Author's Note: I'll be honest. I didn't think the story would go on this long, but I'm really glad it has. I'm also really happy with this chapter cause I really liked writing it. The story seems to flow better when Sanji and Zoro are together, or when they talk, which is why writing chapters like this, where there's little contact between them is usually hard, but the thing is, since basically all Zoro was doing was talking about Sanji, it became easier. I don't own One Piece, or Zorro, or Bleach. Thanks for the reviews will be below along with other questions.


Beautiful Disaster
By: Setkia


Full Summary

Sanji is the assistant cook of the world-renowned restaurant, the Baratie, the only restaurant like it in the world. He's a successful chef and flirts with the customers every chance he can get but there's a problem. It's all a facade. The cooks give a new meaning to the word "abusive", both mental and physical. The only thing keeping Sanji alive is his love for cooking and a good ol' pack of cigarettes.

Zoro Roronoa is a swordsman who suddenly has more change in his pocket than he expected and enters the Baratie by recommendation. His waiter happens to be a curly browed man with an adoration for cigarettes. An attempt speak to the head chef goes horribly wrong and he gets sucked into the crumbling world of the chef's, wondering how he can possibly save him and better yet, why does he want to save him in the first place?


WARNINGS for this chapter. The following things are present in this chapter of Beautiful Disaster:

Mentions of rape, self-harm, suicidal thoughts


Chapter 21: Defending His Honour


It was when December started that Zoro's arm finally healed.

Three painful weeks without holding a sword, especially after getting a new one from Sanji, and the first thing Zoro wanted to do was fight.

"Are you sure?" Sanji asked him, obviously concerned.

Zoro nodded. "I'm fully healed, don't treat me like a fucking doll," he warned. "And I haven't trained in forever," he added. "Fight me, or are you scared, Curly Brow?"

Sanji smirked. "You got your swords back from Nami?"

Zoro nodded and pulled out his swords. Sanji stared at him in slight shock. Zoro gave him a questioning look before he realized why Sanji was so confused. Zoro turned the dark blade over in his hand and smirked. "Like it?" he asked Sanji.

"You're actually using it?" Sanji asked.

"I told you I would, didn't I?" Zoro reminded him. "So are we going to fight or not?"

"In the living room?" Sanji raised a questioning eyebrow.

Zoro sighed and rolled his eyes. Taking Wado out of his mouth, he sheathed her. "Fine, we'll move, but don't you dare think about going easy on me cook, or else I'll whip your ass to China."

Sanji smirked. "Oh, I'm so scared!"

Once they got themselves settled in the alcove, it was a matter of who would make the first move.

The tension that hung in the air was so thick and suffocating and yet Zoro loved it. He hadn't realized how much he missed fighting with Sanji until he started again. He lunged forward and swiped with both of his swords, Sandai and his new one, Shusui. The balance felt perfect in his hand and watching the dark sword as it slashed made him feel prideful. Sanji had chosen well.

However Sanji got back before the swords could strike him. He lifted his foot and forcefully kicked at Zoro's face, but Zoro ducked. He was slightly rusty, but the adrenalin rushing through his veins was more than welcome as he dodged another attack from Sanji before he took three steps and made three slashes at him. Sanji tried to dodge them all, but he was nicked by a blade in the shoulder at the last strike.

Zoro stopped and stepped back, taking Wado out once more.

"What, are you feeling bad for me, shitty swordsman?" demanded Sanji, holding his arm for a moment before putting his hand back into his pocket.

"You're going easy on me," Zoro accused. "I told you I want to fight!"

"I'm not going easy," Sanji snapped. "I haven't sparred in a while myself!"

Zoro blinked.

Did that mean for the three weeks Zoro was recovering from his arm injury, Sanji hadn't fought with anyone else? He wasn't sure if he should feel happy that the cook had waited for him to recover, or if he should be pissed he didn't think of keeping himself in shape.

"Bastard!" Zoro snapped, going to attack Sanji again.

Zoro hadn't noticed it before, but the blond's movements were slightly off. He was quick to respond, but he second-guessed himself and that lead to close calls. Sanji knew him, he knew how Zoro fought, he knew all of Zoro's moves. Fighting against him might be fun as hell, but that also meant the more you fought with someone, the easier it became to read them. The easier it was to fight them again and again. Each person fought differently and Zoro thought Sanji knew his style like the back of his hand. Was he really that rusty?

Sanji kicked Zoro harshly in the chest and it pushed him back, his bare feet skidding against the cold wood floor. He raised his swords above his head and slashed down when Sanji went in for the "kill". His swords almost got him, but then Sanji dropped to the ground, putting his hands on the floor and cleanly making a sweep of his foot, wrapping it around Zoro's ankle, forcing him off balance and making him fall.

"I'm warming up," Sanji told Zoro with a smirk. He lit a cigarette. "Were you always this easy to beat?"

Zoro smirked at him. "Shitty bastard."

Sanji held out a hand and Zoro took it, helping himself off the floor. As soon as he was on his feet, he used Wado to cut at Sanji's shoulders. The blond took a step back, barely missing the blade. "What was that, Curly Brow?" he teased.

Fighting Sanji was a rush that Zoro had nearly forgotten. He wasn't sure how he had gone so long without it. It was almost like he was fighting her again. Except Sanji was better than her. Maybe he couldn't handle swords and he'd never beat Zoro 2001 times, but that was the point. That's what made Sanji so great. Zoro didn't feel like he was in over his head when he fought Sanji, he was evenly matched. It wasn't a battle of pride and dignity, it was a fight between friends, a warm-up, some playful sparring. And while she had been his goal, what he had pushed himself to be, Sanji was better for him in the sense that he didn't hold back and Zoro could still fight. It wasn't the skill that made him better, it was that Zoro and his skills matched almost perfectly.

Zoro would never forget her, it was impossible to forget your first love. But he was getting better at accepting it. He had never realized it until now. He was grateful towards her, for making him work so hard, for making him reach so far, for giving him the drive and determination to get better. Because without her, he was sure he would have never been able to match Sanji. He wouldn't have been able to fight him, to teach him. He wouldn't be able to feel this amazing rush he got when he was around him.

And yet when they both collapsed from exhaustion and he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, he felt alone.

When he fought Sanji, it was like they were dancing. They were fighting, graceful, careful and routined. It was beautiful, really. When the fought, they held nothing back and Zoro was ever-grateful for it. Sanji wasn't hiding anything when they fought, he let it all go. He felt as though he and Sanji were closer to each other than they could ever be when they fought each other. But when it was over, the floor was still cold and the apartment seemed empty.

Because for the past while, Sanji had been pulling back. He hadn't been as forward as usual, he had been distracted. Better yet, he had been trying to distract Zoro and it wasn't as though Zoro hadn't noticed.

Nami had said something about the scars. About new ones. Were there any new ones now? He wanted to ask, but he knew that if he did, Sanji would never answer. Was that what he didn't want Zoro to know? He didn't want to talk to Zoro about the scars?

He rolled onto his side to see Sanji, still staring up at the ceiling, a satisfied grin on his face.

What are you hiding? What are your secrets?

Zoro needed answers and as much as he hated to admit it, he was pretty sure he knew the only place he could go to to get them.


Walking into the Baratie again after so long away made him feel sick.

Sure, Zoro had great memories of this place. That first time he had come in and met Sanji. He still remembered thinking Sanji was a bastard. He still was, but a more sufferable bastard. He remembered that orgasmic cry of his when he had first tried sushi. He remembered Sanji's satisfied smirk whenever he watched Zoro eat his meals. He remembered the playful banter they had.

But he remembered the bad things too.

He remembered the way Sanji walked like he was on glass around the place, the way he calculated his every move to avoid everyone. The way he would fake a smile or a laugh, the way Zoro would sit in his chair, begging to ask him a question, to know if he was okay, but knowing if he said even a word about the blond's injuries, he'd be kicked out in a second. He remembered the look on Sanji's face when he had been hit by that ladle, the look on Sanji's face when he had kicked Zoro. That fatty bastard's curling, lopsided, twisted, maniacal grin when Zoro came into the kitchen.

He looked around the restaurant. Did anyone else know about the secret of the Baratie? Was he the only one? Would anyone in this place care if they knew what the blond cook had gone through?

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and considered what he'd do. If he could get past the receptionist, then maybe he could ask others if they had seen Sanji. He could probably ask around, but knowing the way that receptionist was glaring at him, he highly doubted it.

Zoro saw a blonde woman who looked up from her plate, her eyes scanning the room as though she was searching for something, or someone. Her eyes landed on Zoro and she leaned towards the man with her. He gave her a frown and then the woman was making her way to him.

She gave a smile to the receptionist. "He's with me," she said.

"Wait, who the—"

"Come with me, Mr. Roronoa," she said with a smile once more. It was that same fake smile Sanji gave him. She was worse at hiding it than the cook.

Zoro was speechless and could do nothing as the woman dragged him towards towards the back of the restaurant, towards the small hallway that lead to the restrooms. He pulled his arm out of her grasp and glared at her. "Who the fuck are you?!" he demanded.

"You have to be quiet," she told him, "please, we can't be discovered."

"How the fuck do you know me?" Zoro demanded in a slightly less loud voice. "Do I even know you?"

"I'm Moodie," the woman introduced. "You're a friend of Sanji's, aren't you?" she asked. "I've seen you here before, he used to wait on you, didn't he?"

Zoro gaped at her. "How do you know Sanji?"

"I've known Sanji for quite some time," she said. "You're Zoro Roronoa, right?"

Zoro nodded silently. He was still reeling. How did this woman know him?

"I've seen you in the papers, you were Sanji's regular customer, weren't you?"

Zoro nodded again. "How do you know Sanji?" he repeated.

"He's …" Moodie bit her lip. "Our relationship's complicated. He's … he's my saviour."

"Your saviour?" Zoro repeated.

"In a sense, yes," Moodie said. "It's complicated and far too personal for me to explain to you, but let's just say that he's my light in the dark. I haven't seen Sanji in nearly a month. You know where he is, don't you?"

Sure Zoro knew where Sanji was. Sanji was at the apartment, flipping through taped episodes of Bleach, wondering why Zoro had decided to go out all of a sudden. But he wasn't going to tell Moodie that. "What makes you think I know?" he asked. She was overly-suspicious to him. What was her relation with Sanji and why was it complicated? Wait, a month ago … Sanji was with Zoro, wasn't he? "What do you mean he was here a month ago?"

"He came for a while about a bit over a month ago," Moodie explained.

"When?"

"I'm not sure," said Moodie. "It was just some day—"

"When?" Zoro pressed harder. When had Sanji come back to the Baratie without Zoro knowing? Wait, was it that night when he had asked for the cigarettes? Fuck! No wonder he was acting so weird! "What happened?" he demanded. "What happened when he was here?"

Moodie stared at him with wide eyes. She looked slightly scared at Zoro's raised voice and his panicked expression. "He … He came in for a while and spoke to me for a bit," she said. "And … and when he was going to leave …" She trailed off, like the memory hurt her.

Fuck, what happened?

"Tell me," Zoro urged. "Listen to me, you have to tell me," he insisted. "Is he in trouble? What happened?"

"There was a man with a hairnet," said Moodie slowly. "He … he started a fight …"

Hairnet? Fuck, Patty? "Was the man wearing a name-tage? Was his name Patty?"

Moodie looked away from him.

"Tell me Moodie, was his name Patty?"

Moodie nodded.

"Fuck!" Zoro ran his fingers through his hair. "What happened? With Patty and Sanji."

"Is … is Sanji okay?" asked Moodie.

"No he's not fucking okay!" Zoro snapped at her. He knew it wasn't her fault, she was just someone who knew Sanji, but didn't know his problems. But for some reason, he felt like it was her fault. She seemed closer to Sanji than the other customers and yet she had never figured out what was happening to him? He could've gotten out of this hell so much earlier if someone had just opened their eyes! "Fuck, it's not my place to tell you, but Sanji's … Sanji's suffering." He couldn't tell her everything about Sanji, as much as he knew those brown eyes of her wanted to know, it wasn't his place to tell her. "But I need you to tell me what happened."

"Patty … Patty hit him," said Moodie softly. "He hit him and then he … he started telling him things. He mentioned your name and then he … he accused Sanji of being gay …" She seemed to be crying, her eyes tearing up. "How … how long has this been happening? Am I blind?" She sniffled. "How long has he … how long has he been in this pain?"

Zoro didn't know what to tell her. He didn't know how to handle crying people. Handling a crying Sanji was easy. You insulted him and then he'd start to get pissed. He would start fighting with you until he forgot what he was crying about. Zoro didn't want to sound sexist, but women were more fragile, weren't they? Fuck, what was he supposed to do?

He awkwardly wrapped an arm around her, holding her close and petting her head. It felt weird and her tears were beginning to seep into his shirt.

It took a while before she spoke again. She was still sniffling, but she managed to speak. "Sanji's lucky," she said softly. "Now I get it."

"Get what?" Zoro asked, pulling her away from him slightly.

"I … I talked to him about us," she said softly. "Alluded to a possibility …" She shook her head. "It was stupid. You take better care of him than I ever could. I didn't even know he needed to be taken care of," she added mournfully. "You're a great man," she told him with a bittersweet smile. "He said he had a place he could call home. Sanji's lucky."

Zoro stared at her in shock. She got it? He didn't understand. Sanji didn't … he didn't like Zoro like that, right?

He accused Sanji of being gay.

Did that mean …?

No, don't be stupid.

"Look, I need you to do something for me," Zoro told her. "I know you're probably feeling really shitty right now, but I need you to promise me something."

Moodie looked at him through her watery eyelashes and Zoro realized something.

He didn't find her pretty.

Well, no, that was a lie. She was pretty. He couldn't deny that she was a beauty, but he didn't feel any attraction towards her, not in the very least. She didn't make his heart beat any faster, didn't make him feel like his breath was caught in his throat. He had no sexual attraction towards her. He could appreciate that she was pretty, but there was something about her that turned him off about her and it wasn't the smeared make-up.

Am I really gay? Am I just noticing this now? Did everyone know before me?

"What is it?" asked Moodie.

Zoro shook his head, coming back to reality. "I know it's going to be hard, but I don't want you telling anyone about this. It's Sanji's choice who he's going to tell about this, not mine. I've already told you too much, you can't tell anyone about it."

"But—"

"Promise me," Zoro cut her off. "If not for me, for Sanji. He wouldn't want others to know, not like this."

Moodie nodded slowly. "Okay," she said softly. "I won't tell."

"What won't you tell?"

Zoro and Moodie turned around at the sound of a third person's voice. It was that man she had been sitting with, the one with the pink, lavender-like hair. He frowned. "Who are you?" he asked the man.

"Fullbody," replied the man. "Lieutenant Fullbody to you," he added. He turned to Moodie. "We're engaged and you're seeing someone behind my back?" he demanded. "First that shit waiter and now this guy? You're such a fucking slut!"

SMACK!

Maybe Sanji was rubbing off on him, but the next thing Zoro knew, he was pulling back his fist from hitting Fullbody in the face for making such an insolent remark about a woman. It felt good to punch with his left hand again.

Fullbody stared at him in shock, holding his nose which Zoro was pretty sure was broken, much to his content. "What the fuck, asshole? You trying to pick a fight with me? I'm a lieutenant!"

"So I've heard," Zoro drawled. "You say you're engaged?" he asked. "Treat your fiancée with more respect, bastard!" he told him, pushing Fullbody away from them. "And if you had any common sense, you'd know that—"

"It's okay," Moodie said, putting a hand on Zoro's chest, potentially to stop him from launching himself at Fullbody. "I can handle this." She took a deep breath and Zoro got the feeling he was seeing a transformation. Moodie was nice, but she seemed like a doormat to him. The fire in her eyes though was something he'd never expect to see in someone as small and petite as her. "Fullbody," she said, "I'm a strong and independent woman, I'm not your trophy that you can flash other people with. I'm gifted and I'm pretty. I'm smart and I'm not going to settle for a bastard like you. I'm going to speak to my father, by the time this night is over, you and I will no longer have any relations to each other, do you understand me?"

"What the fuck?" demanded Fullbody. "Strong and independent woman?" he repeated. "Who the fuck do you think you are? You need me, you're nothing without me! I'm the one with the influence, I'm the one with the money, you have nothing without me! You are nothing without me"

"Maybe," Moodie agreed, "but I'd rather have nothing than everything with you."

"Fucking bitch! I don't know where all this independence crap is coming from, but you'd better stop this rebellious phase right now, you whore! You're gong to marry me and that's that!" He raised his hand forcefully to strike her but Zoro caught his hand. He didn't say anything, just sent a glare in Fullbody's direction. He wasn't going to interfere, this was Moodie's battle, but if the bastard thought he could get his way by slapping her around, he was dead wrong.

"It's not a phase Fullbody," she told him. "And I'm not under your thumb anymore. I don't need you, and I will not marry for anything other than love."

"Love?" Fullbody spat. "I hate to break it to you sweetheart," the way he said sweetheart sent shivers down Zoro's spine, "but that's not the way the world works. Politics, money, government, that's what matters. Pride and dignity get you nowhere. Who marries for love? No one!"

"I'm not going to be intimidated by you anymore—"

"So what? You're not going to listen to me anymore? Going to pack your bags and leave out the front door? You think people are going to be sympathetic towards you? You think you're going to get anywhere after what you've done to me?" he spat. "It doesn't work like that, it's pretty idealism, but life doesn't work that way so get fucking over it!"

"It isn't idealism, it doesn't have to be if I don't want it to be. Someone once told me that if I don't like the way things are, then I change them. I change them until things are the way I want them to be and I'm finally taking their good advice," she said. "I'm ridding myself of you, I don't need you!"

Fullbody let out a laugh that sounded hollow and unpleasant. "Is that so?" he demanded.

Moodie nodded. "Yes." Her voice didn't waver, but Zoro could see her shaking hands. She was terrified but she standing strong and Zoro couldn't help but respect her. "Now leave me alone Fullbody, I'm done with you."

"You're done with me?" demanded Fullbody. "No, you can't be done with me, I own you! I own you and I want a full refund! Done with me? Fuck that! I'm done with you!"

BANG!

Zoro took a step forward and with one of his arms underneath Fullbody's chin, he had him pressed against the wall. "I have swords," he told him. "The lady said leave her alone, didn't she? Or are you fucking deaf, bastard?"

Fullbody tried to push Zoro off of him, but he couldn't. He was just struggling like a fish stuck on a line.

"I would kill you right now," Zoro told him in a quiet voice, whispering in a his ear so Moodie couldn't hear him. "But there's a lady present and I don't want her to see such gore. So let's make a deal, how about it? You're going to leave here and you aren't going to come back again, not in this life-time, not in the next. We won't speak of this incident and any money you may want to bring to court, keep it in your pocket, understood? Otherwise I will take out my swords," Zoro promised.

"You'll go to jail for manslaughter," Fullbody said in between gasps. "The great Zoro Roronoa in prison, the media would have a field day with that one."

Zoro gritted his teeth. "Does it look like I fucking care?"

With a forceful push of his elbow, Fullbody's head hit the wall and his nose started to bleed horribly. He crumbled to the floor and glared up at Zoro, holding his nose in pain. "Besides," Zoro added, "they already know me there. It wouldn't be anything new." He picked the man up by the front of his shirt. "Now scram."

Zoro swore he had never seen a man run faster.

Zoro watched Moodie as she tried to relax, but she was still tense.

"You … you didn't have to do that," she said, still trying to catch her breath. She looked like she was having trouble breathing.

"Don't talk," Zoro told her. "I don't think your body can handle it," he admitted.

She shook her head. "You said your name's Zoro, right? Zoro Roronoa."

"Yeah," Zoro said slowly. "So what?"

"Do you know the story of Zorro?"

"Zorro?"

"Two Rs," she explained. "A Spanish swordsman who defended commoners with his sword and a mask. You were named well," she said with a small smile.

"I don't think I'd go that far—"

"Sanji's lucky," she said again.

Zoro decided to drop the subject. "Are you okay?" he asked instead.

She nodded. "I think so." Moodie walked, her legs shaking. She wasn't injured, unless teary make-up was considered a wound. Her legs were just unsteady it seemed. He took her arm and guided her back into the main dining room. He stopped when he saw the bastard Fullbody talking to someone with a hairnet. Hairnet. Patty.

"Are you okay if I leave you here?" asked Zoro in a slightly distracted tone. He gestured towards a seat, "Sit," he told her. "You should rest."

She nodded and thanked him before Zoro raced over towards the kitchen doors where Patty was talking to Fullbody.

Patty saw him and gritted his teeth. "Roronoa, it seems like you're back," he said with a malicious grin. "Didn't think you'd show your face here again."

"I was actually looking for you," Zoro told him. "So, how much money did it take to keep the fight at the Baratie out of the press?"

Patty smirked. "Where'd you hear about it?"

"My sources will remain anonymous," Zoro replied. He didn't want to drag Moodie down with him too. "How about you and I have a fight? One on one, hombre to hombre," he suggested. Seriously, Moodie mentioned a Spanish swordsman and Zoro was speaking Spanish. Was it like a switch?

"Oh yeah?" asked Patty. "What can a wooden sword do?" he demanded.

"I don't fight cheap bastards like you with wooden swords," Zoro told him. "Fight me," he declared. "Five minutes, outside the Baratie. Or are you chicken?" he demanded.

"Chicken?" Patty repeated. "The only chicken I have is cooked and grilled," he sneered. Really, cooking puns? "Fine, five minutes. Be prepared to die."

Zoro didn't even need five minutes, he was pumped and ready to go any second. A small part of his mind told him he was being irrational, that he'd land himself in the hospital as a result once again and then Sanji would have to donate blood again, but a bigger part of his mind reminded him that the bastard in the hairnet was the cause of Sanji's pain and suffering. He wouldn't let him get away.

He ran into the parking lot, got his swords out and waited. He was out for blood.


Seeing Patty come out of the Baratie cracking his knuckles with a smirk on his face only fuelled Zoro's anger.

"So, any reason for this fight?" asked Patty as he approached Zoro. "Upset I got my hands on your precious slut?"

"Sanji isn't a slut!" Zoro snapped.

"You sure? Cause he was sucking me in like—"

CLASH!

Zoro's swords came down, striking at Patty harshly on his arm. There was a cut. It wasn't deep, but it counted as far as Zoro was concerned. A cook's hands were their treasure after all, weren't they? He readied himself to strike again and Patty laughed at him.

"Roronoa's upset, isn't he? Your little play thing's quite amusing, isn't he? You've got him wrapped around your finger, don't you? Blondie's in love with you, isn't he?"

Zoro froze, letting Patty hit him harshly in the face.

"In … in love?" Zoro knew he shouldn't take the bait, but he wanted to know. He wanted to know if it was true, if Sanji was feeling even a little of what he was. If he had felt it in that kitchen too; the hot, heavy atmosphere that had made him dizzy. He was certain he would've kissed him again in the kitchen if that damn oven hadn't gone off.

"The little faggot's crazy for you, can't you tell?" demanded Patty.

"Sanji isn't like that!" Zoro snapped, gripping his swords tightly. He had enough of talking. He slashed at Patty, aiming for any and all vital organs. His movements were clumsier than they would normally be, blinded by his rage, but he was still striking him, Patty was still being wounded, he was still bleeding and that's all Zoro cared about.

"Fucking slut probably loves it," said Patty, despite the blood that was beginning to get into his eye. It dripped, making vision slightly harder for him. "You're so rough, you like that in bed, eh, Roronoa? Do you tie him up and make him beg?" he demanded. "The whore probably loves it. Spankings always get him hot and bothered I bet."

"Fuck you!" Zoro snapped, cutting at him again.

He just wanted to cut Patty down until he was on his knees, pegged down a couple of notches. He wanted him to bleed, he wanted him to feel everything Sanji had ever felt. He wanted him to feel hopeless and worthless, to feel like he shouldn't even be breathing air. The scumbag deserved it, he fucking deserved it!

"Hey Carne," said Patty, turning to the other cook who was simply watching the fight with his arms crossed. "You remember when he bled? Fuck, it was hot, dirtying the floor with his blood. His ass bled so much, you'd think he was a fucking virgin." He smirked and looked Zoro straight in the eyes. "But I bet you popped that cherry a long time ago, didn't you?"

Virgin? Those bastards took Sanji's—

SMACK!

BANG!

SLAM!

Zoro backed away, breathing harshly. His knuckles were white, his vision was red, his world was spinning. He had over-exerted himself but he didn't regret it. Not one bit. The blood that stained his clothes didn't matter, neither did the way those bastards seemed to be smirking. He didn't care.

He picked himself up off the ground, dusting off his pants. He sheathed his swords and the silence could be cut by a knife, only broken by Zoro slamming his car door shut.

He had to get back to Sanji.

Right now.


"Hey Zoro, welcome ba—"

Zoro cut Sanji off by wrapping his arms around the blond tightly, holding him to his chest possessively. He wanted to cry. Zoro could admit it, right now he wanted to cry. He wanted to take all of Sanji's pain and feel it for him, no matter how fucking sappy it sounded. He didn't want the cook to hurt, never again. Not after what he had been through.

"Zoro—"

"Don't talk," Zoro said softly. "Just … just let me hold you."

Sanji complied.

Zoro knew he didn't know everything yet. He didn't know the whole story, he didn't know everything those bastards had done to Sanji, his Sanji. Fuck if he was sounding possessive, he didn't care, not right now. He just wanted to hold him. He wanted Sanji to know that there was someone there, someone who cared.

Moodie had known Sanji for so long and he had never told her anything. She had been surprised by what Zoro had told her.

Sanji had never let anyone in and the fact that he was trying to awkwardly return Zoro's hug made him feel blessed. So very blessed that Sanji wasn't pulling away, that Sanji trusted him to hold him like this.

The tears escaped his eyes, falling slowly. He licked his lips, tasting the bittersweetness on his tongue. He bit his lip so Sanji couldn't hear him, but he was sure Sanji knew. Sanji knew Zoro was crying and he didn't care. It wasn't weakness, it would never be weakness to cry in front of him. Because he was Sanji.

All the pain, all the suffering Sanji never let anyone know, Zoro didn't know the extent of it but he knew no one should have to go through that alone. It hurt him to know that he was so good at hiding it, at pretending it never existed. It must have taken years of practice to master it. He held Sanji closer, trying to get his breathing under control as the smell of nicotine met his nose, the smell of spices and sweets, the smell of Sanji. He let it surround him, devour him whole.

"Regarde-moi, tu m'as forcé à tomber amoureux de toi, salaud. Tu ne le sais même pas. Et tu ne vas jamais savoir."

And Zoro cried harder, clinging to Sanji, treasuring the moment with everything he had as the tears fell faster at the truth of his statement. He wouldn't tell, he would never tell.

His lips were sealed.


Author's Note #2: Okay, the thank-yous.

JustCallMeLucie: Thanks for reviewing! I think I can see Zoro having no clique and just being there. Sanji could be popular too, I think, except I also think that with the way he acts around girls like an idiot, he probably gets first dates and that's where it ends. What Ed Sheeran song were you listening to? Maybe I know it? I want to know the soundtrack you think of for this story! This story kind of has a soundtrack for itself too, which isn't entirely made, but I have it. I don't make stories to fit to songs, which is why I find it amazing when I find a song that explains everything in my story perfectly without me trying to bend my story to fit the song.

lilcutieprincess (x2): Interesting. I'd imagine Zoro would be the star of the kendo team, it just fits, doesn't it?

Sabinah (x3): Trust me, I love angst too, probably more than I should. On the occasion, I just have this immense liking for reading sad stories, but most of the time, I like happy endings. Like, you're depressed through half the story and then it's all happy. My friends say I'm a closet romantic. I try to write everything to be diverse, so writing this story I like it cause it lets me do both angst and humour and I hope I balance it well. Yeah, the Cinderella thing was a rant I just kind of went on ... And as for Mihawk's line, I was just like, "it has to be cool, cold and sound totally awesome" so he ended up saying that. I like updating and besides, since it's my story, I'm always like, "I really like that scene when-" and then I realize I haven't written it yet and I'm like, "dammit, I gotta do that", so that's probably why I update so fast. That and how many reviews I get is really motivating! I never thought the story would do this well, to be honest.

Versora: Don't worry, there will be uke Zoro because I like people who can do both. In any yaoi story I write which contains sex, both will be ukes and semes.

Okay, question: first of all, what did Zoro say in French?

Second: If you were in Moodie's position, what would you tell Fullbody?


1st Edit: August 7th 2015 (Okay, why is it that always AFTER I publish the story, and I'm lazy and I read it over on the actual site, THAT'S when all the problems are obvious to me when I'm too lazy to do anything about it?)