Author's Note #1: So I really liked this story because I've never seen one like it before, I know that like the Baratie is to Sanji, Kuina is a big part of Zoro's life before the straw hats and I want to cover everything about their relationship. I don't own One Piece. For all of those who are waiting for an original one-shot they've never seen before, here it is! Also, I'm getting so close to Ace's execution it's hurting me physically to watch. I watched the Strong World movie to feel better and see all the straw hats interact and felt infinitely better. They looked like mafia badass.
Beautiful Moments
by: Setkia
White Lilies
Moment Summary
Takes place during the 6 months between chapter 41 and 42 as Sanji and Zoro's relationship develop.
"So ... I did it. I finally moved on and maybe this isn't what you were expecting, but I'm pretty fucking happy with my choice. His name's Sanji, he's got fucked up eyebrows, blond hair and nearly gave himself cancer. He's great, isn't he?"
It was two o'clock in the afternoon when his boyfriend trudged into the kitchen.
Zoro Roronoa was a late sleeper. That was a matter of fact, however two o'clock was late, even for him.
Sanji had set the table at ten, the usual time Zoro woke up. At this point though all the food had cooled down. Zoro didn't even bat an eyelash at it and instead, shouldered his gym bag. "I'm not hungry, I'm going out today."
It was the apocalypse. True, Zoro wasn't Luffy, who seemed to have five stomachs, but still, he never turned away food before, especially Sanji's food.
"Do you want bento?"
"No, I'm good," Zoro said. "I might be home late, so don't worry about my dinner."
Sanji nodded, but he could feel strain. Zoro wasn't usually so reserved, nor was he secretive about his plans. They had been together for about eight months. Was Zoro bored now? Sanji bit his lip. Honeymoon phases didn't last forever, he wasn't stupid. They had been doing so well, he might've convinced himself that theirs would never end. Clearly he was delusional.
"Okay," he said softly.
Zoro nodded and grabbed his keys before opening the door and slamming it shut.
Sanji stared at the door for a few moments, wondering what was up with Zoro. He sighed and turned around when the door suddenly opened again.
"Um ... Sanji?"
Sanji turned around quickly to see Zoro standing in the doorway, looking awkwardly at the floor, rocking on the soles of his shoes. "Come with me?"
Sanji stared at Zoro, confused. "Why?" he asked before he could stop himself.
"Because I said so, shit-face," Zoro snapped. "C'mon."
"You're all about abduction aren't you?" Sanji said, rolling his eyes. "What if I don't want to come?"
Zoro's eyes glinted with mirth. "Oh, you know you love it when I make you come."
Sanji blushed deeply and turned his head away. Though that smirk on Zoro's face was commonplace, there was something off about it. "That's not what we're talking about right now. Where are you going?"
"Flower shop."
"You know you don't usually take the person you're giving flowers to with you when you get them."
"I never said they were for you, Curlicue," Zoro said with a snort.
Sanji felt himself grow redder. Okay, misunderstanding there. Was that conceited to think he was buying me flowers? He's my boyfriend, it wouldn't kill him to do something romantic for me for once. But he knew Zoro always pulled through in the end, doing something strangely romantic in its own right before Sanji even had a chance to realize he was mad at him.
"Fine, I'll come but I'm driving."
"I knew you liked it better that way."
Sanji ignored the innuendo and grabbed his jacket, walking past Zoro to the car. There was just something off about the Marimo that he couldn't place his finger on and if he was being honest with himself, he didn't want to think about it too much. The fact that he couldn't tell why he was so upset, it just meant there was something else he didn't know about him and asking him about it seemed embarrassing.
When they walked into the flower shop, that tall giant was there again. He was there with a shorter man with dark brown hair who seemed to be putting up a fuss about how close they were standing.
Zoro tapped the man on the shoulder and he calmly turned around. Sanji shook his head; you didn't just interrupt two people who were having a conversation. The man didn't seem to mind being interrupted and went on to give Zoro a beautiful bouquet of flowers. They were lilies.
"So if you're not giving them to me, who are you giving them to?"
"You'll find out later," Zoro grumbled.
Sanji let his mind wander, wondering what they could possibly be for. What did lilies symbolize? Well, white lilies like the ones Zoro was holding in his hand all too gruffly were supposed to represent innocence and devotion. Innocence … Sanji felt himself pale. Luffy was innocent. Was his boyfriend really going out of his way to buy Luffy of all people flowers?
Sanji bit his lip and tried not to laugh at the idea of Zoro handing over flowers to Luffy. The image was just too hilarious to think of.
White lilies are also a second wedding anniversary gift. Kaya and Usopp hadn't gotten married yet, they intended to do so soon though; Zoro wasn't about to go and jump the shark, was he?
"Hey Zoro?"
"Hmm?"
"You're not like … secretly seeing someone, are you?"
"I'm seeing you, aren't I?" asked Zoro, rolling his eyes. "Can't I drive now?"
"You'll get us lost," said Sanji. "And I know that, I just meant … do you have like … a secret lover or something?"
"The hell cook?!"
"So is that a yes?"
"Do you want it to be a yes?"
"No, I just meant—"
"I would've thought you'd know me better than that." Zoro shook his head and shoved Sanji out of the way of the car. "I'm driving this time. You don't know where we're going." He shoved the flowers into Sanji's chest and got into the car, slamming the door shut, finalizing the discussion of who was driving. "And besides, if I did have a secret lover, which I don't, why would I ever tell you about it? That's kinda part of the title, the whole 'secret' bit."
"I dunno, you're an idiot Marimo, I can never predict what stupid shit you'll do," Sanji snapped. He got into the passenger seat of the car with a huff and folded his arms over his chest in a manner that he realized must've looked childish, but he couldn't think about it too much for fear of overthinking it.
"Hey."
Sanji turned to Zoro whose voice had suddenly gone very soft. He placed a hand on Sanji's arm and leaned forward slowly, his breath like a ghost on Sanji's lips.
Sanji jerked away quickly and Zoro lurched forward and smashed into Sanji's seat belt.
"Now is not the time for a hot make-out session in a car and buckle up!" Sanji snapped.
"Are you … jealous?"
Sanji could feel the tips of his ears going red. "Am not, shitty Marimo! Let's just get this over with."
Zoro nodded but then Sanji could hear the unmistakeable sound of laughter. The bastard had the guts to laugh at him! Oh Sanji was totally going to kick his ass when they got back to the apartment!
"What's so funny?" he snapped.
"Nothing."
Liar, you're still laughing at me.
SMACK!
"Ow!" Zoro recoiled as Sanji's foot hit Zoro in the shoulder. "What the fuck was that for?"
"Punch buggy," said Sanji casually.
"Should I report domestic violence?"
"Yes, you're in an abusive relationship are you?" demanded Sanji. "Like you don't kick my ass daily."
"I thought you liked it when I dealt with your ass."
Sanji rolled his eyes. "You've become such a pervert, anyone ever tell you that, moss-head?"
Zoro shrugged but Sanji could see he was tense. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel and they turned onto another street. Suddenly his surroundings became more familiar to him and Sanji pale.
"Zoro … this is …"
Zoro stopped the car abruptly and Sanji got out with no words being said. He held the bouquet of flowers tightly in his hands, feeling his sweat dripping as he followed Zoro past the gates into the cemetery.
White lilies … for humility, innocence, devotion, anniversaries and …
And funerals.
Sanji was silent as they made their way up the hill. He said nothing when Zoro stopped in front of a tombstone. He was prepared to brace all of Zoro's weight on him when the man finally broke down and cried as he tended to do when it came to this topic, but instead of that, he took the flowers from Sanji's hands and placed them on the tombstone before grabbing Sanji's arm tightly, his grip so harsh, his nails were digging into Sanji's flesh. He lifted the cook's arm above his head and then in a loud voice began talking.
"So ... I did it. I finally moved on and maybe this isn't what you were expecting, but I'm pretty fucking happy with my choice. His name's Sanji, he's got fucked up eyebrows, blond hair and nearly gave himself cancer. He's great, isn't he?" Zoro chuckled and Sanji could tell the swordsman was trying to hold in tears. "You would've loved him. I decided to bring him around for your approval. We've kinda been dating for a while now and while I know I should've told you about him sooner, I figured it's better late than never, right?"
Sanji couldn't help it. He had to bite back tears. Zoro was acting so nonchalant about the whole ordeal, but it was obvious that he was hurting as well. He was putting on a brave face and for who? A woman who was buried deep beneath their feet.
"Zoro—"
"I miss you," said Zoro in a quieter voice, the hand holding Sanji's arm falling limp at Zoro's side, but his grip did not loosen, not in the least. "Every day … I wonder why you couldn't be here with me. I started fighting for money, Nami got me into it. You would've made a fortune with those bar fights … I told myself I wouldn't visit … but anniversaries are a special thing, aren't they?" Here it was. Sanji could see it, the moment the dam broke behind Zoro's irises; the moment the floodgates gave way and the tears started to fall. "I've been managing … And …" Zoro drew in a deep breath. "I still love you, that's not something that'll just go away but I'm getting better. I'm healing. I know you never meant to hurt me, you were doing what was best for you." Zoro was unsteady on his feet, it was obvious from the way he was trembling and then suddenly, his knees gave out and he was in a begging position with Sanji still holding on tightly to his hand. "I know you didn't mean to leave me like that." Sanji could feel the bitter taste of tears in his mouth. He licked his lips and tried his hardest not to make a sound. Zoro needed him to be strong for him right now. Even if it was just the warmth of his hand, Zoro had to know he wasn't alone. Reassurance. Sanji was not going to leave him. "But … As much as I love you, I also love him. I'm sure your happy about that; that I'm not some grumpy hater of love. He makes it easier."
Sanji felt his stomach churn and his head felt lighter as he fell to his knees beside Zoro. He rubbed his shoulders, trying to give him whatever comfort he could manage but he couldn't be sure if anything was reaching him. Zoro swayed, his head lolling onto Sanji's shoulder. His sobs became louder, more pronounced. Sanji held Zoro tightly to his chest. "I've got you," he said softly. "I'm here."
Zoro laughed without humour. "You still smell like cigarettes."
"What can I say? The smell lingers."
Zoro smiled at him, through his tears and pain. "I still can't believe she's gone …" He took in a deep breath. "Does it ever get better?"
"Not better," Sanji admitted. "Easier, but never better. You're never going to get over it, you're just going to learn to live with it."
"She really would've loved you to pieces," said Zoro softly. "You would've loved her too. Utter chaos, that's what you two would've been together."
"Stop, it hurts, doesn't it? Talking about it?"
"A little," said Zoro. "But … it's a good kind of hurt. Bittersweet."
Sanji glanced at the tombstone of the woman who Zoro had loved— still loved— and couldn't help but feel a connection towards her. He and her shared one thing in common, despite the fact that he had never known her. They both loved Zoro immensely.
Sanji kissed Zoro slowly, tasting the tears on his lips. Zoro clung to him like a dying man who needed dry land, clutching his clothes and pulling him as close as possible. Sanji let him, feeling Zoro sag his entire weight into him as he ran his fingers through his hair softly. When they pulled apart, Zoro smiled, his grin suddenly a lot more genuine.
"We're going to get in trouble for parking," Sanji whispered softly.
Zoro chuckled, almost a whisper. "Let's go back."
"Are you going to be okay?"
Zoro took a deep breath. "Yeah. I'll survive."
Sanji glanced at the tombstone. "You go ahead. Give me a few minutes, alright?"
Zoro didn't question him and instead headed for the car.
Sanji turned to the spot designated for the woman who had stolen Zoro's heart. "He's a great guy, isn't he?" he whispered. "I'm sorry I never got to meet you, I can tell how much you mean to him. You know, he says your name in his sleep sometimes. Though I'm sorry your gone, thank you for giving me a chance with him. I'll take good care of him."
Almost as though her spirit was inside the cemetery he could feel it, a gush of wind that ruffled his hair as though to congratulate him on doing a good job. He felt as though he had said the right words.
Taking a deep breath, he stood up. "He deserves to be happy. I can only hope I can do that much for him, and for you. I'll watch over him for you."
Sanji then went down to meet Zoro at the car.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah," said Sanji, looking back up at the cemetery for one last glance. "Let's go."
Author's Note #2: The thank-you!
So thanks to HollyWoodFix for your review, I'm trying here. I'm just dying to get back to the rest of the crew, it's going to be great when it happens. Yeah, I'm pretty active in Soul Eater now. And the problem with Soul Eater: when I watch it I suddenly become violent with books, demand symmetry, am loud, try to be cool, and start quoting scenes for no specific reason. The number 8 conquers all.
Please review! If you guys have any requests for specific somethings you want, tell me!
