That lunch period Sanji was again with Chopper in the science lab, trying but failing miserably to act interested in what the mini Doctor was saying or doing. He was too distracted by what he held in his hand. The ultrasound with his and Zoro's children. He was rubbing at his temple staring at it. He wondered if they knew, knew that their father wasn't accepting of the idea of them. If they knew that their technical 'mom' was some sort of freak able to have children. Though, he doubted they cared, so long as they got the food they constantly made him crave.
Chopper stopped reading out loud the article he had found and frowned, setting it down.
"Sanji, are you sure you're alright?" He asked again softly.
He knew he couldn't make everything better for the cook, it wouldn't be possible the longer that Zoro kept denying things. It didn't help that the cook was already going through some tough shit from the pregnancy, crazy mood swings and cravings, exhaustion. He really felt for the guy, but there was nothing more that he could do except give him all the support he possibly could.
Sanji sighed again, setting the image down flat on the table and finally looking over at Chopper. He knew he was trying his best to take the place of Zoro and the rest of his friends, and it made him smile weakly, but the feeling was still there. The sense of loneliness.
"Yeah, I'm fine Chopper." He assured. "I've just been tired, is all."
Chopper wasn't buying it though. He tried moving the article he had found referring to male pregnancy over towards Sanji, but he just merely glanced over it and back to the ultrasound. He'd already had far too much information about his weird ass blood line, he didn't want to read anymore into it. It only made him upset anyway, though the little bump protruding from his stomach against his school vest helped too.
Both of them jumped when they heard the lab's door slam open, Zoro storming in. Sanji froze in place, his eyes glued to the brute as he approached, slamming his hand down on the table. He was angry, but conflicted, desperately trying to calm himself down. He'd nearly gotten a calm expression until he glanced down, seeing the ultrasound on the table.
"Zoro wait-" Sanji started a little too late, unable to snatch the photo before Zoro took it and looked at it, the red in his face returning.
"Seriously Cook? Seriously?" He snarled, putting the ultrasound back on the table and staring down at it. "You, you even got one of these made?"
He was breathing hard, trying not to release the frustrations building inside of himself. Chopper got up from his seat.
"Zoro please, it's true just let him explain it to you, or I can explain it to you." He pleaded, lightly touching Zoro's arm.
The Marimo shoved his arm away though, scowling at the mini Doctor. "Did you do this? Did you forge this for him? Give him these ideas?"
Sanji stood up then, catching the swordsman's attention. "Stop it you shitty Marimo! Are you fucking mental? You think we sit in here conspiring about this kind of shit?"
Zoro pinched at the bridge of his nose, struggling to even think straight. Finally his shoulder's dropped, as well as his tone.
"Sanji." He said the cook's name, endearingly and sad. "I don't know what's going on here and why you keep lying to me." He turned to face the cook. "I love you. Why can't you just be honest with me?"
He glared back down at the ultrasound. "Are you trying to push me away?"
Sanji lowered his chin, stabbing his nails into his palms. Praying, no begging himself not to cry in front of the Marimo again. He remained silent, probably his worst mistake, as Zoro just nodded and turned around going to the door. Chopper though wasn't going to take that as an answer. He grabbed his article and the ultrasound, waving it behind Zoro, only getting a glance but still catching his attention.
"Zoro he isn't lying! Your twins! Please think of your twins-"
But the door just slammed shut. Chopper dropped his arm, defeated and slowly turned back around, looking at Sanji. The cook was still blank faced, picking his bag up from the floor and putting it over his arm. He looked up at Chopper, wishing he wouldn't stare so somberly.
"Sanji..." Chopper whispered.
Sanji stared down at the table, his hand moving to his abdomen, feeling its slight curve. He forced a smile. "It's okay Chopper. They haven't lost everyone just yet. They still have me."
This time though it wasn't the blond who teared up. It was Chopper, who tried to bite into his quivering lips, only to fail. He rushed over, hugging Sanji tightly, unconsciously wiping his face on Sanji's vest with murmurs of apologies and how he wished Zoro would listen. Sanji sighed, looking up towards the ceiling and patted his back lightly.
Sanji looked nothing but shattered the rest of the day. Anything that was said to him was promptly ignored and it was enough to be exceedingly concerned about. Even his doctor's words fell on deaf ears. Though something they both didn't expect to happen did. During the end of their last period, three familiar faces appeared around Sanji's desk as he was putting his stuff up.
His brows furrowed at the sudden shadows around him, pulling him slowly out of his trance enough to glance up at his crew's faces. He nearly blushed at being caught off guard.
"What…?" He mumbled in his surprised. "What do you guys need?"
Luffy was grinning ear to ear, obviously excited about saying something, but wary of Nami who was going to hit him if he said anything. The same went for Usopp. She crossed her arms and gave Sanji a polite smile.
"You don't have anything to do after school today right, Sanji?" She asked sweetly.
Sanji swallowed thickly. Crap. He never denied Nami before, it would be way too weird to start now. It was such a heaven sent to see her smile, it almost warmed his heart, except it really just reminded him of the ache inside it. He smiled weakly.
"Ah, well, Nami-swan, Chopper and I were just going to-"
Chopper shot up from his seat beside Sanji. "We're free! Totally free!" His voice was lightly shaking, feeling the expression and hate Sanji was already sending his way.
But this could be helpful for Sanji! It was most important for him to be happy and create a support system! Nami smiled at Chopper, internally thanking him for telling the truth. Then she glowered back at Sanji, trying not to get to upset he'd flat out tried to lie.
"Good! You should come with us. We're about to head over and see Robin. She came back today from her maternity leave."
All three of them watched as Sanji's face grew more flushed from the mention, watching as he stuttered, trying to keep up the conversation.
"M-Maternity leave?"
Usopp laughed nervously. "Come on Sanji don't tell me you've already forgotten about Nick already."
Sanji shook his head. Of course not, how could he forget about Robin and Franky's son. He, after all had been one of the most supportive trying to make sure Robin was the most comfortable during her pregnancy the last summer, when they actually had had her as a teacher. He could remember fondly when they all went to the restaurant just to celebrate finding out the gender. He awkwardly scratched at his head. It was so different thinking about those things now that he himself was…
"Sure… Alright then." Sanji decided, under the pressure of their glances. He grabbed his bag again. "Let's go."
Sanji walked slowly at the back of the pack, watching as his friends all talked to each other. Usopp and Chopper found something they had in common and were discussing it, mostly Usopp showing off a minor invention he'd drafted earlier that day when he should've been studying. Luffy was annoying Nami considerably. Luckily though Robin's classroom wasn't that far away.
She had a big smile on her lips as she rose from her teacher's desk to greet them. Walking into her classroom felt incredibly nostalgic for them all, having had her for a teacher their first three years of high school. They'd have her as a teacher this year as well, but not until the second semester that was still a few month's off. She taught history and was their special member of the crew. Well, that and her husband Franky.
Somehow they both had really gotten along with their group, constantly running into them outside of school that they actually threw all rules out the window, hanging out with them not as their teachers, but as their friends. It worked out better on both sides though, after Robin had made it ultimately clear it wouldn't change their failing grades, much to some of their dismays.
"Hello." She said politely as they trailed in one after another and sat around on the chairs and tables. "It's good to see you all again." Robin glanced over, spotting the shy Chopper as he tried hiding behind their crowd. "I see you brought along Chopper as well."
"H-Hello Ms. Nico!"
Robin quickly moved over towards them to sit at her tables also. She seemed really happy to be back and to see them, looking them all over, almost shocked.
"My, I haven't seen you all in forever and it looks like you've grown up." She chuckled lightly. "How are you all doing?"
Luffy, all smiles, laughed. "I'm swim team captain!" He announced happily.
Usopp, who was across from him and showing Chopper his drawings, looked up annoyed at Luffy. "Our swim team captain who can't even swim."
Robin looked kind of surprised at hearing this, turning to Sanji. "Oh? But I thought you were the captain this year Sanji."
Sanji averted his eyes, blushing slightly as he gave a soft shrug. "It's nothing, I've just been too busy to do the job. Luffy makes everything a lot more fun than I could, though." He nervously scratched at the back of his neck, knowing full well the attention was on him. They had wanted the reason why he did, no doubt.
Nami leaned over the table, looking eager at Robin. "So? Are you happy to be back? How's the baby? How is Nick doing?"
Robin couldn't help but melt into Nami's enthusiasm, nodding her head. "Yes, I'm so glad to get out of that house. I've already read through all my books at least a dozen times. Nick is fine, still happy as ever just like his father."
That earned more than just a minor chuckle from the crew, considering Robin's baby wasn't just like his father in that way. He looked kind of like a miniature Franky clone, blue hair and all. However he did seem to have his mother's unique complexion to his skin and at least the hair wasn't growing up and out like his father's awkward as hell ducktail.
Speaking of which, the door kicked in with the shout of a familiar 'ow', though not in pain but excitement. In strolled in their gymnastics teacher, also known as Franky, in his short gym shorts and white shirt with a whistle around his collar. He was wearing his sunglasses, holding a miniature version of himself cradled in his arms. The most interesting part of it all must have been the matching shades the baby wore.
"The Super father and son duo has arrived!" Franky announced, adding in some style.
Nami let out a cute squeal at the sight of Nick and rushed out of her chair to the baby. She scooped him out of his father's arms, totally ignoring and avoiding Franky, who was making a fool of himself and turning back to Robin.
"Robin! He's so adorable!" She swooned, looking down at baby Nick as she carefully strode back over.
When she sat back down the boys, all but Sanji, seemed to hover over her shoulders to look. The first thing Nami did next was take off the dorky sunglasses and put them on the table, all of them staring into those big blue eyes. He giggled at the weird faces staring at them.
Franky, a little bummed he didn't get the applause he had been searching for, wandered over and put a hand comfortingly on his wife's shoulder, smiling when she moved to rest hers on it as they watched. Sanji smiled gently, staring at the baby, though he tightly wrapped his arms around himself.
"Can he talk yet?" Luffy asked, looking up at Franky. "Can he say, 'SUUUUPER'?"
Franky laughed then gave him a thumbs up. "Not yet straw hat bro, but I'm tryin'!"
Robin sighed, adding in a quiet, "Though I wish he'd stop."
"Usopp back off your nose is scaring him." Nami criticized.
Usopp ignored her though. "I once talked my way out of a death sentence by making the son of an emperor laugh! I'm great with children!"
Chopper giggled. "Look Usopp he's reaching out for your nose!"
They all kept smiling, focused on the bundle of joy in the room that they hadn't even noticed the absence of one person's voice. Sanji was still in his seat, hugging himself and watching from afar. He wasn't really sure what to say, in fact everything having to do with babies these days just seemed to remind him of his confrontations with Zoro. The last thing he wanted to do though was for these guys to find out. Any more rejection and Sanji wasn't sure he'd be able to stay sane. He was half tempted to leave when Nami-swan called out to him.
"Sanji, do you want to hold him?" She asked sweetly, holding Nick up.
Sanji's stomach dropped. Him? Hold a baby? He'd never really held a baby before. Hell he wasn't sure at this point he ever wanted to hold a baby. He was going to try and protest but then caved into the peer pressure as his friends began egging him on with, 'come on Sanji' 'do it'. He pursed his lips and finally moved his arms out, taking the baby into his grasp.
It was awkward, the little bundle being way lighter than he had expected. He held Nick up by his arm pits, unsure how to even try getting him into a cradling position. Nick just laughed at him, reaching out for his face.
Robin let out a slight hum of amusement. "How cute Sanji, you look like a natural." She felt the need to point out. It made Sanji blush up to his ears.
Nami joined in, humming slightly herself. "You know Robin, Sanji is pregnant and expecting his own baby too."