It was supposed to be a standard security gig. Each of them charged with covering an exit, or hallway, to make sure that no one came in or out of the building without strict permission. Everything had been going according to plan for the past several hours until an explosion rocked the building and sent everything into pandemonium.
Stations were abandoned as everything went into emergency lock down, all units trying to get towards the target as fast as possible to prepare for whomever activated the bomb. If this had merely been done to gain access to the building then there was no telling what else they had planned.
A familiar tightness had begun to form in Zoro's chest as the explosion started eliciting panicked memories from his time in the army. Explosions distantly ringing in his ears, dust hovering in thick blankets to mask any potential threats, and the screaming of terrorized civilians distantly echoing through the streets. All of it fighting to surface in his mind far more vividly than he could possibly understand as he desperately tried staying focused on the present.
Ducking and weaving through hallways with his rifle poised and at the ready, he slowly made his way from the first floor to the second. Upon nearing the meet point he discovered the south wall was completely breached as the explosion had torn a hole through almost the entire structure. People were clamouring to get out of the building and made it nearly impossible to discern who might be a civilian and who might be a threat.
Pushing onward he found the panic in his chest was steadily growing to the point where he was struggling to breath. Firmly tell himself it was just the dust still hanging in the air from the explosion as he slowed near a corner. Taking in a few deep breaths in order to steady himself before checking if the coast was clear. Standing in the hall, panting heavily as he peered down the sights of his rifle at the empty corridor.
An aggressive hand clamped on his shoulder and Zoro turned in a panic, registering the face of a man he had met in the field once before. Slightly distorted, but quite real; his panic became twofold as he realized he had been in this exact situation with this man before. Only last time it had ended with a gunshot wound to the chest and a couple days in a coma.
For some reason the fear that had not occurred on that day hit him full force, and all at once everything around him began to distort; blackness encroached on the edges of his vision, the world warping and twisting in front of him, and everything around him pulsating with each panicked heartbeat. Breathing became nearly impossible as the rushing in his ears became painfully intense; his senses slowly failing him one by one.
Icy dread gripped his heart as he lashed out at the man immediately, desperate to change the outcome from last time. Luckily catching him off guard and sending him to the ground in one hit. Discarding his gun, Zoro immediately jumped on top of him and pinned his arms with his knees, before rearing back and planting his fist as hard as he could into the man's face.
Punches kept falling on the man long after he was dead, and much longer still after blood had coated his knuckles and obscured the features of the man he was still beating. The tightness in his chest not loosening as it felt like the only thing keeping him somewhat grounded was to keep the danger at bay by continuing to strike it. Fists trembling, but each hit landing true – over and over – until finally he was tackled from the other man.
Operatives he recognized were fighting to pin him to the ground, all of them yelling incoherent gibberish that he couldn't process past the rushing in his ears. Not understanding why the where attacking him when the man responsible was on the ground behind them.
Amidst his panicked thrashing and screaming, he managed to just catch a glimpse of his assailant from between the various bodies around him. Stilling in horror which provided the other operatives enough time to flip him over as they began restraining him. Zoro remaining lax in their aggressive grips as his cheek was pressed into the cold, stone floor; his eyes level with the cold, dead one's of one of his former partners.
~X~
Alarm waking Zoro in much the same fashion as it had for a couple weeks now; his life gaining a semblance of normalcy that wasn't entirely as awful to him as it had been a few months prior. Workouts drastically improved by occasionally having Sanji tag along depending on his work schedule, evenings continually occupied with one thing or another from his various new acquaintances, and his sex life with his wife had improved dramatically despite his firm desire to not discuss his new habits.
Everything was genuinely looking up. Which had made his recent visit to his therapist actually incredibly rewarding for once as they discussed all the progress he had made. Nightmares and episodes had ceased completely, and he was sociable enough that he had even been asked to babysit for Usopp and Kaya for an evening. However, as cute as the rascals were, it had indefinitely put Zoro off the idea of having children.
Summer had come to Merryville in full force now with sweltering days and humid nights; weekends occupied with barbecues, trips to the pool with the kids, or a day at the lake. Zoro had never really thought it possible that he'd become this sort of individual, but here was living the suburban lifestyle.
Finishing up with the dishes from this morning's breakfast, he left them in the rack to dry before getting ready to head to the shelter. Pulling open the front door swiftly, he was only slightly taken aback by the surprised blond on the other side with a fist still raised as though about to knock. Wrist going limp before he dropped his hand altogether and grinned at Zoro cheerfully, "Hey, Mosshead."
"Curly." Zoro intoned with mild amusement, raising a brow expectantly as he awaited the man's explanation for being here. Though judging from the fact that he wasn't in jogging clothes, or his work scrubs, it meant he had come by to bother Zoro. An occurrence that was becoming more common as the weeks went by, and Zoro grudgingly had to admit to himself that it was incredibly nice.
"Figured I'd see what you are up to today." Sanji explained cheerfully, hands sliding into a relaxed position in his pockets while noting Zoro's state of dress with a pointed stare, "And it looks like you are up to something."
"Don't you have other friends?" Zoro quipped flatly, intending on lightheartedly teasing the man and realizing afterwards that his tone might sound a little too dismissive. He wasn't entirely sure what it was about Sanji's presence, but he always found his chest fluttering happily when he was around; the only way Zoro had found helped dealing with it was to cover it up with ruthless teasing and smart comments.
Recovering his aplomb flawlessly, Sanji shrugged and without missing a beat drawled, "It's the downside of having co-workers who are also your friends; always working when the other is off... So I came by to see what you were up to."
"Ah-uh." Zoro made a noise of understanding to placate the man, however not really able to relate to the situation at all. Stepping out onto the porch and closing the front door behind himself, watching as Sanji took a step back to give him some space. "Do you have nothing better to do?"
"Not really." Sanji shrugged with a grin.
Not that Zoro was entirely against the idea of inviting Sanji along, however his time at the shelter was what he liked to consider his alone time. Though if anyone was going to intrude on his personal time, he would be least annoyed by Sanji, "I'm going to the shelter."
"Ooh." Sanji cooed excitedly, blue eyes lighting up as he seemed genuinely enthusiastic at the prospect. The downright adorable smile making Zoro fumble his keys as he turned away to lock the door, frowning to himself as to why that would possible throw him off as Sanji urged, "Can I come?!"
Forcing down his confusion and shaking off his scowl, Zoro turned back to Sanji with a bored demeanour and gave an innocuous shrug, "I won't stop you."
"Like you'd even want to." Sanji cajoled with a teasing wink, "You love my company."
"More like tolerate." Zoro countered, a scowl tinging his brow as he wondered why the statement tasted of a lie. Though he supposed in retrospect it was - regardless of their teasing and faux fighting – since he always felt calm happiness whenever the blond was present.
"You cut me to the core!" Sanji exclaimed dramatically, following Zoro down the quaint walkway before asking, "So, your car or mine?"
"Walk."
Sanji stopped in his tracks, head rearing back affronted, and immediately scrunched up his nose, "Gross."
"It's not that far." Zoro surmised, leaving the blond behind as he continued down the driveway.
"Ugh..." Sanji made a childish noise and Zoro could distinctly hear the blond dragging his feet across the asphalt while bemoaning, "You know why I bought a car, right?!"
"C'mon." Zoro encouraged as he began heading off down the side walk, purposefully not looking back at the man and not responding to his rhetorical question, "You could use the exercise."
"S'cuse you?!" Sanji shouted after him indignantly, immediately abandoning dragging his feet and making childlike noises so he could sprint after him before falling into step beside Zoro and squawking, "You wanna go?!"
"It's boring if I know the outcome." Zoro murmured cockily, smirk growing and heart jumping at how riled up the blond was becoming at his comments. The blond never genuinely hurt by their banter, but always loved to overreact at the slightest comments against his character; it was quite amusing.
Between casual conversation and lighthearted bickering – which was shortly interrupted by Sanji shoving Zoro into a neighbours bush and Zoro dragging him in after which lead to a small brawl on the lawn. The whole ordeal ending with the both of them apologizing to the owner for wrecking a flower bed and Zoro promising to replant everything for her – after which they finally managed to make it to the shelter.
Sanji was already horribly preoccupied by glancing around the entryway and getting a glance through one of the windows to the small area out back where a few dogs were running around and barking happily. Zoro stepped through the secondary door and nodded in greeting to Conis before turning to the blond who had just followed him through.
"This is Con-" Zoro hadn't even had a chance to finish his introduction before Sanji was darting past him with child-like energy and sidling up to the reception desk, elbow propped on the counter as he smirked dashingly down at Conis. The petite blond looked up in timid shock at the man, her gaze shifting wearily to Zoro and then back as Sanji began laying on his charm.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Sanji crooned, really laying it on thick as Zoro closed the door behind himself and neared the counter as well. Trying to mask a look of thinly veiled disgust and failing as the blond continued, "May I request what angelic name you must have?"
At this point Conis seemed rather more confused than worried, as she once more looked at Zoro for guidance before back at Sanji and finally replying softly, "Conis. Are you a friend of Zoro's?"
"CONIS! What a gorgeou-"
"Unfortunately." Zoro answered her question as he cut the blond off, wanting to move this whole process along and get on with his day. From a few previous experiences hanging with the blond, he knew that once the blond got going on a woman he could croon for hours.
"Ouch." Sanji sent Zoro a sideways glance and a biting smile, "You are being ruthless today."
Zoro gave a lifted shoulder in a lame attempt at a shrug while letting a smirk touch his lips; it had become quite entertaining to him to see how much he could rile the blond up. He often found that saying nothing was also a really good way to drive the blond crazy.
"Is it because you're getting more comfortable around me?" Sanji questioned with mock seriousness, watching as Zoro plucked two leashes from behind the counter for them to use, "Do you feel like you can truly be your grumpy, angry self around me no- oh wait... That's you every day."
Zoro turned to stare at the blond with a deadpanned expression.
"Don't you worry, Zoro!" Sanji exclaimed loudly, wrapping his arm around the man's broad shoulders and pulling him close. Simpering through fake sobs, "I'm always here if you need a shoulder to cry on."
"Don't touch me." Zoro grumbled dryly, unable to put any venom behind his words as Sanji released him with a guffaw and hard smack on the back. Wandering off to check out the centre as Zoro turned back to Conis who was watching them with a bright smile pursing her lips, "What?"
Her gaze wandered shyly for a moment before she responded with a cryptic giggle, "He's eccentric."
Groaning softly, Zoro muttered, "You have no idea-"
"OH." Sanji gasped dramatically, leaning back as he pointed an accusing finger at the wall before continuing while practically singing the final two words, "My. God."
Zoro's eyes slowly fell shut in horrified trepidation, knowing that anything that would make Sanji sound that menacingly gleeful could not be a good thing. Bracing himself, he slowly turned to see Sanji gesturing to a photo on the wall while grinning at Zoro almost manically, "Is this you?"
Without even nearing, Zoro knew exactly which photo was causing the blond such excitement, grudgingly admitting through tight lips, "Yes."
"Shit..." Sanji noted with a chuckle, plucking the photo from the wall to get a better look at it as he mused aloud, "There is... nothing threatening about you now."
Despite not wanting Conis to take that photo of him with the kittens, he hadn't really cared too much since he knew the odds of anyone seeing it were minimal. But it was just his luck that Sanji of all people would come with him and just happen to notice that photo of the hundreds on that damn bulletin board.
"Does the CIA know you're a kitten cuddler?" Sanji goaded through his laughter, waving the photo towards Zoro, "Cuz that is the cutest shit I've ever seen."
Zoro couldn't think of anything to say in response as his embarrassment was causing his throat to clamp shut, his shoulders raising as a flush began climbing up his neck. Cheeks starting to tinge pink as he couldn't quite figure out why the idea of Sanji seeing a vulnerable side of him made him feel so damn nervous. It might have been because he was so closed off most of his life due to his job, but he was certain that no one else would be able to get this reaction out of him with the same photo...
"Can I keep this?" Sanji implored to Conis, completely serious as the woman seemed to be actually debating it before Zoro finally recovered his confidence and stepped between them. Snatching the photo from the pesky blond's hand and returning it to the billboard and pinning it back in its original spot. Sanji huffing dramatically while muttering playfully out of the corner of his mouth to the other blonde, "Well, he's no fun."
"I think he's plenty fun." Conis replied timidly, offering Zoro a shy smile which Zoro returned gratefully. They may not have talked much, but the time he spent here together was far more important than words could say. She had given him a place to escape and begin healing, something which he'd never be able to thank her enough for.
Clearly sensing the joking was over, Sanji rolled his eyes and made his way back over to Zoro. Locking eyes with the other man before snatching up one of the leashes from his hands while chirping back at Conis, "I'll take your word on it, darling."
Blinking flatly for a few moments, he levelled Conis with an exhausted look which she only returned with a timid giggle that she hid behind her hand. Zoro shaking his head in resignation before following after Sanji into the kennels to select a couple dogs to take out for the day.
Guiding them down the aisle he gave Sanji a moment to look around before asking, "Who do you want to take out?"
"Are most of them friendly?" Sanji inquired, eyeing up an older dog that was firmly seated near the back of his kennel just watching them lazily.
"Yeah." Zoro nodded, "Everyone in these kennels is sociable. We have the one's we're still working with a little further down."
Sanji began perusing the aisle and looking in on each dog, noting the one's that had been marked as having already gone on a walk that day before coming to stop outside a smaller kennel. The dopey puppy bounded up to the front of the cage, paws clumsily reaching up to be placed on the chain link door and slipping through several times. Its motor controls still needing a little work as he finally managed to get balanced enough to remain on its hind legs while yipping happily up at Sanji.
"Oh shit." Sanji grinned as he dropped to a knee, hands reaching through the gate as best he could to pet the excitable puppy. Little teeth gnawing innocently on Sanji's thumb as he practically melted on the spot, "Damn, you're cute. What's his name?"
"Kuroashi." Zoro offered while watching the two blond's bonding, "Means 'black leg'."
At that Sanji tilted his head to get a better look at the puppy's hind legs, spotting the one black paw on his rear leg that was a stark contrast to the rest of his bright blond body. A distinctly high pitched sound came from Sanji before he looked up at Zoro in all seriousness and ordered, "This one."
"Okay." Zoro allowed through a laugh, not entirely sure if the blond realized that it wasn't up to him who Sanji was allowed to walk or not. Watching with a fond smile as Sanji undid the gate and slipped inside the tiny kennel to attempt to get the leash on the young pup.
Leaving Sanji to the playful wrestling match he'd undoubtedly have while trying to get the leash on the puppy, Zoro made his way over to a much quieter kennel. Dropping into a crouch by the more secluded cage, he gave a soft whistle and extended the back of his hand towards the cage and waited. After a moment, an older dog cautiously made his way forward upon recognizing Zoro, a weary gait telling of his age.
The old hound brightened considerably upon seeing Zoro, and by the time he had him out and on his leash Sanji was being dragged out by the puppy as well. Kuroashi was already running excited circles around Sanji's feet and getting them both tangled in this leash while Sanji attempted, "Who's that?"
"This is Yuba." Zoro explained, "Been here a while. He's probably not gonna ever get adopted because well..."
The unsaid sad truth hung between them for a moment before Sanji shrugged, "Why don't you take him home?"
"Ka-" Zoro cut himself off swiftly to keep from saying something he might regret, knowing the real reason he hadn't brought any of them home yet had nothing to do with him but rather the other person living with him. Attempting to lamely salvage it by muttering, "Can't."
Sanji seemed curious, but dropped it as he once more became distracted by Kuroashi who was nabbing one of his shoelaces and tugging on it like a toy. He fell to a knee to tie it once more while trying to battle the puppy off of him, eventually ending with double knotted laces and a face full of puppy slobber. Sanji didn't seem too upset.
Heading to the nearby park they took a slow walk around the lake; giving Yuba time to go at his own pace, and Kuroashi the opportunity to drag Sanji to every corner of the park to smell and curiously check out everything. A fond smile lighted up Zoro's face at how genuinely excited Sanji was about entertaining the puppy and coming along with Zoro; it was certainly something that Kalifa would never have done.
By the time they had finished the lap around the small park, Kuroashi was about as tired as Yuba was; having to take three times as many steps as the bigger dog managed to tire him out substantially. Nearly half way back Sanji had stooped down to carry Kuroashi the rest of the way as the puppy was about ready to take a nap right there on the sidewalk. Zoro wasn't entirely an expert on cute, but he was pretty sure that the man cradling his likeness in dog form was up there with Zoro being accosted by kittens.
Back at the shelter, they finished putting the dogs back in their kennels – Sanji having a bit more of a tearful farewell – before they were heading back to Zoro's place. Sanji's phone going off midway through his declaration to return as often as possible to walk the pup until he finally got adopted.
"Luffy wants everyone to go out drinking tonight," Sanji explained, as he scanned the text he had received before pocketing his phone once more, "Wanted to know if you'd like to join us?"
"I'd like to..." Zoro began slowly.
"Hey..." Sanji consoled swiftly, tone immediately softening as he quickly amended, "I get it if you can't; loud noises and such. I can make up an excuse for the gang – Luffy just wanted me to ask."
"No... It's not that..." Zoro mused slowly, a little taken aback that Sanji had thought of potential triggers for him before even he had. Realizing it was a good point that he could potentially use before admitting, "I don't drink."
"Right." Sanji noted – almost guiltily – as it seemed he had likely noticed Zoro's preference of drink at the barbecue. Sanji falling silent as Zoro realized that he was being given the perfect out for this situation, and yet he found himself not wanting their time together to end just yet.
"I'll come."
"You sure?" Sanji asked, looking genuinely surprised.
"Yeah." Zoro confirmed much more firmly this time, "It would be nice to see everyone together again."
"Alright..." Though sounding initially timid, a smile was audibly growing on Sanji's face as he continued, "I'll let Luffy know; he'll be ecstatic."
At the second statement Zoro found his stomach dropping inexplicably, not entirely sure why it made him feel somewhat dejected. A witty statement asking if it was only Luffy looking forward to seeing him died on his lips as he knew Sanji would think the question is obviously ridiculous. Forcibly shaking off the weird emotions he turned his attention back to Sanji and their previous conversation.
~X~
Before even entering The Galley, Zoro had a suspicion that it would be a somewhat tough night to handle, however entering the place with Sanji had made it remarkably easier. He had regularly made it through nights at the bowling alley, still kept up his shooting practice with Sanji on weekends, and had even celebrated a few summer festivals that had involved copious amounts of fireworks. So as daunting as it was, he was fairly confident he would be able to keep his head.
Upon entering however, he realised all of his recent training hadn't entirely prepared him for the sudden onslaught of flashing lights, booming music, and copious screaming from the patrons. A bit of a daze taking over himself, he was beginning to worry that he might not be able to do this and it was a very bad idea. Panic started to rise before being immediately doused as he felt Sanji's hand enclose around his and begin pulling him further inside.
The reassuring hold was like a protective shield to all the noise and confusion around him until they eventually found their friends at a booth and the blond let go of Zoro's hand. Sanji releasing his grip still had him a bit on edge, but everyone's welcoming cheers and hugs were still a major comfort. Almost all his worries completely shoved aside as Luffy practically tackled him with a drunken hug.
Taking a seat at the thankfully rather secluded booth, he jammed himself into the corner beside Luffy and Usopp and clutched at his drink like it was the only thing keeping him planted on the earth at the moment. Calming his breathing through forceful exhales, as he turned to Usopp in an attempt to distract himself.
Conversation took place for a while with far too much yelling involved as everyone caught up on work and other things currently going on in their lives. Some rather political arguments were being held at one end of the table between Franky and a very sloshed Nami, and Usopp spent about fifteen minutes trying to show everyone photos of Pepper's school project that had won him an award.
Every once in a while Sanji sent Zoro a weary glance, which Zoro just returned with a tip of his drink and calm nod. This continued on for a while until Nami pulled a reluctant Vivi out onto the dance floor and others began to follow. Zoro having to latch onto the table and physically fight Luffy from dragging him out as well; being here was a big enough step, he didn't need to add the claustrophobia of grinding bodies into the mix as well.
After Sanji beat Luffy off of him and sent him off with a rather pointed look - that got a stuck out tongue in return- Sanji turned back to Zoro. Leaning in towards him, hair brushing against Zoro's cheek as he yelled into Zoro's ear so he could hear him, "You going to be okay?"
Zoro caught himself a little off guard by the closeness, the faint caress of Sanji's hair on his cheek causing him to jump momentarily and his senses catching the man's musk, that was normally masked by the odour of smoke that hung over him. Not entirely sure why he found the proximity so unnerving but not really having time to dwell on it as he replied, "Yeah."
When Sanji pulled away he was looking at Zoro imploringly as though still not entirely convinced so Zoro waved him off before pointing to his beverage and gave a reassuring nod. It seemed to placate Sanji enough as he gave a thumbs up before running onto the dance floor and proceeded to drunkenly make his way to some random girl.
From his place at the table, he was able to keep himself rather calm, gaze turning down to the non-alcoholic beer in his hands as he began scratching at the label with his thumb. Several months ago there would be no way he could even set foot in a building like this – backfiring cars were enough to set him off – and yet here he was. And he still wasn't entirely sure what it was that had gotten him to progress this well so quickly...
A while passed as Zoro remained in the booth calmly sipping his drink and observing the chaotic nightlife within the bar. He was pulled from his thoughts when Sanji drunkenly stumbled over to the table, collapsing into the booth with a satisfied groan. Cheeks notably tinged pink, it seemed like the blond had definitely had his fair share of alcohol for the evening and was now cradling a fresh beer in his hand.
"Having fun?" Zoro asked.
"Always!" Sanji yelled with a grin, pounding back almost half his drink before slamming it down on the table and gesturing to himself. Probably intending to go for a regal look, but with his crooked collar, missing button, and the drink stain on his shirt it ruined the effect, "I'm the definition of fun."
"Is that why that girl ditched you?" Zoro pointed out flatly, taking a swig of his own drink but pointedly keeping his gaze pinned on the blond.
"Phft." Sanji scoffed indignantly, brushing off Zoro's teasing as easily as he normally did, only this time with a tad more slurring, "Please. I'm just getting a drink to give her a chance to recuperate; I'm a lot for the ladies to handle."
"You're a lot to handle. Period." Zoro noted shrewdly.
That managed to earn a hearty chuckle from the blond that lasted far longer than the joke warranted. Sanji eventually gained some composure as he leaned forward with a grin and muttered drunkenly, "So, got any cool CIA stories?"
Making a face, Zoro offered a half truth, "It's classified."
Nothing was necessarily classified; he could tell whomever he wanted. However, if someone ever found out that people besides him knew, they might end up on a hit list. There were a lot of closed cases he could probably regale Sanji with, but he honestly didn't want to relive that part of his life yet; he still had problems sharing it when his therapist forced it out of him.
"Boo." Sanji exclaimed with an exaggerated pout before conceding with a batted hand of surrender. There was a moment of silence after which he was insisting eagerly, "Okay. Okay. What about your childhood? That can't possibly be classified."
"It's... pretty dull." Zoro offered cautiously, more surprised than anything that Sanji would care about something so mundane. No one had ever cared or asked about his childhood before – aside from his therapist – however, it was mostly because there wasn't anything to tell. "Small town; joined the military to get out. That's it."
"Huh." Sanji hummed in a rather disappointed tone, chin falling into his palm as he continued to watch Zoro with a drunken, enigmatic stare, "I was expecting something far more exciting..."
"Sorry to disappoint." Zoro shrugged, inclining his drink towards the blond before rebuffing, "What about you?"
"Port town." Sanji offered between a sip of his beer, a fond, reminiscent smile lighting up his face, "A lot of days spent down at the docks; fishing and racing sailboats."
"Sounds nice." Zoro noted sincerely, "Why'd you leave?"
"School." A shrug, followed by another hearty swig of beer before Sanji continued, "Then got sent here; never left."
"Why?" Zoro found himself asking before realizing it. Not judging Sanji, nor anyone else for that matter for living in such a quaint little town, but also not entirely sure why someone would willingly choose it. Coming here certainly hadn't been of his own volition.
Sanji's face went soft, and without even glancing out towards the floor where he knew his companions were he tilted his head and murmured, "'Cause of them."
"They're that special?" Zoro inquired rhetorically, already knowing the answer. Having had it proven to him numerous times already in the past couple months.
"They're family." Sanji implored sincerely, face falling for a moment as he muttered, "They've helped me through a lot..."
A weird silence hung in the air that made Zoro feel like he was missing something from Sanji's earlier statement; not entirely sure what the blond could be implying, and also unsure if it was polite of him to ask. Instead, he just let the conversation die as Sanji began fidgeting with his beer uncomfortably before abruptly looking back up at Zoro.
"Look, I wasn't entirely honest..." Sanji began guiltily, Zoro looking at him in surprise as he clarified, "About knowing about your PTSD."
Zoro didn't respond, just raised a curious brow as he waited for the blond to continue.
"My dad did a tour; it messed him up pretty bad." Sanji admitted softly, cradling his beer in tense hands as it was clear that he wasn't reliving particularly fond memories, "He wasn't the same afterwards. And after my mom passed away, he got... well... I went to live with my uncle after that..."
Zoro sat quietly listening to Sanji's drunken, rambling confession; understanding a lot of what Sanji meant even though it mostly went unsaid. Knowing all too well that Zoro had had moments of weakness like that as well, only he was fortunate enough to have no one around him to suffer the consequences. Unsure of what to possibly say to console the blond he just remained sitting across from him with a silent, yet consoling look on his face.
Rubbing a hand across his face, Sanji shook himself before laughing, "Aw, man. Listen to me, making you listen to my shit... Anyway, what I meant was I knew what the signs look like cause of my dad; not my work."
"I... don't mind listening." Zoro managed honestly, knowing that if he didn't at least say something, the blond might think he was annoyed by his comments. Opting to take a page out of his therapists book, he added, "I'm glad you shared that with me."
A sputtering laugh broke the awkward tension that had built between them as Sanji began cackling before managing, "Jeez, what are you? My therapist?"
Smile quirking his lips at Sanji's words, Zoro offered instead, "I was thinking; friend?"
"Friend..." Sanji echoed the word in agreement, though through the loud music it almost sounded as though the blond was forlorn. Not given time to dwell on it however as Sanji raised his beer in a toast which Zoro accepted, before taking a long, and heavy chug. When they both lowered their bottles, Sanji remained smiling contentedly for a moment before the drunken haze in his eyes cleared momentarily.
"Hey..." Sanji noted with a hint of recognition in his voice as he leaned forward with narrowed eyes, "Isn't that...?"
Zoro cast a short glance behind himself and noted without much surprise his wife at the bar chatting with a stranger far too amiably. Her hand coming up to gently caress his chest as she laughed at something he said, her body swaying closer to his in interest as she tossed her hypnotizing hair over her shoulder flirtatiously. A long leg wrapped in fishnets inched closer to rub against the other man's leg as Zoro finally had enough and turned his back, not needing to see any more nor subject himself to the harsh reality.
"Shouldn't we..." Sanji began before a perplexed expression started to form on his face as he was clearly beginning to see what Zoro had already and was beginning to put the pieces together. Though he was still very obviously not entirely believing what he saw as his flicked back to Zoro in concern.
"No." Zoro cut the man off swiftly, keeping his gaze fixed firmly ahead of himself as he gifted Sanji with a pointed look, praying for the man to not pry.
"I..." Sanji started, still not quite getting it before his eyes properly widened in surprise as the whole situation must have finally clicked in his head. Jaw hanging open, speechlessly darting his eyes back and forth between Zoro and Kalifa as he was still very much at a loss for words.
Not wanting to get into any of it with the other man – least of all while he was intoxicated – Zoro pushed himself up and glanced down at the blond sternly, "I'm leaving; do you need a ride?"
Sanji just nodded his head dumbly, still too flummoxed to comment as he followed Zoro out of the bar and made an effort to not be noticed by his wife. Keeping his head down and turned away, they eventually made it out and over to Zoro's truck, both of them climbing in as Zoro reversed out the parking lot a tad too aggressively.
Out on the late night streets, there was hardly any traffic as Zoro drove the memorized route back to Sanji's apartment – oddly finding a few dead ends along the way that were new. Sanji refraining from making a scathing comment about his lack of direction – actually not making comments of any kind as he still seemed in shock over what had just happened. They were only a couple blocks away when Sanji finally decided to pipe up.
"Hey, um..." Sanji began softly, an embarrassed flush creeping up his neck as his hand came up to run through his drunkenly tousled hair nervously, "I know it's none of my business..."
"Then don't say it." Zoro finished for the other man, knowing that there were undoubtedly countless things that he wanted to say and none of them were anything Zoro wanted to hear. Least of all would they change the situation that he had come to find himself in with his adulterous wife.
Sanji took the cue and remained silent for the rest of the drive, Zoro pulling up into front of the apartment complex and keeping his gaze fixated firmly ahead of himself as he listened to Sanji get out. Door hanging open long enough for him to know Sanji was probably looking at him with a mixture of pity and concern; neither of which he wanted to see on the blond's face.
"You deserve better than her." Was all that was muttered softly from the other man, before the door closed and Zoro could distantly hear the other man walking away. Sitting alone in his idling truck as the passenger light eventually turned off and doused him in darkness.
Hands tightening on the steering wheel, Zoro let his head duck forward as the painful writhing emotions that had been eating away at him came forth with a vengeance. All his internalized guilt and anger over what he had done in his life laid bare as he couldn't find a single excuse for why he should be treated any better, isolation reminding him of the death, pain, and humiliation he had caused so many people as he muttered, "I really don't."
TBC...
