Zoro

"Tch," I reign in my anger, resort to aggressively piling up the flat-packed boxes for the recycling. Nami comes into the living room and sits on the couch behind me.

"So this Sanji guy…"

I shrug. "Luffy's new friend."

"He lives here now?"

"The rent went up, remember? It's just to make things easier for us."

I follow her gaze to the two in the kitchen. The shitty cook has Luffy in a playful headlock, trying to keep him from devouring all the senbei at once. I look back at Nami's face. I don't need to strain to read her expression. She sees Sanji as another guy she has to compete with. I don't blame her. I feel that way too.

I return to flat packing boxes. Shit-cook's behavior around Nami sure surprises me though. All this time I thought he was fond of Luffy. Maybe he's not that kind of guy. I want to feel relief and probably finally get along with some civility with him, but it doesn't come. Just more unsettling jealousy. Why? Isn't it enough to know he doesn't see Luffy the way I do?

"Nami-swan!" The cook waltzes in, heart-shapes in his eyes and a stupid grin on his face. "Your tea, my beautiful mellorine!"

He places a mug and a plate of senbei crackers on the coffee table.

Nami picks a cracker up. "This isn't the usual cheap stuff you guys buy."

Luffy slips beside her, his mouth full of crackers. "Sanji made them! He's a great cook. His food's the best!"

I make a loud thud as I practically stamp a box flat on the ground. Shouldering a stack of cardboard, I make for the door.

"Oi," shit-cook pipes up. "Your tea'll get cold."

"Piss off," I don't even try to control the anger in my voice. I leave the flat as quickly as I can, slamming the door as I go. Not looking back at anyone. Especially not Luffy. I don't want to see the disappointment in his face.

Sanji

"What's with him?"

I force my eyes from the door to Nami, taking a long drag from my cigarette.

"The cold season is a tense time for the delicate marimo," I joke. She stifles a giggle.

"Indeed," She continues. "One must remember to water their plants regularly for them to live happy lives." She gestures tipping a beer can back. I laugh. I like this girl already.

Luffy doesn't quite get the joke. "Hmm, he's probably just tired. He hasn't slept yet since he came back from work."

Nami frowns at him. "You guys work far too hard."

Work. I check my watch. "Shit! I have to go to work!"

I run into my room and hurriedly get dressed.

"So you're a workaholic too?" I hear Nami-san call to me from the living room. "Now I know why you live with these guys."

I run back into the living room, lean my face in close to Nami's. "So sorry for being rude, but I really must dash." I give her a wink before running to the door. "Don't wait up, Luffy!"

"Bye, Sanji-kun!"

His voice rings out even as I close the door behind me. When I turn down the hallway, I see marimo coming up the steps. He catches my eye, face sullen like he's about to kill someone. I really don't have time for this.

I thank whatever god is patient enough to watch over me still, as he doesn't say a word. And we pass each other like strangers, like we don't even live together. I bite my tongue. For a second, I want to turn around, shout some profanity at him. Anything. I don't.

As I leave the flats, the image of Zoro and Luffy wrestling in the living room surfaces from my memories. I hear Luffy's defence for Zoro's actions in my mind. Maybe they really are together. And I'm just come crashing in out of nowhere, messing things up for them.

I sigh. I'll talk to the marimo bastard tonight. Sort things out. I don't want to have to move out again after unpacking everything.