place?"
"BUS STOP!"
"Of course." Sanji giggled while following the green haired man.
Upon arriving at the empty bus stop, Zoro explained the route and which bus to take, fortunately to reach Sanji's place there's a bus directly going there, so he didn't need to switch buses. They waited in silence for the blonde's bus to arrive.
Old man's Zeff's words struck again. Get. A. Life. Fine, that geezer asked (insisted) for it and better be so damn grateful. And guess what? Sanji's gonna initiate the first move since mossy's dumb hard as a rock the world's gonna end before the broccoli head even thought to try.
"I don't actually mind going to your place." Sanji suddenly broke the silence.
Alright he should add more explanations because Zoro's face looked even dumber and expecting.
"After, we become acquaintances, and then friends, and then...? There are phases, you know? To be passed before you ask someone to come over to your place, especially stay the night." Sanji explained with his confident smile. "You're an 'okay' guy, surprisingly."
Right, they would already be old before Zoro even spoke. Stupid moss head and his stupid handsome face.
"Dummy. Give me your phone." Sanji rolled his eyes as he started typing on Zoro's phone. "Here's my number, I couldn't add yours since my phone's dead."
"Ah, okay, thanks..." Zoro received his phone back awkwardly, at the same time the bus arrived.
"That's my ride." Sanji hopped on the entrance then turned his head to face Zoro with that dazzling smile of his. "Text me. Or call me. Or whatever."
The bus drove off, leaving the speechless green haired.
And inside the bus, Sanji's confident cover perished. He ducked his reddened face to his palms. Already questioning himself and regretting everything.
What if he misread him? What if it's one-sided? What if Zoro already had someone? What if Zoro's straight? What the fuck had he just done?
Fortunately he could see his apartment building from the bus stop so he just dragged himself there, empty brained like a zombie. Starting tomorrow he really had to take another car in the subway. Just in case.
Charging his phone, Sanji left it to take a shower. And when he turned his phone on while rubbing his wet hair with small towel, all doubts and fear were washed away.
'Hey. It's Zoro. Was wondering if tomorrow evening you're free? Same time in the subway as usual.'
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.THE END.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sanji's side is a little bit longer to write but I enjoy it. Hehe...
Thank you for everyone who read, fave, follow, and review this story of mine. Very much appreciated!
